E-A-Ski Talks Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Early No Limit, And Locksmith

Exclusive: The Westside O.G. reveals why he split from Spice 1, his difficulty in tracking down Dre, new work with Cube, and how he "started Master P."

Much like another veteran left coast sound-provider, Sir Jinx, played an instrumental role in the early career of Ice Cube, E-A-Ski was an important part of the early success Spice 1 enjoyed during the peak of the west coast’s chart dominance in the 1990s. The Bay area-based producer/rapper was also influential in the early stages of No Limit Records when the eventual southern Rap impresario Master P was still a northern California record store owner.

In 2010 E-A-Ski is still helping future stars break through, as he preps the solo debut of MTV and Grind Time battle rap champ Locksmith.

The music maker/aspiring filmmaker, (whose No Problems starring Danny Glover just took home an award at the 2010 Okanagan International Film Festival), spoke to HipHopDX on Thursday, (October 28th), from his homebase in Oakland and offered an overview of his illustrious career, which includes the aforementioned achievements with Spice 1 and No Limit Records, as well as an often overlooked credit with a fresh-off-of Death Row Dr. Dre. 

Lil Wayne To Be Sued As He Is Released

When Lil Wayne gets out of Rikers Island jail next month, he will be served a new lawsuit. Atlanta producer Mali Boi says that Lil Wayne committed copyright infringement on his "Mrs Officer" song which Bobby Valentino is featured on. Mali Boi says that he was the writer and producer of the song which has sold over two million copies in the United States alone.

Kid Cudi Admits He's 'Over Rapping'

It's no secret that Ohio's own Kid Cudi is more partial to a note than a verse. From Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3 album to the soundtrack for Kanye West's "Runaway" film, Cudi has proven his knack for nailing the nexus of hip-hop and singing, while maintaining rap's ethos.
However, with the release date of his sophomore album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager on the way on November 9, the G.O.O.D. Music MC says his days of spitting may be coming to a close.
"I'm just over rapping, I don't get any fulfillment out of it anymore," Kid Cudi told MTV News. "I just don't get fulfillment out of writing a 16, that's why you never really hear me on Kanye joints like that. Well, for two reason; he's f---ing dope, and I'm not gon' be rapping on 'Ye records and getting bodied all the time. Number two, I'm just not passionate about it. I'm more passionate when he be like 'Yo Cudi, come up with a hook or something.' He asks me to put verses down and sh-- but I try to procrastinate or disappear or something."
Cudi says he's not only disinterested in rhyming but he feels that many MCs aren't succinct.
"Laziness kinda worked in my favor because it helped me develop a skill to write everything I want to say in a little amount of time," admitted Cudi. "I don't need three verses to tell you that I love marijuana so that's why there's only one on that song. Some people'll do three verses on a song, and it's like 'man, you don't need all that.' Just do one verse and let's do some music, let's just have some stuff going on and pull people into another world while they're grooving. It's like the rap is the thesis and now, let's just chill and vibe out."
Moving forward, Cudi might even following in Lil Wayne's footsteps by picking up a new toy.
"I just really get more fulfillment out of singing now, I'm teaching myself the guitar, that's my new found love," said Cudi. "I just never thought I could play an instrument, [but I] picked it up and surprised myself. It's been two and a half months since I've been playing and I'm already starting my next project. It's a rock album I'm doing a band with [Dot Da Genius] and I also got Chip Da Ripper stuff. I've just been trying to stay busy and work and develop ... like burst mode."

T.I.’s Wife Charged With Possession of Ecstasy

Five days after the Los Angeles District Attorney dropped the drug charges against her husband, T.I.’s wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris, has been charged for possession of ecstasy.
According to tmz.com, Tiny can face up to one year behind bars if convicted of the crime.
The songstress, who just married her long time boyfriend and father of two of her children, was arrested with Tip on September 1 following a traffic stop. The incident led to the D.A. revoking the ATLien MC’s probation—stemming from a 2008 federal gun conviction—and sentencing him to an 11- month stay in Forrest City.
T.I. is expected to report to the Arkansas federal jail on Monday, November 1. —Elan Mancini

Kanye West Nude Photos Hit the ’Net

Earlier this month, radaronline.com reported that nude pictures of Kanye West were being shopped around to several news outlets and now the images have made their way online.
Mediatakeout.com posted the photos today (October 29), which finds the rapper/producer in one picture shirtless only wearing sunglasses and a gold chain, while the second image shows West’s genitals provocatively showing through his boxer briefs.
“These pics have been floating around since he hit so many girls up on MySpace,” a source told Radar Online.

 

‘Ye admits in his latest single “Runaway” that he has sent naked pictures to women in the past. “She found pictures in my email,” he raps. “I sent this a girl a picture of my dick.” —Elan Mancini

Record Labels Get LimeWire Shut Down

(AllHipHop News) LimeWire, the decentralized peer-to-peer file trading service, was ordered by a federal to shut down on Tuesday.

The company, Lime Wire LLC, had been in a legal battle with the major labels including Arista, BMG, Sony, and Warner Bros.

LimeWire’s demise represents a victory for the music industry’s ongoing battle against internet piracy.

The presiding judge ordered LimeWire to shut down all versions of the software as of Wednesday.

The exact terms of the shut down include"the searching, downloading, uploading, file trading and/or file distribution functionality, and/or all functionality."

If the company were to resurface, it would have to implement a copyright filter.

MYKKO BALBOA COMING SOON !!

Be sure to be on the lookout for the Highly Anticipated mixtape "Mykko Balboa" from Clayton Co's own Mykko Montana. I can vouch that Mykko has some of the hottest music out right now and it wont be long before he is a household name. So the question is "WHO IS MYKKO MONTANA". You'll soon find out, but don't take my word for it. Let the music Speak for its self.

Jay-Z Addresses Recent Beyonce Pregnancy Rumors

UPDATE: Jay-Z speaks about the latest pregnancy rumors

The rumor mill has been going full steam this morning (October 20) thanks to a report claiming that pop/R&B singer Beyonce Knowles is pregnant with what will be her and husband Jay-Z’s first child. According to Us Weekly the singer is already in her first trimester.
"B was shocked. She loves kids, but she wasn't ready to be a mother just yet," a source revealed to Us Weekly. "She really wanted to get her album done and tour the world again."
Another source revealed that news of Beyonce’s possible pregnancy was “a gift from God” and that the 29-year-old singer is “so happy” right now.
Although this will be the couple’s first child Beyonce already has the support of many including her sister Solange Knowles.
"She's got the most beautiful heart,” revealed Solange Knowles when asked about her old sister and motherhood. "She'll be a great mom."
Jay-Z and Beyonce were married in April 2008 and have been together since 2002. Neither a rep for Beyonce or Jay-Z has confirmed the pregnancy rumor. (October 20)
UPDATE #1:
Beyonce's mother has said yesterday's reports are false.
“I heard [the gossip],” Knowles said in a clip obtained by tmz.com, “but I’m here to clear the rumors up. The truth is that it’s not Beyonce that’s pregnant it’s me,” she joked. “No it’s not true,” she clarified. “[But] I’m looking forward to it. With all the rumors, by now I should have about five or six grandchildren.” (October 21)
UPDATE #2:
Shaun "Jay-Z" Carter spoke to The Daily Telegraph and confirmed that there is "no truth" to the latest rumor that his wife Beyonce is carrying their first child. "They do that every slow news day," Jay said. "This is like the fifth time. I think we have five kids now."

Eminem & Nicki Minaj To Collaborate On "Pink Friday" Track

According to sources, Slim Shady and Barbie might have a song that plays into both emcees' penchant for sinister alter-egos.

While they are two-thirds of the Rap appearances on Rihanna upcoming Loud album, two of Hip Hop's biggest stars of 2010 will reportedly share the microphone on Nicki Minaj's November 22 debut, Pink Friday. According to Rap-Up.com, the song is called "Roman's Revenge."

If true, the track takes its name from one of the Queens rapper's alter-egos, "Roman Zolanski." The name plays off of Roman Polanski, the Polish-born filmmaker behind such classics as Chinatown. Presently, Polanski is presently believed to be in Switzerland, where the acclaimed director must stay to avoid a United States jail sentencing for a 1977 sexual assault arrest.

Since 2009, Eminem has worked with several Young Money artists, including Lil Wayne and Drake on last year's smash single "Forever." This year, the Detroit star and Wayne both appeared on each other's albums, Recovery and Rebirth respectively.

by Allen Jacobs

Waka Flocka Flame & Debbie Antney React To Baracka Flocka Flames Parody

Is James Davis' clip a witty political satire, disrespectful, or is he just soft-shoeing?

Making fun of U.S. Presidents predates Thomas Nast’s 1859 parodies of Abraham Lincoln and has continued through various “Saturday Night Live” sketches on down to the present day. But a recent viral video which mixes Waka Flocka Flame’s “Hard In The Paint” with various racially charged stereotypes about President Barack Obama, has some viewers question exactly what is off limits.

“That they used it to be so sarcastic, it was almost a form of disrespect,” Waka Flocka told the New York Times. Waka’s mother and manager, Debbie Antney, echoed the same sentiments, saying, “That’s not a positive image for us, period, as African-Americans, where we came from, where we’re going today.” Times writer Jon Caramanica reports that Antney unsuccessfully tried to have the video removed from WorldStarHipHop, a site which in addition to premiering at least one other Waka Flocka Flame video, has also featured clips of fried chicken eating contests, soft-core pornography and women fighting outside of housing projects.

There has been no shortage of racial overtones surrounding Obama’s presidency—from “Birthers,” members of the Tea Party and his inclusion of Lil Wayne and Jay-Z on his iPod. Comedian, James Davis, who portrays President Obama in the video, linked his own racial dichotomy with the President’s.

“I can speak to the educated black guy and the hood black guy,” Davis said. “The fact that we can come out and put on a full production like this in an area where there’s gang violence, in what people would consider the hood, is important to me. He’s a come-up story, in the biggest way possible. That’s what a lot of rap is about, grinding hard, making it from nothing to something.”

Mariah Carey IS Pregnant: CONFIRMED

Well, at the age of 41, Mariah has finally gotten her golden wish of getting pregnant. This is cool. The singer finally announced that she is pregnant after all the rag sites had said that she was. But, she sure held out for a long time.  

"Well, we're here in New York; yes, we are pregnant. This is true. I'm actually dealing with this, and it's been a long journey but it's been tough…Well, it's still early. We're expecting in the spring,” she told Access Hollywood. Nick was hype: He said, "It's absolutely emotional, but for so many reasons. The greatest gift on earth is a child."

I bet she was tired of people saying she was fat too. But the real deal is that she suffered a miscarriage about three years ago and they didn’t want to have any issues since it was so early. At any rate, congrats to her and Nick Cannon. They have really exceeded anybody’s expectations. I remember when people said they wouldn’t make it three months.

Kanye And Soulja Boy Exchange Production Skills

Kanye West has allegedly reached out to Soulja Boy Tell Em, for production assistance on his new album. The pair are expected to exchange beats for their solo ventures.

"I'm working on Kanye's next album right now," Soulja Boy revealed in an interview. "We working together on production because he makes beats and I make beats. Right now I’m remixing a couple of records for him. I'm actually working on [Kanye's] album while he’s working on my album."

"I know a million producers that are no-names, but they got hot beats," he said in an interview. "I will be going back in the lab to produce beats on this album, I really haven't produced since my second album, but I'm looking forward to doing a 50/50 split beat with Kanye West. I think that'll be hot because he's a great lyricist, but an awesome producer as well. I feel like I'm an awesome producer too, and both of us in the studio together at the same time can come out with a smash."

"I done worked with everybody that I wanna work with so far," Soulja Boy said in an interview. "But going into my third album, I already got Lil Wayne on deck. I just hollered at Kanye when I was in Cali[fornia]. Working with Snoop Dogg. Me and Kanye, it's just an honor to work with him. He done been in the game so many years even for him to be under Jay-Z. And if I get a chance to work with Jay-Z and Kanye that'd be crazy, way out on another level."

"Right now I'm in the studio making The DeAndre Way," Soulja Boy explained in an interview earlier this year. "And mark my words, this album will be a classic. A lot of people been sleeping on Soulja Boy for a long time, when I first came out with 'Crank Dat' it was so big, gimmicky and catchy it went five times platinum and a lot of people were stuck on it for a long time. They said I was garbage, they said I was a one-hit wonder. Now I came out with 'Kiss Me through the Phone,' my second No. 1 single and I released 'Turn My Swag On,' my third No. 1 single and now I'm going into my third album. I got everybody's ears open right now...Mark my words, this album will go platinum...I'm reaching out to hip-hop's greatest...I wanna reach out to that top status. Your Jay-Z's, your Kanye's and your Lil Wayne's."

Lil Scrappy Listening Session For The Grustle

Disturbing Tha Peace's most recent acquisition, Lil' Scrappy, is preparing to demonstrate an artistic side which has seldom been witnessed. Lil' Scrappy held a listening session on October 27th, offering media and DJ's a sneak preview of his up and coming The Grustle album, which is expected in stores on December 15th. "It's always good when an artist knows the direction they wanna go with a project," DTP's CEO Chaka...

Young Guru Breaks Down How Music Artist Enslave Themselves

Drake Puts R&B Mixtape Aside For Now

Drake can't stop rapping, and it's keeping him from R&B.

Fans looking forward to Drake's much-discussed R&B mixtape will have to wait, as the Young Money rapper has decided to put the project on hold.

"I been rapping a lot lately," said Drizzy to MTV News. "Me and [producer] 40 have been doing some great rap music, so I sort of took a hiatus on the R&B for a second. It's cool to do R&B, I love it, but it's just hard for me to always commit to it. Because some nights, I get in there and 40's beats, as melodic or R&B-driven as they may be, just have that right pocket that I just wanna spit."

Drake also added that he's completed the second song for his sophomore album.

Watch the brief interview below.

MTV Shows

Prison Guard Suspended Without Pay For Visiting Lil Wayne

(AllHipHop News) Another prison guard at Rikers Island has been disciplined for making an unauthorized visit to see superstar rapper Lil Wayne, who is finishing a one year sentence for having a handgun on his tour bus in 2007.

According to the New York Daily News, Captain Raphael Collazzo was suspended without pay for 10 days for visiting the rapper for over 45 minutes, while he was in his isolation cell for having headphones and a charger for an MP3 player.

Capt. Collazzo, a 20-year-veteran, is not expected to be disciplined any further. He also denied breaking any rules during the unexplained visit.

He is at least the third guard at Rikers Island to get into trouble for visiting with Lil Wayne.

In April of 2010, Amelia Negron was fired for allegedly making an impromptu visit to the rapper's cell.

In September, Captain LaTanya Brown was accused of visiting the rapper, in addition to giving him preferential treatment by letting him stay in his cell while other inmates were on the recreation yard.

Lil Wayne is expected to be released from prison next week.

Joe Budden Talks Child Support Case, Imminent Shady Deal

Joe Budden doesn’t seem to be all too worried about his appearance on the cover of the The Jersey Journal.
As previously reported, Budden was cited by the paper for owing nearly $13,000 in child support. He responded briefly on Twitter that morning, but spoke with DJ Envy on his Power 105 FM show in New York earlier today (October 26) and elaborated a bit on the situation. “That was horrible,” he said. “Now, the funny part about that is, the day before, it was in the paper. It wasn’t on the cover, [but] it was in the paper. I guess they just felt it was front page-worthy, so they put it back and that was wild. I woke up to a lot of madness that day. They put one of my old addresses out there, which was wild to me.”
Budden also spoke on the continued rumors of a Slaughterhouse to Shady signing, confirming the partnership while saying that nothing was finalized. “We are just about [signed],” he explained. “The great thing about it is that [Eminem] is just so passionate about hip-hop and lyrics and everything that this group is about. Everything that this group was formed around, he is in 200% support of.”
He added that the next Slaughterhouse album will be released in late 2011. Budden’s Mood Muzik 4 mixtape is available now. He will be performing at NYC’s B.B. King Blues Club tonight to celebrate the disc’s release. —Adam Fleischer

Swizz Beatz Faces $1.5 Mil Lawsuit for Unpaid Royalties

Swizz Beatz may have to face the music in court. Antwann Frost, a man who collaborated with Swizzy on the beat for Cassidy’s 2007 hit “My Drink N’ My 2 Step” is suing the producer to the tune of $1.5 million, for unpaid royalties.
According to tmz.com, Frost filed suit against the beatmaker, two days ago, claiming he is responsible for making “all of the other original musical components that shaped and defined” the track, while Swizzy only created the drums.
At the time that song was released, the man says he rejected an offer made by Swizz for $5,000 along with, 5% ownership, while Cas and the Bronx-bred producer received the rest of the profits.
Swizz has yet to comment on the suit, as he seems to have more on his mind. Just last Thursday (October 14) the Bronx-born hitmaker and his bride, Alicia Keys, welcomed a newborn baby boy into the world. —Nicki Nahmeanez

AXE Drops T.I. As Spokesman

(AllHipHop News) Rap star T.I. has officially lost his gig as a spokesman for AXE body spray, just days after he was sentenced to 11 months in prison for violating the terms of his federal probation.

TMZ.com reports that AXE will "no longer feature T.I. in our promotional campaign" and has already removed the Grammy Award winning rapper from their official website.

A federal judge sentenced T.I. to 11 months in prison on Friday (October 15th), after he and his wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle was found to be in possession of ecstasy after a traffic stop on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on September 1st.

Yesterday (October 18th), T.I. appeared on Ryan Cameron's V103 radio show, where he discussed his pending jail sentence. The rap star vowed to never return to prison after his latest, upcoming stint in federal prison.

"I'm gonna take it a day at a time," T.I. explained. "I got a little while to plan. One thing I'm not gonna do is, I'm not gonna talk and make a whole lot of promises and do this or do that. I'm gonna speak more through my music and my actions. And I'm gonna let God lead me wherever that may be."

'Janky' Promoters Sued For $100Gs Over Fake Snoop Show

A Cudahy, California, night club is suing a company purporting to represent rapper Snoop Dogg, after losing over $40,000 for a show that never happened.

The lawsuit, which was filed October 22nd in the Central District of California, claims a company ominously named One Blood/Red Eye Entertainment approached El Potrero Night Club and represented itself as a reputable booking agency that was negotiating concerts on Snoop's behalf.

Around August 27th, Potrero executed the contract and wired $20,000 to secure the rapper for an exclusive date.

Problems arose, however, when Potrero attempted to promote the concert on Los Angeles' Hip-Hop station, Power 106.

Reps for Power 106 questioned the date and told Potrero that the contracts the club had signed were fake.

One Blood/Redeye representatives claimed that they were simply going around Snoop's managers to avoid extra fees.

On September 15th, Potrero sent the remaining $20,000 to book the rapper.

When it was time to perform, representatives for Redeye informed the club that Snoop Dogg was not in the city and would not be performing.

As a result, Potrero is seeking $100,000 for Breach of Contract, fees, expenses and lost profits.

Snoop Dogg is not named in the lawsuit.

Jay-Z & Kanye West To Release Full Album, Not EP

With so much anticipation surrounding Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, there isn't as much hype as you'd expect for a Jay-Z and Kanye project. That will likely change in time, especially now that the proposed five song EP is going to be a full length album.
"We putting out a whole album now," Kanye told MTV when asked about Watch The Throne. "We had done five [songs] so far, and then a few of ‘em, kind of, were out there, and I put them on my album. Sorry Jay. But we got some more, and we going to the south of France at the end of this month just to record new ideas.”
Watch The Throne is currently slated for a December 7 release, which may be in jeopardy now that they will record more songs. Jay-Z, with Kanye's help, famously completed The Blueprint in just two weeks.

Drumma Boy, B. Cox and Other Hold Auditions In Atlanta

Acclaimed producers Drumma Boy and Brian "B. Cox" Cox and others will judge a Hip-Hop/R&B contest October 27 in Atlanta that will have the winner flying to The Netherlands.

The showing is a part of New Skool Rules, an international music conference.

The New York arm of the contest was held on Friday October 22, where over 100 contestants performed for representatives from BET, AllHipHop, Digiwaxx Media and other artists. The Atlanta contest offers Squeak (Drumma Boy's manager), Drumma Boy, Rock City, DJ Trauma, and World Famous G-Mack.

Winners will be given the opportunity to travel between the United States and Europe, creating music and performing at the 2011 New Skool Rules conference, which attracts music industry representatives from all over the world

"This time we have seen some very bright talent and there's no question that New Skool Rules will be bigger than ever in 2011," said Henca Maduro, organizer and found of New Skool Rules.

Additionally, the auditions and exchange will also be televised by Trace TV on over 150 television stations worldwide.

New Skool Rules is a three day international music conference to be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on April 1st - 3rd, 2011. It is an event, which offers a wide variety of entertainment, panels, workshops, master classes, showcases and network opportunities.

Atlanta

SAE Institute
215 Peachtree Street, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30303
Time: 4 PM
Registration fee: $ 35

President Obama To Hire Jay-Z For 2012 Campaign?

The New York Post reports Obama's camp may use Jay-Z to pull in the youth and minorities in 2012 With the next election quickly approaching in 2012, the Obama camp is strategizing for re-election. According to the New York Post's "Page Six" column, they are considering using Jay-Z to reach the youth and minority voters.
"I can't believe you've finally heard the chatter about him replacing Larry Summers," Deputy White House Press Secretary William Burton told the Post. "In all seriousness, keep in mind he was pretty active during the 2008 election, so I don't think it'd surprise anyone that he would be involved again. But it's a little premature."

L.A. Drops Case Against T.I.; Rapper's Rights May Have Been Violated

The drug case against T.I. that has sent him back to federal prison has been dropped by the L.A. County District Attorney.

The rap star was recently sentenced to 11 months in federal prison, after police stopped him for making an illegal U-turn on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles on September 1st.

When police approached the car, they allegedly smelled marijuana. A search of the occupants of the car found the rapper and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle in possession of the drug ecstasy.

Both were charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and released from jail on $10,000 bail early the next day (September 2nd).

Police never booked any of the marijuana they allegedly smelled into evidence and LAPD officers allegedly pulled the rapper out of his $250,000 Maybach before they asked for any registration or identification.

The D.A.'s office said that since the rapper was sentenced to federal prison for violating his probation, there was no need for the state to pursue the charges.

At press time, it is unclear if Tameka "Tiny" Cottle still faces the felony charge.

By Roman Wolfe