JumpinJack AJ

'Yo! MTV Raps' Returns To The Airwaves With 'Classic Cuts' (VIDEO) First Posted: 12/ 2/11 11:46 AM ET Updated: 12/ 2/11 01:56 PM ET Following a 16-year hiatus, MTV's iconic show "Yo! MTV Raps" will make its return to the airwaves during a special dubbed, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts." The 30-minute retrospective will feature an array of MCs including Tribe Called Quest, Scarface, Ice Cube, Wiz Khalifa, Questlove, Busta Rhymes, Naughty By Nature and Young Jeezy, all reminiscing on three influential videos ["Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest, "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me" by Geto Boys and Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day"]. "The concept is actually every episode, hoping that it gets picked up as a series," said writer and consultant Shaheem Reid. "We're going to be looking back at some of the classic videos from the 'Yo! MTV Raps' era. We have brand new interviews with the artists about the making of the song and the making of the video, and then we're also going to incorporate the interviews with some of the artists of today talking about the impact of all of those songs and videos." Over the course of six weeks, Reid and the show's producers maintained a vigorous schedule of conducting over thirty interviews with various artists, actors, DJs and industry insiders and narrowed down 90 classic hip-hop videos to the three aforementioned picks. Created by Ted Demme and Peter Dougherty, the franchise originally aired from 1988 to 1995, followed by a rebranding as simply "Yo!," and was highly regarded as a staple for hip-hop aficionados across the globe. "'Yo! MTV Raps' is such an iconic brand. There's something exquisite about it that a lot of people have had the opportunity to appreciate, and the experience of a lot of people getting their first taste of hip-hop globally via 'Yo! MTV Raps,'" said former host Ed Lover. "It brought all of the hip-hop community together; it brought all the people together who love hip-hop music. So I think it's a wonderful thing that MTV2 has decided to do something with 'Yo! MTV Raps' the brand." When show producers wanted to expand the weekly series, hosted by Fab 5 Freddy, into a daily show, the Hollis, Queens, N.Y. native teamed up with his close friend Andre "Doctor Dre" Brown in March 1989 to join the network. Indeed, Freddy's reluctance to be overexposed gave the duo an opportunity to land the groundbreaking gig. "It was because of Freddy's desire -- what he thought at the time would be an overexposure of himself is the reason why Dre and I had the opportunity to be on MTV in the first place," Lover revealed. "Because Freddy turned down the idea of doing a daily version of the weekly series. And then they started looking for a host and that's when Dre and I came into pocket." "The importance of the show back then was MTV's first foray into hip-hop music. ... I think 'Yo! MTV Raps' had the greatest impact on hip-hop in anything that ever existed," he added. "Because we took it from a regional genre, as far as the artists are concerned, to an international genre. 'Yo! MTV Raps' was on all over the world, almost in every country. I've met people throughout my travels and they told me that they started to speak English because of 'Yo! MTV Raps.' It made hip-hop music a global powerhouse. It made people a lot of money because it went global. And that's what 'Yo! MTV Raps' did." The trio's contribution in providing a daily hip-hop forum also inspired future on-air personalities who would go on to create their own paths with the network. Most notably, MTV's current premier host and correspondent Sway Calloway credits his success with the network to what the "Yo! MTV Raps" hosts were able to accomplish. "For me being at MTV and watching what Ed, Dre and Fab 5 Freddy were able to accomplish, I went in there with humbleness and humility and hope that I could only bring the same phenomena and integrity that they brought but do it my own way," he said. "And so I like to believe that I haven't let down the legacy of people who come from the same environment, live on a mainstream platform and not forget where it came from, but at the same time not closing doors to where they can go. And it was them that inspired me." Calloway, who has interviewed President Barack Obama and legendary rock band U2 in his time at MTV, also admitted that his on-air charisma is parallel to what Fab 5 Freddy brought to "Yo! MTV Raps." "If I had to compare myself to anybody, it would be him," he said. "He could adjust to any scenario. You could put him in any environment and he could conduct an interview. So whether it was a record label executive, a graffiti artist, a gangsta rapper or even a politician, Fab 5 Freddy had the poise to function and he had the vocabulary to communicate on every level -- he was intelligent." "I always admired that about him," he recalled. "At that time I never thought that I could get on TV, but when I did get on TV I definitely thought of Fab 5 Freddy and [thought to myself], 'What would he do?'" Though the newly revamped special will pay homage to the stage that Ed Lover, Doctor Dre and Fab 5 Freddy built, it will also introduce the show to a younger generation of fans. "I think the thing that's going to separate this show from a lot of the other shows -- and it's no disrespect -- but when you have a special that takes a look back at some of the great things of ten or twenty years ago they usually only incorporate the people that was around at that time," Reid added. "But with this one, not only do we have the legends we also have a lot of the younger acts that wasn't around and they tell us how it inspired them to pursue their career." "And at the end of the day, it's going to show you all of that old school vs. new school hype really doesn't matter because great music is great music," he said. "These are music videos that came out 15, 20 years ago and they're still relevant and popular today." "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on Dec. 4.

The Boyz II Men song is what got my attention. Then I noticed Mariah Carey, Usher, and Busta Rhymes were on it. I peeped it online and liked it so much that I bought. I love Joe's Christmas album...

I like the party anthems but Naughty is street. I'm dying dying for something like Uptown Anthem, Ghetto Bastard/Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Guard Your Grill, It's On, etc... Anyways, happy b-day, Treach.... Here's the new video... Am i the ONLY person who hates that Vinnie isn't on this joint?

Justin Bieber + BOYZ II MEN - Fa La La I LOVE this song. I peeped it cuz of BIIM but after falling in love with this song, I peeped JB's Christmas album and I must say I like it a lot.

Thanx for sharing! It took me about half way through to actually get into the song. The footage with Jazzy is nice.

I've talked about this album 1,000 times. I wish I could find one of my old posts so I could just copy it and paste it here...lol. Just some thoughts on the album..."Born To Reign" is a dope track. The lyrics are great and the subject matter means more now than it did in 2002. That beat was good but not convincing. Something about it was missing to me. I think it was something in the mixing. The thing that sucks is that it has nothing to do with the rest of the album. It kinda sets up a mission statement for the project but then it goes into experimenting and laid back, mature tracks. "Act Like You Know" was what I was thinking the whole album was going to sound like. Just straight Hip-Hop with a radio friendly vibe. "I Can't Stop" is one of the most hated jams but I don't mind it. I love his energy, the guitars are addictive, and the horns just add a unique flava. I think part of the reason I like this is because I saw him and Jeff perform this live along with "Act Like You Know." "1,000 Kisses" is great to. I love the retro feel that comes from the heavy Luther Vandross sample. Jada sounds good to it and the video was great. If only they hadn't waited MONTHS to release it, it probably would have been a hit. The slightly re-worked version for the music video with the break down was even better than the album version. "Give Me Tonight" is easily one of my favs. The guitar sample and the beat are perfect, not to mention the subject matter. "How Da Beat Goes" is just a old school inspired classic. FP is right at home on that joint and I think most people find it hard not liking that joint. "Willow Is A Playa" is just a fun song; the lyrics are funny and beat it really interesting. It doesn't fit on the album, but it's fun. "Gotta Go Home" is crazy creative with the island vibe and horns. I love the lyrics...I could relate to a lot back when the song was newer. I've never hated on "Maybe"...it's not a Hip-Hop joint...it's poetry to music. Period. "Block Party" is a staple on the album as far as I'm concerned. I just love Hip-Hop with the soulful laidback vibe. It's somewhat of a "Summertime" follow-up. Anyone who is over 25 and lives in an urban area can relate to ever word of the song. "Nothing On My Mind" is a great example of how experimenting can lead to something great. Nothing about the beat really screams "Hip-Hop" but but his unique flow and classic FP-style lyrics are a perfect combination. "Nod Ya Head" and it's remix messed up the flow of the album. They don't fit and should have been left off the album. Columbia was hoping the cross promotion would help the album but it didn't. MIIB should have had a proper soundtrack including these songs because the soundtrack to the first movie is CLASSIC. The MIB2 Remix is the best version of "Nod Ya Head" and you could only get that on an import CD single. Also from that era was the "Hey Sexy Lady" remix by Shaggy featuring FP and Sean Paul but only the version without FP's verse got properly released. All in all, Born To Reign stands out as album all its own. I give him props for experimenting with the sound but I wouldn't mind hearing the album remixed with a more traditional Hip-Hop sound. I think Tra-Knox was a great group and added flava to the album but the didn't need to be on EVERY soon. I wish their album came out because I don't think Born To Reign let them do what they do best. On top of, FP was ON the album and we've never heard the music they did together. This album represents a time when FP was showing maturity and growth in a not-so-usual way. I must say this album gets most play from me during the Summertime. I remember getting up crazy early the morning it dropped. I was really sick but when out to buy it when Circuit City opened. Then I realized that the Best Buy version had "Nothing On My Mind" as a bonus track and drove out of town to buy a copy there...lol.

What better way to BUMP this post back to life but with a B2K joint?! lol

I don't know, he still references the project. I never liked the title tho'...unless FP was gonna be involved.

I was going to post this yesterday and forgot. I'm so happy to hear he's ready to put something else out.

Conrad Murray Sentenced: Michael Jackson's Doctor Gets 4 Years In Jail First Posted: 11/29/11 01:01 PM ET Updated: 11/29/11 05:05 PM ET React Michael Jackson's personal physician was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment in an L.A. County jail on Tuesday, capping a more than two-year legal journey investigating the King of Pop's death. Conrad Murray, 58, stood stone-faced as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor declared him an unfit candidate for probation and pronounced the sentence for involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's 2009 death, citing Murray's involvement in what the judge called a "cycle of horrible medicine." "He has absolutely no sense of remorse," the judge said. "[Murray] is and remains dangerous. ... I think Dr. Murray is so reckless that I believe he is a danger to the community." Pastor said the court will order Dr. Murray to pay restitution to Jackson's estate and children in an amount to be determined at a later restitution hearing when they can get more detailed information. Pastor also ordered $800 in restitution to the court, a $30 court security fee, and a $40 criminal conviction assessment. "We know that Michael Jackson, as a direct result of the actions of Dr. Murray died on June 25, 2009, leaving his three children without their father," Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said during the proceedings. "It is the people's opinion that prison is warranted." "As his brothers and sisters we will never be able to hold, laugh or perform with our brother Michael," said spokesman Brian Panish, delivering a collective statement from the Jackson family. "As his children we will grow up without a father, our best friend, our playmate and our dad. We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back. But we will keep the love in our hearts that Michael embodied throughout his life. His passion was for unifying the world through the gift of his artistry. We respectfully request that you impose a sentence that reminds physicians that they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder and cast aside their Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. As we all know from this tragedy doing so can have devastating results." Defense attorney Edward Chernoff told the court Murray grew up dirt poor in the Caribbean, made his way to U.S. and put himself through college and medical school, saying, "That's exactly what we want our neighbors and citizens to aspire to." "For 14 years he prepared for a life as a doctor. All he is is a doctor and now that's gone. It's his fault. I'm not saying it's not but it is gone and if punishment is the point. If what you are really trying to determine is punishment as opposed to vengeance should that be taken into consideration at all? Dr. Murray, whether he is a barista for the rest of his life or a greeter at Walmart he still going to be the man that killed Michael Jackson. That's really who he is now. He's not a doctor. That's who he is," Chernoff said. But Judge Pastor remained focused on the charges at hand and the doctor's "medicine madness" when handing down the sentencing decision. "Some may feel this was a medical malpractice case. It wasn't. It was and is a criminal homicide case," he said. "Michael Jackson died not because of an isolated, one-off occurrence or incident. He died because of a totality of circumstances which are directly attributable to Dr. Murray." The California Department of Corrections will decide whether Murray will spend his time in a 23-hour lockdown cell or in the general jail population. Jackson died at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 25, 2009. The legendary entertainer was preparing for a series of 50 shows in London for a career comeback tour entitled "This Is It" when he went into cardiac arrest. According to the Los Angeles County coroner, Jackson's death was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with the use of two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines: lorazepam and midazolam. During Murray's six-week trial, the prosecution insisted that Jackson's $150,000-a-month private doctor behaved recklessly by using a surgical anesthetic to treat Jackson's insomnia and was therefore criminally negligent in the performer's death. Murray acknowledged giving the 50-year-old singer propofol as a sleep aid but denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Walgren told jurors that the pop star "literally put his life in the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray." Walgren added, "That misplaced trust in the hands of Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life." Murray's defense counsel contended Jackson was so desperate for sleep that he administered the fatal doses of propofol and sedatives to himself when Murray was not watching. "When Dr. Murray left the room, Michael Jackson self-administered a dose of propofol that, with the lorazepam, created a perfect storm in his body that killed him instantly," Chernoff, said during the trial. Prosecutors said it made no difference who administered the drugs since it was Murray who brought them into the bedroom and, in the defense's scenario, left Jackson alone with them. The jury of seven men and five women sat through 22 days of testimony from Jackson's employees, paramedics, doctors, investigators, medical experts and a number of Murray's girlfriends and patients. The jury deliberated for more than eight hours over two days before concluding that the evidence was sufficient beyond any reasonable doubt that Murray caused the singer's death. Murray declined to testify during his trial and showed no emotion when the guilty verdict was read. Several of Jackson's family members routinely attended the trial. Following the verdict, his mother, Katherine Jackson, exited the courthouse and declared, "Justice is served." Murray's mother, Milta Rush, sent a letter to Judge Pastor prior to today's sentencing, speaking of her son's fine qualities and begging for mercy. "He has never been in trouble with the law before and I am barely standing, scared and worried sick about him being incarcerated ... He never drank alcohol, took drugs or smoked cigarettes in his life," Rush wrote in the letter -- a copy of which was obtained by TMZ. Rush added, "I sympathize with Mrs. Jackson as a mother; I feel her pain for having lost her son. I sense she was very close to her son. I really wanted to approach her personally and tell her I am sorry for the loss of her son but I was unsure if she would be receptive, and I did not want to take the chance of violating the courts rules. I am sorry for her loss." Murray's legal team plans to file an appeal.

It's hard to let God deal with ugly like that. If it wasn't for the kid on her lap, I imagine someone would have snapped and beat her down with the quickness.

All the way through Code Red, FP was a true freestyler. His sharpest era probably ended a bit after after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air established itself. Ever since BWS, I'm not sure how spontaneous his rhymes are. It's true that most of his freestyling now leaves him spitting previously written lines or at least partially pre-written verses. With a busy family to maintain and blockbuster films, I don't know that he has the time to devote to that part of his craft.

I really like that! I like the lyrics and the way you approached the vocals. Where'd you get the beat from? I have felt so far from music for years. I love it and always have an itch to get back into it. Maybe when I take a break I'll try something.

That is adorable...lol.

Uh oh...that guy seems to have the concept of rhythm down.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's one of those few days when we get everything right...families get together, people eat real food (other than fast food and stuff out of the microwave), most people are off work, and everyone puts their pettiness away. Reflect on what's important today realize how blessed you really are even if you're in the midst of a tough time.

TLC - My Secret Enemy Red Light Special (CD Single) (1995) Always one of my favs. Icky Minaj might have bit Left Eye's high pitch voice from the CraZySeXyCOol era but songs like this make you wonder how pop stars like Minja ever got a deal.

This is in fact the album instrumental that's on my CD single.

Brakes, did you ever find it? I went through my Kris Kross CD singles and one of them has the instrumental. It's actually more of a dub or TV track because it has their vocals on the hook and the background vocal chants that play off of the main vocals. That means that if you are rhyming with the track, you'll HAVE to use a couple of words in certain places or the background chants will sound completely random...lol. If you need it, I'll see if I can get an MP3 out 2 u in a week or so.

I'm sorry to hear that. Every time I've had a pet pass away, it's been a devastating thing. I can only imagine how you feel. Be thankful that you were able to enjoy the time that you did and know that you gave them a good life while they were here.

You make things that I didn't know could exist. I love the "Room" explanation. I await the day when you specify which room. I'm anxiously waiting the "Party Starter (Bathroom Mix)"...complete with sounds such as dripping faucets and flushing toilets.

And from the viewing...featuring Flavor Flav, Russell Simmons, Chris Rock, Puffy... http://globalgrind.com/news/heavy-d-viewing-wake-funeral-mount-vernon-dead-died-details-photos?gpage=0#gtop

It's no real surprise but the 'Prince was at Heavy's funeral...as was Jada, Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, Puffy, John Legend, Samuel L. Jackson, etc. Here's link that has a few pictures of them arriving. There isn't much to the article tho.' http://globalgrind.com/news/heavy-d-funeral-final-tribute-barack-diddy-jay-z-grieve-rapper-photos?gpage=0#gtop

I think Drake and Big Sean are clowns. I kinda like that Ludacris went at them but the beat is trash and there's too original about the lyrics. With that said, after "Hit 'Em Up" and "The Ripper Strikes Back," every diss record has sounded pretty bland...lol.