JumpinJack AJ

Here's What Jermaine Dupri Remembers About His First Collaboration With Mariah CareyJD celebrates 20-year anniversary of Mimi's Daydream album. By Latifah MuhammadPosted: 10/03/2015 09:00 AM EDTThe date was October 3, 1995. Mariah Carey just released Daydream, a follow-up to Merry Christmas, the wildly successful 1994 holiday LP, which gave us one of the most popular Christmas songs in history. At that point in her career, Carey could’ve very well continued on the pop route, but with Daydream, she took a detour. Carey wanted a different sound from her older work, so she teamed with a young Atlanta producer named Jermaine Dupri. In the early ‘90s fellow Columbia Records artists, Kriss Kross and Xscape, made Dupri a buzzing talent in hip hop and R&B. With Carey, he created a space somewhere between both genres. If you ask Dupri, it was Carey who spearheaded a merger of hip hop and R&B that’s commonplace today. The So So Def label head co-wrote and produced two songs on Daydream, “Long Ago,“ and “Always Be My Baby.” The latter pivoted Carey into a special club, with Whitney Houston and Madonna for the most chart-topping singles by a female artist. In 1995, Mariah Carey became a certified megastar. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Daydream, BET.com turned the clock back with Dupri, to the first time he worked with Carey. BET.com: How did you and Mariah first connect? Jermaine Dupri: Through Columbia Records, that’s where So So Def was, Kris Kross was on Columbia Records so the success of Kris Kross fueled me meeting the No. 1 artist on Columbia. [Sony Music chairman] Tommy Mottola and the CEO [of Columbia Records] felt like I was the hottest producer at the time. Mariah was at the beginning of pop music merging with hip hop, and putting robotic pop on top of 808s and everything that you hear right now. She was the birth of that. It was all her idea, going in the studio with me. Did you two have instant chemistry? I wouldn’t say it was “instant” because I don’t think we really even knew what it was because “Always Be My Baby” was the third single on this album, it wasn’t like people were jumping out the window saying “This is the first single!” I thought I made some cool songs, and I was happy my records made albums, but when you’re coming up as a producer, if you don’t get a first or second single, you feel like you still got a lot more work to do. For me, I didn’t feel like I had accomplished too much of anything. We worked with each other but the fact that I didn’t get the first or second single…even with two songs that I did [on Daydream], I felt like I didn’t really do what I was supposed to do. Did you feel like you had something to prove? Nah, I don’t think so. [“Always Be My Baby”] that’s probably one of my biggest least-known works. It just sounds like a traditional pop, R&B type of record. None of the inspiration for the song came from a rap record, it was what I would’ve done on Xscape’s record or something like that. If anything, that’s what I was mimicking, something I would give Xscape, that’s what she liked. How did you guys come up with concept for “Always Be My Baby”? Our studio sessions were like from 9 in the morning ’til 5:30 in the afternoon. It would cut off at that point, Tommy would pick her up everyday and they would go to dinner. This was so different from anything I had ever seen in my life — ever. I had never been in the studio in the morning, for nobody, that’s one. And two, it’s cold shut-off, like no matter where you are in making the record, by 6 o’clock she had to leave. I was from an era where you stayed in the studio ’til the song is finished, so how does a person come in the studio and leave by dinner time? It was a weird experience for me, but the whole song actually came from Mariah. I don’t recall having any writing influence in that song, as far as lyrically. That was all her, and I think, like I said just because of the timing and the dynamic of it, I’d adjust. I was coming from staying up all night then I’d be in the studio at like 9 in the morning. I think we made the track and I might’ve fallen asleep [laughs] because I was adjusting to the time [constraints]. So Tommy Mottola slowed down the process? It aided to the process because we made “Always Be My Baby.” All it did was create what was to come after that. It feels like I’ve known Mariah my whole life, that [album] was the beginning. It wasn’t a bad thing that he was doing that. I think it was like, we didn’t get a chance to get as creatively close as we should have on the project, but we got close enough to know that when we work together it’s gonna always be something special. How did working with Mariah change your career? It made me rich [laughs]. People were only looking at the things I did with Kris Kross and Xscape. I didn’t talk on the [“Always Be My Baby”] record, so it didn’t jump out to people that that was my song. It solidified me as the No. 1 producer at Columbia Records, I can say that. It made my relationship with the label really become A-1. I had a hit record with their No. 1 artist, I could do whatever the f**k I wanted. It made bringing out Da Brat easier, bringing out the next artist I brought out, everything just became easier. What do you think gave Mariah staying power? The songs, a great song is like respect. Respect don’t go nowhere. “Hot” goes somewhere, but when people respect you, that respect will last as long as people can tell the story of how the respect was even gained. Songs that I didn’t have anything to do with, I hear people saying that same stuff. “So many of the songs, got me through life, I was depressed, I wanted to kill myself and I listened to this song…” So many different songs that she’s written I hear her fans tell stories like this. She’s just a phenomenal songwriter. I think that came from, again, Tommy Mottola being married to her, and her not being able to get out in the mix, doing nothing else but music. It made her this incredible songwriter. How do you feel about today's R&B ? I think R&B is in such a bad space, as far as the confidence level of people making R&B music, people actually fear singing about stuff that makes sense. They feel like no one’s gonna’ listen if they make a record that’s saying something, and that they’re actually singing. R&B is completely gone, as far as I’m concerned. Is there a way to fix it? It’s gonna take the people that really sing, an artist like Mariah Carey. When she first came out, I’m not sure that anyone said “You’re gonna’ be the biggest artist on the label… the biggest artist in the world.” I’m sure Tommy said it but, in that day and time, people used to go and listen to people sing. The fact that they could sing incredibly, was all it took, and from there we gotta’ find these great songs. Like Whitney Houston, Clive Davis used to sit around and say “All I gotta do is give her incredible songs, send me incredible music.” Nowadays they’re not even looking for that type of artist. We have to let songbirds into this world. I don’t know the last time I’ve heard somebody say “songbird,” Christina Aguilera maybe. When her album first came out she was compared to Mariah, people were saying she’s a songbird, but I haven’t really seen any, especially not urban [artists], in a long time. Besides Mariah, Janet Jackson made a comeback, what do you think of her new music? I think Janet’s record was cool. I haven’t heard anymore songs off her album, but I think that the song she put out feels like it could be an early Janet Jackson song. It feels like, if you’re a fan of Janet Jackson, you shouldn’t be mad about that record. With Mariah, I have a different opinion about whatever she makes because I feel like she has so much respect, that she could be the person that could get people back into singing, if she wanted to. BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

I was thinking a lot of things that most of you are. This is just a test. His album isn't likely in place yet at all. By test the EDM sound, he could be seeing if that's the route he wants to take. He's testing to see how many fans are going to back him this time. The average person who has heard it thinks it's his song. They don't realize that this is just a feature his has done for another artist. That's why I feel the experimental feature would have worked better if he already established the direction of the project with his own single or album. For those who are being more critical against the song, I don't think they'd be that way if we had a Fresh Prince single out there already. Since this is our first taste of him rhyming on a studio track in 10 years, there's bound to be many people closed-minded to it since it's not a Hip-Hop song.

This got me hype. Just earlier today I had a picture snapped of me. I was told to take a picture with something or doing something that represents you. I took a pic with a stack of vinyl on my lap. I pulled the JJ+FP "Ring My Bell" 12" from the stack as the picture was snapped. What else was I going to grab other than a single by my favorite group? I got home earlier today to see that countless announcements that the Fresh Prince spit a rap on a newly-released remix. I was already falling in love with Janet Jackson and Joss Stone's new albums, then this. My favorite emcee of all time, who has kept from releasing anything for 10 years was blasting on my speakers and the hype behind the song is off to a great start. Many of you were shocked, but I think everyone knows I'm the one who's never doubted he'd be back. Would it be appropriate to say "I told you so"? It may not be a Hip-Hop song. It may not be his own single, but I really like it. While it's not my typical taste in music, I find it musically interesting and original. The 'Prince is comfortable on the track and owns the song as if it were on his own album. I like a lot of lyrics too. I like that he's doing something unpredictable and trying something new. While Julie is the only person who pointed it out, I do find it a little in bad taste that he cussed on the record. On top of that, it was done in complete vain since doing so added nothing to the rhyme. While this board isn't chastising him, a lot of people in social media, YouTube, and commenters in the news articles are. He's always carried himself as an artist who doesn't compromise and stood up for the standard of not making his ability to say something by using common language. He's let a few people down. I hope that isn't a sign that he's going to continue to do so in his future music. Could hanging out with some of these sloppy, careless, commercial rappers be influencing him as an artist? Probably not, because I can't imagine Drake or Kanye doing a song like this. For his last few albums, FP has taken an approach to music where his surprises us after years of writing, recording, collaborating, and experimenting. Before Lost + Found, he did that feature on "Got To Be Real" with Mary J. Blige on the Sharktale soundtrack. He only lets a song drop if we can expect something the upcoming year. This is good news. His recent collaborators are the only thing I'm a little reluctant about. If he has done little to no work with Jeff, I'm a little worried about the direction and sound of the album. He's more experimental with his films right now, so he likely has the same approach to his music. Experimenting can lead to awesome things, or underwhelming things. I just don't want a weak album and then have to wait another 10 years for an album. As Julie pointed out, he changed his pictures on Facebook due to the attention he's getting for music. His profile pic is the one we've seen on his website in recent months. His cover photo is cool, but it looks like Kanye or Jaden dressed him, which is a little weird. Otherwise, the location and feel of the picture is dope. It shows he wants focus as an artist rather than a Hollywood star. Lastly, let's enjoy the fact that internet is buzzing. People love Will Smith and are gravitated to him. The attention the song is getting will at least make it a moderate hit. While I feel that a feature like this would be more valuable after his own single is released, let's embrace it and let him know we're here backing him. I've already downloaded it from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fiesta-Remix-Bomba-Estéreo-Smith/dp/B015KQ2B5A/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1443839584&sr=8-13&keywords=bomba+estereo+remix

An update from De La Soul... Wassup folks! The checklist is shrinking and we're finally getting a glimpse of the finish line. It's obvious that we won't make our targeted September due date, but you can't rush the art. We're digging deep and exhausting every creative possibility we can to make music that'll be worth the wait. Album update: We recently had the Kickstarter backer, Dave Goldblatt, come in to record a skit for the album, and of course we have footage to share. We think his experience in front of a mic really helped for a great performance. Check out the clip of us in ATL, hanging out and getting the work done. The album is 98% recorded. Mixing is in process... Mastering and manufacturing will be next and the then BAM, you'll receive it. Thank you for your continued patience and continued support... now t's back on the grind. Peace, DLS

I find articles like this one weird. If it's a reboot (what's with this "revive" terminology?), why would they use the same actors? I feel that MIB could go on as-is for a long time with the right scripts, but if they are rebooting it, there's no reason to keep actors from the first set. On a separate note, the idea that was kicked around of having it crossover with 21 Jump Street is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Anyway, here's an article from BET. Men in Black to Go On Without Will Smith?Production underway and the actor hasn't signed on. By Evelyn DiazPosted: 09/26/2015 05:42 PM EDT Rumor has it that the Men in Black franchise is returning to theaters, but with one key component missing: Will Smith. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who produced the original and its two sequels, confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that a franchise revival is moving forward without him. “We’re in the middle of it. It’s very active,” Parkes said of the new installment, which is intended to be the first part of a second trilogy. Asked whether Smith will be involved, Parkes told THR, “Most likely, no." The original sci-fi comedy premiered in summer 1997 to huge success, grossing more than $250 million during its theatrical run, second only that year to Titanic. Smith returned for Men in Black II in 2002, which was commercially successful but critically hated. Ten years later, he signed up for MiB3, which became the most profitable film of the franchise thanks to robust international ticket sales. Despite the success of the trilogy (they are among Smith's biggest blockbusters ever), the actor isn't interested in coming back to the well, instead focusing on prestige projects like the Oscar-bait-y Concussion, due out this fall. Last year, the actor turned down the opportunity to star in Independence Day 2, the sequel to his highest-grossing film ever. It remains to be seen who will fill Smith's shoes and whether his partner in crimefighting Tommy Lee Jones will also bow out. It's hard to imagine the franchise without them, but if Star Wars can go on, so can Men in Black. BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music. http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/2015/09/26/men-in-black-without-will-smith.html

We knew it was coming. It's good to finally see a confirmation with a time frame of its release. I must say, I'm not sure if I want an album that's primarily Hip-Hop like the second one, or one with a mixture of Hip-Hop, R&B, and house like the first one. Depending on the kind of album it is, the collaborations I'd be hoping for would change. Regardless, I'd like to see the Fresh Prince, LL Cool J, MC Lyte, Kel Spencer, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Floetry, BriaMarie, Kenny Lattimore, Run-DMC, Dayne Jordan, J. Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Tatyana Ali, A Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie, and Rakim.

I read this earlier today and was a little bummed. On one hand, I feel MIB could have gone on for awhile, providing it was done right. At the same time, I suppose it was a good place to end it. I can't say I'll have too much of an interest in a reboot. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Men in Black Revival in Development Without Will SmithMen in BlackBy Spencer Perry ONSeptember 24, 2015 1 A new Men in Black trilogy is in development without star Will SmithSpeaking with The Hollywood Reporter, producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald revealed that a revival of the Men in Black franchise is in development at Sony Pictures “We’re in the middle of it. It’s very active,” Parkes revealed, confirming that Will Smith wasn’t a part of their discussions. “It will be reinvented as a trilogy,” MacDonald added. Last we heard about any developments regarding the franchise were talks of the upcoming 23 Jump Street, which would crossover the comedy series with the sci-fi franchise for a film poking fun at the idea of “cinematic universes.” Since then, writer-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller have signed on for a number of other high profile projects, including the animated Spider-Man movie, The Flash movie, and a Han Solo movie. It’s unclear if that project is still moving forward or how it will interact with a proposed revival of the core series. Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, the first Men in Black was released in 1997 and went on to gross over $589 million worldwide. A follow-up was released in 2002, bringing in over $440 million worldwide, with a third debuting in theaters in 2012 and raking in over $620 million. Smith and Jones appeared in all three films, which were in turn all directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The film series was originally based on the comics by Lowell Cunningham. http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/616567-men-in-black-revival-in-development-without-will-smith

A Tribe Called Quest Announce People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm Reissue The first in a series of reissuesBy Jeremy Gordonon September 22, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. EDT A Tribe Called Quest have announced plans for a 25th year anniversary reissue of their debut LP, 1990's People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. It's out on November 13 via Sony Legacy, and will be subsequently followed by reissues of their other albums. The reissue was remastered from the original tapes by Bob Power (D'Angelo, De La Soul). In addition to the original LP, it features remixes from modern rappers, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Below, you can watch a short trailer for the reissue. "I had this album in my head for years before I did it," Q-Tip said in a press release. "Looking at it overall, to see the thoughts of a 16 year old gain any kind of acknowledgement makes me feel like I have arrived... But to see it in this incarnation ... I'm humbled." Update 9/22 12:56 p.m. EST: Ali Shaheed Muhammad has offered his thoughts on the new album in a press release. "This album means a lot," he said. "It was the beginning of our careers; the beginning of our imprint; the beginning of seeing life the way we saw it, and being able to put it down in words and music." http://pitchfork.com/news/61302-a-tribe-called-quest-announce-peoples-instinctive-travels-and-the-paths-of-rhythm-reissue/

I listened to it online a few days ago. I like it a lot, but not quite as much as most of the older stuff. I will be picking it up though.

HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good job stalking, Julie. lol

I wonder if she was supposed to put that out there like that...lol

I remember reading about Masta Ace's involvement in Willennium years ago. From my understanding, it was much more limited than Kel Spencer's. The way he described it was exactly like I envisioned it. It was a collaborative effort amongst friends/peers.

This is the sound! This is so much better than those garbage beats he was settling for months ago. Looks like he's abandoning the crappy sound on most of the previous songs we've heard. Even the featured artists are dope.

SCARFACE w/ RUSH DAVIS - Steer Deeply Rooted (2015)

It's crazy to think how much life has changed since then. I remember being a kid and watching it and thinking it's the greatest thing on TV. It's crazy to be so much older and thinking the same thing. The images are kinda cool in that first article, but I hate what the artist did with "Will" and "Ashley."

Awesome. I don't care much for the upgrade to Blu-Ray, but maybe I'll see if someone gets it for me for Christmas...or if it's just reasonably priced.

CARLY RAE JEPSEN - Let's Get Lose E*Mo*tion (2015)

It was fun, but the new songs ruined it some. They aren't Hip-Hop and they aren't history.

MARKY MARK - The Illest (unreleased FEAR soundtrack) 1996

I loved these clips. DJ Jazzy Jeff + Fresh Prince, LL Cool J, Eric B. + Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie. Every time I watch clips of Yo! MTV Raps, it just takes me back. Being young, no responsibilities, staying up late on the weekends when they'd air the long episode of Yo! MTV Raps. Fashion, music, culture, everything was good back then. Even the emcees that I didn't like were good...lol

Jerry Heller Might Sue Straight Outta Compton Eazy E's manager finally saw the movie and wasn't pleased. By Evelyn DiazPosted: 08/29/2015 11:19 AM EDT Straight Outta Compton is one of the biggest success stories at the box office this year, so it's no surprise the film is attracting its fair share of controversy. Now, Eazy-E's manager Jerry Heller is one of the people to come out of the woodworks pointing a finger at the N.W.A biopic, which has already soared past $100 million at the box office. Played by Paul Giamatti in the film, Heller was an integral part of the group's success, though he was accused of preying on their lack of knowledge of the music industry and using it to his advantage. Heller, who says he was not consulted about the film, finally bought a ticket to see the flick, and was none too pleased about the way he was portrayed. "I did see it on Saturday," he told The Los Angeles Times, "and I’m still not willing to comment right now on that movie because I think sooner or later it may be part of an ongoing litigation." Well, they had to see that coming.

Praise! The Isley Brothers Release 23-Disc Greatest Hits Box SetEntertainment | Justin Dwayne Joseph | 08/28/2015 | 12:58 PM EDT (Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images) The legendary R&B/Soul groups chronicles 24 years of music with 'The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983)' For over five decades, The Isley Brothers have pretty much created music that has probably been the soundtrack to some point of your life. That heart wrenching break-up? The Isley’s Brothers---and a little 151 and coke or a glass of Moscato---were there. Bedroom relations with your man? Cue “Between the Sheets.” Your day off from work? Is that “Summer Breeze” we hear? Simply put, these men have the made life defining music. Now, the legendary group is chronicling a substantial piece of their long musical legacy with the release of The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983), a 23-disc greatest hits box set that features every album the group released during that 24-year-period. From their days as a 1950’s era “doo-wop/gospel vocal group,” to their transformation into one the “world's preeminent R&B rock 'n' soul powerhouse party” bands; this collection is a must have for that Isley Brothers' music aficionado. The box set features newly remastered versions of 21 albums released on both of the record labels, and 84 rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks. Major, right? If that wasn’t enough, the set also includes for the first time release of the "Great Lost Isley Brothers Album": Wild In Woodstock: The Isley Brothers Live At Bearsville Sound Studio 1980, which many have pegged as a “pivotal moment in the fusion of rock and funk music.” Born and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio; O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley and a fourth brother, Vernon Isley (who died a couple of years after their first incarnation)--began performing as a group in 1954. The Isley Brothers: The RCA Victor and T-Neck Album Masters (1959-1983) is available on Amazon.com now. http://www.centrictv.com/entertainment/music/articles/2015/08/28/praise-the-isley-brothers-release-23-disc-greatest-hits-box-set.html

Okay....maybe not...OKP Exclusive: Yasiin Bey Calls Out Those Still Using The Words “Mos Def” When Yasiin Bey shared his new surprise single “Sensei On The Block,” many outlets (including Okayplayer) focused on it being labeled a Mos Def track, and harkened his return to the name by which we originally knew and loved him. Now, in a statement offered exclusively to Mr. Mass and Okaypalyer, the MC has set the record straight: Mos Def is gone for good. No more. Kaput. Any reference to new songs being released as “Mos Def material” are improper and, in his own words “illegal.” We’ll be the first to admit we made a mistake in our coverage of “Sensei,” but are now more than happy to help set the record straight for the entire music news industry. In his video statement (shot live on location from Banksy’s Dismaland), we’re notified that in no way is Yasiin returning to his old name. We’ve gone back and corrected our headlines (and heads); you oughtta do the same. “Whatever reports that you’ve heard that I’m returning to the name Most Def are false, and any music that’s been released under that name recently is without my consent, my knowledge. It’s being sold illegally. DOn’t support it, it’s corny and whack to do that. I’m tired of people playing internet games, slandering me and trying to start rumors; I don’t do that to anybody, and I don’t appreciate it being done to me.” — Yasiin Bey Bey also stresses that “the internet can be a very irresponsible place in terms of information and news,” a statement with which we agree wholeheartedly. Delivered to us by French maestro Mr. Mass, the clip should be watched in full by anyone who gives a damn about getting it right when it comes to this legendary artist’s music. http://www.okayplayer.com/news/okp-exclusive-yasiin-bey-mos-def-correction.html

Here's an update they sent to those who supported their Kickstarter... I Am, I Be... Posted by De La SoulHello Fellow Humans, Well... we're working hard to get this album sounding right for your vents to receive. Please accept our apologies for the delay in updates. Great news!! We've recruited more amazing talents and we're happy to announce that we now have Usher, Pete Rock, Roc Marciano, Estelle and Snoop Dogg on the album. Can't wait for you to hear these collaborations!! The work to complete this album has increased, but progress is still in forward motion. For your viewing enjoyment, here's some footage of Bob Power, getting some of these mixes underway. Now, let us get back to work... Peace! DLS https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1519102394/de-la-souls-new-album/posts/1337668?ref=email