In The Boardroom: Ice (A.I.)

In this issue of "In The Boardroom" I decided to take it to the south. Everyone knows Miami has their own Rico Suave/2 live crew freak nasty sound. That sound became a premier sound in the game. Call it how you want but try to name one artist that steered clear from the whole sound altogether, not even one track. You can't. And the good thing about the game is that newcomers are up to play.
I decide to interview this beatman because I see a lot of potential in him but not a lot of promo. As you know I'm the person to bring out new faces first. Just like the past producers he has a distinct sound with a desire to evolve into a frontrunner. So today's "In The Boardroom" I present to you a contradiction to the 305's weather: Ice(or you can call him A.I.)

Introduce yourself to the world homie:

What up world, this ya boy producer "A.I", always known as "Ice".

You are another boardman from the 305 with great sound. Talk about the sound of Miami and how far it has come in the hip hop game.

I definitely appreciate the love from everyone who is supporting me. As far as the sound of Miami, its incredible and shouldn't expect nothing but bigger and better things from the MIA. I think the sound of the south and particularly Miami has come a long way. I feel a good example is Rick Ross. Ross makes music for the streets but he also makes that "good music" to sell albums. I believe we all as artist and producers from Miami is raising the bar and pushing each other to be the best.

What made you want to become a producer and how long have you been laying down the snares and 808s?

I became a producer because I felt that it was something that came natural to me. I personally feel that I came a long way. The beats I made in 02 which is when I started is no where near to who I am now. I also believe as well as a few others that can cosign, is that every month or every year, they have seen some major improvement and sicker beats you know.

Who influenced you in hip hop?

I believe its pretty common to use a pro's as an example which would be Kanye West, Timbaland and Swizz Beats and ect. To be honest, I would have to give all the credit to Quest. When I was young my mother would keep me from listening to a lot of hip hop and mostly rap music.. I never heard about the beef between Jay-z and Nas until I was in high school. When I was in 12th grade I took Quest Ipod and I got exposed to all the classic hip hop that I needed to hear to figure what it was all about. Also working with

Quest in the studio got me caught up to speed lol.

What you think caused the difference with the sound of rap in the 90s and now?

I figure at the end of the day its about making money. Whatever is making the money is whats going to sell and be sold in stores. Its about making the people move and satisfying the needs of our listeners. Sometimes certain artist set trends and set standards and we as artist or producers have to fit those needs. I think the most important thing is that we all be ourselves and make the best of our opportunity.

What is your resume looking like? (The artists you have worked with)

I mostly worked with Quest. I did a record with Smitty "Where dey at" but it really didn't get pushed out. Well for some those who are fans, its probably a shame I haven't worked with many people. I guess that's the reason for doing this interview.

Currently you are working with underground artist Quest (i spin him on radio a lot recently) What about him has drawn yourself to his style?

That is a good question. Basically Quest and I we have been on the same page since day 1. For whatever reason what I produce is what he likes to rap on. What most people don't know is that me and Quest went to the same high school. We've been working together since. I came in the school studio one day and brought some instrumentals.Quest digged into the composition book and did a song in 20 minutes. We both developed our skills working together and that's why we are at where we are today.

You are also working with Breeze from 24HourHipHop. When that mixtape coming out?

I have no idea to keep it real. I just know I have a few bangers on there and i hope everyone enjoys it.

What makes a perfect blend of an artist and a producer? example would be Drake and 40/Boi-1da

I believe you have me stuck I can't answer that question (just kidding). I feel like you gotta have a similar personality and taste in music.

Talk about your style of beats:

To keep it simple, I am pretty balanced. I am open to all music and whatever comes to mind I will do. I mostly make rap music and soulful singers can do the hooks.

What you working with in the studio? like the board, drum machine, etc?

That's another interesting question. I basically have a midi keyboard with a sound module Roland 2080. I record my samples that I play into cubase and export it.I use Magix Music Maker which I cut, copy and paste my drums. Then placed the samples I played into the same Magix arrangement. That's how I started and I am raised to make beats that way.

What are your future projects about? One of them is Quest's album "The Reason"

Yes sir, Quest "The Reason" is the first album that I am working on. There is going to be a lot of familiar sounds you may heard before and then some new sounds but its definitely refreshing. I basically reference from some of the biggest producers but I put my twist to it to make it A.I production.

How important is maintain good working relationships?

I feel that in this world its about who you know and not what you know or what you can do. A lot of people may have connects but because of the way they may conduct themselves, they can really throw a lot of opportunity. I feel most people take criticism about their music to heart and give off a negative response to others which I don't. I personally would rather work with people that have good character and some talent vs all the talent in the world and don't want to be around them. I feel that I am the type of person that you can take to your house and the money you have on the table won't come up missing lol.

The one thing that motivates you?

I would say people believing in me.

What is the top potential you see in your production style?

I believe when you listen to my music the drum patterns you hear is what stands out.

Contact info

Email: Ice.Conglomerates@gmail.com

Twitter: @Mr32aice

myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yientertainment

Any shoutouts?

First of all shout out to Breeze for hooking me up with all this and spreading the word about me..... Shout outs to DJ Benz for interviewing me.... Shoutouts to Quest and @thisisclarity with the "Poppin rose'" record I made for him...Shout outs to all the artist doing their thing and everyone who is trying to make the world a better place!!!!!!!

Check out his arsenal

Poppin Rose' (snippet)



Never the Same (snippet)


Sober (snippet)

Tommy Stars - Team Blackberry (VIDEO)

Tommy just bein Tommy lmao.

Meek Mill - Rose Red (VIDEO)

New video from da Flamespitta. Congrats 2 him for being on XXL.

Mr Philadelphia mixtape & Best of Jahlil Beats tape comin soon

EXCLUSIVE: DIPSET IS BACK

Ladies and Gentlemen: Cam'ron, Jones, Santana........United again:

U think im Lying?....


UNTAGGED

Diplomats (Jim Jones, Cam'ron, Santana) - Salute


Lowkey is always first on the scene

Harlem is BACK.

Beanie Sigel Disses Drake, still shootin at Jay

Beanie is now in a new label about to do his new album "The Closure"...So of course he's gonna take shots at Jay-Z for the Roc a Fella meltdown. But now he's saying anybody that features Jay on the record is on his bad list too. He made it clear that he aimin at Drake now.

I still feel one day Jay gonna make a clear response.

But yo since I spoke with both Bleek n Beans, I aint taking sides. But what do yall think?

Tati spinnin......we jus jammin

Tati was jammin on Beamer before Tati, Punkie and I went in on this house party in Long Island

Hello Good Morning Remix Video

Rick Ross cruised in n spirit of ODB walked in Nicki for this verse that is crazy. Video is out and i had to give it to you from New York lol Enjoy!


p.s. mannnny Benz tapes comin soon. stay tuned

STATE YOUR NAME CANNON: Nia Da Foxx

This artist has a lot of charisma. By her style and her persona you can tell she does it from the soul. That's when it is most personal. Her whole life has be scattered with accomplishments, both as a child and as an adult. She also has gone through tragedies that no one should faced. To bounce back more than ever shows total resilience. I was blown away when I heard her tracks first on Hustle & Grind Radio (shoutout to J Milly). I was even more stunned when I heard her live through my messed-up phone. She still sound phenomenal. With all of that she still is a very sweet, kind woman. But she's probably one of the toughest women I've came across in some time. (She doesn't know this but I pretty much decided she should host Sexual Seduction 7. Let her find out reading this lol )

I've interviewed great R&B artists like K. Michelle and Shay Star. So here's another: Nia da Foxx

1. State your name lady.

Hey....What's good?? It's yours truly, the Sultry One...NiaDaFoxx

2. Where you representing?

I'm from Washington DC

3. You have been bitten by the music bug for as long as you can remember. How important is music in your family?

Awwww..... music is extremely important to my family. It's the core foundation of our unit. My Grandmother and her sisters had a group back in their day. They had the clean vocals, fly gear, hair done and makeup flawless. They would shut it down every performance. They were fierce!!! My father is a pianist, so I grew up sitting beside him on his piano bench singing while he played. I have great memories of my Dad and I singing together.

4. How was it like being a young kid traveling with your choir to perform? Did it beat having less memories as a normal child?

You know what that's a really good question. In the midst of all the traveling I never felt like I was missing out on my childhood. I guess because I was doing what I love, so it never felt like work. And my cousins would look forward to hearing about my experiences, so their excitement made me feel special, and kept me motivated to keep going. But I do have some great memories as a young performer and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything in the world.

5. Tell the readers the accomplishments you had as a child.

WOW!!!!!!!!!! I was apart of a group based out of DC that somehow had the privilege of becoming the poster choir for "The Border Baby Project" backed by the White House Administration. We recorded a couple theme songs for the project and whenever the President had a speaking engagement, we were there right by his side. The political community really fell in love with us. So any event that DC was hosting we were there, singing our little hearts out!!! LOL

We were invited to sing at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree every year (which was one of my favorite events) people from all around the world would come to that particular event.

6. How important is education to you?

Education is extremely important to me. It takes more than just a pretty face and a big voice to make it in this industry. And I had it bad as a child, my mother was an educator. She was actually the principal of my elementary school. I couldn't get away with NOTHING!!!!!!! LOL...but all jokes aside, she taught me the importance of having an education, and knowing what I wanted to do in life.

7. How hard was it to come back to music in your 20s? Were you "rusty" or was it like riding a bicycle again?

LOL..... It was like riding a bike. I fell right back into my place like I had never left. Honestly I stopped performing but I never stopped singing or writing. So, getting back into it was very natural for me.

8. This question is personal and I feel iffy about asking so if you don't want to answer, it's ok. What made you decide to move on after the tragic passing of your son?

Hmmmmmm...... his death knocked me off my feet. Have you ever felt like a certain situation in life caused you to almost loose it??? Well, that's what that situation did to me. So one day I woke up and decided the best thing for me to do was to get away from everybody and focus on me and work on healing myself. So, I packed my bags and drove to Los Angeles, CA from Washington DC. What a liberating feeling to drive across the country....

9. What does music do to you?

Music heals me, makes me laugh, makes me cry, makes me wanna fight, makes me wanna make love. No matter what emotion I'm feeling at any given moment...there's a song out there that can give me what I need.

11. Who do you look up to in R&B?

I adore Mary J Blige for her tenacity and strength. And Anita Baker is my all time favorite, her vocals are clean and rich and she's just the truth....Hands Down!!!! If I could go on tour with either of them I would be in heaven!!! Sheer heaven!!!

12. You have the podium. To you, what is the state of R&B today and what should change?

Honestly, R&B is in a sad state right now. We're loosing our audience. POP is taking over, which is cool but it shouldn't cause R&B to be obsolete. If I want to hear some real R&B I have to listen to some old school jams, and that's sad.

13. Who did you featured with in the past?

LOL..... I guess you're speaking of Pharrell. I have a song called TKO and it has a feature from your boy. It's a hott record, if I must say so myself.

14. Tell me about your latest project thats about to hit stores.

I actually have 2 projects that I'm excited about right now. I have a project dropping next month called "The 4Bidden Mixtape" , it's like the appetizer before the main course. Now my main course..that's my baby right there!!! I'm talking bout my actual album, that will hit the stores at the end of the year. It's untitled at the moment, but I'm really pumped about the direction that the album is going. I call my music "Feel good music with a Sexy, Sassy Kick"!!! I think you're going to love it!!!

15. What does Nia like to do in her spare time?

Mannnnnn...... I'm such a home body. I love sipping on a good glass of wine and chillin' in my house while watching a good movie. My girls tease me cause I never want to go out. But, if I were to go kick it with my folks, I would go bowling and shoot some pool ( I suck at pool but I talk big trash..so that keeps my opponent nervous!!!) LOL

16. Single or taken? What qualities in a man that will get you attracted?

I knew that question was coming soon... LOL!! Let's just say, when I'm dating a man I appreciate someone with the greatest since of humor. I also love it when he has his own sense of style, if his swag game is on 1000!!! Good Lawd... I'm all in there!! LOL!!! And last but not least, he has to have ambition, he must be driven and have an intense passion for growth and success!!!!

17. What's the ultimate goal for Nia?

WOW!!!! There's so much that I want to do. But I guess my ultimate goal would be to re-introduce R&B to the new generation.

18. One thing you would like to change about society.

That list is long.... but if I would change one thing ... I guess it would be, the pressure that society puts on women to be perfect. I watch my lil 10 year old cousin go out of her way to be the baddest 10 year old in her school. She wants to look like all the model chicks, video vixens and I'm like you're only 10. Calm down....what are you doing?????

So, I wish society would just let us be free to be who we are. Big, Small, Curvy, Slim...whatever God blessed us with we need to love it to the fullest!!!!

19. Contact info

For Booking/Inquiries please contact ATS Entertainment

Sean Davis : 773-504-7675

atsentertainment@hotmail.com

20. Any shoutouts?

Yes!!!! Definitely... My Management Team ATS Entertainment , PR Team Insight Promotions , Artistic Development Coach-Melanie Foote~Davis of Live By Design Coaching , Wardrobe Stylist- Erica Nicole of Kashmere Kreations and since I'm a closet fat girl I have to put the greatest party chef on blast- Trinity Bracey of Trinkets

Thank you for giving me a moment of your life....I hope you enjoyed your time with me, cause there are many more moments to come!!! Stay Sexy, Stay Sassy and Oh Soooo FoxXy...... til' next time!!!

Muah!!!!! XOXOXOXO







Check out some of the songs that I enjoy and so will you (Also will be on SS7)

Nia Da Foxx ft. Pharell - TKO


Nia Da Foxx - Go Away

Jacki-O - Griselda Blanco (MIXTAPE)

You see her hard at work. You see the features. You heard the interviews (including mines). You waited. You read my review. Now it's here. Judge for yourself. Griselda Blanco. Click pics. Let'go!

Drake – 9AM In Dallas [Mastered]

Everyone was buzzin about this track from the minute he put it out. On June 15th if you decide to purchase the LP this track will be on there. But Lowkey got it and Since Drake had bars i decided to post it. Can't download it tho. Starting to think Thank Me Later has more tracks, lol

Drake - 9AM in Dallas

Mixtape Review: Jacki-O - Griselda Blanco

If you been following me, or the Fleet DJs or just know good music out, you know that Griselda Blanco is being much anticipated for the last several months now. In 2010 Jacki-O has come back with a vengeance, doing a lot of features, including Tommy Stars. With this mixtape, La Madrina will definitely put a footnote to remind people.

A lot of people know Jacki by her sexual overdosed tracks like Nookie. She did not disappoint with P***Y like Dope (also on SS6). With her comparing her bubblegum to that piff, everyone's hooked on that. She also got a radio smash hit for the summer called "Love My Gangsta". The streets can definitely relate to that as it goes down the same avenue as DMX -How's its goin down or Eve - together.

Another reason why to cop this tape is that she goes in and goes gutta. She's done a good job portraying the female drug queen in the 80s going hard on her bars as well as even stretching out her singing voice, especially on "Lord Forgive Me".

Ever since Nicki Minaj blasted on the scene, many female emcees has came back into the game. Jacki-O proves she can stand on her own without having to feed of the controversy surrounding Minaj. With street lyrics and sexy hits for the clubs, Griselda Blanco is a stamp in 2010.

Mixtape out later today...

ALBUM REVIEW: Drake - Thank Me Later

For over a year, the whole industry and its fans were waiting on this LP as Drake continued to climb the mountain of Hip-Hop immortality. Since he dropped his historic So Far Gone mixtape (which has now sold over 400,000 units as an EP), Drake has been the #1 or close to #1 artist talked about. From surprising features to prolific interviews to syndicated videos, he always find a way to stay in your ear or the screen. Not bad from October's Very Own from Toronto. Few weeks ago the LP(just like every f**kin album) leaked to the public. Two years ago, The Carter III leaked ans still did a million. Will the offishall debut of Drake do the same? Possibly.

As far as the features, he had a whole lot of aid. Alicia Keys went alongside Drake in the premier track, "Fireworks". Boi-1Da will always deliver as he is the top sound right now. T.I and Swiss Beats delivered with Drizzy on "Fancy" as it can be a club hit. Drake and Lil Wayne basically went ignant s**t once again on "Miss Me". The Top feature is one of the legends teaching Drake about legacy as Jay-Z drops an intoxicating verse on "Light Up". The surprising thing is that Drake can keep it up with anyone he gets on the track with. (Drake! where the Dr.Dre produced track with Eminem huh???)

One track I can truly respect. "Show me a Good Time" Kanye laid the crazy 808 as usual. The DJ that scratched on it was nasty and Drake went in on history including a shoutout to J Dilla.

This album is worth the hype for 2010 However.........

When you compare debuts from legends like Nas' Illmatic , Biggie's Ready to Die, Eminem's Slim Shady LP & Marshall Mathers LP , I'm not sure if TmL can rank among these relics of time. These artists went in on personal subjects, from beefs with their mothers to sclling crack and heroin, to being broke and starving, with your stomach close to your ribs. Also these artists make you seriously think with memorable , complex lyrics. Drake however made this album "for your girlfriend" and went in on different tales of adultery. Yes, some of these words make you think and have some complexion But.......Can TML sell 2 million if it came out the same week as a Tupac album in 1996? That i'm not sure.

These beats are sickening. Drake amped up his vernacular another notch. Every song on here can be a hit. Thank Me Later is worth the hype. For now it is the #1 album of 2010. One of the best since graduation. Drake is definitely top 5 right now........but if you talking about legacy, if you talking about history and being among Pac, Snoop, Em, Jay. or Big, That's when Thank Me Later has a reasonable doubt. Drake will have to follow up on his next LP. Then we can thank him fully.

Johnnie Walker Tasting

I was invited to a tasting event in downtown Philly (seems like my blog is really spreading lol) A whiskey bottle Johnnie Walker held a tasting event to satisfy new customers. Great setup, with a great host. they really tried to win over new whiskey lovers. This Scottish whiskey had a smokey but sweet taste to it.

Need that bar in my crib

Black Label - Smokey

Gold Label - Cold

Green Label - kinda sweet

Personally, I'm not a whiskey fan, but I was last night. Everyone should try Johnnie Walker at least once. Especially during the Celtics whooping the Laker's A**es lmao!

Thursday's Tastycake: BlaccDiamond

She's bold, and fierce, with an edge. She's definitely about her hustle as you about to see her in many places. Stuntin Magazine, Slow Down video with Fat Joe & Young Jeezy are just a few things she's a part of. To add on to her list, she's also acting on the regular and even spits more than a couple bars. (We got to her her tracks. That's for another day) Right now see why she's more than a bodacious body. She's shining like a lamp. That's why she's: BlaccDiamond.

1. Thank you for taking your time to do the interview with me. I appreciate that. Why do people call you BlaccDiamond?

Because that is what I am. Im a beautiful Black women and I shine in everything that I do.

2. Where are you from?

Bronx, NY

3. How is life in New York?

Beautiful. New York is the state of opportunity.

4. When did you start modeling? What made you decide to stick with it?

About one year ago, I got serious with my modeling. I stuck with it because I do not give up on anything I want to do. It's not easy because there is alot of competition out here. But I don't have a problem standing out.

5. Measurements?

34, 27, 42 Pure Thickness

6. Talk to me about your resume. I know you appeared in several music videos as well as magazines.

Yes I have been featured in several Print magazines Like Straight Stuntin Issue #11 and more as well as online magazines. I've done several Music Videos with artists such as Camron, Vado, Sarani, Chrisette Michelle, Wale, Jim Jones etc..

7. What's the one thing you would like to tell future models about this business, especially about how they should be treated?

Know what you are aiming for. Don't give up and don't compromise your Integrity for no one.

8. I saw your exercise video on your site(Yes I'm a dude and my eyes widened like the Owl lol) But seriously how often do you work out and how important it is to keep in shape?

Being in shape is very important. I do not do strenuous workouts often like I should, but I love to run. So I do alot of jogging and walking. Im also a very active person so i'm constantly moving.

9. What is your perfect type of photoshoot? like what settings do you prefer?

I love to work outdoors. The photographer has to be cool and I must be able to vibe with him.

10. I also see that you are also an actress and a rapper. You the jack-of-all-trades! How important is it to be in more than one avenues of the game? What else do you do?

It is important because If one door don't open the next one just might and that can be the door that can lead you to your real dreams. But I like to call myself an entertainer on all aspects.

11. Tell me about your music career. Any new projects coming on from you soon?

I'm working on my mix tape "Pitbull in a Mini Skirt". Rapping is actually my number one love. My mixtape will be bonified fire.

12. Be honest. How many times a week people try to holla at you.

All day, Every day, 7 days a week. 99% of men who pass me on the street either stare me down or try to holla. Even the ones with they girls and children. SMH

13. At this moment in your life, you prefer a relationship, or a temporarily fling? What type of man catches your eye?

I don't do flings. I like relationships. A man that catches my eye is Hardworking, Independent, Caring, Giving, Must be able to handle a sexy Independent women, Has Morals and must, must , must have a sense of humor!

14. Your opinion on hip hop right now.

It's Ok. There are a few good Artists and then there's the washed up Artists who needs to give up. Then there's the Artists who should have never been put on in the first place.

15. One thing about life you want to change.

All The Fu*ked up Mothers and Fathers in the world.

16. What are the next moves for BlaccDiamond?

Keep your eyes on me to find out.www.blaccdiamondthemodel.com & www.Twitter.com/Iamblaccdiamond

17. Contact info For Bookings:

blaccdiamond22@gmail.com or call (646) 460-0782

18. Any shoutouts?

Shout out to my sister Pheonix! She's the truth. Her rap game is iller then any Female Rapper out or who has ever been out in the last 16 years! Period!! Go check out my website www.blaccdiamondthemodel.com

Wiz Khalifa - Up + Mezmorized (Videos)

2 Videos off Kush & Orange Juice mixtape

Wiz Khalifa - Up

Wiz Khalifa - Mezmorized

source via AddyNightlife

Scarface "Disrespected" By VH1 Hip Hop Honors

Previously they invited the legend Scarface to be honored at this year's show. He declined. At first you would think why. Then more bullish came up. After reading what Scarface said in his interview with Ozone magazine, you will have a better understanding why.

Personally I was chopped and screwed when i realized Outkast is not on the show. There's NO Hip hop history without Outkast. Anyway, this is what Scarface has to say:

I was nominated [to be honored at the Dirty South Hip Hop Honors] but I declined to accept because I don’t wanna be classified as just “Dirty South.” I’m Hip Hop, man. I’m not going because I feel slighted. Even though it was a nice gesture, I feel like it’s just a pacifier. They’re like, “Let’s give these niggas down there a pacifier so they can stop feeling left out. We’ll make Luke and all these niggas down there look funny,” you know? “Let’s put a plate of fried chicken and some watermelon and let’s just do some nigga-ass shit.” (laughs) Quote, end quote. “Some nigga-ass shit.” Fried chicken and watermelon. “Shit, the faster we get this over with, the better.”

Honoring [Uncle] Luke and James [Prince] and [Master] P and Timbaland and JD and Dungeon Family is a good thing. I don’t wanna fuck their Honors up. They helped lay the foundation. More power to ‘em. I respect what they do and I respect what they’ve done for Hip Hop, but to put us in a category is disrespectful. Why would you categorize us as “Dirty South”? Why can’t you just honor some muthafuckers from down here and leave it like that? You ain’t gotta make us look extra country. We know where we’re from and we know where you’re from. We know where Hip Hop came from, man. We’re cool with that. I’m proud to be from Houston but don’t make a mockery of my accomplishments. We’re not “dirty” down here in the South anyway. This shit down here probably cleaner than the rest of the country, cause we got grandmas down here. Our grandmas don’t play that shit.

I was a part of the Slick Rick and De La Soul and Too $hort and Public Enemy [Hip Hop Honors]. I felt good about being a part of that. I went [to Hip Hop Honors] when they honored Def Jam because I wanted to be a part of that. I felt honored that they would even call me to do it. But this year, I totally disagree with how they’re trying to categorize us. You know how they make us look on TV? Like we live on the front porch with flies and shit flying around us, with our stomachs all big eating watermelon rinds? That ain’t us, man. Don’t fuckin’ make a mockery of us because we come from down here and you have no fuckin’ idea what it looks like. They’re gonna try to put us with some cows and just make us look fucked up, man, like we don’t know what the fuck we doin’ down here. We’re smart, man. Our life is slowed down so we don’t miss nothing. When shit gets moving too fast you miss everything. Shit’s slowed down here so we see it all.

I come from the era when New York and L.A. had the only Hip Hop, and they weren’t fuckin’ with us, at all. If you think I’m lyin’, check the history of Hip Hop. Try to pull up some footage from the 1989/1990 New Music Seminar. That’s what I base my whole fuckin’ life on: the New Music Seminar 1989/1990. They was NOT fuckin’ with us. We sold records all over the fuckin’ country and New York made a mockery of it. They fuckin’ booed the Geto Boys in New York. They sure did.

Back when Luke had Skywalker Records and J had Rap-A-Lot Records, they weren’t tryin’ to do no South shit. “It didn’t come from New York, son, so fuck that.” That was their attitude. Just because a TV was made in Japan, is it a Japanese TV? Or is it just a fucking TV? If a lightbulb was made in China is it a Chinese lightbulb?

It was hard breaking through. It was hard getting respect from the East Coast. We didn’t get no fuckin’ love from nobody. Fab Five Freddy came down here early in our career to see what we were really about, and I respected and appreciated that. But we been having money down here. We been rollin’ fuckin’ Bentleys and Ferraris down here since the 80s. Muthafuckers ain’t just started rockin’ gold and platinum chains. We had that shit in high school. Shit, we just now started running out of money. (laughs) That’s how long we been had money down here.

Everybody throws up a fuckin’ smokescreen to make the picture look how they want it to look, but I know shit stank. I ain’t no goddamn fool. I was there in the beginning. We were fighting the power for real. Our raps were considered negative rap, and we got a lot of fuckin’ flak behind that shit. And we were just telling the truth. We were under immense scrutiny, from politicians to radio stations to the media. Luke got up there talkin’ about “Pop That Pussy” and had naked hoes on the stage; they were going to jail and shit. The Geto Boys were talkin’ this politicially-charged, racist-ass, system-ran, gangsta-ass dope-dealing whoopin’-ass shit, and it wasn’t accepted in New York.

Eventually New York came around and started fuckin’ with us. But for an East Coast-based show to call themselves showing some fuckin’ love by making a Southern watered-down version of what the show is supposed to be or what Hip Hop really is, man, I feel fucked up about that shit. Because we fought harder than a muthafucker. When [Ice] Cube was on Hip Hop Honors, it wasn’t the “Hip Hop West Coast Honors.” Every part of the ghetto is the same mu’fuckin’ story. Hip Hop is one machine, regardless if you come from New York or Bareback, Africa. It’s fuckin’ Hip Hop.

But that’s just [my opinion], and fuck me. I don’t mean nothing. I’m just a nigga who fought harder than a muthafucker to get our records played in New York and on the East Coast period. And now all a nigga needs to do is fart on a record and it gets played. So it’s fine by me. I’m cool with that. I’m not mad about it, I just feel disrespected. Whoever goes [to Hip Hop Honors], it’s fine and dandy by me. But if you wanted to do a Southern-based show you shoulda got a nigga DOWN SOUTH to do it in the South.

2 New Videos - Eminem and T.I.

Eminem - Not Afraid

2 new videos premiered this past weekend from 2 high-classed MCs. Above, Eminem launches his first single to his new album, Recovery, titled, Not Afraid. By seeing him in a different light, this will be interesting to see life after Slim Shady.

Another single to T.I. album King Uncaged. In this video you see he still got his Hollywood swag.