Scarface 'Made'
New York, NY (Rap Newswire) - Now 37, he’s as thoughtful as ever, and he seems to be settling into life as a hip-hop elder statesman, lionized by his younger contemporaries, but ignored by radio D.J.’s, and (it seems) by hip-hop’s promotional machine. Many Scarface fans might be surprised to learn that a new Scarface album, “Made,” is tip-toeing into shops tomorrow; it’s his seventh, not counting the four compilations of various sorts that have also been released under his name.
In “Never,” the statement of purpose that opens the album, he sounds sad even when he’s claiming to be stoic: “I could never forget my homies, dying for their scratch/Forever pouring out liquor for ’em — God, send ’em back.”
No one can accuse Scarface of overstuffing this CD: it lasts barely 40 minutes, just long enough to provide a satisfying dose of stories and boasts, delivered in a rich, bluesy voice that often makes him seem even older than he is. His idea of a love song is “Girl You Know,” an unapologetic account of infidelity and its causes. (He sounds heartbroken but not at all surprised when he explains, “If you ain’t love my kids like you loved your own/And me unconditionally when I was wrong/I was gone.”) Or maybe his idea of a love song is “Boy Meets Girl,” a romantic tragedy that’s also a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing “boy” (slang for heroin) with “girl” (cocaine).
Unlike that other 37-year-old rapper — the one who dates Beyoncé and turns 38 tomorrow — Scarface doesn’t keep violence at arm’s length. He still sounds scary when he describes a murder, perhaps because he still sounds scared, or at any rate haunted. “Burn,” a collaboration with the younger (but similarly mournful) Houston rapper Z-Ro, begins in midstory: “My hands got powder burns, I just murdered a man.” Driving away, he smokes, checks the rearview mirror and lets it all sink in:
As I pass by Watkins I relax, ’cause I’m home now.
Had a funny feeling in the beginning — it’s gone, now.
’Cause we live in a do-or-die society:
You do, and either die trying or do it psychologically;
I’m brain dead.
Despite the album’s brevity, Scarface finds time to address the war in Iraq, a friend’s suicide and his own Christian faith. And while “Made” surely won’t have the same impact as “The Fix,” his bigger-budget 2002 album, it provides some good (maybe great) news: you get the feeling Scarface could keep making not-so-modest little albums like this one indefinitely. KELEFA SANNEH ...
[Source: RapNewswire.com - Rap & Hip-Hop Press Releases & News -
Streetz: On My Grind NEW MUSIC
Streetz: On My Grind NEW MUSIC
Is he the next T.I.? Shawty Lo? Jeezy? Rocko?
He’s new. He has his own label, producers, and paper. He has a buzz spreading through the south like a plague. Now independent Atlanta rapper Streetz— the first feature in our You Don’t Know Me section— goes for the top spot with the first single off his new mixtape The Supply.
News
Hurricane Chris Hosts HiTechPimpin.com Mixtape
Los Angeles, CA (RapNewswire) - Pologrounds Music/J Records’ rap sensation Hurricane Chris is taking his “A Bay Bay” status to another level as the first featured artist for the launch of HiTechPimpin.com, a new website targeted to the hip hop community that reports on news and trends in digital technology and entertainment. The Shreveport, LA native teamed with New York’s #1 mixtape dj, DJ Superstar Jay, to host Hi Tech Pimpin.Com…The Mixtape, a 27-track mixtape with a slew of exclusive music from some of the hottest, under-the-radar, new emcees reppin’ from around the country. What’s unique about Hi Tech Pimpin.Com…The Mixtape is that most of the tracks featured on this mixtape have been ‘flipped’ into ringtones that will be made available on the Sidekick and other phones. The mixtape wouldn’t be complete without Hurricane Chris, who’s featured with his hit song “A Bay Bay (The Ratchet Remix) along with other club hit songs including “Pick the Money Up” by Storm P feat. Remy Ma, “How We Get Down” by BlackHand Entertainment featuring Foxy Brown, “Ain’t It Man” by Dirty Blac, Choir Boy’s “Hush”, and the smash street anthem out of Detroit “What Up Doe” by Tone Tone. “Since I got the streets bangin’ to my joint ‘Pick The Money Up’ with Remy Ma, it only made sense to get my song made into a ringtone by UrbanWorld,” says rapper Storm P.
DJ Superstar Jay, UrbanWorld’s new mobile dj, once again defends his title as New York’s #1 mixtape dj with “HiTechPimpin.com…The Mixtape”, which was recently featured on MTV’s Mixtape Monday, http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/102207. DJ Superstay Jay delivers a wicked mixtape that takes the best from the West Coast, Midwest, East Coast and some major heat from the Dirty South including new music from veteran, Bone Crusher. The mixtape is available for review and download at www.HiTechPimpin.com.
With more than two million ringtones sold and snagging the #1 slot on Billboard’s Mastertone list, it was only natural that Hurricane Chris be the first featured celebrity guest interviewed on HiTechPimpin.com. The website provides daily news for the wireless industry, offers mobile gadget reviews, entertainment news and exclusive ringtones. HiTechPimpin.com will also serve as an educational portal dedicated to raising awareness of the wireless and digital world within urban youth (18-35), who posses astronomical buying power in the mobile world. “People spend crazy amounts of money on mobile phones, ringtones and accessories, but know nothing about the mobile/digital industry or even simple mobile terms like SMS,” says Richard McWhorter, Managing Editor, HiTech Pimpin.com.
For more information, please contact Keisha Pickett at Keishap@urbanworldwireless.com or (813)903-9247.
About HiTechPimpin.com:
HiTechPimpin.com, a site dedicated to “Hip-Hop’s Love For Mobile Gadgets”, reports on news and trends in digital technology and entertainment. The website features reviews on the latest mobile gadgets, industry news and education on digital space. More information is available online at www.HiTechPimpin.com.
About UrbanWorld Wireless/UDub Music:
Headquartered in Los Angeles, UrbanWorld Wireless is the premiere leader in digital distribution of urban music and video. Founded in 2001, UrbanWorld Wireless provides a comprehensive suite of digital content including wallpapers, ringtones, ringbacks, full length download and video. UrbanWorld Wireless currently digital distributes a select group of top independent artist and record label including Bonecrusher, 40Glocc, Warren G, The Clipse, Joe Buddens. Our mobile roster includes Oscar winning rap group, Three-6 Mafia, comedian Katt Williams, David Banner, actress Meagan Good among others. UrbanWorld Wireless distributes mobile content to T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, Boost Mobile & Sprint. UWW is at the forefront of integrating wireless technology and the hip-hop lifestyle; and is continually recognized and acknowledged in both the technology and hip-hop arenas. More information is available at www.urbanworldwireless.com.
Omillio Sparks Backs Mad Ave Movement, State Prop
Next to Young Gunz partner Neef Buck Omillio Sparks is the State Property member garnering the least amount of attention since Jay-Z and Dame Dash split three years ago.
“I 'm not going to hold you, my album didn't do what was expected, but that's the state of the industry, and that's the way things happen sometimes," Sparks admits. ‘The Payback,’ distributed in August 2007 by Koch Records, did little to capitalize on “Young Froggy’s” history of pop hook writing (“I Just Wanna Love U,” Jay-Z), visceral hood tales and film work on both sides of the camera (‘State Property’).
This year the Philadelphia native offers himself, AR, LBS, Banchi, and Lil Jigga as the group Mad Ave. Movement. The group members are featured on “Movement” (‘The Payback’) and this spring will appear on the remix of Sparks’ single "4 The Love Or Money".
Sparks who, according to his reps, signed with Jay-Z in 1997, is reportedly partnering with Apple’s iTunes and Verizon Wireless for this year’s Mad Ave. Movement release. There have been conflicting reports about the status of the Beanie Sigel lead State Property collective (Sigel, Young Gunz, Peedi Peedi, Omillio Sparks, Oschino), but according to Sparks the group is this summer shooting ‘State Property 3’ and embarking on a national tour.
Not only does the group have to contend with internal strife and a saturated hip hop industry, but its’ own city is chock full of up and coming spitters.
Omillio Sparks, owner of Omillio Sparks Entertainment, has appeared on Roc-A-Fella Records releases such as ‘The Dynasty,’ ‘Philadelphia Freeway,’ ‘The Reason,’ ‘The Solution,’ and both ‘State Property’ albums.
He is also setting sights on the online social networking game. For more information visit www.myspace.com/sparksmusic1 & www.omilliosparks.com.
SFBayView: Help Myrtle Green Go Home
"There is not much to say about my life except I had it all," says Myrtle Green, a prisoner at the California Institution for Women. "Now, suffice to say, it's better to have had and lost, than never to have had at all.
"In my free state, I was a law school graduate, owned for 35 years my own tax, accounting investment and real estate brokerage firms. All the while my partner raised and I raised two children. She stays in touch and supports me financially even though I have not spoken to her in 17 years. My daughter lives in Mississippi with my granddaughter, who will turn 18 this month. She graduates this year, plans to attend university.
"I have written my autobiography and am looking for a publisher. The title I have in mind is ‘From Cottonseed to Coca Leaf and All the Points Between.'"
The book should be fascinating. Ms. Green is the great, great granddaughter of a slave woman and an English slave owner and was born on the farm that her ancestor was given at the end of the Civil War, when the slaves were freed.
She was a successful woman before this conviction, and this conviction only came about because she refused to testify against a drug dealer that her daughter had been involved with and Myrtle had helped her flee from. He threatened to pursue and kill both daughter and granddaughter if Myrtle testified, but it's his testimony that convicted Myrtle - jailhouse witness given a deal, basically.
Myrtle Green is very active in many groups in prison: Long Timers, Convicted Women Against Abuse, African American Women's Prisoner Association and Yes, I Can! an inmate tutorial group and others.
This is a letter that Myrtle drafted, and she is asking that people send it to the Parole Board and Gov. Schwarzenegger. Just copy, sign and mail it to these two addresses:
"Board of Parole Hearings, Chairman James Davis, P.O. Box 4036, Sacramento, CA 95812-4036 and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Office of Legal Affairs, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814.
"Request for release of Myrtle E. Green, W-32887, California Institution for Women, Corona, CA 92880-9508.
"Ms. Green, now aged 76, was found to be suitable for parole on Dec. 28, 2005, with a parole date June 8, 2010. She has now served 18 years in a case of conspiracy, where no harm came to anyone nor was there any attempt made on anyone's life. Both the Parole Commissioners and the District Attorney agreed she would be no threat to the public safety. This begs the question, "Why should she serve 27 years for murder when there was neither murder nor any attempt?"
"Ms. Green suffers from multiple disabilities, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension, causing the second stroke on Jan. 5, 2007, leaving her blind in one eye. She also suffers from deafness.
"In these days of severe prison overcrowding, would it not make better sense to free the California taxpayers from the cost of her incarceration and medical care? The odds are against her living until 2010.
"Would you please consider an earlier release for her?"
Dignity denied
The Parole Board was told that Myrtle had no place to parole to, no vocation, and her illnesses were fabricated. As you can see from Myrtle's letter, that's far from the truth. Almost a million dollars have been spent on her health care to date, and she's terrified that she's not going to make it home to see her girls. It's purely fighting spirit and determination that's keeping her going.
Readers are urged to write to the governor and pass Myrtle's details along to anyone else who'd be willing to write. Also, please drop Myrtle a card of support if you can; she really appreciates it. Her address is Myrtle Green, #32887, CIW/ MA31L, 16756 Chino-Corona Rd. Corona CA 92880
R.I.P. To Juveniles Daughter
Rapper JUVENILE is in mourning after his four-year-old daughter was murdered - allegedly by her teenage stepbrother. Seventeen-year-old Anthony Tyrone Terrell Jr. has been charged with fatally shooting his policewoman mother Joy Deleston, 39, and her two daughters, Micaiah, 11, and Jelani, four. In 2003, a DNA test proved Juvenile was Jelani’s father and the hip-hop star was arrested for abandonment of a dependent child.
Atlanta Rap Artist T.I. Offered Plea Deal
In October of 2007 hip hop / rap artist T.I. was arrested on federal gun charges just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip Hop Awards by federal authorities.
The Atlanta based hip hop rap artist T.I., aka Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., has been offered a 15 year prison term plea agreement by federal prosecuting attorney David E. Nahmias on his current weapons charges.
The hip hop star was arrested in a federal sting after his bodyguard-turned-informant, delivered three machine guns and two silencers to the hip-hop rapper, according to a Justice Department statement.
This sentence offered to the rap star T.I. may be reduced. The hip hop artists’ lawyers are in negotiation presently.
Go to www.Yashin.TV for the Video Story.
Why You Should Never Sign with Another Rapper
Juelz Santana, Max B, Remy, Cuban Link, Jay Hood, everyone on Roc-A-Fella the listed of disgruntled rappers we’ve heard from goes seems to go on and on. But lets all be honest they primarily have only themselves to blame for breaking one of the cardinals sins of the business of hip hop…a mistake you out there, you “potential rappers,” would be a idiot to make…they all signed…to another rapper!
If you want another rapper to help you…write better raps…now that’s logical. Need a hook…throw him some cash if need be, but don’t sign a 5 album deal so you can get cosigned. What the hell do they know about developing and selling anyone but themselves! And what worse…they’re not even really in charge. The same people they have to politic with you for budget, they have to polly with for theirs.
When the Dipset started, it was 100% about Cam. Then both Jim and Juelz became far more relevant than me. So of course he bugs out! Problems!
Max B comes out through Jim, but Jim’s got to focus on getting all his paper right. To hell is Byrdgang…problems!
Everyone from Terror Squad is vamoose because Fat Joe blew out to Miami to make sure he got his ringtones monies right…problems!
Rumor has it that DTP just got their entire collection of R&B artists fired this week! And no one on Rocafella, more than half of them being from my own city of Philly, can understand why they can’t get a couple extra bars on “American Gangster.”
You think Jay Millz’s gonna have any more success than Currency had on Young Money? Your boss admits he’s addicted to syrup!
Sure, there are some anomalies here and there, T-Pain and Akon, John Legend and Kanye, but more likely, you’ll be Peedi Crakk or Triple Seis or any other disgruntled rapper, at home pissed knowing whatever tracks you turned in will never see the light of day.
Best advice, make hits on your own, get a fan base on MySpace, and sign with Koch.
