Archive for August, 2009

Audio: Rich Paul (+ Mack Maine) Talk About “Forever”

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

According to MTV News, Young Money president Mack Maine spilled the beans on the song saying that “they re-did it, it got mixed over the weekend, now it’s getting mastered,” as well as Rich Paul, who works with Lebron James, saying this (in the audio above):

“Forever” will appear on as part of a collection of tracks inspired by the film (due in theaters October 2), with the soundtrack coming on September 22 on Interscope Records. Polow Da Don will executive produce the set, which will also include songs by T.I., Mary J. Blige, and Young Jeezy.

Forever was initially supposed to be only Drake & Kanye:

“It was done, it was just Drake and Kanye, and then they went back and got two more prolific talents and it just made it even crazier, ” Paul told MTV News late Tuesday. “They blessed Drake crazy.”

The song came together when Gee Roberson, an executive at Atlantic Records who also manages West and helps to oversee the careers of Drake and Wayne, visited LeBron during the playoffs in May.

“He came over and played this — it was me, LeBron and Maverick [Carter, James' manager],” said Paul, who will co-executive produce the project for James’ camp. “And he played the track, it was hot. It went right with the movie, it was like perfect for a moment that you want to be forever. And when he decided to put Wayne, Drake, Kanye and Eminem on it [together], it just makes is better. It’s one of those songs fans will really want to hear forever. It’s that type of feeling.”

Lil Wayne as long expressed a desire to rap alongside Eminem on a track — and now, he’s done it.

To add to all of these developments, I can confirm that it’ll have the same beat as the original, but it features new verses from Drake/Wayne, as well as possibly a new hook:
Continue reading this post…

KiD CuDi – Man On The Moon (Production Credits)

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

kc_jewel_cover

Kanye’s only producing two cuts for the Cudi album:

You’ll see that Kanye came out of the album with only 2 tracks, Sky Might Fall (co-produced by Cudi) and Make Her Say. Emile (4 songs) and Plain Pat (2 songs), who have worked closely with Cudi since releasing “A Kid Named Cudi” last year each contributed to the album as well. Rounding out the production is RATATAT (2), Free School (2), Matt Friedman of ILLFONICS (1), Crada for Motion Music (1) and Dot Da Genius (1). Also credited is Jeff Bhasker who worked closely with Kanye on 808’s last year.

“Sky Might Fall” is the best Kid Cudi song that you never got to hear.

Production list after the jump. Props to DatNewCudi

Continue reading this post…

Jay-Z Covers XXL (October ’09)

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

xxl_09_oct_cover
click to enlarge

XXL’s October issue includes stories on The Making of The Blueprint, the current state of lyricism in hip-hop, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, and more. The mag hits newsstands September 15.

Earlier: Jay-Z – Venus vs. Mars (prod. Timbaland)

HIS STANDING IN THE GAME:

“But when I say I’m the best, I don’t say that outta my ass. I say that with all my stats behind me. I put that against anybody. I mean anybody. I really believe that… I believe in a lot of things. 
I believe that ‘SportsCenter’ is the best thing on TV. I shouldn’t have to prove it. But I do have these stats to prove it. I’m talking about real run. I’m not talking about years off. I’m talking about straight—boom, boom, boom—back to back. We’re not talking about heritage acts either. We’re not talking about respect what I’ve done. I’m talking No. 1 [albums] 10 times. The Beatles is the only one [to have more 
No. 1 albums]. They got 19, and if I get a surge of creativity, I could make nine albums next year.

CRITICISM OF “D.O.A.”:

“I’m not hating on young people. Like, when people say that, I’m like, What are you talking about? It’s just stupid. I’m not hating on young people… I’m not Bill Russell, [saying] Michael Jordan ain’t shit. I’m saying Lil Wayne and Kanye are like LeBron and Kobe. My job as someone at the forefront of the game is to leave it in a better position than when I came in. Same way that Russell [Simmons] left it to me. ’Cause this thing saved my life. Literally. So I have a responsibility to it karmically. And after that it’s on you. I did my part. I made ‘D.O.A.’ I said it. I made the statement. I made the push. Here, y’all take it from here.”

HIS LEGACY AS FORMER DEF JAM RECORDS PRESIDENT:

“So if you ask me to grade my performance as the president, I’d say A-plus. No one can bat a 100. It’s impossible. I mean, everyone is looking at my shit. But if we really looked under the hood [of] every single [record exec] and the acts they put out in that time, I’d be comparable to anyone.”

- XXL

Video: Usain Bolt Says Lil Wayne & Jay-Z >

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

“When I was in the Olympics,” he told us, “I didn’t really listen to music. During the Olympics, it was mainly reggae, a little hip-hop. But I like Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, those guys. That’s who we listen to in Jamaica. A little bit of Ludacris. But as long as it’s hot, we got it.” [...]

“Right now, it’s Lil Wayne, #1,” he said. “He’s hot. He’s got everything. He sings the right tunes. I’m seriously listening to all his songs right now. Really sitting down, listening to his lyrics, and he’s got his lyrics [down] pat now. He’s got his lyrics. He’s coming up like Jay-Z. He’s smooth. He’s got a different flow from Jay-Z, but lyrics-wise, he’s got it. He’s a lyricist. Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, I don’t care who comes third. These guys have the whole place on edge, man. It’s hot.”

Bolt said he’s getting into the mixtape circuit as well, and on the reggae tip, Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man are the tops for him.

Props to Mixtape Daily

Video: Mysonne – Tony Touch Freestyle + Interview

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

67 Mob feat. Kool G. Rap – Legendary

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

67-mob-raising-the-bar

67 Mob’s (of Brooklyn, NY) Raising the Bar drops September 29th.

67 Mob feat. Kool G. Rap – Legendary

Bonus: 67 Mob feat. Killah Priest, Phillie & Bronze Nazareth – Surviving The Game

Album track list after the jump. My kingdom for the Sean Price feature.

Continue reading this post…

Bobby Creekwater – The Day I Got Dropped

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

The official single from “The Day it all Made Sense” EP, Bobby introduces the song in the video above.

Bobby Creekwater – The Day I Got Dropped

Previously: Bobby Creekwater Leaves Shady Records (Video)

Video: dead prez & DJ Green Lantern Intervirew w/ DJ Envy Pt. 4

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Previously: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Video: Fabolous Interview w/ iHipHop

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Loso has two new mixtapes dropping: one with DJ Drama, one with Clue:

iHipHop had the opportunity to catch up with Fabolous at the neighborhood Foot Locker where he was promoting his new collaboration with Reebok. In a day an age where album sales cannot be depended on, Fab is diversifying his revenue streams, even while getting his “grown man” on with his recently released album “Loso’s Way”. Fabolous also decided to reveal for the first time that he will be releasing a double disc mixtape in the near future. The first disc is going to be done by DJ Drama and titled There Is “No Competition Pt. 2″ and the second disc will be called “That Fabolous Bastard” and will be put together by longtime cohort DJ Clue. I know there are a lot of people anticipating these mixtapes more so then his album. Sorry about the sound quality.

Previously: Fabolous x Reebok Classic Remix Event @ Santos Party House

Cassidy – I’m Hood

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

play-cloths
Photo Credit: L.A. Ruano for Hypebeast

Over The Clipse’s “I’m Good.”

Cassidy – I’m Hood

Props to DJ Thoro via dajaz1.