rap music

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Ringtones Killed NYC Hip-Hop
 Ringtones Killed NYC Hip-Hop 
OPINION
Oct 20, 2008 12:53 PM CDT

Ringtones Killed NYC Hip-Hop

Southern rap out-blasts urban beats

(Newser) - Once the king-maker of neighborhood phenoms, New York no longer spawns hip-hop's best, and the rise of ringtones is the culprit, writes Matthew Mundy in the New York Press. Because Big Apple beats are less pop-friendly than their Southern counterparts, they're not making it to teenagers' cell phones. "Hip-hop...

Simmons Bangs Drum for Black Entrepreneurs
Simmons Bangs Drum
for Black Entrepreneurs
Glossies
Oct 18, 2008 10:20 AM CDT

Simmons Bangs Drum for Black Entrepreneurs

Russell Simmons thrives during market mayhem

(Newser) - For the "Godfather of Hip-Hop," success on the streets is like winning in business: It's "all about believing in your vision," Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons tells the Economist. Now the music-mogul-turned-financier is trying to inspire go-getters with a new bestseller, Do You!—which...

Rap Fan's Sentence: Bump Bach
 Rap Fan's Sentence: Bump Bach 
Oct 9, 2008 2:58 PM CDT

Rap Fan's Sentence: Bump Bach

Unable to listen for 20 hours, defendant opts to pay fine

(Newser) - An Illinois municipal court offered to reduce a 24-year-old’s fine for a noise violation if he listened to 20 hours of classical music, but he lasted just 15 minutes, the Springfield News-Sun reports. "I didn't have the time," says the college basketball player, denying that the symphony...

Almost Famous: Dorky Writer Rolls With Rapper's Posse

Writer hits Miami with rapper and his crew

(Newser) - You can't pick the music, but you won't pay for a thing. Such are the ups and downs of life in a rapper's posse, Joel Stein writes in Time after tagging along with Flo Rida and his crew for a night out. Stein's role? "To be the one who...

Ice Cube Video Honors Slain Teen

(Newser) - The unlikely stars of Ice Cube's new video are the grieving relatives of a 17-year-old high school football star shot to death outside his home. The song "Why Me?" speaks out against senseless violence and gun crime devastating communities. "It just was a tragic, tragic story of why,...

You Are Your Music: Study
 You Are Your Music: Study
Sep 6, 2008 6:11 PM CDT

You Are Your Music: Study

Study says music reflects our personalities

(Newser) - Our favorite music speaks volumes about who we are, according to a new psychological study. It turns out that Indie fans are miserable, and metal heads act a lot like classical music lovers. The Independent breaks down personalities by genre:  
  • Indie: Low self-esteem and lazy, not to mention selfish
...

Son of Rap Pioneer Dr. Dre Dead at 20

Andre Young Jr. found after night with friends; cause unknown

(Newser) - The son of rap icon Dr. Dre died this weekend in his home northwest of Los Angeles, the Times reports. Andre R. Young Jr., 20, was found dead in his bed Saturday morning after being out with friends the previous evening, an official said; tests to determine cause of death...

Campaign Scolds Ludacris for Obama Rap

Song calls Hillary a 'bitch' and Bush 'mentally handicapped'

(Newser) - Ludacris may have lost his most famous fan. Yesterday the rapper released “Politics as Usual,” a track from his upcoming CD that sings Barack Obama’s praises. But an Obama spokesman says Luda should be “ashamed” of the tune, which, among its other meditations, calls Hillary Clinton...

Lil Wayne Busts 1M Barrier
 Lil Wayne Busts 1M Barrier 
Jun 18, 2008 9:20 AM CDT

Lil Wayne Busts 1M Barrier

Rapper's release first in 3 years to hit milestone in a single week

(Newser) - Lil Wayne has become the first artist to sell more than a million albums in a week since 50 Cent in 2005, Billboard reports. Tha Carter III, the rapper's sixth album, exploded out of record stores last week, selling close to half a million its first day. The milestone sales...

Lil Wayne Gives Milk for Free, Still Sells Cow

The rapper turned to the Internet to change the game

(Newser) - It made record execs cringe, but Lil Wayne's three-year mixtape giveaway sealed his megastar status, reports Rolling Stone. After his last album underperformed, Wayne built an underground following with four free double-albums released on the Internet. The risky move launched Wayne's new single "Lollipop" to Number One on Billboard's...

Retro Diddy Back to Puff Daddy
 Retro Diddy Back to Puff Daddy 
Jun 10, 2008 10:21 AM CDT

Retro Diddy Back to Puff Daddy

Rapper Combs hints at return to old stage name

(Newser) - Rapper Sean Combs—also variously known as Puffy, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy—appears to be going retro and reverting back to Puff Daddy, which he hasn’t used since 2001, E! Online reports. His rep says there’s no change in the works, but Combs suggested otherwise on...

Jay-Z, Kanye: Kings of the Road

Traveling rap shows cashing in like never before

(Newser) - It took "live bands, big sound, pyrotechnics and showmanship," not to speak of an assist from an R&B diva, but Jay-Z and Kanye West have brought hip-hop into the big leagues in the touring business. The Jay-Z tour that ended last month grossed more than $23 million,...

Kid Sister: Success at Her Fingertips

'Pro Nails' rapper gets nod from Kanye

(Newser) - With her manicure anthem "Pro Nails," Chicago rapper Kid Sister (aka Melisa Young) managed to parlay a penchant for mile-long acrylic talons into a hot career. The single caught the ear of hip-hop golden boy Kanye West, who added vocals on the track and cameoed in the video,...

Remy Ma Sentenced to 8 Years for Assault

'Queen of NY' is heading upstate for shooting friend

(Newser) - Rapper Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday, following her conviction on two counts of assault for shooting her friend in the stomach. The self-proclaimed "Queen of New York" broke down in tears at the sentencing, which was somewhat more lenient than expected, reports MTV. The...

Rap Anti-Gay? Try Oh-So-Gay, Claims Exposé

Former MTV exec reveals rap's gay scene in new memoir

(Newser) - Many rappers tout anti-gay attitude, but some are secretly gay too—or so claims a former MTV exec in his upcoming memoir. “The book is not about outing people,” said Terrence Dean, author of Hiding in Hip Hop. “I wrote it so that people realize the industry...

Rapper DMX Arrested on Animal-Cruelty, Drug Charges

Cops take pit bull pups, find cocaine, marijuana, guns at Arizona pad

(Newser) - Police arrested rapper DMX early this morning on animal-abuse and drug charges, the Arizona Republic reports. Police seized five pit bull puppies, and unknown quantities of marijuana and cocaine from the house northeast of Phoenix.

Kanye, Fiancee Call It Quits
 Kanye, Fiancee Call It Quits 
Apr 22, 2008 12:52 PM CDT

Kanye, Fiancee Call It Quits

Alexis 'sad,' but says pair remains friendly

(Newser) - Rapper Kanye West and his designer fiancée Alexis Phifer have officially broken off their engagement, Phifer confirmed yesterday. “They’d been having problems,” said a friend of West’s. “Kanye is really focused on his show… Alexis is a nice girl, but Kanye has been going...

Mr. Hip Hop, You Need to Stop
Mr. Hip Hop,
You Need
to Stop
Apr 20, 2008 11:40 AM CDT

Mr. Hip Hop, You Need to Stop

Yahoo lists the worst rappers to ever pick up a mic

(Newser) - Before Chingy or Master P came Shaq's failed try at rap. And before him were many other shameful attempts at the lyrical flow. Yahoo lists the worst rappers ever:
  1. Vanilla Ice: The "Ice Ice Baby" king also failed as an actor in Cool as Ice.
  2. MC Hammer started a
...

14-Year-Old Boy Sues 50 Cent
 14-Year-Old Boy Sues 50 Cent 
Apr 10, 2008 6:00 AM CDT

14-Year-Old Boy Sues 50 Cent

Teen alleges rapper's music promotes gangsta lifestyle that led to his assault

(Newser) - 50 Cent and Universal Music Group were sued yesterday for promoting a "gangsta lifestyle" that encourages violence. The plaintiff: 14-year-old James Rosemond, who was assaulted on a Manhattan sidewalk by 50's fellow G-Unit member Tony Yayo. Rosemond is the son of a record exec whose label represents The Game,...

Jay-Z to Sign Record $150M Deal

Live Nation deal sign of industry upheaval

(Newser) - Rapper Jay-Z is about to decamp from record label Def Jam and sign a $150 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation, reports the New York Times. The deal, Live Nation's biggest to date, will give the superstar financial backing for tours, his own record label and other related ventures...

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