Lil Mama on Recent Negative Headlines and Alleged Beef with Nicki Minaj

Harlem-born, Brooklyn-raised Lil Mama came on the scene in the spring of 2007 with her hit single “Lip Gloss.” But after a seemingly quiet two years, the New York femcee made headlines once again when she crashed Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Since then, she’s gotten a lot of flack from the critics, but the pint-sized rapper says she isn’t letting the hate stop her.
After a recent interview with New York radio station Power 105′s Breakfast Club crew, during which she addressed why Nicki Minaj is copying her and took a lot of heat about her alleged bad looks and lack of talent, Lil Mama chatted with XXL to clear the air. Keep it poppin’. —Amber McKynzie
You’ve been in the media a lot lately. What do you have going on?
Lil Mama: I just recently released a viral video called “Scrawberry.” Definitely an authentic hip-hop beat. It’s sampled from Special Ed’s “I Got It Made.” I’m about to release a few other joints that I have a few viral videos for. One is “Hustler Girl.” I’m getting a lot of great feedback about “Hustler Girl” because it’s an anthem for women like us – like me and you. We out here, we doing our thing, whether we’re doing magazines, whether we’re doing radio, whether we’re actually a hip-hop artist, or even if you’re just a doctor or lawyer. Whatever you do, you’re hustling, getting your money. The second one is “So Much Money.” [It’s] a dance track. We’ve been getting great response, so the next two records that I’m gonna release are real big.
You’re really getting back into your music. Does this mean you have an album on the way or you’re just putting tracks out?
[I’m] just resurfacing as an artist. I might be putting out a mixtape, and, you know, just getting back on the scene in that way that I want my fans to receive me. I’ve been getting feedback, whether it’s positive energy or negative energy. It’s all been helpful to me in the past few months, and my music is definitely gonna speak for itself. I’m just feeling so blessed.
A lot of people still see you as the “Lip Gloss” girl. How has it been transitioning from a teen sensation to an adult performer?
I think that my fans definitely have grown with me. Every artist has their struggle point. My challenge was to be lyrical and to show people that, Yeah you’re from the streets, you’re rough, but [you can] show people that you can do it without even doing that. Because my music has always been like that, it’s been easy for people to watch me grow. It’s not like I tried to like start cursing [or] try to act like I got this new, grown image. So, I feel like the response is sort of like being in our grandmother’s living room. Some people are gonna have something negative to say, some people are gonna have something positive to say, but they all got something to say because they all care and I love that.

Artist Spotlight: Jay Pitt

J. Pitt is a rare artist, rapping since 4th grade with a close friend, the crew kinda fell off and both split ways. But J. Pitt continued to write and stay heavy in the game, making beats, helping others with music, and battling on sites around the internet.

Check out all the latest music from JAY PITT @ http://www.reverbnation.com/jaypitt

Yung Sean ft Rigo Suave- Bankteller

Another club banger from Rich Squad Music Group's Yung Sean ft Rigo Suave.......Check Out www.richsquadlifestyle.com

Lupe Fiasco To Release DJ Album, Speaks On New Mixtape

Lu reveals that he and his partner will release a DJ album under the name "Soundclash."

Lupe Fiasco previously revealed that he was working on Food & Liquor 2, but he's got a few more projects in the works. Speaking with Examiner (via LupEND), Lu said that he's working on a DJ album with his partner Scott under the name Soundclash and plans to drop a mixtape by the end of the year.
“Me and my partner Scott started a dj collective called Soundclash so we’re working on that album right now and hopefully we’ll have a single out by Halloween and will try and push an album out around that and tour and all that," he said. "There’s a Lupe Fiasco mixtape that’s coming which hopefully we’ll have out before the end of the year and that will hopefully lead up to the next Lupe Fiasco album. And that’s really it, just more touring, touring, touring and music, music, music, music.”
He also spoke on his current favorites in Hip Hop, naming a few veterans and newer artists. "When it comes back to hip hop I still like Nas and Mos Def and even the newer guys like Kendrick Lamar and Kid Cudi who can definitely kind of catch my ear and keep my edge sharp I guess.”

Rick Ross Talks Beef With Young Jeezy, Release Date For Next Album

Rozay talks Jizzle, as well as when you can cop "God Forgives, I Don't."

While Rick Ross' long-running beef with Young Jeezy is certainly not news, the Teflon Don has finally shed light on the contentiousness.
"There was a freestyle done on the BMF track where some things were said, and you know, I attempted to address it like a real G would [by reaching out to him," explained the Bawse in an interview with Funk Flex. "I never got a direct answer. There was some things being said on record that perpetuated that there may be beef. I always did business with homie."
"You gotta understand, when you talk about this street life and being one hundred and being solid, it's certain things that you just bring to a person. That's what I was expecting. And that never happened. However homie feel, that's him. Just all the way being real...we were just at the BET Awards, and I sat in the front row, and he performed. If it's any pressure, handle it right then! ...if we not gonna handle it right then, [it shouldn't be a problem]."
Funk Flex suggested that perhaps Jeezy was envious of Rick Ross' recent success. "But if that's the case," replied Ross, "we label those feminine ways. ...Every man gotta hold his own."
"I can be around a Puff Daddy, who's worth close to a billion dollars, and not feel in no way inferior. ...If anything, that's gonna inspire me. That's gonna motivate me."
Rawse also revealed that upcoming album, God Forgives, I Don't, drops on Def Jam December 13.

BoB Talks T.I. Recording Spree & 2nd Album

 B.o.B recently spoke about T.I.'s recent recording spree, along with details of his second album. During a visit to NYC, Bobby Ray first touched on TIP...

“But he’s recording like Tupac now. The first week he got out he did like 30 songs,” said B.o.B. “Not even exaggerating, ‘bout 30 songs when he got out. The whole first week…I feel like he’s just at a point where he knows what he wants to say so it don’t take a long time to do it.”

     B.o.B later went on to speak about why he always seems to be going through multiple phases in music interests.

“For me I feel like I been going through phases. And I feel like I’mma always go through phases,” he explained. “When I first started the first song I ever released was ‘Cloud 9.’ And that was like a smoker’s anthem. The first whole half of the song I was just singing on it…I  kinda went through that phase. Went through [an] alternative phase where all I wanted to do was make rock music. Now I just feel like rapping. I feel like naturally I’mma sing, throw a melody here and there but I’m in emcee mode now.”

     Before ending his interview, Bobby Ray spoke about a possible release date for his sophomore album,     currently titled "Strange Clouds."

“Man we gonna get that I’mma say [in] March. I’m aiming for early March. I don’t wanna say too much,” said B.o.B.

J. Cole Addresses Jay-Z Vs. Lil Wayne Beef, Says He's Begun Work On Sophomore LP

The Roc Nation rapper speaks on who he thinks is the better rapper: Hov or Weezy.

J. Cole hasn't gotten involved in Jay-Z's on-wax beef with Lil Wayne, and he continues to take the neutral route. Speaking with DJ Absolut, the Roc Nation rapper explained that he doesn't have an opinion on the situation and that it isn't even a big deal.
"I don’t really have too much perspective on that. I don’t think that’s a real thing, like a real issue. I don’t even think they both wake up thinking about that situation," he said. "I don’t think it’s about being the better emcee. They both do two different things. Obviously, they’re both great. Jay-Z’s been greater for a longer time, but they both great."
After nabbing a number one debut with Cole World: The Sideline Story, Cole isn't slowing down, revealing that he's already begun work on his sophomore album and is anticipating producing for other artists. "Man, Cole World: The Sideline Story right now, but I’m already working on album number two. I’m on tour right now, I’m producing for other artists. It’s coming man. I got a long way to go, plan on being here for a long time."

Former Detective Greg Kading Clarifies His Explosive Claims Regarding The Murder Of The Notorious B.I.G.

Exclusive: The cop-turned-author answers every question created by his shocking LA Weekly profile in regards to his investigation into the murder of Biggie Smalls.

On Monday (October 3rd), the LA Weekly published a jaw-dropping article regarding the revelations made by former Los Angeles Police Department detective Greg Kading in his just-released book, Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations.

After a 25-year career in law enforcement, Kading retired in 2010 and began writing his book detailing the three years he investigated the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur from 2006-2009 as part of a joint L.A.P.D./federal task force that set out initially to solve the murder of Biggie Smalls in the wake of his mother Voletta Wallace’s multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles for allegedly covering up the fact that then on-duty L.A.P.D. officers helped coordinate the shooting of her son outside of the Petersen Automotive Museum in the early hours of March 9, 1997.

Ms. Wallace’s belief that former L.A.P.D. officers (and affiliates of then CEO of Death Row Records, Marion "Suge" Knight) David Mack and Rafael Perez directed the godfather of Mack’s children, Amir Muhammad, in the shooting death of her son stemmed from initial investigating done by former L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole. But now one of Poole’s successors in investigating the Biggie case, Kading, is claiming that he disproved Poole’s theory, and that rogue police officers were not in fact involved in the murder plot. Kading does however align with Poole in his belief that Suge Knight orchestrated the hit, but believes that Suge’s “go-to guy” for murders was not a cop (and that his hit-man was actually contracted by one of the mothers of Knight’s children, who is identified as “Theresa Swann” in Murder Rap to protect her real identity).       

Yesterday (October 4th), Greg Kading, a Medal of Valor recipient for bravery, spoke with HipHopDX (courtesy of Rare Bird Lit) in a two-part interview, with the first half of Q&A dedicated to his investigation into the murder of Notorious B.I.G. The man who shocked the Hip Hop world by challenging the seemingly solid theory put forth by Russell Poole regarding the murder of Biggie Smalls further raised eyebrows in his discussion with DX by refuting several previously established facts in the case, and even challenged one of the most convincing criminal identifications ever

Nelly Discusses Old Beef With Eminem

Nelly has had a few beefs like his highly publicized conflict with KRS-One. There is one other beef that lingered under the surface with a rapper also known for his lyrical prowess - Eminem. But, the Eminem confusion wasn't a conflict that would play itself out in song. AllHipHop.com asked Nelly about his situation with Eminem and how it almost got out of hand. He's also frank about how he's glad he's not that wild guy anymore.
 
You had a situation with Eminem a while back. Can you tell people what happened with that?

Nelly: A misunderstanding. Me being young in the game. Somebody said something that said something, and I reacted to it. Being young to the game and being real influential, and not checking to see if that’s what it was – which it wasn’t. But me, being from St. Louis. Hothead. Young kid. I got kicked out of four schools for fighting. I was just like [to Eminem], "What? Who? What’chu talking about?"

Coming in at that time with Country Grammar, you’re getting a lot of [beef], you know what I’m saying? But what people don’t understand is that when I made Country Grammar, that sh*t was gangster! I was coming “down down, baby/Your street in a Range Rover/With a street sweeper, baby/Cocked, ready to let it go.” You know what I’m saying? I didn’t change that record. The label changed that record to “boom boom/ahn ahn.”

I didn’t give a f**k. I was from St. Louis. I had a record deal, and they was gonna put this record out? Y’all can do whatever the f**k y’all want with that record. I don’t care, ‘cause y’all gon’ give me what? [holding up an imaginary check] I got this check,a nd sh*t back then, it was only like $40,000, but I didn’t give a sh*t. I was like, you guys are kidding me!

But again, that was that mentality. So, when I thought I heard something, and that something was true and someone was coming at me…I mean, I did have people coming at me at that time. I heard a lot of talk like, "He ain’t a rapper…he’s this, he’s that." And I’m just like "Well, muthaf**ka, where ya at?"

I’m tremendously glad that that’s not my mentality now, and nothing came from it, considering if you look at how so much has happened in hip-hop from misunderstandings and things and people being influenced by the wrong things. I’m real fortunate and thankful that that’s as far as it went.

Travis Porter Signs With Jive

Atlanta Hip-Hop trio Travis Porter has inked a deal with Jive Records last week, according to XXL Magazine. The group, which consists of Strap, Ali and Quez, is currently working on a full-length album that will drop on their own record label, Porter House/Jive. According to group member Quez, they decided to ink with Jive Records because there weren't too many Hip-Hop acts signed to the label's roster. “Jive is cool,” Quez told XXL Magazine. “They givin’ us the freedom to do what we wanna do."

Rapper Khia Unleashes Insults Aimed At Nicki Minaj, Labels Her A "B**ch"

Lil Kim may not be the only rival female rap star Nicki Minaj may have to contend with, after Tampa, Florida rapper Khia unleashed a personal attack on the Queens, New York rapper on her blog.

Khia took it upon herself to review Nicki Minaj's new album Pink Friday, and by the looks of the review and her comments, the album didn't sit well with the rapper, who is best known for her hit single "My Neck, My Back."

Khia review of Pink Friday is far from flattering. Additionally, the review is laced with insults and direct attacks against Nicki Minaj and her image.

"This b**ch needs to be SHOT on site…" Khia said. "It smells WORSER than the gas that’s coming out of my ASS, from all of the Turkey that I ate over the Thanksgiving weekend. Someone needs to give this B**CH a FLEET Enima [sic] and “FLUSH” her IMMEDIATELY, She is nothing but a “Ghostwritten”, Weezy-wannabe WHORE!"

During the track-by-track review, Khia made it clear that she was unhappy with Nicki Minaj's record, although she actually purchased a copy to help Nicki Minaj's sales.

She also lambasted Nicki Minaj's business deal, with claims that she wouldn't make any money off of Pink Friday, due to the amount of cameos, producers and executive producers involved with the release.

"I can’t believe I wasted my $13.99 on this BULL S**T, I told yall that it aint no damn Barbies in the hood," Khia wrote angrily. "I can’t wait for Matel [sic] to sue this b**tch for all of the $3.60 that she earned! When is this b**ch gonna learn that they stealing all of the money?"

Before the review was over, Khia took one last shot at Nicki Minaj, while insulting Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown in the process.

"Nicki, please give Inga [Foxy Brown] the number to your plastic surgeon and your shrink while you are at! Maybe, you guys can tag team!"

To read Khia's review on her official blog visit http://www.motormouf.com.

Master P. Victim Of Scam Involving Felons In Tennessee

Master P. is considering legal action against a woman in Tennessee who is using his name and the name of Corey "C-Murder" Miller to promote a bogus organization named the Corey Miller Food Foundation.

State officials are requesting a federal investigation into a woman named Alisa R. Harris, who runs the organization.

Harris, who lives in a boarding house in Memphis, is allegedly operating a series of websites claiming to be affiliated with both Master P. and Corey Miller, who is currently appealing a life sentence for allegedly murdering a 16-year-old in 2002.

The websites also list a number of official state organizations that are allegedly in partnership with Harris, who claims that she hires ex-felons and welfare recipients at $10 an hour.

Her "workers" then use their cell-phones to solicit cash donations for the organization.

"This is crazy, she needs to be stopped," Master P. told Memphis' Action News 5.

An Action News 5 investigation revealed that Harris doesn't have a license to solicit in the state, although her 2009 tax returns list an income of more than $150,000.

Harris' presentations and her legitimate tax status resulted in a relationship with an official partner of the Tennessee Community Services Agency, who referred workers to her organization.

According to Harris' own admission, she has hired over 116 ex-felons or welfare recipients  for the telephone jobs, through referrals.

"Within 30 days of our relationship with her, things started to pop up that didn't seem right," Meredith Hennessy told Action News 5. "We severed our ties with her, and we'll be working to remove our name from anything that she is affiliated with."

Master P. was adamant that he never met Harris a day in his life.

"I have never met her," said Master P. "Don't know who she is….just to have somebody use your name and don't even know you, it's not even fair," Master P. lamented.

Quincy Jones Dismisses Kanye West Comparison

UPDATE: Quincy responds to his Kanye remarks, says he meant to disrespect to his "little brother"

In an interview with Us Magazine legendary producer Quincy Jones brushed off a Kanye West comparison they made. After the interviewer said "Kanye West is similar to you in that he's the producer everybody wants to work with in the last decade...." before Quincy cut them off.

"How man? No way. Did he write for a symphony orchestra? Does he write for a jazz orchestra? Come on, man. He's just a rapper. There's no comparison. I'm not putting him down or making a judgement or anything, but we come from two different sides of the planet. I spent 28 years learning my first skill. I don't rap. It's not the same thing. A producer has to have some sort of skills that enable him to be a producer. It's totally different to know what to do with 16 woodwinds you know from piccolos down to bass clarinet. It's a whole different mindset. No comparison. None."

When pressed what he thinks about West, he didn't offer up much. "I don't think about him much. He's a great rapper, but there are a lot of good rappers. I just did The View with Ludacris, who's one of my favorites. He's a beautiful human being and college educated. I joke with him and say, 'How did 'Move Bitch Get Out The Way' come out of you?' But I was raised around the Mafia when I was a kid in Chicago in the 30s. Chicago's rough. I'm from the streets, I know what's up!"

(November 23)

UPDATE: Quincy Jones posted a response on his website to ensure people he meant no disrespect to Kanye West.

“I have nothing but respect for my little brother Kanye and what he has achieved in his young career and I look forward to watching his evolution as an artist. There is a reason why we put him on the new We Are The World 25 for Haiti – he’s a great rapper. But having been in the music business for more than 60 years and having been fortunate to accomplish what I have over that time, it’s not unreasonable to put a comparison of Kanye at this time in his career and myself into the proper perspective. This is not dissing Kanye, this is simply trying to express that I’m not a rapper! I don’t need to take anyone else’s props away from them. Let’s all just try and keep the record straight.”

Pharrell Says Lupe Fiasco Could be Fourth Member of N*E*R*D

Pharrell hints at Lupe Fiasco being the fourth member of N.E.R.D. and possibly recording an LP with the group.

In a recent interview with HardKnockTV, N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell talked about the trio's relationship with tour mate and frequent Neptunes collaborator Lupe Fiasco. During the interview, Skateboard P explained that they would be thrilled to work with the Chicago emcee on an extended projected, hinting that such a collaboration may not be too far from the truth.
"We just want to come through with the real attention to detail and nostalgia," he explained. "We want to make real collector's items [of our] albums...Lupe [Fiasco] is our brother, period. If there was...a fourth member of N.E.R.D., it would probably be Lupe. That's not to say that that wouldn't happen, by the way...I'd be honored to do an N.E.R.D. album with Lupe."
Pharrell also explained his philosophy when it comes to working with artists. He said that he likes to allow artists the room to to function autonomously, but that that he also doesn't only provide help to those signed to his Star Trak imprint. He said that like his work with the Clipse - and now, Pusha T in his solo career - he wants to aid artists in creating good music, regardless of ownership.
"Certain times with certain artists, I just let them go and do them, and anyway I can help and assist them I can," he said. "Like the Clipse: they've been on their on for like two albums now, and now Pusha [T]...went solo from the Clipse...[and now] he's over there at G.O.O.D. Music with Kanye [West], so he's doing some interesting things as well and I'm helping him there. I am interested in growing talent; it doesn't always have to be on my farm. I would just like the world to be speckled with good music for everybody to listen to...it's not always about ownership. It's about contributing to the greater scheme of things."

Lil' Kim Addresses Nicki Minaj In New Diss Track "Black Friday"

Kimberly takes it there, calling Nicki a "Lil' Kim clone clown," and inferring that she got her deal through sexual favors.

After Nicki Minaj released the Eminem-assisted "Roman's Revenge" earlier this month, an inclusion on her Pink Friday solo debut, it appeared that the Queens, New York emcee was addressing 1990s Brooklyn female Rap icon Lil' Kim. Lyrics included, "Word, that bitch mad ’cause I took the spot? / Well, bitch, if you ain’t shitting, then get off the pot / Got some niggas out in Brooklyn that’ll off your top." Additionally, many believed that Lil' Kim had been publicizing Minaj since a New York City Ray J concert this spring.
Now Lil' Kim has taken her own views to verse. Releasing "Black Friday," a clear holiday attack on Minaj's Pink Friday, Kim says, “Aight, you Lil' Kim clone clown / All this buffoonery shit stops now / Time for you to lay down / I’m sick of the fraud / I’ll put hands on this bitch like Obama’s guards." Kim also accuses Minaj or signing with Lil Wayne as a result of sexual favors. 
According to AllHipHop.com, "Black Friday" is presently in rotation on New York radio stations such as Hot 97 and Power 105.