News On The DL

[ATCQNasChino]

50 CENT HEADED FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION

50 Cent announced the title of his new album, Before I Self Destruct, to MTV last week, saying that the title of the album meant "because it could potentially happen". Enlisting Beyonce producer Rich Harrison ("Crazy In Love"), 50 revealed that lately he's been influenced by "old Motown and Smokey Robinson" records lately, and that the sound on this album will reflect that. - Pizzo



THE WEEK IN JIGGA

Ok....so everyone wants to know what kind of astronomical number did Jay-Z put up for his first week on the charts. How about 680k! Yeah....he blew Game outthe water (remember it was Game who said his 2nd week might out sell Jay) but the critics are still not feeling the album (****, we like it). Either way, Jay-Z's 680k sold was easily good enough for #1 and is the best first week sales figure for a hip hop album this year. Game, meanwhile, got outsold in his
second week by Akon's second week. Sometimes you just gotta be quiet because then nobody would have even noticed or cared.

So it hasn't been all peaches and cream since Jay-Z announced his coming out of retirement. As a matter of fact, some have been pissed at Young Hova for taking over at Def Jam and bamboozling everyone into thinking that he was hanging up his mic for good. During Raekwon's recent performance, he asked the crowd if they liked Jay's Kingdom Come album to a chorus of boos and then went on this tirade:

"I don't give a **** about Hova. I respect Hova. As a business man, and a ***** that know how to rhyme. But me personally, I give a **** a bout Hova, none of them *****s. Them *****s ain't helpin Rae eat."

Whew...don't know if that was personal or just a blanket statement but it had a lil' venom to it didn't it? - Andreas Hale



LL NOT COOL WITH JAY

"How am I gonna re-sign with competition? I'm not a idiot," LL Cool J said to MTV. "I can't depend on that man to promote my record while he's somewhere writing rhymes. ... I'm LL Cool J. I ain't doing that, B."

Yeah....so basically LL Cool J isn't happy with Jay-Z either. So where does he look to? 50 Cent! Yup....Curtis Jackson will be executive producing Cool James next album (most of you have your "shocked face" on right now).

"I'm absolutely going to pulverize these cats...It's going to be hysterical. It's like a Mama Said Knock You Out type of record or Mr. Smith type of record. It's a very good record. My last three records were R&B and more of me getting kinda into the emotional side of what I do. This is the aggressive side. Just ego. I'm getting into the party free, regardless. We unlocking the back door and sneaking 50 people in. This album, I'mma do a little street-corner joint. Smack them around, turn 'em upside down and shake the change out their pockets."

Yeah....50 Cent and LL Cool J. Why? Let LL tell it....

"We're from Queens. We're seven years apart in age. He knows what I'm into. We come from the same experience, so the music reflects that. And let's face it, 50 reminds me of a place I was in awhile ago. I have been running around on tours. I have been in the suites, and I haven't been on the blocks smelling like Guinness lately. It's fun to work with somebody who rekindles those flames and makes me hungry again. It's definitely working."

Whatever...we'll see if he goes the Game or Mobb Deep route. - Andreas Hale



DEF JUX & MTVU HOOK UP FOR NEW TALENT SEARCH

Definitive Jux has been relatively quiet lately, hasn't it? Well, it seems that the label has linked up with mtvU in an effort to spotlight new unsigned artists. It will be a monthly record deal competition for anything hip-hop (producers, emcees, DJs) with the winner getting a digital EP deal and an exclusive video premiere on mtvU as well as being mentioned by Mr. Lif (who will also appear in the winner's video....dope!). Only stipulation as that you have to be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Visit www.bestmusiconcampus.com to enter the competition. All entries must be in by Dec 14th. Good luck! - Andreas Hale



GAME TEAMS UP WITH TRAVIS BARKER FOR AOL SESSIONS PERFORMANCE

Game teamed up with Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker for a historical live performance for AOL Sessions. This private performance was filmed in front of an audience of just twenty people, as Game performed songs from The Doctor's Advocate, accompanied by Barker who goes nuts on the drums, as DJ Kris Styles lays the instrumentals. This is definitely not to be overlooked - the clips can be seen here. - Pizzo



WITH KUNG FU GRIP

For all you Madvillian (MF Doom + Madlib) fans out there, it may be a good time to tell you that Madvillain is getting its own action figure courtesy of toymaker Kid Robot (Q-Bert and Gorillaz). The toy will stand 8.5 inches tall and will come in two different colors. It will be released on next year in a collaborative effort with Stones Throw Records. - Andreas Hale



50 SHOOTS OPRAH 9 TIMES.

Just when you thought the 50 Cent vs Oprah battle was over, it just continues. In Elle Magazine, 50 Cent (what's he doing in Elle? We don't know...) felt the need to let a few rounds off at Oprah. He even went so far as to calling her an "Oreo."

"(She) started out with black women's views but has been catering to middle-aged white American women for so long that she's become one herself. I think the idea of being publicly noted that she's a billionaire makes [black women] interested in seeing her views. But it's even more exciting to the demographic of white American women she's been aiming at to see that she has the exact same views that they have."

Wow.....this might make Oprah hit the studio for a diss track! - Andreas Hale



DILLA'S RUFF DRAFT, REVISTED

Many of us who don't have turntables were pretty pissed when J Dilla's Ruff Draft EP was only available on vinyl. But fear not, because the Dilla legacy continues and the Ruff Draft EP will be available once again, for the first time on CD! The 2003 recording is ten tracks of pure Dilla (and 4 unreleased songs will also make it on the disc) and serves as a special gift for all of us that missed it the first time around. Look for the CD March 6th. - Andreas Hale



NAS JABS AT MOBB DEEP

Nas' album is right around the corner, and during an interview on Power 92.1 in B-more, Nas took the time to poke a few jabs at his boys Mobb Deep. Word is that the Mobb said that Nas signed to Def Jam in response to Mobb moving with 50 Cent.

"Mobb Deep signing to G-Unit is a disgrace to hip-hop," Nas said during the interview according to SOHH.com. "I love them little brothers, but don't speak on Nas. It doesn't make sense. You learned from me. That's the bottom line."

Nas continued to kill them with kindness...

"What we do is a form of unity," Nas said. "It's easy to sell records if I diss you. Who can sell records on love? "It's easy to tattoo somebody's crew on your knuckles and act like you tough," then Nas delivered the ultimate backhand, "But be a man, let's see how far you get. And I believe in Mobb Deep. I believe that they will prosper even though they say negative stuff. They my little duns. Those are my little babies." - Andreas Hale



WE WANT PREEMO

2006 is arguably been DJ Premier's both busiest and most visible year in the music business. After producing 5 tracks for pop princess Christina Aguilera, as well as well crafted street heaters for the likes of AZ, Cormega & Termanology, Premier is looking to further solidify his legacy for 2007. In 2007, Premier's "Year Round Records" will officially release long awaited albums by Teflon & Blaq Poet [and there has been whispers that he will be sliding Whitney Houston some tracks for her comeback album]. The gem in his treasure chest has to be the project he will be executive producing for Royce Da 5'9'' [which has had it's release delayed due to Royce's incarceration]. Premier's manager has vowed that they will continue "where we left off" once Royce is released. Another important piece of news is regarding the state of Gang Starr. In a number of interviews, Guru has stated that the fabled duo is no more. However, Primo feels differently saying that "Gang Starr is forever" and when the time is right "another album will be in effect". In the meantime, lookout for the Gang Starr "Mass Appeal" CD+DVD collection on December 26th. - K.I.N.E.T.I.K.



LITTLE BROTHER IS STILL TOGETHER

Following on from earlier reports, Little Brother continue to work hard on their 3rd LP and quite possibly their most important project yet – "Get Back". The crew have currently recorded 13 tracks and are looking to add a few extras for iTunes exclusives, import tracks, remixes, non-album b-side purposes before they wrap up recording. The big news, as we all know, has been regarding 9th's level of involvement on the project – these rumours have since turned into break up talk. Phonte cleared this all up via his myspace blog with the latest entry of "Little Brother is breaking up...NOT! (c) Borat" and this suggests that all is well in Little Brother land. 9th Wonder, Phonte & Big Pooh are still a unit, but just growing and expanding as a unit on personal, professional and musical levels. Look for "Get Back", a new mixtape "And Justus For All" hosted by Mick Boogie and a NEW FOREIGN EXCHANGE ALBUM all to drop throughout 2007! - K.I.N.E.T.I.K.



NATURE SOUNDS KICKS OFF 2007

Nature Sounds is looking to make some HEAVY noise in 2007. After what can be seen as a fairly "quiet" 2006 [they released "Natural Selection", Mathematics' "Soul Of A Man" and Masta Killa's "Made In Brooklyn"] they are preparing a number of highly anticipated releases for next year. Early next year, the label will be releasing new 12" material from Masta Killa and Pete Rock ["Iron God Chamber"/"Street Corner" and "914"/"The P.J.'s" respectively.] In addition to this there will be a DVD release called "Beat Kings". This audio/visual venture will contain exclusive in studio interviews with legendary producers such as Marley Marl, Pete Rock, RZA, Havoc, Just Blaze and Kanye West detailing the thought process behind their sonic creations. The musical score will be handled entirely by Mathematics. In relation to Mathematics, he will be releasing "Wu-Tang & Friends: Unreleased" on the label also. This release will feature unreleased/lost/out of print songs from the vaults of the Wu producer made available to the public for the first time ever. All of the aforementioned projects are slated for release on January 23rd 2007. - K.I.N.E.T.I.K.



A VERY SPECIAL CHAMILLIONAIRE CHRISTMAS

Following the platinum success of his major label debut "The Sound Of Revenge", Houston's Chamillionaire wants to say thank you to his fans for supporting him in his endeavours. After feeling a slight sense of guilt for not feeding the underground fanbase the way he did prior to his signing with Universal – he is going to distribute his latest "Mixtape Messiah 2" completely FREE OF CHARGE through his newly launched website chamillionaire.com on Christmas Eve. Following the release of the free mixtape, Chamillionaire plans to release a DVD detailing his life on the road and all sorts of show footage in the early parts of next year. All of this work is in preparation for his sophomore effort "the Ultimate Victory" coming in early 2007. - K.I.N.E.T.I.K.