This might have went in the Tunes X 3 thread but I was unsure. . .
When Ras Kass drops his long-delayed Van Gogh, expect it to differ greatly from the advances that have made their way onto the net, as Ras has not only headed back to the lab to work with Havoc, but also with Scott Storch, and Timbaland. Expect the revised version of Van Gogh to drop in the spring of 2002.
Heltah Skeltah’s Rock is finalizing his solo-debut, Rock Man Uncensored, which will drop in spring 2002 on DJ Lethal’s (House Of Pain, Limp Bizkit) Lethal Dose Records. The LP will feature appearances from Outlawz, Fred Durst, and 9th Avenue. Some of the notable producers include Scott Storch, Rockwilder, Lethal, and Dr. Dre. Rock’s Heltah Skeltah cohort, Ruck, also is working on his solo-debut.
Be sure to check for the recently lauched Hip-Hop Honeys website (
www.hiphophoneys.com), from Game Records / Source Magazine founder Shecky Green. Also look for the upcoming Hip-Hop Honeys DVD / VHS release, featuring the Game Girls in all their glory, dancing to beats by Alchemist, DJ Premier, Buckwild, and others….!
The [size=huge]
Beastie Boys[/size] have finally begun working on the follow-up to 1998’s Hello Nasty. No word when it will mmmm….drop.
After her name breaking performance on Jay-Z’s Unplugged endeavor, frequent Roots collaborator, Jaguar, has readied her MCA debut, Denial, Delusions & Decisions. Look for Jaguar to take the Jill Scott route to stardom, “Slowly, Surely.”
Jay-Z and R.Kelly’s companion LP, The Best Of Both Worlds, project is picking up steam, as the duo has reportedly already recorded eight-tracks, including one with Devin The Dude. But when will Devin’s long-delayed sophomore debut see the light of day?
Kurupt & Tash are rumored to be working on material together as a group called DNA, while Defari has begun recording his sophomore LP, Odds & Evens.
Junior Mafia member, Larceny, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a firearm, and ordered to spend the next twelve months at Riker Island prison. The sentence resulted from Larceny and Lil Cease being stopped in a vehicle, which was registered to Lil Kim, after being stopped Police found Larceny carrying a loaded 22-caliber Beretta handgun, and Cease with a small amount of Marijuana. Larceny and Cease have also been charged with attempted murder for a shoot-out in Brooklyn, a hearing for this case will be held in January.
The Roots have decided on a title for their next-LP, Phrenology, which they are hoping to have out by June 2002. Collaborations with Andre 3000, Nelly Furtado, Jill Scott and Project Pat are being discussed. Look for DJ Scratch to contribute some production. Also, after Phrenology drops, look for ?uestlove to resume work on his BBE collaboration with James Poyser (The Randy Watson Project), which his been given a tentative title of Good & Terrible. Look for Jaguar to contribute backing vocals.
The Wu-Tang Killa Beez' upcoming effort, The Sting, will surface Feb. 26 on Koch/In the Paint/Wu-Tang Records. The album's lead single, "Killer Beez," hits radio in January. Produced by RZA, the album features contributions by RZA, O.D.B., U-God, Inspectah Deck, North Star, and Black Nights.
Count Bass D will release his new LP, Dwight Spitz, on 2-26-2002. It will feature collaborations with Edan (“Lil Story Rhyme”), MF Doom (“Quite Buttery”), and J Rawls (“Ohio Playas”). And in Counts own words “This is my best album yet, but not the best I will make.”
Mr. Khalyl/Mr. Man (formerly of Da Bush Babees) is the latest member of the BBE family, and is in the beginning stages of recording his BBE solo project.
Planet Asia’s highly anticipated Interscope debut, Life As It Is, will include production from Supa Dave West, Hi-Tek, Pete Rock, Battlecat, Roddy Rod, and Vitamin D. Look for collabo’s with Rasco, and Ghostface on “Real Niggaz.”
After his scene-stealing appearances on Iron Flag, who else is excited about the prospects of Inspectah Deck’s sophomore LP? Speaking of Iron Flag, why has GZA become such a non-factor in the Wu’s game plan?
Hiero news: the Hiero collective is working on a new family LP, Full Circle, and plans to release new LP’s from Souls Of Mischief, and Pep Love in 2002…
J-Ro of Tha Liks is executive producing a hip-hop Tribute To Roger Troutman---ATribute To Roger. The tribute will feature appearances from Snoop, Xzibit, Tha Liks, Kurupt, DPG, Chico DeBarge, Ras Kass, B-Real, Ice-T, Kam and J-Ro’s Wolfpac Records artists, Shae Fiol and Merciless Styles. Look for A Tribute To Roger to drop in April 2002.
Ugly Duckling are reportedly close to signing a major label deal with Columbia Records. And word is if they do indeed sign; before they drop a new LP, Columbia will re-release one of Ugly Duckling’s previous LP’s to help fan the buzz.
While we eagerly anticipate some new music from Mos Def in 2002, it seems as if he has put his recording plans on hold to concentrate on his burgeoning acting career. Mos has been cast to star in the Broadway play Top Dog/Under Dog this March with Don Cheadle. Also, Mos will appear in the upcoming movie Brown Suga.
How distorted is the hip-hop industry? Well, compare the following--- Nas’ Stillmatic moved 342,000 copies in its debut week, and Lil Bow Wow’s Doggy Bag moved 319,000 copies, outselling both Wu-Tang and Jay-Z????
Please submit all news, questions, inquiries, and or love/hate mailto:Matthewbrn@aol.com - Matt Conaway
SPECIAL NEWS ON THE D.L. BONUS SUPPLEMENT – BADD BAXXX STYLE!
Gang Starr has a hot new track out on the low right now "Natural" that will be released on a compilation that Virgin is doing with Spin magazine. Only way to describe it is CLASSIC Gang to the Starr. This should see wax in the next 3 weeks or so and with a all new B side as well.
Looks like the next Ruff Ryderz compilation on Interscope, will be the last project that goes through that company, look for them to link with Def Jam in early 2002. Upcoming projects projects are Styles from the LOX solo and then after that Sheek from the LOX solo.
Heard three new songs from Krondon, one of which had Xzibit on it. But the best of the bunch was one called "Hold It Down". This kid from LA is really gonna set it on those who are sleepin.... Also be sure to check out the track "James Worthy" when it drops.
The Major Figgas vs. the ROC beef heats up even more in Philly as Dutch from Dutch and Spade (Major Figgas side group now signed to Untertainment/ Interscope) dropped by WPHI Philly 103.9 durring DJ Jay Ski's 9:00 PM set. Dutch told his side of things, no Beanie call in on this show though like the call in on Power 99 a few nights before, I'm surprised they are still on air after that fiasco. Philly's #1 DJ, DJ Jay Ski was asked by a caller on his show the next day what he thought of the whole situation his take was "Man we have a alot of talented artists in Philly now, lets keep everything hip hop and on wax and I will just keep spinning all the good records that come out of Philly" So far rumors are flying out in the PHL about somebody waving guns at so and so in the clubs but as of now I have not seen it, and hope that it does not go down like that.
Speaking of Philly, Baby Blak of Ill Advised dropped by DJ Lieutant Dan's radio show to world premier tracks off his upcoming album that will be dropping on DJ Revolution’s label early to mid 2002, with the first single to drop in the next month or two. Producers include DJ Revolution, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Jay Ski, Evidence, and Joey Chavez. This album is one of the most diverse and solid albums that I have heard in a long time. Should be indie classic status with guests like Planet Asia, Evidence and many more. You can also catch Blak on the forthcoming BBE release by Jazzy Jeff. Last but not least Blak just signed a clothing deal with LRG, a new company that is getting ready to dig in your pockets.
J.U.I.C.E. is out and about doing about a 12" a day, but if you have ever wanted to hear his best work make sure to check out his two songs with SMP out of Chicago. This group just dropped their first 12" called "Session 1" , and are getting ready to drop a few more singles next year and thier debut album, with guests like Pace Won, Mr. Lif, and Eratik Statik.
What happened to Bad Boy? G. Dep's album looks to have gotten lost in a sea of new X-mas releases... Is Tommy Boy Records on shakey ground? Is Rawkus done doing indie records and indie distribution? Is Antra the label Kurupt is on under new mangement and about to relaunch him as the West Coast super star he really is? Is Mase going to have a greatest hits album? Lets hope not at least on that last one. – Mike Baxter
Celebrity Dish, Part III
A Cornucopia of Music News
Oh well-lol
Not really gossip...
Prince Harry
Who is Ohhjjj squiring around the town?
Linear Mode
