Rap star Nas left the studio for the soap box Wednesday, branding Fox News a racist, fear-mongering network with a penchant for attacking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The hip-hop heavyweight starred in an afternoon protest outside Fox News headquarters on Sixth Ave. near 48th St.
"Calling Michelle Obama Barack's 'baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable?" Nas thundered. "But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering regularly focuses on black leaders, black institutions and ordinary black people."
Nas joined two activist groups, Color of Change and Move On, for the protest. His latest album, "Untitled," features the track "Sly Fox."
"Watch what you watchin'. Fox keeps feedin' us toxin," Nas rhymes.
Boxes filled with petitions signed by more than 600,000 people denouncing the conservative network's alleged racism surrounded the rapper's plywood podium. Nas said he tried to hand over the petitions to Fox Wednesday, but the network turned him down.
A network spokeswoman said, "Fox News believes in all protesters exercising their right to free speech, including Nas, who has an album to promote."
After the "baby mama" graphic appeared last month, the network said a producer "exercised poor judgment" during the segment.
Despite the anti-Fox/pro-Obama publicity, the candidate is not backing away from the network.
Two Fox reporters are traveling with Obama on his Middle East tour, and he is scheduled to sit down with Fox for an interview in London on Saturday, a network source said.
The Obama campaign declined to comment on the protest.
Photo: Nas joined members of MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org to protest Fox News coverage of presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Nas protests Fox coverage of Obama as 'racist propaganda'
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West: "Put On"
Young Jeezy shows what the country looks like on his side of the tracks in this clip for "Put On" featuring Kanye West. America, the beautiful?
Nas Reacts To Jesse Jackson's Comments
The recent comments by Jesse Jackson has created quite a stir in both the world of politics and Hip Hop.
On a Fox News broadcast Jackson, who assumed his microphone was off, shared that he wanted to cut Obama's nuts off for [click to read] "talking down to black people."
Recently, rapper Nas shared with MTV his opinion on Jackson's comments.
"I think Jesse Jackson, he's the biggest player hater," Nas stated on his recent conference call with the media. "His time is up. All you old n---as, time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. We don't wanna hear that sh-- no more. It's a new day. It's a new voice. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We got Barack, we got David Banners and Young Jeezys. We're the voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood. That's the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!"
Nas' latest untitled album will be released on July 15 and has already received much publicity due to the album's former controversial title, Nigger.
As promotion for the new album Nas will hold an in store signing at the Union Square Virgin Megastore in New York on July 15.
The first 500 people to buy Nas' latest album on Tuesday (beginning at 9 a.m.) will be given wristbands for the in store event which will take place later in the day
[Source: Hip Hop News from MrMusicWorld .com - Posted by VidzKing - King OF Videos]
New Cesar Comanche Video
Here's Cesar Comanche's new video for "Hands High" off of Die in Your Lap. The video was directed by Michal Niebudek & Marcin Matuszyk.
[Source: Hip Hop News from MrMusicWorld .com - Posted by VidzKing - King OF Videos]
Chamillionaire Returns to Save Houston Hip-Hop with Mixtape Messiah 4
Chamillionaire has been on hiatus for so long I was starting to wonder if Bill O’Reilly had ordered a hit on him. King Koopa’s back though (at least, I think he is). According to his able publicist Nancy, the latest installment in Cham’s Mixtape Messiah series will be out on August 27th. Mixtape Messiah aside, Cham has been keeping busy with collabos, freestyles (see mp3s above), and whatever else rappers do when they’re not busy bitching at their record companies (most of which deserve to be bitched at, by the way).
“It’s raining Benjamins, but that ain’t 3K” - Chamillionaire (”ChaMilli”)
After a bamillion “A Milli” freestyles, I’m not sure how eager you are to hear Chamillionaire’s version. Just in case anyone asks, he absolutely killed it. Plus, it sounds more authentic hearing a Forbes-recognized millionaire named Chamillionaire rhyming over that beat.
What's Ice Cube up to?
The Godfather of gangsta rap, Ice Cube, is gearing up for the release of his eighth solo LP Raw Footage.
Cube has already garnered a buzz with the release of his unofficial single and video “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” which was hailed by MTV as the first great song and video of 2008. Now the West Coast rapper is prepping for his August 19 release date through his independently owned label, Lench Mob Records.
The official first single “Do Ya Thang”, produced by Palumbo Beats, is the number one most added single at rhythmic radio.
Cube’s highly anticipated follow up album to the 2006 release of, Laugh Now, Cry Later, will feature such artists like Musiq Soulchild, Young Jeezy, The Game, WC and production by Maestro, Emile, DJ Crazy Toones, Teak “Da Beatsmith” Underdue and Dee Underdue.
Cube will kick off an International tour on July 11th in Leipzig, Germany and end on September 21st in New York City.
ICE CUBE TOUR DATES
July, 2008
11 – Leipzig, Germany – Splash Festival
12 – Frauenfeld, Switzerland – Openair Frauenfeld
14 – London, UK – Electric Ballroom
15 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013
16 – Amsterdam, Holland – Melkweg
18 – Dour, Belgium – Dour Music Festival
19 – Stuttgart, Germany – MTV Hip Hop Open
21 – Stockholm, Sweden – Kagelbanan
23 – Helsinki, Finland – Helsinki Icehall
25 – Copenhagen, Denmark – KB Hallen
26 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall
August, 2008
21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
22 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
24 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
26 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
27 - Bakersfield, CA - The Fox
29 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove
30 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
September 2008
1 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
2 - San Diego, CA - 4th and B
3 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
5 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
6 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Aspen
7 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
9 - North Kansas City, MO - Harrah's North Kansas City/Voodoo Lounge
10 - St. Paul, MN - Myth
12 - Fort Wayne, IN - Piere's
13 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
14 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
16 - Mt. Clemens, MI - Emerald Theatre
17 - Johnson City, NY - Magic City Music Hall
19 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore at Theater of Living Arts
21 - New York, NY - The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Watch Ice Cube's video for "Do Ya Thang"
[Source: Music News inFlorida - Posted by Miami Events Pro]
Dave Chappelle To Appear At Kevin Powell Rally
Today (July 9) comedian Dave Chappelle will make another one of his rare appearance's at an event for Democratic Congressional candidate Kevin Powell.
Powell, a former Real World-er jumped into politics at a young age and has since served as a political activist, poet, journalist, essayist, Hip Hop historian, public speaker, and entrepreneur.
As of recently, Powell has been campaigning to gain a seat in the United States Congress in the 10th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.
"I've decided to do this because, as some of you know, I have been a public servant, in some form, for two decades, since my days as a teenage student leader at Rutgers University," Kevin Powell states on his website. "I am completely committed to the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality, in America, and on this planet, and I am proof that much can be achieved if we are determined to make a change, personally and politically."
The event will be deejayed by DJ Reborn and there will be a special performance by Emily King.
EVENT, TICKETS,PARTYS,
Video: Ice Cube - Do Your Thang Video
This is the rough cut of Ice Cube’s “Do Your Thang” music video.
Chicago Hip Hop Veteran Returns
Fans of Chicago rap scene before it blew up may remember Malik Yusef, for his work early in the career of Kanye West and Common. Yusef, earning more acclaim as a poet in recent years, dropped a new track today, which can be downloaded here. Rumors has circulated that he will be dropping a full length album before the end of 2008 on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music imprint, and the leak of this track makes those rumors seem more like the truth. No info on who produced the track.
David Banner Talks Upcoming Album, Almost Dying & More
David Banner's album has been on hold for quite some time now. People have been curious has to what's been going on with The Greatest Story Ever Told. Banner recently revealed what has been going on with his life over the past year.
“A year ago, the day before Father’s Day, my father passed. Six people that I’ve been close to, including Pimp C from UGK and Static Major have died. I was twenty one points from diabetes. When people see I lost fifty pounds they thought I was trying to get sexy. I am! But that wasn’t the point,” Banner explained with a hint of humor backstage during the 2008 BET Awards.
“I had high blood pressure and I also had sleep apnea. And with those conditions the doctor said I was about to die," Banner continued. "I think in that time I’ve become a man. I’ve spent seven months helping Katrina victims and growing as a person. When The Greatest Story Ever Told comes out on July 15th, it won’t be a boy rapping. I’ve become a man. I’m going to make y’all proud.”
Many may have known that Banner was dealing with one issue or the other but it wasn't very well know that the conditions combined were life threatening. Regardless, Banner has put all of his experiences over the past year into the upcoming album and says that this is his greatest effort yet.
“I read a review of my album the other day that said The Greatest Story Ever Told was the best album since The Fugees The Score but nobody would give me the proper credit because I was from Mississippi. One thing I can say about my album is that since we have been begging for quality in music, it is here.”
Look for The Greatest Story Ever Told to finally be released on July 15th on Universal.
Crazy Like A Foxxx Sees Re-Release
Freddie Foxxx's long awaited Crazy Like A Foxxx album is finally seeing the light of day. Fat Beats records is preparing to drop the shelved classic on July 29th of this year. The 1994 Freddie Foxxx sophomore release was mysteriously shelved by the label after promotional cassettes and vinyl were sent to radio and press. The existing copies of the album have been fetching serious $$$ on ebay and at trade shows for the last fourteen years - and it has achieved an almost cult like following amongst rare hip hop record collectors and diggers alike.
According to their article: "The initial 1993 demo version of Crazy Like A Foxxx features production exclusively from D.I.T.C.'s Showbiz, Lord Finesse and Buckwild. As an added treat for listeners, Fat Beats and Foxxx have included these unheard versions on the bonus disc of the two CD set, also available digitally. The emcee, who released his debut album in 1989, added, "The D.I.T.C. version got turned down by Flavor Unit. I actually liked it better, but I had to go and produce [the album] myself, and that was the [version] they accepted. A lot of emails and MySpace blogs were comin' in about how people liked the Crazy Like A Foxxx album. I was [thinking] I don't know how they like it if it was never put out. Somebody leaked it on a cassette, and people were just listening to the raggedy old, nasty-soundin' cassette version. I said, 'You know what? Let me just put it out.' It's really about the fans all day."
Wale Drops New Video
Wale is continuing his ever-growing buzz and movement, without even dropping an official album (that will come this fall). Below is the video for "The Artistic Integrity," a single from his new mixtape The Mixtape About Nothing.
Russell Simmons Ordered to Pay $40K Per Month For Child Support
Hip hop magnate Russell Simmons will probably be going hard to find some lucrative business investments in the near future, as his divorce from Kimora Lee will cost him a whopping $480,000 a year in child support.
According to TMZ, the founder of Def Jam and Phat Farm will have to pay $40,000 a month for his daughters, or $20K per child. According to the documents in the case, Ming Lee, 8, and Aoki, 5, will see their father with the accompaniment of a nanny and a pre-determined authority at all times, whom will be named by Kimora Lee.
The documents also specify exactly how long Simmons will have to make the payments:
“Child support in the amount of Twenty Thousand ($20,000) Dollars per month per child continues as to each child until a child is emancipated, reaches the age of nineteen and one half years (July 21, 2019 for Ming Lee; February 16, 2022 for Aoki Lee), dies, marries, becomes self-supporting, is no longer residing with [Kimora Lee], joins the armed forces, is otherwise legally emancipated, or until further order of the Court, whichever occurs first.”
The president and creative director of Baby Phat has sole physical custody of the girls, and Simmons will be able to see them for pre-arranged visits. Simmons will be able to see his daughters every two months, besides holidays such as Father’s Day and his birthday.
According to the documents, “the children shall be with [Simmons] every eighth week from Saturday at 9:00 a.m. until the following Saturday at 6:00 p.m.”
Lee and Simmons separated in March of 2006 and filed for divorce this year citing irreconcilable differences.
