MTV UK COLUMN: Han’s Hip-Hop Report!

Click to read the first edition of 'Han's Hip-Hop Report!' on MTV UK's The Wrap Up

It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce my regular column Han’s Hip-Hop Report! on MTV UK’s The Wrap Up. From now on you will be able to log onto The Wrap Up and get the latest on the Hip-Hop scene mixed in with some of that so-called ‘Info charm’ every Wednesday and Friday. I will also continue to contribute US scene interviews for them as well.

You can check out the first installment of Han’s Hip-Hop Report on :
http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/urban/199862-hans-hip-hop-report

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Ras Kass MTV UK Interview

Read the full Ras Kass Interview on MTV's The Wrap Up

Ras Kass has once again been causing a stir in the hip-hop world with his Kickstarter project and hilarious ‘Save the Ras Kass’ campaign. The Wrap Up caught up with West Coast underground legend to discuss how you can help save an endangered lyricist today…

To read my full interview with Ras Kass just go to MTV UK’s The Wrap Up

NEW Allhiphop.com Interview: Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins –“R&B is on its Way Back!”

Read 'Rodney Jerkins: R&B is Back!'

The true definition of a super producer, Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins is the man behind some of the biggest R&B songs of the last decade. Having produced hit singles for the likes of Michael and Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Brandy and The Pussycat Dolls to name just a few, the industry veteran can boast more production credits and a far more impressive resume than his mere 32 years would suggest. With his latest effort, pop sensation Lady Gaga’s new Beyoncé-assisted single ‘Telephone,’ already climbing up the charts ahead of its official release, he seems to be starting this decade with just as much promise as he did the last.

Having spoken with Darkchild as he was putting the finishing touches on ‘Telephone’ for Gaga, who he praises for her “character” and writing abilities, his incredible knowledge of the music industry and love of creative experimentalism became immediately clear. It really is no wonder why this year seems destined to mark yet another chapter in his already impressive success story. “R&B is on its way back,” proclaims Jerkins passionately, his excitement clearly fueled by the plethora of the pioneering projects that he is currently working on. The genre is certainly taking a new direction and Darkchild’s musically diverse productions will undoubtedly play a major role in its development….

To read the full interview, go to: http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2010/03/07/22140669.aspx

Drama Pon Di Gaza: Is Vybz Kartel becoming the 50 Cent of the Dancehall World?

Read 'Drama Pon di Gaza'

Following the end of the infamous Gully/Gaza conflict between Vybz Kartel and Mavado, once again it’s all drama over at the Portmore Empire, which is steadily diminishing with the recent departure of Blak Ryno. The deejay is the latest to join the mass exodus from the Gaza camp. The situation in Vybz Kartel’s Dancehall powerhouse bears a striking resemblance to the drama that has surrounded 50 Cent’s popular G-Unit crew within the Hip-Hop scene…

Read more at Suite101: Drama Pon di Gaza: Is Vybz Kartel becoming the 50 Cent of the Dancehall World? http://reggae-dub-music.suite101.com/article.cfm/drama-pon-di-gaza#ixzz0hLQovU21

Clement Marfo & The Frontline – TMS Freestyle

Before you dismiss Clement Marfo as just another radio-friendly, crossover Hip-Pop artist, you need to check the credentials. One of the best live acts in the UK scene today – known for his energetic stage performances complimented by his band The Frontline – Marfo shows his critics that he can still ‘spit aggressively’ and more than hold his own in the art of freestyling too. After all, since when did being experimental with your music equate to selling out?

The freestyle featuring him and Dion Payne (The Frontline’s Drummer) marks a return to the Hip-Hop stylings and attitude of Marfo’s original stage persona Nemesis. Going back and forth over a heavy TMS production, the pair show that they can still get grimey with the best of them.

Constantly demonstrating his signature versatility, charisma and focus (qualities that are an absolute necessity in building a solid, lasting urban music career), Marfo is currently working on building his brand and reputation as an all-round entertainer for the next generation.

Look out for Clement Marfo & The Frontline, as they are already a strong contender in the UK urban scene and will certainly continue to build momentum within the industry over the coming months. 2010 should be a very big year for Marfo and if industry executives have any real sense they will stand up and take note.

myspace.com/clementmarfo

For more info and to hear more from Clement Marfo, go to myspace.com/clementmarfo or follow him on Twitter (@ClementMarfo).

Ludacris – Battle of the Sexes

In a recent MTV interview, Ludacris explained the reasoning behind his collaborative concept for his latest offering Battle of the Sexes. He mentioned how he felt that women in the industry needed more of an opportunity to get their music heard in the game today.

‘It’s such a male-dominated industry that I feel like females need more of a voice, so we wanted to hear more of what the hell they had to say,’ he explained. ‘With that being said, I went out and got women from the past, the present and the future – everyone from Lil Kim, Eve, Trina, Nicki Minaj. I got records where I’m talking about women and where women are talking back to me.’

The full tracklisting for the album is as follows:

1. Intro
2. How Low
3. My Chick Bad (feat. Nicki Minaj)
4. Everybody Drunk (feat. Lil Scrappy)
5. I Do It All Night
6. Sex Room (feat. Trey Songz)
7. I Know You Got a Man (feat. Flo Rida)
8. Hey Ho (feat. Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Fate)
9. Party No Mo’ (feat. Gucci Mane)
10. B.O.T.S. Radio (feat. I-20)
11. Can’t Live With You (feat. Monica)
12. Feelin’ So Sexy
13. Tell Me a Secret (feat. Ne-Yo)
14. My Chick Bad Remix (feat. Diamond, Trina, and Eve)

Luda excitedly announed via his Twitter page earlier this week that the lead single from the project ‘How Low’ had already reached platinum status, writing ‘Just got handed my platinum plaque from def jam.’ 2010 marks the rapper’s tenth year with Def Jam; his major label debut Back for the First Time was released by the label in October 2000. Battle of the Sexes is scheduled for release on March 9th 2010 on DTP/Def Jam after being pushed up a week ‘due to the anticipation.’

Let the battle commence!

Darkchild presents Verse Simmonds

http://www.versesimmonds.com

If you are an R&B fan and you haven’t heard about Verse Simmonds then you should probably stop what are your doing and read this immediately.

Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, Verse describes his signature blend of Caribbean flavour with traditional R&B as ‘Island B.’ Already making waves in the industry with his mixtape single ‘Buy You A Round,’ Simmonds appears to have a promising career ahead.

Currently signed to Darkchild Records, his latest track ‘America’ featuring Pitbull and produced by Rodney Jerkins, which will be the lead single from his forthcoming debut album, will be released in the near future. The Grammy-winning super producer has praised Verse for his songwriting abilities and unique sound.

His debut album Stories of a Bachelor is scheduled for release this summer on Darkchild/Interscope. For more information, you can go to www.versesimmonds.com or follow him on Twitter (@VerseSimmonds).

You can also look out for my Darkchild interview coming soon to Allhiphop.com, in which he discusses Verse, his forthcoming projects and his thoughts on the R&B/Hip-Hop industries.

50 Cent to release Tany Yayo & Lloyd Banks’ albums independently

Tony Yayo has announced that he and fellow G-Unit member Lloyd Banks will both be releasing projects independently this summer. 50 Cent’s right-hand men are no longer signed to their major label deal with Interscope, but remain part of G-Unit.

‘Everybody all knows, me and Banks are not on Interscope anymore. We’re not on a major anymore. Me and Banks are dropping two albums in the summer independently, through a deal that 50 is conjuring up for us. It feels good to know that I have no red tape put on anything,’ Yayo explained in a recent interview. ‘If I had to deal with Interscope, I’d have to deal with the label and they’d have to sign off. Now I can do what I want. It’s exciting to work with new guys. Some of these kids shooting video are [teenagers]. It’s new energy. A lot of these labels need new energy – people who are willing to bust they butt, go in and do what they’ve got to do.’

He also recently explained to DJ Green Lantern that if he were still with Interscope, then he would have to wait due to the ‘long process’ of putting his material out there through a major label. ‘I felt it’s time for me to go somewhere where it’s not biased and I get a fair shot,’ clarified the Queens rapper, whose real name is Marvin Bernard. It seems that even successful artists within Hip Hop often tend to get overlooked or under-promoted by major labels in favour of their more cross-over friendly counterparts.

Tony Yayo’s latest solo effort Gunpowder Guru, a digital album which was released at the beginning of the month, is currently available for download on iTunes and Amazon. Yayo, who is of Haitian origin, has also recently been involved in the aid efforts following the earthquake that struck the country last month.

C-Murder Speaks out on Appeal & Prison Life

Currently incarcerated after being found guilty of second degree murder last August, rapper C-Murder reached out to my colleagues over at allhiphop.com to give an insight into prison life. In his letter, he explained that he was currently working on his appeal and stressed the importance of education and making the right decisions in life.

His letter to AHH, reads:

What’s up AllHipHop?

This ya boy C-Murder reaching out to yall and my many loyal fans that gives a damn. I’m in the process of my appeals right now, so keep me in your prayers.

And I want to send my thanks to those of you the support and believe in me and my innocence. I’m holding up pretty good here at Angola.

I work out regularly and participate in all sports leagues. Kitchen duty is my job and 5:30 AM is wake up time.

Of course I hate it, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Life is short and the time you waste in jail can never be replaced.

That’s why I’m asking you guys to take heed to my situation and better yourselves to live a positive and productive life.

Education and discipline is most important.

If you feel alone in making important decisions don’t. Parents, priests, counselors or relatives are always available.

I wish you the best until next time.

Your’s Truly,

Corey Miller

Eminem’s Relapse: Best Rap Album of 2009?

Click to READ the full article

Despite competition from Common, Q-Tip and Mos Def, the Grammy award for Best Rap Album during the 2010 Grammy Awards was awarded to Eminem for his latest offering Relapse. Although it was extremely highly-anticipated and even the best-selling Hip Hop album of 2009, many felt that the release was a relative disappointment in terms of content and at least compared with past Eminem albums, fairly unremarkable….

Read more at Suite101: Eminem’s Relapse: Best Rap Album of 2009?