Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Tennis Star Blames Drake's Music for "Flat" Performance (@drake)



Many athletes listen to hype music to get their blood pumping before a big game or match-up. Tennis star Nick Kyrgios tried a different method on Saturday, playing something a bit more mellow, and while he didn't lose his bout with Jiri Vesely, his first set left much to be desired. Kyrgios says listening to Drake before hitting the court caused the slow start.


"I came out really flat," he said after the match, "so hopefully I won't listen to that again! It was actually Drake. Didn't do the job for me."


Yesterday, Kyrgios beat Rafael Nadal and progressed in the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. It's assumed there was no Drake involved this time around.


Source: complex.com


T.I. Confirms Troy Ave's Deal With Grand Hustle

T.I. Troy AveYouTube

After years of steady grinding, Troy Ave is on the way to making his biggest move yet.


In an interview with Power 105′s Angela Yee insude the press room of the 2014 BET Awards, T.I. confirmed that he’s in the last stages of signing the Brooklyn, N.Y., rapper to his Grand Hustle label. The southern rhymer couldn’t be more excited about it.


“It’s in the works,” T.I. said. “We had verbals. Lawyers just got to do they thing, but it’s definitely something that we’re looking forward to.”


Tip also said they’re planning to shoot the video for the ‘Your Style’ remix featuring Puff Daddy, himself and Ma$e.


“Shout out to everyone who’s been supporting the remix by the way, featuring Puff and Ma$e, and one-time for that reunion, [but] we need to get that video shot so we can get it out to the people,” he stated.


It was just last week that Troy Ave spoke to Hot 97′s DJ Absolut, and said that he’s developed a tight relationship with the Rubberband Man. “He seen what I was doing,” said the ‘Only Life I Know’ rapper. “He was like, ‘Man, I’ma connect with you.’ He reached out like the real ones should. He was just like, ‘Yo, what you need help with? Let’s put something together, let’s chop it up.’”


A video for ‘Your Style’ featuring Lloyd Banks was released earlier this month.


Listen to T.I. Speak on Troy Ave With Power 105′s Angela Yee


Watch Troy Ave. Perform ‘Your Style’ With T.I. On Stage



Nike Features Sexy Ad for New Women's Sports Apparel


Iggy Azalea Responds to 2014 BET Awards Controversy


Iggy Azalea has finally responded to the brouhaha following the 2014 BET Awards Sunday (June 29).


During Nicki Minaj‘s acceptance speech after winning Best Hip-Hop Female Artist trophy, it appeared she was throwing shade at the Aussie rapper.


On Wednesday (July 2), the Queen Barbz clarified her statements via Twitter and praised Azalea on her recent accomplishments. However, she stressed that female rappers need to write and produce their own songs.


Azalea went on Instagram and addressed the situation.


In her Instagram message, the ‘Fancy’ rhymer doesn’t respond to Minaj’s earlier statements or address the rumors that she has ghostwriters penning her rhymes. But Azalea does feel that things are getting way out of hand.


“This is my mind state about everything & the only time I’m ever going to refer to this again so go nuts guys, Enjoy it,” she writes. “Ps. If you squint exxxtra hard you can see tiny elves having illuminati meetings between the lines in my notes app too.”


In Azalea’s missive, she states that she’s “unbothered” by anything that happened at the BET Awards. She also revealed that she will not get into fights with anyone who doesn’t support her success.


In the end, she wishes everyone to just “let it go.”


What do you think of Iggy Azalea’s statement? Tell us in the comments below.



Eazy-E's Son Upset He Won't Be Playing His Father in N.W.A Film

Lil EazyBryan Bedder, Getty Images

Eazy-E‘s son, Lil Eazy-E, feels slighted that he wasn’t chosen to play his late father in the upcoming N.W.A biopic.


TMZ reports that Lil Eazy-E wants the same privilege as Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson, Jr., who will play the role of his father. Neither he nor Jackson, Jr., have an acting background.


Actor Jason Mitchell was selected to play the role of Eazy-E. The famed son of the ‘Eazy-Duz-It’ rapper believes he should have received the part because of his resemblance to his dad. “I am my father. I look like him. I sound like him,” he stated.


Apparently he thinks Ice Cube is “betraying” the wishes of his father by casting someone other than him to play his part.


In an interview earlier this year, when the full cast was still being assembled, director F. Gary Gray shared that he was open to getting either a trained actor or somebody from the hood to play all the parts.


“We’ll it’s just a certain thing that a person from the hood has,” he explained. “There are times where a thespian can get there and give it to you, sometimes they can’t and street credibility, it’s just that thing.”


‘Straight Outta Compton’ is scheduled to open in theaters in 2015.



Nike Lebron 11 '3M Volt'

Marqueesole

The Nike Lebron 11 doesn’t need much selling. It’s already a much loved and revered silhouette. However things just got even cooler as it has adopted a volt and grey colorway that can’t lose.


The sneaker’s upper catches the gradient fade from heel to toe as volt morphs into grey and the grey itself is even notched up thanks to the use of 3M being tossed into the mix. Volt accents also find their way onto the flywire and lining as well for maximum jolt. The fool proofing doesn’t stop there however as we are treated to a gum outsole on the finish which pretty much cements these as must haves for fans of Lebron’s line.


The good news is that these exist, the bad news is that we have no idea when you can snatch up a pair. We can’t imagine Nike not letting these fly however so stay tuned and hopefully a release date will be announced soon.


Marqueesole Marqueesole Marqueesole

[Via Marqueesole]



Puff Daddy Debuts 'We Dem Boyz' Remix Video Featuring Meek Mill, French Montana


With a bunch of beautiful, gyrating women, fancy cars and enough Ciroc to swim in, what else would you need for the ultimate soiree? That’s obviously the reasoning Puff Daddy used while making the video for the ‘We Dem Boyz’ remix, as the visuals seem to consist of one long party.


Featuring Meek Mill and French Montana, most of the footage is performance shots, with the celebratory stuff happening in the background. Future makes a short cameo as well, but it’s Meek that sets things off, dipped in an American flag wife-beater and some sunglasses that look incredibly expensive.


Puff rocks a white bucket hat and a white T-shirt with the letters “N.Y.” decorating it, while French keeps things simple in a black top and jeans. Directed by Elf Rivera, the visuals show just how capable the Bad Boy founder is at making things look extra fun and eventful.



Saul Williams Shares Details About Tupac-Inspired Musical 'Holler If Ya Hear Me' [VIDEO]


‘Holler If You Hear Me,’ the musical based on Tupac Shakur‘s music that recently opened on Broadway, has some skeptics worried that the project won’t compliment the late rapper’s vibe. However, star Saul Williams begs to differ and says it elevates hip-hop.


“It’s about how we end gun violence in community,” Williams, who plays John in the production, tells Ebro and Laura Stylez on Hot 97′s ‘Ebro in the Morning.’ “How do we raise the bar? How do we bring this thing to a whole new level? The play itself takes hip-hop to another level. You know, you have a cast of 25 amazing MCs, the actors, dancers, taking it, you know, to the Great White Way.”


But if you think it’s about Tupac’s life, you’re clearly mistaken. While the music featured in the Broadway show belongs to the late West Coast MC, the story is a completely fictional narrative based off the lyrics and life of the rapper. “It’s a fiction,” Williams says. “You know Tupac wrote a lot of fiction in his rhymes. There were a lot of stories that he told that were not his own. So our writer Todd Kreidler pulled a lot of stories from [Tupac] stories.”


And when asked about Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mom, and her role in the musical, Williams makes sure to highlight that she wasn’t only the producer of the project but also the one who came up with the idea to do something on the big stage.


“In fact, the idea came from her conversations with August Wilson, the esteemed playwright August Wilson,” he explains. “So she approached him about 15 years ago or 17 years ago with this idea, and he started going through all of Tupac’s music and was really moved by him. And his assistant at the time was the one who actually ended up writing this piece, Todd Kreidler.”


While Williams and co-star Joshua Boone were there to talk about the musical, Ebro wanted to start a dialogue about hip-hop and asked Williams if he thought there was anyone who is presently making music that carried the same mission and vibe as Tupac. “I think there are a lot of conscious rappers out there who are telling people to pay attention to what they say because they feel what they say is important,” he says, naming Kendrick Lamar, Danny Brown and J. Cole as examples. “But like [Ebro] said, the music isn’t backing it up. Then you have a lot of cats that make music that’s awesome, but they aren’t saying anything. But how can you front on the music? Because it’s music first.”


To see more of Hot 97′s interview with Saul Williams, check out the video above.


Next: A Review of 'Holler If Ya Hear Me'



Nike Air Raid 'Urban Jungle'

mita

The Nike Air Raid is having a crazy year and if you thought that the Pigalle collaboration was the last time you’d see it then think again. The streetball classic is set to hit the streets in one of its most popular looks ever with the blacktop themed “Urban Jungle” colorway.


This time we see the sneaker decked out in grey leather and black mesh and nubuck for a rather sinister silhouette. Things perk up a bit with the use of a multi-colored kente cloth-like print used on the midsole and tongue tag but those criss crossing midfoot straps bring things right back to ominous again. The rugged basketball sneaker hits all of the necessary points in getting its style across and reads as unbustable as it actually is.


No word on when these are set to return to American retailers but select retailers in Japan have them including mita. Lets hope that these aren’t Asia exclusives, surely Nike will do the right thing.


mita mita mita

[Via mita]



Riff Raff Debuts '2 Girls 1 Pipe' Remix Featuring Emmure's Frankie Palmeri [EXCLUSIVE SONG PREMIERE]

Riff Raff 2 Girls 1 PipeSoundcloud

Love him or hate him, RiFF RAFF is having more fun in the rap game than your favorite rapper. The self-proclaimed “white Gucci Mane with a spray tan” is back with a remix to his raunchy song, ’2 Girls 1 Pipe.’


Produced by DJA, the track is reminiscent of 2 Live Crew’s raunchy tunes about having sex with multiple women (think of it as an updated version of ‘Pop the Coochie’). Over a bass-heavy beat, RAFF spits ribald lyrics of having a three-way romp with two chicks.


“I like the way you speakin’, y’all should stay the whole weekend / I f—ed her, left her leakin’ / Versace mattress was squeakin’ / While I’m f—in’, you could eat it / You next, so no sleepin’ / I’m about to jump out the deep end,” he raps.


RAFF’s verse is quite tame compared to the lyrics of Frankie Palmeri from the metalcore band Emmure. He gets right to the point: he simply wants to have sex. His lyrics are not worthy of repeating, but let’s just say he’s not very kind to women.


Fair warning, these lyrics are NSFW.


RiFF RAFF’s new album ‘Neon Icon’ is currently available on iTunes.


Listen to Riff Raff’s ’2 Girls 1 Pipe’ Remix Featuring Emmure’s Frankie Palmeri


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Next: Riff Raff, 'Neon Icon' -- Album Review



What a Year in Sports! Drake Set to Host 2014 ESPYS (@drake)


3rd Bass' Pete Nice Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

Pete NiceFacebook

It’ll be three years of probation and a hefty debt to repay for one golden-era rapper. Prime Minister Pete Nice, real name Peter Nash, of the ’80s rap group 3rd Bass, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax fraud.


According to the Associated Press, the Queens, N.Y.-bred MC failed to pay state income taxes from 2009 to 2011. Based on those claims by the Albany Country District Attorney’s Office, he’ll have to cough up $13,101 to avoid further trouble and receive three years of probation.


Pete Nice and fellow 3rd Bass members MC Search and DJ Richie Rich first achieved fame after dropping their 1989 debut ‘The Cactus Album,’ which spawned hits like ‘Gas Face’ and ‘Steppin’ to the A.M.’ ‘Pop Goes the Weasel!,’ a song featured on their 1991 third LP, ‘Derelicts of Dialect,’ reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks charts that same year.


This isn’t the first time Pete Nice has been in trouble with the law. After opening up a baseball memorabilia store in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 2003, he was accused of having having fake baseball memorabilia just four years later. And in 2010, he was involved in a school loan scandal in Brooklyn, N.Y.


There’s been no word yet from the rapper on the current tax fraud charges. He will be sentenced on Aug. 26.



Odd Future x Vans Syndicate Old Skool S

Vans

We gave you a preview of Tyler, The Creator’s Vans Syndicate Old Skool S collaboration and finally the gods have bestowed upon us high resolution images and release information.


Tyler has created three quirky colorways of the kick that all are built upon a pink outsole that is only a shade or so away from dark gum. As far as the uppers go green, teal or tan nubuck suede are given a white form leather form stripe and a cool cat tongue tag as a finish.


These are set to hit select retailers on July 19th and even if you aren’t an Odd Future fan they are definitely worth your attention. We’d say cop all three if you can.


Vans Vans Vans

[Via Vans]



Exclusive! Amber Rose: Wiz's Sneaker Collection, Favorite Kicks (@darealamberrose @wizkhalifa)


Nicki Minaj on Iggy Azalea, Explains "Shady" Speech on Twitter (@nickiminaj, @iggyazalea)



Since the BET Awards aired this past Sunday, several media outlets have covered Nicki Minaj's "shady" acceptance speech, with several reporting that she was taking shots at Iggy Azalea, accusing the first lady of Grand Hustle of having a ghostwriter.


Nicki took to Twitter this morning to address the controversy and explain exactly why she chose to call out rappers who don't write their own bars, particularly female MC's.


Minaj started off by saying that the media put words in her mouth and that the speech was about encouraging women writers, and that she loves women like Lauryn Hill & Missy Elliott because she knows they write their own material.


She then says that she's congratulated Iggy on her success publicly before, and that she should be very proud of herself, but that she will continue to motivate women to write.


Check out the tweets above. Did the media put words in her mouth about Iggy or is this a PR move? Sound off below.


Twitter Goes HAM on Busta Rhymes for Colorful BET Awards Jacket (@bustarhymes)



Last night's BET Awards brought out some major players in Hip-Hop. Twitter noted how great stars like Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Missy Elliott, Fabolous and more looked on the red carpet and in the theater. One celeb didn't get away so easily.


Busta Rhymes colorful suit jacket caught everyone's eye and garnered some serious internet slander in the process.


Take a look at some of Twitter's reactions to Busta's outfit above.


Robin Thicke Admits He Hasn't Seen Paula Patton in Four Months (@robinthicke)



Robin Thicke has made it very clear that he wants his wife, actress Paula Patton back, and during a recent interview with Hot 97, he drove that point home even more, saying she's "the best girl in the world," and admitting that he hasn't seen her in over four months. While it's more than obvious he misses her, he does wish her the best.


"She's a great mother and still a good friend. But I also want to wish her well and let her know that she's a great person and she deserves to have a good life."


The couple met in high school and in essence grew up together, which Robin feels may be one reason it didn't work out.


"If you've been together that long, you kinda became adults together instead of being adults and then meeting," he said. "But maybe a year or two off, we'll become our own people without each other and then it will be meant to be."


He also admitted to having a "little too much fun" with his success which led to him lying consistently within their relationship. "I'm a man. I messed up and I had to lie for a while, and then I stopped lying," he said. "This whole album is me revealing everything."


Overall, he says there are several different reasons they aren't together.


"We're apart because we just couldn't be together anymore for a while. There's a hundred different reasons. There isn't just one. I changed, and I got a little too selfish, a little too greedy, and little too full of myself."


After revealing so much about their relationship through his music and interviews, do you think Paula would take him back? Sound off below.


Source: Bossip


Jessie J Taps Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj for 'Bang Bang'

Jessie J Ariana Grande Nicki MinajTim P. Whitby / Mark Davis / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Ariana Grande hinted at a “surprise epic team-up” for the deluxe version of her upcoming album, ‘My Everything’ and it looks like the cat is out of the bag as she’s joining forces with U.K. singer Jessie J and Nicki Minaj for a new song.


Serving as the first single off Jessie J’s upcoming album, ‘Bang Bang’ is supposed to be a “powerhouse anthem” that will release on July 29 via Republic Records.


Max Martin, Savan Kotecha and Ilya are on-hand as the track’s producers. And since they were also the ones who led the production on Ariana’s ‘Problem’ with Iggy Azalea, this could possibly be the next smash collaboration of the summer.


‘Bang Bang’ will be included in the deluxe version of Ariana’s ‘My Everything,’ set to release on Aug. 25. Meanwhile, Nicki may not follow suit and add this to her tracklist for ‘The Pink Print,’ but her album will also drop later this year.



Nike x size? Tennis Classic AC 'Court Surfaces' Pack

Nike Size?sizestores.co.uk

U.K. sneaker retailer Size? has done some great collaborations with Nike in the past. Their latest sneaker collabo is super dope and perfect for summer.


The Nike x Size? Tennis Classic AC ‘Court Surfaces’ Pack revisits the sneaker giant’s tennis shoe silhouette and celebrates the Wimbledon tournament that takes place in the U.K. The kicks comes in four tennis-inspired colorways: jade green, rust orange, dark navy and pure white.


The shoes are designed in a sturdy canvas with carved in crocodile skin patterns. It comes with matching waxed colored laces and metal eyelets. Minimal co-branding around the shoe with just a small triangular tennis logo and Nike’s swoosh emblem on the tongue and insole.


The ‘Court Surfaces’ pack will be available on July 4 exclusively at Size? retail store and online shop for $100.


These sneakers may not improve your tennis stroke but you will garner aces in your style game.


Nike Size?sizestores.co.uk Nike Size?sizestores.co.uk Nike Size?sizestores.co.uk

Elle Varner Speaks on Friction With K. Michelle (@ellevarner @kmichelle)



Former R&B buddies Elle Varner and K. Michelle have allegedly ended their friendship, and Varner, the more low-key of the two, spoke briefly about Michelle and cleared up any rumors in regards to her writing a certain hit track for the "Refill" singer.


In a quick red carpet interview with The Jasmine Brand, Varner says the whole situation is "unfortunate," and says she's not going to feed into the negativity.


"That's unfortunate that she feels the way that she feels...I don't, I never have and that's something–I can't; I don't do drama."


She also explained the photo of her and Meek Mill hugged up at dinner - the photo K. Michelle allegedly took subliminal shots at - saying, "people be smiling in the pictures not knowing they getting dissed in the caption. HA! You definitely need a REFILL as thirsty as you are. Jokes on you and you didn't even know it!"


Elle says the photo got blown out of proportion, and that she and Meek simply hadn't seen each other since she jokingly "curved" him online. The new photo of Elle hugging Meek included the caption "#Nocurvezone.

K. Michelle has also claimed to have written Elle Varner's song, "Cold Case" which Elle claims is a lie.

"I wrote "Cold Case" by the way...no one else did... me solely."


Check out Varner's response to K. Michelle's shade, her claim she wrote "Cold Case," and pics of them in better times above.


Source: TheJasmineBrand


Rick Ross Jumps On G-Eazy's 'I Mean It'

Noam Galai / Earl Gibson III, Getty Images

Between the likes of Macklemore, Danny Brown and Odd Future, it’s becoming more and more apparent that you no longer need love from the mainstream rap media to be successful in hip-hop. With his newly released album, ‘These Things Happen,’ projected to sell around 45,000 first-week copies — that’s more than double what TDE darling Ab-Soul is expected to shift — Oakland native G-Eazy is poised to become indie rap’s next big success story.


Of course, it doesn’t hurt when Rick Ross decides to remix your song either. Since the release of his own ‘Mastermind’ LP earlier this year, the MMG mogul has been jumping on tracks left, right and center — from K Camp’s ‘Cut Her Off’ to Usher’s ‘Good Kisser’ — and now G-Eazy’s ‘I Mean It’ has caught Rozay’s ear. With its sinister, strung-out production, the song is practically tailor-made for the Bawse to grunt out some of those chest-pounding bars about that expensive lifestyle.


It’s no secret that Ross is partial to a white lie here and there, but when he says, “Black Bottle Boys and I been a boss / Riding out in Paris with my ceiling off,” just know that he means it.


Listen to G-Eazy’s ‘I Mean It (Remix)’ Feat. Rick Ross




Robin Thicke Releases 'Still Madly Crazy' Video


Robin Thicke continues his endless pleas of forgiveness with a new video for his latest single, ‘Still Madly Crazy.’ The piano-driven ballad is a big standout on the singer’s recently released album, ‘Paula.’


The visual will pull on your heartstrings as it features a group of kids reenacting a wedding. Dressed in their formal wear, the adorable children awkwardly sing Thicke’s tender lyrics to his estranged wife, Paula Patton.


At the end, the kids toast to the bride and groom before getting into a huge cake fight. We have to admit, it’s a sweet and cute video that gives us the warm fuzzies.


Although Thicke doesn’t appear anywhere in the clip, the R&B crooner will perform on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday (July 2).


We’re still not sure if Thicke’s pleas of forgiveness have given Patton a change of heart, but we hope she reconsiders.


In the meantime, you can listen to ‘Paula’ in its entirety here.



Summertime Fail: Pool Prank Goes Terribly Wrong



As the weather continues to heat up across the country, more people are heading to the beach and pools.


In this viral video a few friends hit up a resort for a nice day by the pool. As one man checks out the water, he is unware at the fact that his friends plan to throw him in the pool.


Fortunately for the web, the idea doesn't go according to plan.


Check out the summertime fail above.


Lil Durk Honors Late Cousin Nunu with New Finger Tats (@lildurk_)



Lil Durk has paid homage to fallen OTF member Lil Nunu with special tattoo.


The rapper headed to popular tattoo artist, Saul Lira in Los Angeles with the Young and Reckless team to get his fingers tatted for his cousin.


Lil Nunu was shot and killed in Chicago while sitting in his car parked at the Mimi Mall. The rapper signed to OTF just two days before his death.


Durk seemed to be happy with the end result. The rapper tatted "Nuski" with a star replacing the "i" and "RIP Pat" with a peace sign on his pinky finger.


He also assured fans that his Signed to the Streets 2 project will be dedicated to Nunu, and is well on it's way.


"Getting iinky #signedtothestreets2 on the way @saul_tat2"


Check out the process above.


Source: Instagram


50 Cent Tells Floyd Mayweather to Back Off Tiny in IG Video (@50Cent @Tip)



The BET Awards reminded everyone about the T.I's run-in with Floyd Mayweather over his wife TIny. On the red carpet, Tiny avoided a run in with the boxer as he called her name.


50 Cent decided to share his thoughts on Floyd Mayweather's actions via Instagram.


"Now what the f*** is champ doing with TI woman again," 50 said. "He think s*** sweet man DAMN. Leave the man lady alone Floyd. I'm call you to talk"


He also posted a funny Instagram video responding to Floyd.


"Floyd you better STOP,that is the man WIFE. LMAO this is gonna get out of control. MO took miss J not TI. #smsaudio," the video's caption read.


"Champ what the f*** are you doing?" 50 Cent said. "You better make this s*** make sense. You must think this n**** a b****. You don't play with a man out here.


Check out the rest of his video above.


Iggy Azalea Makes Billboard History Again (@IGGYAZALEA)



Off the heels of her BET Awards debut, Iggy Azalea has made history once again on the Billboard charts.


According to the Smoking Section, Azalea's collaboration with Ariana Grande, "Problem," has knocked her song "Fancy" out of the top spot. She is the third artist to replace her hit with another hit.


Mariah Carey was the first artist to do so with "One Sweet Day" featuring Boyz II Men and "Fantasy" in 1995. Outkast was next with "Hey Ya" and "The Way You Move" in 2003-04.


Her singles have held down the Billboard charts for five weeks, with "Problem" selling close to 2 million downloads, and "Fancy" with Charli XCX 2.3 million downloads.


Source: smokingsection.uproxx.com