January 7, 2012

G. Dep Penning New Book From Prison

Currently locked up awaiting trial after confessing to a 1993 murder in 2010, G. Dep recently said he’s writing a book about his experiences…





Even though he’s in jail, G. Dep hasn’t stopped writing.
Currently serving time at Rikers Island after confessing in December 2010 to a murder from 1993, the Harlem rapper phoned in to Reese On The Radio on blogtalkradio.com to discuss his upcoming book and what he’s been dealing with on the inside.
“The book is an autobiography,” the former Bad Boy signee explained. “It’s one of those things where I’m not trying to explain or justify anything, it’s just I’m trying to just give people my last option. Obviously I can’t record. I don’t know if people are wondering what’s going on or even care, but this is something from an artistic point of view that will kind of close out what I was doing, for now. It might kinda answer some people’s questions.”
“I’m really just putting it out there as an example,” he continued about the release, which will be written in poetry. “You can make your own synopsis of what you think of it or what you’re trying to do with yourself. Really, I’m just putting my story out there. And I’m trying to give a positive message at the same time.”
Though the rapper said his time behind bars hasn’t been easy, he assured that he’s maintaining. “It’s sacred to me what’s going on with this thing here,” he explained. “I’m day-to-day. I’m getting through day-to-day. Like anything, you feel down. But the ups and downs are—it’s something that I needed to deal with, anyway. I was out in the street, and I wasn’t really dealing with anything anyway. So, you know, the ups and downs, it’s probably more beneficial that it goes this way anyway. I felt like I was going nowhere, fast. It was like Groundhog Day. I was going through the days. Somebody was waiting for me to do something. If I was gonna be an idiot and keep acting like I didn’t understand what was going on, I was just gonna go further and further into the hole.”
In September, G. Dep’s appeal to have his charges reduced from murder to manslaughter were not granted, and prosecutors are still reportedly seeking 15 years to life.

January 4, 2012

E.D.I - Like It's New Year (The End of the World, as we know It!)

Ok, so 2012 is right around the corner, or by the time some of you read this it will already be here. Are you excited? I always look forward to a new year, well, because I hate anything old. I’m an impatient dude sometimes, and I’m usually done with a year after July! Lol. Knowledge ruined Thanksgiving and Christmas for me a long time ago, plus I don’t like cold weather. It’s really all about the kids now, and getting together with fam is always good, I guess…
Some of ya’ll are scared to death because of all the “2012 the end of the world is coming because the Aztecs calendar says so…” paranoia we’ve been getting fed since 2005.
Religious zealots have been predicting the end of the world since the beginning of time. I mean, how many times have we’ve “seen the signs” and swore up and down these were the “last days…” Call me a pessimist, but I doubt were going to get this big end of the world show, where shit goes crazy and the streets bubble with the blood of all us sinners. Then Jesus and his Daddy comes down tears up some mo shit and kicks the Devil’s ass back down to the hell fire… Nah, it will probably be un-dramatic at best, lights out… and that’s all folks! Probably some retarded dictator will push a button and start wiping all the infidels off the map one by one. Or maybe when Mitt Romney gets elected, he’ll be the anti-christ and start going on a Islamic-terrorist, anti-gay, anti-black extermination mission and get rid of everybody that’s not white or Morman!

I do think it’s going to be the “End of the World as we know it” to quote the great R.E.M song of the 90’s. There is a great shift going on in the world, and you can see it everyday. From the quakes and sunamis from earlier this year. The great storms that ravished a lot of the Midwest and South. Even more important, it seems the days of the rich and greedy having it easy is also turning. Pedophiles, more and more, are being ousted and exposed and rightfully so. My moms always told me what’s done in the dark always comes to light. Well, we are entering an illuminated period, where all that’s done, will be known sooner than before. The “people” no longer wish to accept the norm, or the status quo. From country to country rebellion is in the air. Homosexuality, is as American as apple pie now, and being interwoven Into the fabric of everyday life more than ever. Even in Rap, the winds of change are blowing. Actual skill seems to be making a comeback. I see in 2012, cats are gonna have to be saying “something” again. Real singing, real music is finally going to make a come back?!!? A fella can dream, right? Time does seem to be moving faster, where did the year go? Wasn’t it just Spring?
I hope your year was as cool as mine though. I traveled a whole lot, 12 states and 3 countries, not bad. I went through some much needed personal changes, for the better as well. We dropped ”Killuminati2k11” & “Perfect Timing” to critical acclaim, and planted seeds for a fruitful Outlaw future. Movies, solo projects, books and much more are all in store for ya boys and we look forward to it. We are blessed to be going into a new era and still have an audience that enjoys the music we bring to the table. We toured the whole country of Canada in o11 and had a ball doin it. London, Dubai, Japan and AFRICA are all on our wishlist for o12…o4L!

So who wants to make some “bold predictions” fro 2012?
Bet, me first though….
In Politics: Obama will “not” be re-elected.
In sports: Miami will not win a championship! Packers will win the SuperBowl
In Entertainment: Kim Kardashian will buy a black baby “Madonna style.” Maury will have to take a paternity test and “he will be the Father!”
In Global Affairs: There will be a major event between Iran and America; London will be home to a great terrorist calamity (hope I’m wrong on this one, no two…) during the Summer Olympics.

Whatever happens, Just remember, in the immortal words of that great street poet SugaFree…”IF YOU STAY READY YOU AINT GOT TO GET READY, ho!”
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND SALUTE!
P.S. I hate the new Hyandai commercial!! You know the one with the two white guys rappin , tryin there best to act black! Yah that 1…Some fuck shit huh? I will be barkin bout that next week….100.

December 29, 2011

Heavy D Died From Blood Clot in His Lungs, According to Reports

The Overweight Lover died from a pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs, caused by a deep leg vein thrombosis, during which a clot can form…



The cause of Heavy D’s death is finally public knowledge.
The overweight lover died from a pulmonary embolism caused by a deep leg vein thrombosis. A long flight back to Los Angeles, California, from a Michael Jackson memorial concert in Europe just days before Heavy’s death may have been the trigger.
Deep leg vein thrombosis is often associated with long plane flights during which a clot can form due to prolonged immobility. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs, most often caused by blood clots which travel from another part of the body. For Hev, the clot formed in his legs.
Officials from the L.A. County Coroner’s Office say Heavy also suffered from heart disease, which could have been a contributing factor in his death, reports the entertainment site. The Coroner’s Office has classified the death as “natural.”
Heavy D died on November 8, 2011. He was 44 years old and left behind an 11-year-old daughter named Xea.

December 26, 2011

Police Get Warrant in Slim Dunkin Killing

Police have obtained a warrant to arrest a suspect named Vinson Hardimon, aka Young Vito, in the death of Slim Dunkin…



Slim Dunkin’s death is one step closer to being resolved.
According to the Associated Press, Atlanta police say they have an arrest warrant for a man in the killing of the Waka Flocka Flame associate, born Mario Hamilton. Police identified the man they’re seeking as 28-year-old Vinson Hardimon, a rapper known as Young Vito.
Dunking was shot to death in the chest on Friday (December 16) after getting into an argument with another person in a recording studio that evening. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Police are urging Hardimon to turn himself in to authorities because they have reason to believe he may be in danger.
Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane are apparently voluntarily footing most of the bill for Slim Dunkin’s funeral. A rep for Waka and Gucci told TMZ that the rappers are making sure Slim is laid to rest in the best way possible, with an elaborate funeral that includes a white horse-drawn carriage, massive white floral arrangements and a white dove release ceremony. Slim’s family will cover some funeral costs, but Waka and Gucci are paying for the bulk of it.

December 20, 2011

2Pac’s Former Manager Reacts to Sex Tape Sale

2Pac’s former manager Leila Steinberg recently spoke to react to the sale of a sex tape involving the rapper, and said that he frequently captured his actions on film…
Over the weekend, the 2Pac sex tape that surfaced a few months back was finally sold. The rapper’s former manager, Leila Steinberg, reacted to the news in a recent interview.
“He taped a lot,” she said to Futuristic Blogger of HipHopnews24-7.com about the tape, which was recorded in 1991. “He taped intimate moments that maybe were for himself that he never thought would be public.”
The footages features ‘Pac receiving oral sex and drinking, and also includes an appearance from Digital Underground member Money B.
Steinberg insinuated that this sort of thing happened frequently at the time, and said she wouldn’t be surprised if similar videos were to pop up. “I’m sure that he documented and recorded way more than anyone will ever know.,” she said, “So that’s why we’ll continue to see things that pop up.”
She also said that, though she’s not sure who consented to have the tape released, she thinks that they should be properly compensated, and believes that anything having to do with the late rapper involves his estate. “I don’t know which tape this is, and who’s consenting, but I think that anyone that’s portrayed should get something from it and should be consenting,” she continued. “I don’t think that ‘Pac taped and didn’t have an understanding that anything you tape can one day become public. I’m sure that there would not be anything exploited that wasn’t agreed upon by the estate. They’re pretty powerful and in control of what gets released and approved, so I would think that they were involved.”
Despite the news, Steinberg stressed that this was not the full repesentation of where ‘Pac was at twenty years ago.
“His number one priority over sex tapes, over personal gratification, more than anything else, was to bring light and attention to really transitioning the state of economics in this country,” she said. “And that he’d be a vessel and a vehicle to change things and to see balance on the planet.” 

December 14, 2011

Afeni Statement on Occupy Movement

The Occupy Wall Street & Together Movement is a reflection of the increasing anger and implosion of the working class in a “profit by any means necessary” driven capitalist system. Capitalism on its own merit is not the problem. The way it’s approached in America is. There is a dichotomy at play though. Consumers want products at low prices, and producers manufacture goods in other Countries with lower wages to achieve the desired consumer prices. Somehow, it is easy for some to ignore inequity in pay and unsafe working conditions if it takes place outside of the United States. The consequence of outsourcing jobs outside of the U.S. to increase profit is that jobs shrink in America, especially in the manufacturing sector. In a recession, more jobs in multiple sectors dry up, affecting almost everyone except for those in the sectors that create new technology or for corporate executives. They actually get richer. The result is that more workers feel the frustration of finding adequate work, something many in the African-American community have experienced for generations. What is the real price of all of those inexpensive goods, and high profits? What would a device like a smart phone cost if it were manufactured 100% in America?

This problem is nothing new. There has been anger with the growing gaps between the rich and those trying to get by day-to-day since the founding of this Country. I know first-hand the results of vast inequity in America. That is what I fought against in the Black Panther Party. When the schools in New York shut down in the 60’s, I was angry. I helped organize my community on behalf of my nephews, and other children in our community. I stood up for what was right, and I remained angry. That anger led me into a tailwind of substance abuse. Anger has consequences. It leads to more harm than the original source of the anger. My family was devastated when violence killed my son in 1996. Although my lost was painful, I did not get resort to anger or violence. Over the past fifteen years, I have channeled my pain into the work of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. In the spirit of Tupac’s legacy we established the Foundation to provide opportunities for young people to express themselves creatively, to teach conflict resolution, to improve communities, and to provide an institution that brings people together.

The Foundation has been different things for different people at different times. For some, the Foundation is a source of strength, for others it’s a place of empowerment. The Foundation is a place of comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one killed by violence, we increase awareness and prevention of suicide, we offer acceptance of others regardless of their sexual orientation or background. We honor & learn from our seniors, and mentor young women. We honor fathers, and those who have rebounded from substance and other abuse. We empower our community with resources, and provide jobs & opportunities for single mothers, young people, and for those just trying to get by. The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and those that we have helped have long been the 99%.

The Occupy Movement has successfully organized people across the globe that share the frustration of the negative results from inequity in the U.S. capitalist system that has existed since I can remember. But, for the movement to be effective, especially for those involved from the Hip-Hop community, the movement must not ride the waves of anger into waves of violence, but into action. Community Action that helps those most vulnerable in their community: children, young girls, and seniors is the best defense. For instance, imagine the impact of thousands around the world flooding a shelter to help those most vulnerable in their communities. Being part of the 99% is nothing new, especially for the African-American community. Don’t scoundrel this opportunity to leverage the impact of the thousands that have organized, these opportunities do not come often. When this organizing moment is a glimpse in the history books, will your only accomplishment be a T-Shirt that reads “We are the 99%.”

In Solidarity,

Afeni Shakur-Davis

December 10, 2011

Jay-Z Says He’s Willing to Pay More Taxes, In Favor of Occupy Wall Street


Jay-Z says he’s for the Occupy Wall Street movement and as part of the wealthy 1% of the country, the legendary rapper adds that he doesn’t mind paying more taxes… he would just want to know that his extra money is being allocated towards something important.
“Me personally, I wouldn’t mind paying more taxes if it went to the things that really mattered,” Jay-Z recently told CNN Money. “If it went to education, people in poverty, you know if it went to the right things, I wouldn’t mind. I think it should be more clearly defined. It should be clearly defined where all the money is allocated. It should be open accounting of where everything is going to.”
The Brooklyn MC adds that he believes others in the country’s wealthiest 1% would be willing to pay more taxes also, as long as they knew their money too was being put towards high-importance areas such as education and healthcare.
“I’m sure people, if it were for healthcare and for education and to help people, I think most people with a conscience, with some integrity and moral fiber wouldn’t have any problem paying more taxes,” Hov said. “[Occupy Wall Street] is good. It’s a good thing that young people are going out and getting their voice heard.”
During a press conference Thursday (December 8), Jigga announced that he’ll be performing two shows at New York City’s historic Carnegie Hall in February to benefit his Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and the United Way of New York City. What u think about that?