Hip Hop: The Billion Dollar Industry that Criminalizes Black People

In 2006 Nas declared that “Hip Hop is Dead.” So anything that appears to be Hip Hop now should be thought of as the music industry’s version of “The Walking Dead.” A post-apocalyptic horror that plays out through media images that affect minds and ill-advised actions by young people each and everyday. Urban radio is essentially giving free advertisement, each time a song is played, to the well-documented private prison industry. There is a cause for alarm. As many states are relinquishing their control of incarcerating their disproportionally affected African American population and turning it over to “for profit” private companies … Continue reading Hip Hop: The Billion Dollar Industry that Criminalizes Black People

Did Atlantic Records Tell T.I. to be a Violent Thug?

T.I. claims Atlantic Records dislikes his family friendly image Dr. Boyce Watkins and Yvette Carnell discuss the allegation by the rapper T.I. that his label, Atlantic Records, rejected his positive image and wanted him to keep rapping about the thug life. T.I. revealed that Atlantic Records, his label since 2003’s Trap Muzik, was not a fan of this image and personal transformation. Continue reading Did Atlantic Records Tell T.I. to be a Violent Thug?

>Trae Tha Truth Files Lawsuit Against Radio One and Local Station 97.9 The Box

>Houston area rapper Trae decided to file the lawsuit after the radio station allegedly banned his music from being heard on the only local hip hop station in the city. HOUSTON /PRNewswire Houston rapper “Trae Tha Truth” (nee Frasier Thompson) will be holding a press conference at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at the Harris County Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, Houston, Texas, to announce the filing of a lawsuit in the 189th District Court of Harris County Texas against Radio One Inc., which owns and operates Houston radio Station 97.9 KBXX, The Box.The civil case alleges a consistent … Continue reading >Trae Tha Truth Files Lawsuit Against Radio One and Local Station 97.9 The Box

V103’s Greg Street Signs with the Cash Money Label

Greg Street will curate albums and author books as part of the deal. Broadcast personality and DJ Greg Street has signed to Cash Money Records and Cash Money Content. According to a press release, Street will curate albums, utilize previously unreleased material from Young Money artists as well as new cuts for Cash Money Records. As part of Cash Money Content, he will collaborate on book related content, author his own books and collaborate with his Greg Street Scholarship Fund Program, We Need 2 Read. “I have never once doubted the power of Birdman and Slim, and the Cash Money … Continue reading V103’s Greg Street Signs with the Cash Money Label

Beanie Sigel Arrested With Gun And Drugs After Traffic Stop

Rapper Beanie Sigel was arrested on Wednesday morning (August 29), just two weeks before he was scheduled to turn himself in to begin a two-year prison sentence for failure to file taxes.  Pennsylvania State Police charged him with weapon and drug offenses after being stopped on I-95, just south of Philadelphia. Sigel, who just released a new album on Tuesday, was pulled over after troopers observed his tan Ford Fusion swerving while driving along Interstate 95 at approximately 3:15 a.m. They reportedly found more than $4,000 in cash, a bottle of codeine syrup with the label scratched off and several prescription pills. … Continue reading Beanie Sigel Arrested With Gun And Drugs After Traffic Stop

>Harlem Heights Premieres on BET Tonight

> Call me a little leery of anything that BET (Black Entertainment Television) documents as a new trend let alone capturing the flavor of the New Harlem Renaissance; but I get a feeling that “Harlem Heights” will only glorify glamour and opulence of a few people, living above their means rather than hearkening back to the Real Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s and 1930’s. So instead of revolutionary literature, poetry and art; I expect a slightly older take of College Hill and Baldwin Hills. BET please prove me wrong. I hope with tonight’s premiere episode I’m presently surprised, but the … Continue reading >Harlem Heights Premieres on BET Tonight

1480 WDAS AM Returns as "The Soul of Philadelphia"

Clear Channel has dumped the former Spanish music format, Rumba 1480 WUBA 1480 WDAS AM “The Soul of Philadelphia” returns to the airwaves with the best R&B oldies from the late ’50’s, ’60’s and early ’70’s. Today however, the station flipped to all Christmas music offering favorite R&B artists through the holidays. Afterward the station returns to a steady diet of the Temptations, Archie Bell, Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke, Fontella Bass, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, Etta James, Isaac Hayes, and Little Richard. Ken Johnson, Clear Channel Director of Urban Programming says working with 1480 WDAS AM takes him … Continue reading 1480 WDAS AM Returns as "The Soul of Philadelphia"

>Def Jam Vice President Shakir Stewart Dead From Suicide

> Shakir Stewart, Def Jam’s Executive Vice President and successor to Jay-Z at the helm of the label, died Saturday (November 1) of an apparent suicide. According to various reports, his body was found in his bathroom of his house in Marietta, Georgia. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No further details were available at press time. “L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart,” Def Jam said in a statement given to Billboard.com.”Shakir was an amazing man in every sense … Continue reading >Def Jam Vice President Shakir Stewart Dead From Suicide

>Former Motown President Jheryl Busby has died

> Former Motown president/CEO Jheryl Busby has died. The veteran label executive passed away yesterday. According to sources, although he had some serious health issues including diabetes, he died as a result of slipping in his jacuzzi and striking his head. Our thoughts and prayers to go out to his family and many friends. The Los Angeles native was 59 years old. He launched his music industry career as a regional rep at Stax Records. In the early ’80s he held promotion posts at several labels, including Casablanca, CBS, A&M and Atlantic. In 1988 he became president/CEO of Motown. During … Continue reading >Former Motown President Jheryl Busby has died