JumpinJack AJ

Yeah, I've already seen talks about a desire for a 5th one. https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a61068051/will-smith-martin-lawrence-bad-boys-5/ Will Smith and Martin Lawrence address Bad Boys 5 return "If the fans ask for it, you know we could be back." By Sam WarnerPUBLISHED: 11 JUNE 2024 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have addressed a potential return for a fifth Bad Boys movie. The pair are back as detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett for the newly-released fourth instalment in the franchise, Bad Boys: Ride or Die. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the two stars were asked about returning once again in another sequel, admitting they would be up for it – though there would have to be a good reason. Frank Masi//Sony Pictures "Well, these younger actors are going to need to do more of the stunts, that's for sure," Smith quipped. "It is a world and characters that are just an absolute joy to be with. "In a movie theater with Mike and Marcus, it just feels like home. So, as long as there's a reason – I never wanted to be one of those dudes who make sequels just because people will go." The star added that he likes to do sequels if "there is something to say" and the characters are developing in a way that "will be interesting and fun to watch and maybe even a little helpful". "Is there something that can happen in these characters' lives that is worth asking people to go to a movie theater for?" he added. "And with this movie, the answer is a resounding yes." Frank Masi//Sony Pictures Lawrence added that they "always have so much fun making these movies" and "you've got to give the fans what they want". "Will and I have a great time working together, so as long as the fans want it and the demand is there, I'll keep trying to give them what they want," he added. However, Lawrence admitted they will "have to see" regarding a possible Bad Boys 5 movie, and while he'll "never say never", it also "has to make sense". "If the fans ask for it, you know we could be back," he added. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now out in UK cinemas.

I saw that article this morning. It feels good to see Will back on top. It's well deserved. It's kind of crazy that his last few films had an average response, but this one was the hit, even when there are some people who won't look past some of his problems in the past couple years. I plan on seeing Bad Boys Ride or Die again soon.

MC Shan also claims he was approached out it. He's gotten hard to respect though with some of his outlandish claims and drug problems.

This isn't from Lyte's upcoming album, but it's a new song by Lalah Hathaway that features her.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/will-smith-light-em-up-sean-paul-bad-boys-ride-die-soundtrack?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2Bj0xzADu6DnUX7TJl2lunvDmMxGc_ZTls9mxBDNSAuiryS58JeEivRDA_aem_AdvaHSvhB-O5Fn7Z_C0BxRGgwrqo_KL_kVKKRkHDiKroDbS3lteMvS6dVykVMcJwu2XhuG-umZ6nhWUHtKdkUgi3 WILL SMITH RETURNS WITH NEW SEAN PAUL COLLAB ON 'BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE' SOUNDTRACK by SAM MOORE Published on: Jun 7, 2024, 8:15 AM PDT Will Smith has returned to music with a new Sean Paul collaboration, courtest of the soundtrack for Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Titled “Light Em Up,” the song marks the actor/rapper’s first release in almost half a decade following his guest appearance on Joyner Lucas‘ “Will (Remix)” in 2020. Over a hard-hitting, dancehall-flavored beat, Smith showcases his agility on the mic with different flows while reminding listeners that he hasn’t missed a beat since the days of Big Willie Style. “Back in this bitch like I never left/ The Devil came for me, should have worn a vest/ You thought I lost something, I ain’t miss a step/ You want some old me? Say less,” he raps “I’m bad to the bone when I get it rocking/ I’m back in my zone, ’bout to get it popping/ Will still plugged in, yeah, it’s pretty shocking/ Like a brand new Porsche, I got plenty options.” The Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack also features a new collaboration between BIA and JID called “Lights Out,” along with more original material from Shenseea, Flo Milli, the Black Eyed Peas, 21 Lil Harold, Becky G and more. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth installment in the action franchise and sees Will Smith once again reprising his role as Detective Mike Lowrey alongside Martin Lawrence as Detective Marcus Burnett. Smith recently wowed fans with his acting skills in the film after behind-the-scenes footage of an action sequence surfaced online. In the clip, the Oscar winner is both acting and operating as a cameraman as he carries a filming device on his back while also performing in the scene. The video flits between behind-the-scenes footage of the 55-year-old pulling double duty and the impressive finished product that movie fans will see in cinemas. The film, which hits theaters today (June 7), follows Lowrey and Burnett as they investigate corruption within the Miami Police Department and fight to clear their late captain’s name. Cast members returning from previous films include Joe Pantoliano, John Salley, Vanessa Hudgens, Paola Nunez, Alexander Ludwig and Jacob Scipio, with new additions to the ensemble being Rhea Seehorn, Tiffany Haddish, Eric Dane and Ioan Gruffudd. DJ Khaled also reprises his role as Manny the Butcher from the third film, while Lionel Messi, Joyner Lucas and Trae Tha Truth also make cameo appearances. Smith perhaps hinted at a return to music when he made a surprise appearance at Coachella in April to perform his classic hit “Men in Black” alongside J Balvin. The Fresh Prince appeared wearing his black suit and sunglasses from the classic 1997 film for a rendition of the Grammy-winning hit, which marked his first live performance in years.

Aye, they did a lyric video too!

Being midnight here on the east coast in the US, the song is up.

Yeah, I'm happy with it. It's hard to beat the first two, but this took the style of the last one and had a better story that better fit the franchise. Some of the camera work is pretty crazy. It's nice seeing recreations of some of the classic shots and a Michael Bay cameo. I'll likely be seeing this in theaters again.

I made a post about it when it launched. You can sign up at https://willsmith.ffm.to/signup or text 215-244-9455. There's a WhatsApp option, too.

I saw them post the tracklisting in a Facebook post and instantly got hype. Apparently the song is only two minutes and two seconds long. It's just an appetizer for what's to come with the new album.

On a similar topic, here's the song Jeff did with him last year.

https://rockthebells.com/articles/dj-jazzy-jeff-and-talib-kweli-join-bob-james-tiny-desk/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1Rao-_wnMAmqehVa0IKAxLcQfCwnvt-bucQCBl4DpRxwF3JcYZU-04uuM_aem_AbIrod5ZkO8HjRWfRjGzntPE0i8fG2GUlxyZib8DOE4aonTM6sevXTKFxSMea2D-C9FFah8eUyWziSXGGNOdCM85 DJ JAZZY JEFF AND TALIB KWELI JOIN BOB JAMES FOR A RENDITION OF 'NAUTILUS' FOR TINY DESK By Jay Quan Published Mon, May 20, 2024 at 2:45 PM EDT DJ Jazzy Jeff and Talib Kweli recently joined legendary Jazz pianist Bob James for a rendition of his heavily sampled classic "Nautilus". Debuting in 1974 on James' debut album, One, "Nautilus" became an instant favorite of Hip-Hop DJ's. It became the backing track for rap records as early as 1983 with Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic Three's "It's Life". In Hip-Hop's sample heavy "Golden Era" Run-DMC, Eric B. & Rakim, Ghostface Killah, King Sun, Onyx and dozens more would sample various portions of the record. In a recent exclusive interview with Rock The Bells, DJ Jazzy Jeff spoke of his musical relationship with Bob James, and shared that he would soon be performing with James for his Tiny Desk Concert. "Bob James actually sued us many years ago for sampling 'Winchester Lady' on 'Here We Go Again'," Jeff shares. "Hip-Hop was new and we were using ****, and people didn't know. During the pandemic, I was forced to shut down and spend a lotta time in the studio and I've never been more creative. During that time I got a call to remix some Bob James classics. I was excited initially then I thought, Bob James isn't dead. Instead of remixing something, I'd like to do something new with him. So we got on the phone and the first thing he said was 'Is this the DJ Jazzy Jeff that we had an issue with?' We laughed about it, and I explained to him why we sample in Hip-Hop. I explained to him that I was able to produce Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild because I went down the rabbit hole and discovered who played on his records, and he loved it!"

You can watch it here: https://www.npr.org/2024/05/20/1250056328/tiny-desk-concert-bob-james?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-nprmusic&utm_content=later-43120603&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio He starts discussing Hip-Hop (and DJ Jazzy Jeff + Fresh Prince at 14:30). Tiny Desk Premiere: Bob James MAY 20, 20245:00 AM ET Bobby Carter Bob James' Tiny Desk concert is a manifestation of freedom and collaboration. "I have youth represented here," he says before introducing his band. "I don't have that myself, but I can hire it." The joke is tinged with a certain degree of truth. Still, curiosity and openness fuel his fresh spirit and keep his fanbase wide-ranging. The jazz pianist, composer and producer took his opportunity at the Desk to highlight his iconic discography, spanning over five decades. Quincy Jones discovered Bob James in the 1960s and signed him to a record deal. He then arranged for other jazz greats like Sarah Vaughan and Grover Washington Jr. before releasing his album One in 1974. That album featured "Feel Like Making Love" and "Nautilus," one of the most sampled records in hip-hop. While James has released dozens of projects with his contemporaries, hip-hop has been the bridge to younger generations. Before the new, improvised version of "Nautilus" with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Talib Kweli — seriously, they mapped it out and tried it once before we hit record — James played other highlights from his catalog, including "Westchester Lady," "Angela (Theme from Taxi)" and "The Secret Drawer" from his Grammy-nominated album, Jazz Hands. SET LIST "The Secret Drawer" "Westchester Lady" "Angela (Theme from Taxi)" "Nautilus (feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff and Talib Kweli)" MUSICIANS Bob James: piano James Adkins: drums Michael Palazzolo: bass Andrey Chmut: saxophone DJ Jazzy Jeff: DJ Talib Kweli: vocals TINY DESK TEAM Producer: Bobby Carter Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Michael Zamora Audio Engineer: Carleigh Strange Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis Tiny Desk Team: Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

https://rockthebells.com/articles/common-and-pete-rock-drop-wise-up/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0i9jJz_GjTVo_1FPkLjwOd6I1oqgRFgOoB2VsU0Q37M2XpN5oXuezu2DA_aem_AbLy-I_CwoqmXaK5bmHc9vkbD5ePL9IAKjrhI4bKoB6IEbgN2cre_FjU36Tv2HKXjYumD52LxZtCp3_7ygqfRKPi CHECK OUT THE VIDEO FOR COMMON AND PETE ROCK'S 'WISE UP', FROM THEIR UPCOMING COLLABORATIVE ALBUM By Jay Quan Published Wed, May 22, 2024 at 8:00 AM EDT Common and Pete Rock have released "Wise Up", the first video from their eagerly awaited upcoming collaborative project. The video was shot at several urban areas, including Allah School In Mecca at 2122 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd in New York City. "Wise Up" features Common spitting in classic form over a piano heavy Pete Rock track that contains an interpolation of MC Shan and Marley Marls 1986 classic "The Bridge". Common spoke about the upcoming project last year with MSNBC host Ari Melber. "I've been listening to a lot of '90s Hip-Hop recently because I'm working on a new album with Pete Rock," he said. "The energy of that music whether it's Brand Nubian, A Tribe Called Quest, or De La Soul, who just got their music on streaming, it's inspiring to hear. I'm creating music and I'm in a great space right now." “You ever miss that feeling of a good release in Hip Hop?” Pete captioned from a HipHopDX article’s screenshot on Instagram. “Remember how exciting that felt??? We both excited as a mafugga. I always feel like I got something to prove but its just fun to me to make music. Competing to make good music with all the different personalities involved today just gotten dry. We love hip hop and you will know just how much. Stay tuned!!!"

The album is coming!

https://people.com/will-smith-bad-boys-4-had-to-shoot-around-pregnant-vanessa-hudgens-baby-bump-8650836?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=new&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1LrWzA3xZ0iEAcdDIlrjUI6vkiZogNfAZk5MOYqn12cgEnWm2O0PGbWq4_aem_AYG2qnM5Sbuk4oJWeZhWxvxjrVLMUtZeM4OmUhqj7jmsOk5WLrZObyIej_84Q1rjenatYhPtt3jCSRQFEcVkV-1J Will Smith Reveals How Bad Boys 4 Had to 'Shoot Around' Pregnant Vanessa Hudgens' Baby Bump Smith recalled that his words of encouragement to the actress when she struggled on set were, "You'll always be able to tell your child that they were in this scene" By Esme Mazzeo Published on May 18, 2024 09:12PM EDT Will Smith and Vanessa Hudgens. PHOTO: GETTY(2) Will Smith had sweet words of encouragement for his Bad Boys: Ride or Die costar Vanessa Hudgens when filming got complicated amid her pregnancy. Filming on the fourth installment of the action-comedy franchise began in March 2023, but was stalled during the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike, which lasted 118 days from July to November 2023. Hudgens, 35, debuted her baby bump at the 2024 Oscars in March, and Smith, 55, told Entertainment Tonight that when filming resumed on Ride or Die after the strike, her baby bump presented a bit of a challenge. Will Smith attends the photo call for Sony's 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' on May 17, 2024. KEVIN WINTER/GETTY The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! "So the strike happened [and] when she came back and we had to finish the movie, it was really [about] trying to figure out how to shoot around [the bump]," the Men in Black star said. Smith praised the High School Musical alum, who plays weapons expert Kelly in the franchise, as "a hard worker." Everything to Know About Bad Boys 4 He said he offered Hudgens words of encouragement when stunts proved to be a challenge because of her pregnancy. "I was like, 'No, don't worry. You'll always be able to tell your child that they were in this scene with you,' " Smith told ET. Vanessa Hudgens attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones. TAYLOR HILL/GETTY Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hudgens is expecting her first child with her husband, baseball player Cole Tucker, whom she married in December 2023. The Princess Switch star recently told Bustle why she decided to skip Coachella for the second year in a row. "The walking is aggressive. It's a lot of walking," the mom-to-be admitted. Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits theaters June 7.

While I can't deny Puffy was a part of many songs I liked in the mid-90's to early 2000's, I never liked the guy. His claim to fame as a producer was jackin' beats or leaning on the Bad Boy producers who actually had talent. He sucked as an emcee. Those opinions are all throughout old posts on this board. And we know from how he treated his artists, among other things, he sucks as a human being. This video, should be the last nail in the coffin of his career. May he suffer every deserved consequence that comes his way. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/sean-combs-cassie-ventura/index.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1uXkLF4geMlUtr7u5ohKttdOhcsMLg-nEpPN_hJsTe45nAreVbw146aPA_aem_AaQAtHXHCCkhZWBmdgUrJ__n_862d_a7QenD0wMw3R7qDu158PtR9RmQeIr0V_O8Pwb5y0_LiU0bH7jhPuEFBs2E Exclusive: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN By Sandra Gonzalez and Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN 5 minute read Updated 1:00 PM EDT, Fri May 17, 2024 Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 02:46/02:46 Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 Video Ad Feedback Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 02:46 - Source: CNN CNN — A 2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that matches allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. The footage, compiled from multiple camera angles dated March 5, 2016, appears to show the rapper, producer and business mogul during an incident that, according to Ventura’s complaint, occurred at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN verified the location based on publicly available photos of the former hotel’s interior. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist, runs down a hall after Ventura. He grabs her by the back of the neck and throws her to the floor. Still holding his towel closed with one hand, he then turns to kick her, the video shows. As Ventura is on the ground, Combs retrieves a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He turns around and kicks Ventura again as she lies motionless on the floor. About four seconds transpire between the two kicks, according to the video. He then briefly drags Ventura by her sweatshirt toward a room before walking away. Ventura is then seen slowly standing up. She gathers items from the floor and moves to pick up a phone on the hallway wall near the elevators. Combs, still in a towel and socks, returns. A mirror directly across from the security camera shows Combs appearing to shove Ventura. Seconds later, he sits down on a chair, grabs an object off a table and forcefully throws it toward Ventura. Combs is seen walking away, then turns toward Ventura once again when an elevator door opens and someone appears to exit. Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.” CNN has reached out to representatives for Combs and InterContinental Hotels for comment. Combs has previously denied Ventura’s allegations. Ventura’s lawsuit Combs and Ventura, a model and singer known for songs like “Me & U,” were in an off-and-on relationship from 2007 – 2018. The two were photographed together at the Los Angeles premiere of the film “A Perfect Match” on March 7, 2016. According to Ventura’s complaint, which cited the altercation as occurring “around March 2016,” Combs became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.” After Combs fell asleep, Ventura attempted to leave the hotel room, but he woke up and “followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her,” the complaint said. “He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape,” the complaint alleged. After Ventura got in the elevator, her complaint states that she took a cab to her apartment. “Upon realizing that her running away would cause Mr. Combs to be even angrier with her, and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser,” the complaint claims. “When she returned, hotel security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage showing Mr. Combs beating Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in the hotel hallway.” The complaint alleges Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage from that. The incident was part of a number of allegations made in the November lawsuit in which Ventura claimed she was raped in 2018 and subjected to years of repeated physical and other abuses by Combs. Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016. Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images/File Ventura, who was formally signed to Combs’ label, claimed in her suit that he “exerted his power and influence” over her throughout the course of their professional and romantic relationship. According to the complaint, she was 19 when they met and Combs was 37, and their business relationship lasted until 2019. It detailed claims that Combs was physically violent toward Ventura and forced her to engage in various sex acts with other men during that time. Ben Brafman, an attorney for Combs, said in a statement to CNN on the day it was filed, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” The suit was resolved the following day. “A decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman told CNN in a statement at the time. “Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.” Details of the settlement were not disclosed. Ongoing legal issues Since November, Combs has faced five other civil lawsuits accusing him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity. He has denied the allegations, and the cases remain active. Authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida in April as part of a federal investigation carried out by a Department of Homeland Security team that handles human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The investigation stems from many of the same sexual assault allegations put forth in the civil lawsuits, according to a second law enforcement source familiar with the searches. Aaron Dyer, an attorney for Combs, issued a statement at the time, calling the searches a “gross overuse of military-level force.” “This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,” he said. “There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.” CNN’s Kevin Flower and Megan Thomas contributed to this story. Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with intimate partner violence, there are resources available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

https://foxync.com/5422030/mc-lyte-announces-album-release-after-nearly-a-decade/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3riJZHkvUj7w4V1S9Qa833nzE9g_p6rsY4u963QTLoP5JCeU9kmDWpibM_aem_AXYECK3xYY4rIeuh-tbMznVtL2L5L7PwBBVlxE4LkBviLchMwZ_7yXJwA2KQKIgCa0dgTWgSvx9nR5FXTT2pIhGr Source: Variety / Getty Renowned rapper MC Lyte is gearing up to make a comeback and solidify her status as a pioneer in female rap. The Brooklyn native recently revealed that she will be dropping her first album in nearly ten years this summer. During an appearance on the Rock The Bells show That’s The Joint with MC Sha-Rock and Grandmaster Caz, MC Lyte excitedly shared the news, saying, “I got a new record. I’m working on it right now. The new single is out. It’s ‘Woman.’ The new record is coming. We’ll have another single coming in June for Black Music Month, which is going to be spectacular.” The album, set to release on August 9th, promises to feature some notable collaborations. MC Lyte hinted at this, mentioning, “Of course, I’ve got some winning folks on this album, now I gotta talk to Major.” Fans have eagerly awaited new music from MC Lyte, as her last album, Legend, was released in 2015. Her latest single “Woman” featuring Big Daddy Kane, Raheem DeVaughn, and Cheryl “Salt” James, dropped in March and has been well-received. Related Article: MC Lyte On The Lack Of Successful Female Rappers In Hip Hop While MC Lyte has been relatively quiet on the album front, she hasn’t been absent from the music scene altogether. In recent years, she made guest appearances on tracks like Slimkid3’s “Roots, Love & Culture” in 2022, “Partners In Rhyme Unstoppable” with Precious Way and Xhaania in 2021, and “Hot” with DJ Shoni and Skales. Beyond her musical endeavors, MC Lyte was recognized for her impactful storytelling at the SEED Summit+ Awards in March. She expressed her gratitude for the honor in a heartfelt post, thanking the event organizers and congratulating her fellow honoree MC Lyte Announces Album Release After Nearly a Decade was originally published on rickeysmileymorningshow.com

Willow feat. St. Vincent "Pain For Fun"

This is so good.

I love this idea, finding a way to work around all of the music record labels have held hostage. I hope he has a lot of success with this company.

https://retropopmagazine.com/daniel-bedingfield-to-release-lost-mariah-carey-collaboration/ Daniel Bedingfield to release ‘lost’ Mariah Carey collaboration by Connor Gotto May 1, 2024 Daniel Bedingfield will finally release his ‘lost’ Mariah Carey collaboration, Thousand Life Times, after two decades. The If You’re Not The One hitmaker is launching a tech company to help artists release recordings from the past and is planning to drop the ballad through his new venture. He told the Daily Star’s Wired column: “It really burns a hole in my heart, just sitting there unreleased. The fans would love it.” His company, H00ks, came about when the chart-topper became aware of how many unheard songs are sat “on hard drives” after being overlooked by record labels. “There are hundreds and thousands of songs that are recorded and left on hard drives, hundreds of the best albums I have ever heard that record companies have just never released,” he added. “And so what I am fascinated with right now is creating a system to get those unreleased songs released. Because the record companies don’t care about them but the artists really do, and the fans do.” His plan is to share a 40-second “TikTok length” clip of an older, unreleased recording and see if it hooks fans. “Then fans create videos for them blow them up on socials and then the artist knows, ‘Oh actually this music that is unreleased is the hit as it’s going viral’,” he explains. It comes after Daniel revealed he is eyeing a return to the charts with a remake of one of his classic hits, after his sister Natasha recently bounced back into Top 20 with 2004 single Unwritten, which featured in the movie ‘Anyone But You’ “I’m gonna redo Gotta Get Thru This,” he said. “I’ve got people that made some classic drum and bass/ garage songs, and we’re working on a new version which I am very excited about. “I just did a drum and bass festival in Tulum and I did all the new songs I’ve got. All the old songs, I realized, are suited to true drum and bass. “That’s because I was raised on reggae. My parents’ best mates were Jamaican in London.

To be fair, we've known he's been recording music, and we haven't gotten an official album announcement yet. It's like they are using the title as a way to create curiosity, as opposed to saying "my new album is dropping this _______". Once the first single or something big happens, a handful of the regulars will visit and actually leave a comment.

https://rockthebells.com/articles/the-legend-of-charlie-mack/ CHARLIE MACK: PHILLY'S FAVORITE HIP-HOP FOLK HERO By Stereo Williams Published Wed, October 28, 2020 at 6:00 PM EDT - The Fresh Prince, "Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo)" Charles Alston has been called "The Big Brother of Philadelphia." The man affectionately dubbed "Charlie Mack" has been a mainstay of the city as both folk hero and community leader for more than 40 years, and his longtime friendship with megastar Will Smith has made him one of the most intriguing "behind the scenes" personalities in popular culture. “He actually basically jumped in front of a bullet for me before," Smith said in August. "He literally, like, ran toward a guy who was shooting.” Mack has made a name for himself as one of the most impactful influencers in entertainment; and Will Smith has so much love for his old friend. The entertainment icon hired Mack as his security guard early in DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's run, and Smith shared this past summer that Mack would eventually save the young rap star's life. “In another country, I’d just be able to give him a goat and we’d be even," Smith jokingly said. "But for whatever reason here, I owe him my life.” A young Charlie Mack would host house parties in West Philly in the late 1970s, and made such a name for himself as a promoter that he landed an A&R gig for April Records. But he was heavy in the streets throughout the early 1980s -- at least until he met a young up-and-coming Philly DJ named Jeff Townes who was making a name for himself as DJ Jazzy Jeff. Jeff remembers how he first connected with the legendary Charlie Mack. "Charlie Mack has been at the epicenter of Philly Hip-Hop from the beginning," Jeff tells ROCK THE BELLS. "Even before Will, Charlie [booked] me for a show in Southwest Philly. I heard about Charlie and came and did it -- it was a great show. And we kinda established a friendship. When Will and I got together, and things started moving, I remember saying 'Yo, if we're going on the road, we need some security.' And I picked up the phone and called Charlie." "He always tells this story: I was like 'Charlie, I can't promise you the money that you made in the street. But I can guarantee that you'll see the world.' At that time, Charlie had gotten into some trouble and was like 'Yeah, I'm done.' Our very first tour, Charlie was on those shows. And he's been with us ever since." Jeff more than made good on his promise. As DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince grew from local sensation to bonafide stars on the success of their debut album Rock The House, Charlie Mack became the duo's head of security, and eventually evolved into executive assistant to the Grammy-winning pair. They gave their longtime friend a salute on their best-selling album He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper with the upbeat track "Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo.)" The shoutout gave the world a glimpse of who Charlie is. But his work with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was only the beginning. As Will Smith transitioned from platinum-selling rapper to TV star and movie icon, Charlie Mack was right there. And as he got more connected in the entertainment industry, Mack began to carve out his own niche and built a staggering resume and enviable reputation. He worked with everyone from Smith's Fresh Prince Of Bel Air co-star Tatyana Ali to Atlanta rap superstar T.I. and actors like Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx. Mack was an executive producer on the Chris Robinson film ATL. In his hometown, Mack became one of the city's most successful promoters; he hosted 2Pac's final Philadelphia show, put Lil Kim and Foxy Brown on the same bill early in their careers, and worked as a consultant with Electric Factory Concerts, East Coast Express, Clear Channel and Live Nation. Charlie Mack has done it all. "Charlie had something to do with the discovery of Boyz II Men. Charlie had something to do with the discovery of Meek Mill," Jeff explains. "Charlie has always been in or around Philly Hip-Hop, he's Philadelphia's Forrest Gump. He has the greatest picture collection with almost anybody on the planet. Nothing ceases to amaze me when it comes down to Charlie." Smith believes that his entire circle was focused on pushing forward, and Charlie came to embody that ethos. "We were all about growth. You couldn't be down with us if you weren't growing. [Charlie] started out with us in security and evolved into road manager," Will said. Along the way, Charlie Mack came to embody an up-from-the-streets hustler spirit as a Philadelphia success story. The leap from gun charges to red carpets is heady for anyone to make, Mack navigated it to tremendous returns. Everyone would eventually have a Charlie Mack story, as he became inextricably linked to so many movers and shakers through the strength of his tireless work ethic and engaging personality. And Charlie Mack's heart and soul have always belonged to Philadelphia. He relocated back to Philly in the early 2000s and his roots have never been hard to see. He founded the Charlie Mack Cares Foundation and his Party 4 Peace charity event would attract celebrities every year. He's been a manager or a consultant for Philly-based stars like Meek Mill and Empire star Bryshere "Yazz" Gray. Following a promise from Jazzy Jeff has led Charlie Mack down his own remarkable road. In August, during a YouTube interview with Jeff and Charlie, Will shared another anecdote about how he and Mack found themselves in a life-threatening dilemma. “We were in a situation and a police officer went to pull his gun on Charlie, and I grabbed the gun,” Smith said. “And wouldn’t let it go.” “He said 'let it go,' you said ‘I’m not letting it go unless you let that go,’” Mack confirmed. “I would not let go, I was not gonna let him point it at my man, yeah that was bad luck, that was bad times,” Smith said. “That’s when you know that—you know I love you, right? That proved it, that was a terrible day.” “Hey man, I love you back,” Mack replied. That love between those friends is an extension of the love Charlie seems to get from all who have come into contact with him. According to Jazzy Jeff, the man's success isn't tethered to anyone else -- it's just Charlie's way of being Charlie.