JumpinJack AJ
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I can only imagine all of the outtakes.
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The full trailer is here.
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Essay: Cormega Shares His Thoughts On The Wonderful Life Of Biz Markie
"How does someone define Biz Markie? I define him as one of the coolest rappers you could ever meet..."
BY CORMEGA
JULY 21, 2021 4:00PMBiz Markie performs at Chene Park on September 3, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo by Monica Morgan/WireImage
One must weigh a person’s character, actions, and individual ways to truly define who they are. The things that define a person are the things that a person is remembered by. How does someone define Biz Markie? I define him as one of the coolest rappers you could ever meet, with a sense of humor and warmth that is hard to forget or replicate.
My first encounter with Biz was one a true hip-hop fan would consider mythical. It was at a park jam in Queens Bridge Houses Park, with the Juice Crew performing and Marley Marl as the DJ and orchestrator of everything. At that moment, I was happy for Juice Crew member Craig-G, as he just released a song called “Shout Rap” and performed it as well as a song called “Transformer.” Roxanne Shante, as usual, commanded respect with her skills.
The surprise that night was someone nobody knew. My initial reaction was, “Who is this?” And it was answered when Biz Markie told the crowd that he’s not the Human Beat Box from The Fat Boys and did a perfect impression of the group’s sonic supplier, Buffie The Human Beat Box. He then said he’s not Doug E. Fresh and did a perfect impression of Doug E. Finally, he said he’s “The Human Orchestra” Biz Markie and beat boxed while harmonizing a rhythm. I never saw anything like that at that time. I don’t think anyone in the audience had. Suffice to say, he caught the attention of everyone.
After that set, MC Shan gave an electrifying performance that is still one of the greatest I’ve ever seen…and then the jam was over. On the way out of the park, those in attendance had a lot to talk about and Biz Markie was part of the conversation. The next day Biz was still in the projects, chilling and socializing and it got to a point where seeing him in Queens Bridge was not a surprise.
He once said on a song, “Wherever I lay my hat is my home.” He laid his hat in Queens Bridge, Long Island, Harlem, New Jersey, Brooklyn to name a few. In the late ’80s/early ’90s, people stayed in their native neighborhoods in New York City. It was dangerous in the streets, but Biz Markie was different. People who weren’t from Brooklyn didn’t necessarily want to go to Brooklyn, because Brooklyn was the stickup kid Mecca of the five boroughs. But on any given day at Albee Square Mall, you could see Biz Markie chillin’ like he’s from Brooklyn. On any given day you could go to Harlem and see Biz near Mart 125 chilling like he was from Harlem. And on any given day you could see Biz at the Coliseum in Jamaica, Queens (especially at Shirt Kings).
He was down to earth in every sense of the word and had a personality people gravitated toward, which helped him transition into film as well. But what really impressed me about Biz was his knowledge of hip-hop and respect for the culture, and of course, his talent, which went beyond performing. Biz had a sharp ear for beats and production, which many people didn’t know. He was also a great DJ. When someone has a skill, sometimes the skill is greater than the person. This is not one of those cases. (Did I mention his sneaker collection would tame a hype beast?)
Some aspire to be a great person in their field, but to aspire to be loved like he was outside of his field would be a true achievement. I’ve never heard any rapper have something bad to say about Biz Markie. Ever. That alone makes him rare.
We will miss the stage presence, the wit, the precision, but we are blessed to be able to listen to music and see videos with him in it. His family and close friends are the ones I sympathize with the most because his presence in their lives will forever be missed, so to them, we must give sincere condolences and respect. Remember life is a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of time and inevitably all will turn to vapors, but nobody beats the Biz.
Biz Markie attends the induction of Hip-Hop DJ Icons Grandwizzard Theodore, Grandmixer DXT and Grandmaster Flash into Guitar Center’s Hollywood RockWalk at Guitar Center on March 6, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage
Cory “Cormega” McKay is an accomplished rapper and original member of Nas’ The Firm super group. Cormega helped blaze a trail for others in the independent production market after being signed to Def Jam Records in the ’90s.
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Now that Barry Hankerson has finally gotten some things together with Blackground, all of the 90's/00's music from Aaliyah, Tank, JoJo, Ashley Parker Angel, etc is finally available to be streamed. It looks like he's moving forward with a new Aaliyah album. I think most Aaliyah supports will agree that it's great to hear unreleased music, but it's annoying that they are doctoring it. Here's the first single with the unnecessary doctored collaboration with The Weeknd.
Here's an interview with Barry Hankerson...
Barry Hankerson Details Aaliyah’s Posthumous Album, ‘Unstoppable’
The Blackground Records founder reveals he hasn't been in touch with the late singer's estate regarding her next LP.
BY MYA ABRAHAM
DECEMBER 17, 2021 4:04PMRJ Capak/WireImage
On Friday (Dec. 17), the lead single to Aaliyah Haughton’s posthumous and fourth studio album, Unstoppable, was released. The late singer’s new song, “Poison,” featuring The Weeknd has some leery and others excited for the upcoming full-length LP.
Haughton’s uncle, Barry Hankerson—Blackground Records founder and sole owner of her entire catalog—spoke with Billboard about the new Static Major-written song. “When you put a record out, you try to start off with something that gets everybody’s attention,” he said about the DANNYBOYSTYLES and Nick Lamb co-produced record. Hankerson shared how the Canadian singer wanted to obtain some unreleased Aaliyah vocals years ago, but that wasn’t able to come to fruition until now.
He also explained what to expect from the Unstoppable album in 2022. The project is set to include a plethora of male artists including features from Drake, Future, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Snoop Dogg. “The body of work is pure hip-hop and R&B […] Some of the people that Aaliyah liked are on the album,” Hankerson explained. “She loved Snoop Dogg, who’s done a great record in collaboration with Future. Ne-Yo gave us an excellent song; also Drake. Timbaland produced the track that Chris Brown did. It’s vintage R&B with strong vocals.”
Later in the interview, Hankerson admitted that he hasn’t been in contact with Aaliyah’s estate. “We hope they’re happy. Our door and our phone is always available if there are any comments they’d like to make about anything. We’re open to that. I don’t really know who runs that entity, but I’m not hostile at all. Anything that’s connected to Aaliyah in a positive way, we are open to be involved with and do whatever we can do.”
He continued, “We hope it’s profitable for them. We hope that the public enjoys what we’ve done so that the estate can accomplish whatever their goals are. I just hope that out of the very terrible thing that happened to my niece that people can heal. That people can look at all the good things and not just the controversial things that may encompass their thinking. I’m not angry with anybody.”
Another single is rumored to be released before the album’s arrival in 2022.
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We lost another legend. The best smile in Hip-Hop.
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/18/1065534280/kangol-kid-hip-hop-pioneer-has-died-at-55
Kangol Kid, hip-hop pioneer, has died at 55
December 18, 20216:47 PM ET
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BETKangol Kid, pictured in 2017 in New York City, has died at age 55 after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
The influential rapper and UTFO member Shaun Shiller Fequiere, known by his stage name Kangol Kid, has died at the age of 55.
"I just wanna hear you again, another hug, another embarrassing kiss," the rapper's son T.Shaun Fequiere wrote in a Dec. 18 Instagram post confirming his death. The rapper's death comes after he announced he had been diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2021.
As a member of the hip-hop group UTFO, which stood for "UnTouchable Force Organization," Fequiere was part of a pioneering era of New York City rap in the early 1980s. Along with members Doctor Ice, Mix Master Ice, and Educated Rapper, who died in 2017, the Brooklyn group was best known for their 1984 hit song "Roxanne, Roxanne." The track ignited what was later known as the "Roxanne Wars" after rapper Roxanne Shante responded with her diss track "Roxanne's Revenge," which in turn led to dozens of other groups creating their own records responding to the song.
"When you think of hip-hop, hip-hop is a sport," Fequiere told AllHipHopTV in 2017 of the infamous rap beef. "A lot of breakdance is battle, rap is battle, DJs battle, but we were the first to battle on wax."
Before becoming a rapper, Fequiere began his career as a breakdancer working with fellow UTFO member Doctor Ice. The two performed as the Keystone Dancers and then danced for the hip-hop group Whodini before forming UTFO. "We don't want to be labeled as a rap group," Fequiere told The Washington Post in 1985. "We want to be labeled as a group that can rap. We want to do everything. We may come out with a country tune." UTFO even landed a performance on The Phil Donahue show in 1984, bringing breakdancing to a wider audience.
The rapper earned his name for wearing Kangol hats, a defining accessory in 1980s hip-hop, and ended up earning an endorsement deal with the brand. "It was my thing," Fequiere said in an interview with Hot 97. "The name just stuck. ... It was the hat the cool kids wore, and I deemed myself a cool kid by crowning myself with such a hat." One of Fequiere's Kangol hats would later become part of the collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
In the months leading up to his death, Fequiere spoke openly about his experience with cancer, urging fans to get screened. He frequently shared updates about his health on Instagram and photos from his hospital bed with visitors from the hip-hop community, including rappers LL Cool J and fellow UTFO member Doctor Ice. In an interview earlier this year with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, he said: "The new look for hip-hop and cancer is to go get yourself checked out before it happens."
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Normally I see Will's movies when they first come out, but with the pandemic and how busy life has been, I hadn't made it out. When I checked movie times and saw that it was leaving the theaters in my area, I went out to see the only showing, which was at 11:20 at night, even though I had to get up at 6 a.m. the next day.
I loved the film. It's literally perfect. The tone, the costumes, the acting, the casting, the story they choose to tell. I hate that it was released at a weird time when people are selective about going to the movies. I hope this wins big. It's a special project.
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I dare you to not nod your head to this new one.
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Jodeci Reunites Under New Management Deal With P Music Group
"We've come a long way," said group member K-Ci Hailey. "It's a blessing to be back together and give our fans what they've been asking for."
BY PREEZY BROWN
DECEMBER 10, 2021 5:10PML–R: Mr. Dalvin, JoJo, DeVanté, and K-Ci of Jodeci perform at the Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Md. Kyle Gustafson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
One of R&B’s most popular and iconic groups are officially reuniting as a full unit as legendary quartet Jodeci have announced their return to the music scene under a new management deal with P Music Group. The group, which consists of members Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey, Joel “JoJo” Hailey, Donald “DeVanté” DeGrate, and Dalvin “Mr. Dalvin” DeGrate, plans to build upon their legacy with the possibility of releasing new music under their partnership.
P Music Group founder/CEO Michael Paran, who also reps R&B legends Charlie Wilson and Johnny Gill, shared the backstory of how the Jodeci reunion came to be. “During the pandemic, the guys started reaching out to each other and began talking about reuniting,” Paran told Billboard. “They’re ready to build something new, done the right way without continuing the missteps of the past. I want to be long-term with them and help them show the world that they’re back to begin a whole new era.”
K-Ci, who inked a solo deal with P Music Group in 2019 and is currently at work on a new solo album, also spoke on his and his groupmates’ new endeavor. “I’m excited for Jodeci to join P Music Group with Michael managing us,” shared K-Ci in a statement announcing the news. “We’ve come a long way. It’s a blessing to be back together and give our fans what they’ve been asking for.”
Mr. Dalvin also spoke glowingly of the opportunity to work with Paran and P Music Group. “Michael is a a man with a plan, a vision and a mission,” he said, adding, “We’re looking forward to a great partnership.”
Hailing from North Carolina, Jodeci inked their first record deal with Uptown Records, releasing their debut album, Forever My Lady, in 1991. Spawning the runaway hits “Come and Talk to Me” and its titular track, Forever My Lady yielded the group their first platinum plaque and was followed by the equally successful releases Diary of a Mad Band (1993) and The Show, the After Party, the Hotel (1995).
Announcing a hiatus in 1996 and pursuing individual solo efforts, Jodeci resurfaced in 2015 with their fourth studio album, The Past, the Present, the Future, the quartet’s first in 25 years. Having sold over 20 million records worldwide and still regarded as cultural icons, Jodeci’s comeback is sure to give fans of their raunchy, yet melodic style of bedroom ballads something to look forward to heading into the new year.
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Yes, I never thought that moment on the reunion was fake or forced, but it's great to see the reunion continue with her showing up to support him and him acknowledging her.
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I figured it would be cool to have a post where those in this group leave their review of the book, explaining what they like about it and where they feel there was room for improvement. What parts are you most entertained by?
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‘Aunt Viv’ Janet Hubert Gets Standing Ovation At Brooklyn Event Held By Will Smith
He says their reconciliation was “healing.”By Paul MearaNovember 10, 2021‘Aunt Viv’ Janet Hubert Gets Standing Ovation At Brooklyn Event Held By Will SmithJanet Hubert, the original Aunt Viv from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, reconnected with Will Smith last year after years of being estranged. Now she is continuing to receive love, which happened last night in Brooklyn at Will Smith: An Evening of Stories with Friends.
According to PEOPLE, Hubert and his other Fresh Prince cast member, Karyn Parsons, who played Hilary, were in the building.
When Will Smith told the crowd Hubert was there, she received a standing ovation.
"Stand up, Janet. Get your flowers!" Smith said. "Take it in! Take that in!"
Hosted at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, Smith recalled memorable life lessons while discussing his new memoir, Will.
The standing ovation comes a year after the Fresh Prince HBO Max reunion special aired, during which Hubert and Smith sat down for the first time in 27 years to sort out the issues that led to a contentious media blow up over Hubert’s exit from the sitcom in 1993.
Smith told attendees at Tuesday’s event: "That is such a beautiful thing. Thank you all. You know, Janet and I — I'm assuming you all saw Janet and I a few months ago on the 30th anniversary of Fresh Prince, for the first time talked out the issues that we had had."
He continued: "It was one of the most healing experiences of my life, and it was a big part of the place that working on this memoir got me into. I just wanna thank you, Janet, for being open. That's a big part of the exploration that I wanted to do in this book."
Hubert recently told PEOPLE that while the two were close to tears during the TV reunion special, she felt a sense of peace since they talked out their differences.
"If there are tree roots in the drain, the water doesn't flow," she said, adding: "The drain has been snaked."
The reunion and Tuesday’s event came after years of Janet Hubert slamming Will Smith in the press. In 2018, she blamed the actor for her son’s suicide attempt. Her long standing disdain for Smith stemmed from her claims that the actor labeled her “hard to work with” and ultimately played a role in her having a difficult time booking acting gigs throughout her career.
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I have a lot of his albums, and I love them, but never dive that deep into them. This is sad news, though. Between Geto Boys being different without Bushwick Bill and the current state of mainstream rap music, I suppose this shouldn't much of a surprise. It's hard to imagine him continuing music in another genre.
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Scarface Announces His Retirement From Rap
"I'm done with the rap," declared the 50-year-old artist.
BY PREEZY BROWN
Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesAfter years of considering retirement from the rap game, Scarface has officially called it quits, making the announcement that he no longer plans to release any more rap albums moving forward.
The announcement was made during a recent episode of the Geto Boys Reloaded podcast with Geto Boys member and cohost Willie D with Face revealing that we may be able to look forward to more music from him in the future, albeit in another genre.
“I’m done with the rap,” he said while discussing his future career plans. “If I could, man, I would love to fu*king go into a different lane of music. Like another genre. Maybe, like, blues or maybe, like, rock. Or maybe, like, alternative. I want to do something different now. You know how you burn the lane? I burned the lane?”
However, the Houston rep confirmed that he’ll be putting together a farewell concert to show his gratitude to his legion of fans while giving them another opportunity to see him perform his classic hits, possibly for the last time.
“The cool part about it is, I get to say farewell twice,” he said, alluding to a future Geto Boys send-off alongside Willie D. “‘Cause I can go out there and say farewell by myself, and then I gotta go out with you and say farewell, too.”
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I'm getting pretty excited. My favorite emcee is releasing a book! I think he's done a great job of controlling little bit of information we've got from it so far. I feel like everything he put in this book will be calculated to make it a great read. I'm sure he's going to go places none of us really expect.
I'm really surprised he fell for Stockard Channing, only because at that time is was an emcee who was new to acting and she just doesn't seem his type. At the same time, it's not at all uncommon for actors to deal with certain emotions and feelings. Actors are constantly meeting new people, often times people that are quite different from themselves. There's a certain mania felt when performing that makes those feeling come easy. In that aspect, it's NOT that surprising.
I always felt that his marriage to Sheree was rushed. Obviously none of us know what the relationship was like, but I remember being 11 years old and watching him say he was getting married during and interview on MTV and thinking it seemed surprising, like he was too young for marriage.
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https://thesource.com/2021/11/02/brand-nubian-dj-stud-doogie-has-died/
BRAND NUBIAN DJ STUD DOOGIE HAS DIED
Rest in peace to Brand Nubian’s DJ Stud Doogie. Lord Jamar of the group has confirmed he has passed away. No cause of death was provided; however, Jamar did acknowledge his battle with diabetes.“It is with great sadness that I announce, our Brand Nubian Brother, Stud Doogie, has transitioned,” Jamar wrote. “He had a long bout with diabetes & fought like a soldier…we thank you for your service. R.I.P. Stud Doogie…Ayo Mike! Look out for the brother.”Brand Nubian was composed of Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar. They were signed by Dante Ross to Elektra Records for their 1990 debut album, One For All.
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I dig this. I'm not familiar with these guys, but I especially like the second emcee. The horns on this are perfect.
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I want a DJ Premier remix.
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Incase someone still needs to get this, this two-CD set is on sale through this Sunday on Real Gone Music.
https://realgonemusic.com/collections/sale/products/d-j-jazzy-jeff-the-fresh-prince-cd
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Speech just put out the music video...
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Arrested Development is prepping their a new album release, just a year after putting out their album Don't Fight Your Demons. Their overseas tour was cut short due to COVID guidelines. The album title seems ill-fitting for the group, so I'm curious what inspired it.
They just released the first single, "Vibe", featuring Big Daddy Kane. You can listen to it or buy it here: https://officialarresteddevelopment.bandcamp.com/
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There is a video LL did a year ago, on his Facebook or the Rock The Bells Facebook, where he was asked about doing a Versuz and who it would be with. Someone suggested Will. LL asked "does Will have the hits?" He didn't ask it in an insulting way. I think he was really referring to content, in the sense that LL has been more consistent with releasing music throughout his career. I think they would be the best mix. Jeff would have to be there.
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I gotta be honest. I'll likely not give it a listen. Kanye is too much of a clown for me to really accept his music. I haven't liked a Kanye album since about 2008-ish. It would be like buying a new sexed out R. Kelly album. The character of the artist just ruins the art. I just don't care about anything Kanye West.
A Hip-Hop producer I kind of follow put it this way, and I have no doubt I'd agree. I listened to one song that a friend suggested, which I didn't really like, and felt a lot of what this artist said about it just based on that one song....
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I feel like I might have seen this back in the day. There's a certain feeling of deja vu when I watch it.
'King Richard' - Will Smith as Venus and Serena Williams’ Coach Dad
in Will Smith Movies
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When I saw the news, I was so happy. He more than earned this and this kind of recognition is long overdue. I just hate that it didn't get the traditional televised treatment.