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Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Ochocinco Turns Down Thirsty Fan's Request to Pleasure Him
These days it seems as though people will say anything online, not feeling repercussions from behind their computer screen.
Usher, Pharrell, Common to Perform, LL Cool J to Host at 2015 Grammy Awards
After winning the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for ‘Glory’, from the MLK movie ‘Selma,’ Common and John Legend will perform the tune at the 2015 Grammy Awards.
Also hitting the stage will be R&B superstars Usher and Sam Smith, plus ‘Happy’ creator Pharrell Williams. The aforementioned artists join previously announced performers Ariana Grande, Madonna and Ed Sheeran.
In addition, Com is nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for ‘Blak Majik’ featuring Jhene Aiko and Best Rap Album for ‘Nobody’s Smiling.’ Other nominees include Legend who has two nods and Usher who nabbed four mentions.
Both Smith and Pharrell lead the pack of nominees with six nominations apiece, including Album of the Year for ‘In the Lonely Hour’ and ‘G I R L,’ respectively.
CBS will air the 57th annual Grammy Awards live from Los Angeles at 8PM ET. Veteran rapper LL Cool J will be the host of the festivities.
10 Most Stylish Rappers of 2014
Busta Rhymes Pens Thank You Letter to the Music Industry
Busta Rhymes wants to thank you and you and you. The rapper is full of praise and gratitude to the entire hip-hop game in a new open letter he wrote, which he posted to Twitter.
The rapper unveiled the personal missive on the social networking site Wednesday (Jan. 21). “I just want to say thank you… My open letter to the entire game,” he tweeted, along with an image of the lengthy letter.
In the letter, Bussa Bus thanks everyone from DJs to bloggers and fans for making his Conglomerate record label and artist O.T. Genasis earn a hit with the track ‘CoCo’ — one of 2014′s most ubiquitous rap records. The video for the song received a glossy makeover when a new version was released earlier this year.
“I would also like to thank everyone for supporting and helping the Conglomerate Entertainment become a refreshing and new powerful record company, a family and a movement,” he writes. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native also promises that the label will continue to release nothing but bangers down the line and rapper J-Doe is up next. “We salute y’all to the max,” he closes.
Read the complete letter below.
See Rappers Then & Now: Hip-Hop Style Transformations
A Very Young Kanye West Recites Poem Dedicated to MLK (1990) (@kanyewest)
Video has surfaced of Kanye West reciting a poem at his middle school dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Amber Rose Rips Commenter Saying Son Bash Looks Like Her Driver
Amber Rose pulled out the claws to shut down one commenter on Instagram after he made a joke involving her toddler son, Sebastian.
50 Cent Posts About SBOE Affiliate's Chain Getting Snatched
50 Cent had a very public beef with Slowbucks in 2014, and judging by a new Instagram post it seems that the Queens native is carrying things into the new year.
Jeremih Takes It to the Strip Club in 'Planes' Video
R&B crooner Jeremih salutes the hard-working women who perform at strip clubs in his video for ‘Planes.’ The slinky track, which also features J. Cole, is the follow up to his 2014 single, ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em.’
The visual gives viewers an eyeful as various women work the pole and twerk their rumpshakers for money. Not only that, everything is in slow motion so every booty shake or twitch is seen from every angle.
Oddly, neither Jeremih nor J. Cole appear in the video, which leaves us scratching our heads. Also, the song is called ‘Planes,’ so why is the visual taking place at a strip club?
Aside from those quibbles, if you’re interested in watching some T&A, then check out Jeremih’s titillating video.
We still have no word on when the crooner will release his next project, reportedly titled ‘Late Nights: the Album.’ Hopefully, the LP will come out this year.
See 10 Bootylicious Beauties
Cops Hunt for Gloating iPad Thieves Who Uploaded Selfie to Cloud
A duo of Houston bandits are on the run after selfies they snapped with a stolen iPad automatically uploaded to the victim's iCloud.
Beastmode! NFL Star Marshawn Lynch Gets His Own Strain of Weed
NFL star Marshawn Lynch is receiving a pretty "high" honor in Seattle by having a second strain of weed named after him.
G-Eazy Highlights the Female Body in NSFW 'Tumblr Girls' Video
Life’s a beach for G-Eazy. The rapper takes to Tumblr to scoop up hotties for his new NSFW music video, ‘Tumblr Girls.’
G-Eazy enlists some of the social media site’s most popular hotties including Sahara Ray, Hannah Stocking, Talisa Monet, Lauren Elise, Quin, Remington Jones and Bre Harrison. The photography-inspired visuals are similar to Tumblr’s aesthetics and portray models enjoying an idyllic day at the beach.
“‘Cause I’m in love with these Tumblr girls, with skinny waists and drug habits / Pretty faces, love status, she acts as if she’s the baddest,” he rhymes.
The Bay Area native is currently on tour promoting his latest album, ‘These Things Happen.’ He recently released a new track with Kardashian friend Pia Mia called ‘F— With U (Remix).’
Take a look at G-Eazy’s girls above.
See 20 Rappers’ & Singers’ Yearbook Photos You Won’t Believe
Sneaker Store Robbed for the Second Time in Philly
A sneaker store in Philadelphia was robbed for the second time when a man got away with sneakers, accessories and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The Weeknd Delivers Kinky, NSFW 'Earned It' Video
The Weeknd gets kinky in his latest video for ‘Earned It,’ which is the first single from the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ soundtrack, due out Feb. 10. It goes without saying that the clip is NSFW and very sexy.
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, who also helmed the film, the clip features the Toronto crooner watching several burlesque dancers performing onstage in nothing more than a G-string and pasties. Near the end of the video, we see ‘Fifty Shades’ star Dakota Johnson wrapped in rope and hanging from the ceiling (ala FKA twigs’ ‘Pendulum’ video – we’re just saying).
The kinky spectacle was filmed at the Palace Theater in Los Angeles. Sam Taylor-Johnson told E! News that the Weeknd’s sex appeal adds greatly to the movie’s subject matter. “He’s just instantly seductive, and it’s sort of gentle seduction that just pulls you and pulls you and pulls you in,” she said.
“The film and my music is a match made in heaven,” adds the Weeknd. “If you listen to my album or any of the past work I’ve done, it’s very ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’”
Yes, indeed. Watch the titillating visual above.
See Bootylicious Beauties
Andy Warhol x Converse Spring 2015 All Star Collection
Andy Warhol’s Pop Art movement explored the intersection of artistic expression, celebrity culture and advertisement, which could also be a description for certain sneaker collaborations. So Converse putting together a collection with the Andy Warhol Foundation makes perfect sense and it isn’t a measly two-shoe drop either.
The set leaves us with 11 unique Converse Chuck Taylor colorways and each one embodies the spirit of Andy Warhol’s pop art. Colorful cans of Campbell’s soup pop up in various forms. They’re screen-printed all along the canvas upper of the kick and in case you don’t know what to wear with them, the collection comes with shirts as well.
The full collection will land at retailers on Feb. 7 and from the looks of things, nothing included here will run you more than $100. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Andy Warhol Foundation, which is a great way to support the arts.
[Via Highsnobiety]
30 Years Later: Run-D.M.C.'s 'King of Rock' Album Delivers a Bold Statement
It’s hard to imagine that three enterprising young men from Queens, N.Y., who were barely out of their teens at the time, would change the musical direction of hip-hop in the ’80s. But that’s what Run-D.M.C. did. From 1983 to 1988, the pioneering B-boys — Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and the late DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell– broke barriers in rap and became living legends by being themselves.
Their 1984 self-titled debut album, which was signified as the first gold rap album, captured the sounds of the streets with songs like ‘It’s Like That’ and ‘Sucker MCs.’ However, one song, ‘Rock Box,’ paved the way for Run-D.M.C. to cross over into the mainstream by merging rock and rap together — the effort was powered by the Jimi Hendrix-styled guitars of Eddie Martinez. The music video, which featured the trio rocking leather suits, black fedoras and unlaced Adidas sneakers, was the first rap video to appear on MTV.
For Run-D.M.C.’s follow-up album, ‘King of Rock,’ which was released on Jan. 21, 1985, the late producer Larry Smith repeated the ‘Rock Box’ formula — rock guitars over hard drum beats — and ushered in a new sound in rap. The collection sold more than 2 million copies for Profile Records, which was a small boutique label at the time.
While the group’s third album, ‘Raising Hell,’ is, undoubtedly, their hip-hop masterpiece, ‘King of Rock,’ is the bellwether for rap. It introduced bravado, style and musicality to the genre.
The album’s title alone was a bold statement. They didn’t want to be just the kings of rap, they wanted to be the kings of rock, too.
“When we first got on MTV, that was us letting our presence be known. Then we got a little egotistical,” DMC said in a 2013 interview. “We didn’t say that we was the king of rap, that was too small for us. We said we are the kings of rock and roll. We are about to smack Mick Jagger, Janis Joplin, Jimi [Hendrix] all of these guys upside the head.”
That sentiment is best expressed on the title track, which featured Run and DMC’s tough posturing over roaring guitars and a head-nodding beat.
“I’m the king of rock, there is none higher / Sucker MC’s should call me sire / To burn my kingdom, you must use fire / I won’t stop rockin’ ’til I retire,” bellows DMC at the top of the track.
Watch Run-DMC’s ‘King of Rock’ Video
Run-D.M.C. use the rap-rock crossover attempt on several songs on the nine-track collection (13 songs if you own the 2007 Deluxe Edition). Some are solid and others are formulaic at best.
‘You’re Blind’ is evident of that as it uses the same drum machine beat and raging guitars. The song is saved by Run and DMC’s sardonic rhymes about people perpetrating a fraud.
‘Can You Rock It Like This’ fares better as the duo’s sing-along chorus and conversational wordplay about the nagging price of fame are infectious.
‘You Talked Too Much’ may be comical, but in today’s digital age where everyone expresses their opinions on social media — for better or for worse — the song feels relatable.
Watch Run-DMC’s ‘You Talk Too Much’ Video
One song that this writer appreciates on the album is ‘Jam-Master Jammin,’ in which the dynamic duo salutes their DJ, the late Jam Master Jay.
“While sucker DJs, are busting out Z’s / My man Jam Master is scratchin’ hard across seas,” they rap.
The rap group continue to salute JMJ on ‘Darryl and Joe (Krush-Groove 3).’ A near replica of ‘Sucker MC’s,’ in terms of its production, Run and DMC spit braggadocio rhymes and allow Jam Master Jay to scratch and cut at the end.
“Well I’m the rapper with the mic, drive a Caddy not a bike / Drop a rhyme in your face, and you’ll damn sure like / He’s an MC with the rhyme know the day and the time / Never ever going low, cause he only climb,” raps Run.
DMC follows, rapping, “I’m a fresh MC, who’s on his way / To be an MC with the most to say / And to all those out there, that don’t know me / I go by the name of D-M-C.”
While the song ‘King of Rock’ helped merge rap with rock, ‘Roots, Rap, Reggae,’ introduced reggae into their repertoire. On the song, they enlist dancehall toaster Yellowman to chant positive affirmations. No one would really argue that the song is a bit contrived, but props to Run-D.M.C. for acknowledging reggae’s influence on hip-hop.
Musically, ‘King of Rock’ sounds tough but the production gets a little stale near the end. The album is full of rap quotables, not the least of which fit into the category of “the rhymes we say, shall set a trend / Because a devastating rap is what we send.”
Run-D.M.C. are more than just rap superstars, they represent longevity and freshness. They made top 10 hits, they toured all over the world and secured platinum-selling albums. The legendary trio also opened plenty of doors for the next generation of rappers to walk through.
Thirty years later, Run-D.M.C.’s ‘King of Rock’ album is a musical testament for artists in any genre. This body of work proves you can earn respect and secure considerable rewards by staying true to yourself.
Listen to Run-D.M.C.’s ‘King of Rock’ Album
See 10 Rappers & Singers Promoting Unexpected Products
Parent Company of Hot 97 Addresses Jay Z Takeover Rumor (@s_c_ @hot97)
When a rumor emerged last week on gossip site MediaTakeOut that Jay Z has plans to purchase New York radio station Hot 97, plenty of hip hop fans found the claim to be quite believable, as it would be just one more acquisition for the business mogul with a net worth of over half-a-billion dollars.
Exclusive! Lord Jamar: America Wants to Discredit Masculine Black Men (@lordjamar)
The always opinionated Lord Jamar sat down with VladTV and shared his thoughts on Phylicia Rashad defending Bill Cosby and claiming that someone is trying to systematically destroy his legacy.
Ice JJ Fish Calls Out Lil Wayne: He Killing N****s He Never Seen
Like many Hip Hop fans, artist and online viral sensation Ice JJ Fish shared his thoughts on Lil Wayne's "Sorry 4 The Wait 2" this morning, except while most others are praising Weezy for the new mixtape, Fish is calling out the rapper for rapping about triggers he never pulled, saying ".
Jermain Taylor Releases Bathtub Apology After Shooting Arrest
WBC middleweight champion boxer Jermain Taylor has just released a statement addressing the incident in which he was arrested and charged with 5 counts of assault after allegedly opening gunfire at a Martin Luther King Jr.
Miley Cyrus Shares Up-Close Shot of Hand in Her Shorts on IG
While the general public is aware that Miley Cyrus isn't exactly the shy type, she still continues to shock with just how free she is with her language and actions.
Nike Air Trainer Huarache PRM QS 'Super Bowl' 2015
Super Bowl 2015 is right around the corner and Nike has been honoring the big game with a few special silhouettes. We already looked at the Nike Air Trainer 3 ‘Super Bowl’ and now we get a Nike Air Trainer Huarache delivered in a similar vein.
The action-packed sneaker features cracked leather on the upper with transparent accents on the outsole and upper as well. Beneath the see-through strap and heel cap are colorful accents in the form of a grey perforated sockliner and a sweeping concentric geometric pattern.
We aren’t sure what these have to do with the Patriots or the Seahawks, but whatever it is, we like it. The Nike Air Trainer Huarache ‘Super Bowl’ touches down at select retailers including Oneness on Jan. 22.
Exclusive! TLC on Using Kickstarter to Raise $150k for New Album (@officialchilli @therealtboz)
While chatting with VladTV, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas spoke on using the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to raise funds for the production of a new album.
LHHH's Moniece Slaughter Confirms Relationship With Rich Dollaz
It looks like the Love & Hip Hop franchise may have spawned a brand new couple in Lil Fizz's ex and son's mother Moniece Slaughter and Rich Dollaz of Love & Hip Hop: New York.
Exclusive! Lil Herb: My Sympathy for Others Diminished After Getting Shot (@lilherbie_ebk)
During a recent sit down with VladTV, Lil Herb spoke on growing up in an area of Chicago's South Shore known as "Terror Town.
Christina Milian Snaps on Fan Dissing Lil Wayne's Drunk In Love (@LilTunechi)
Lil Wayne dropped his "Sorry 4 The Wait 2" last night and one track that's been met with a bit of resistance is Weezy's Christina Milian-assisted remake of Bey and Hova's "Drunk In Love.
Vote Now in 2015 The Boombox Fan Choice Awards
New year, new polls! We need your help to decide the winners for our 2015 The Boombox Fan Choice Awards. The annual event allows you, our loyal readers, to vote for the best artists, songs, albums, mixtapes and even album covers that arrived in 2014.
There’s going to be a lot of tough decisions to make. Artists like J. Cole, Beyonce, Jhene Aiko, Run the Jewels, Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, Young Thug, Luke James, Iggy Azalea and others appear in multiple categories so vote wisely.
For example, who should win the honor of Hip-Hop Album of the Year? Should it be J. Cole’s critically acclaimed LP ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’ or Run the Jewels’ second album, ‘Run the Jewels 2′? Decisions, decisions.
And who should win the R&B Song of the Year award? Should it be Tinashe for her club hit ‘2 On’ or Chris Brown’s sizzling hot tune ‘New Flame’? The choice is yours.
There’s so many deserving candidates but it’s up to you to choose who will win. So check out all of this year’s nominees in the polls below, and click the blue button below the category to find out more about the nominees. Remember you can vote once per hour until the poll closes on Feb. 16, at 10AM EST. So keep coming back to support your favorite artists. Have fun.
Bon Qui Qui Releases Rap Debut Album 'Gold Plated Dreams'
Bon Qui Qui is back. After being ditched by her fast-food job at King Burger, the rap alter ego of comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes returns to music with her debut album, ‘Gold Plated Dreams.’
Fans of MADtv will know Bon Qui Qui for her sassy, over-the-top persona and threats to “cut” people. In her world, she was fired from King Burger and has worked many odd jobs, only to lose them all. Her mission now is to dominate the hip-hop world through comedic parody rap.
‘Gold Plated Dreams,’ which arrived Jan. 20, comes on the heels of Bon’s first rap single, ‘I’m a Cut You.’ The song takes on many hip-hop clichés and, as the title promises, is about cutting someone.
Anjelah is a former professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. In 2009, she recorded her first one-hour special for Comedy Central, ‘That’s How We Do It.’ Her ‘Nail Salon’ bit has gone viral with over 33 million views on YouTube. She has guest starred on shows including ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’
Watch Bon Qui Qui’s ‘I’ma Cut You’ Video
See 30 Awkward Hip-Hop Style Moments
Exclusive! Crooked I: I'm Still Down for Black Hippy/Slaughterhouse Collab (@crookedintriago)
Crooked I addressed talk about a Slaughterhouse and Black Hippy joint project, and said that while they aren't doing a full album, they are in talks for a track.
Exclusive! Ar-Ab: Swizz Beatz Has Never Let Fame Go to His Head (@arab_tgop)
Ar-Ab broke down his friendship with Swizz Beatz during an exclusive VladTV interview, revealing that they're planning on doing new music together.
Bon Qui Qui Releases Her Rap Debut 'Gold Plated Dreams'
Bon Qui Qui is back. After being ditched by her fast-food job at King Burger, the rap alter ego of comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes returns to music with her debut album, ‘Gold Plated Dreams.’
Fans of Mad TV will know Bon Qui Qui for her sassy, over-the-top persona and threats to “cut” people. In her world, she was fired from King Burger and has worked many odd jobs, only to lose them all. Her mission now is to dominate the hip-hop world through comedic parody rap.
‘Gold Plated Dreams,’ which arrived Jan. 20, comes on the heels of Bon’s first rap single, ‘I’m a Cut You.’ The song takes on many hip-hop clichés and, as the title promises, is about cutting someone.
Anjelah is a former professional cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. In 2009, she recorded her first one-hour special for Comedy Central, ‘That’s How We Do It.’ Her ‘Nail Salon’ bit has gone viral with over 33 million views on YouTube. She has guest starred on shows including ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’
Watch Bon Qui Qui’s ‘I’ma Cut You’ Video
See 30 Awkward Hip-Hop Style Moments
Nike LeBron 12 Lifestyle 'Blackout'
LeBron is using his next Nike release to go dark in the classiest way possible. He’s chosen to go downbeat with his lifestyle look and we all stand to benefit from his choice to turn the lights out.
The Nike LeBron 12 Lifestyle ‘Blackout’ is a stark suede release that doesn’t let any other colors into the mix along its upper. A leather lining and wide-mouthed mesh tongue blend luxury and comfort in a seamless fashion while a sewn-in ribbon on the heel signals the switch from light to dark. The outsole houses a powerful pop of red to spice up the entire affair.
The darkness that is the Nike LeBron 12 Lifestyle ‘Blackout’ is set to descend on Jan. 24 to select retailers around the globe. You can cop yours from the comfort of your own home by hitting up Footpatrol.