Mar 15

Countdown To HipHopDX At SXSW: Jay Prince

Jay Prince’s music has earned praise for his poetic lyricism that touches on subjects of social and cultural relevance. In addition to accompanying many recognizable names in the industry on tours, such as Jay Electronica and Major Lazer, Prince has most recently returned from being one of Chance The Rapper’s supporting artists on the star’s European tour. His latest artistic project, Late Summers, was released in summer 2017 and featured contributions by several notable producers, including J.LBS and Cubeatz.

HipHopDX got a chance to get to know the London rapper as he prepares to take the stage at SXSW.

HipHopDX: Have you ever performed at SXSW before? If so, what makes this year different than previous ones?

Jay Prince: I performed at SXSW in 2015 and 2016 and had a great experience. This one will be different for sure, especially being at a different point in my career since then and having performed a lot more times around the world.

What are you most excited about performing at the festival?

I’m just excited about being a part of SXSW again for doing what I love.

Do you plan on watching other performances? Which ones are you most likely to see?

I definitely plan on catching other performances. I haven’t checked who else is playing just yet, but I know on the day I’ll be checking people I like for sure.

What’s been the best and worst part about preparing for the performance?

The best part about preparing for a performance is being ready for everything and anything that comes your way. There is no worst part for me.

What was your first show outside your hometown and what was the best memory of it?

My first show outside my hometown was in Berlin. The best part about it was that I was able to share the stage with the UK legend Rodney P and was able to gain some insight and advice from someone who has a great amount of experience.

What was your first paid gig?

A small gig I did in London years back. It must have been a club/party situation.

What was the best article you’ve ever read in HipHopDX? Did you agree or disagree with it?

I just saw a news piece announcing Jordan Peele is the first African-American to win an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. I really enjoyed that movie and glad that not only did it win an award but that it made history too.

If you could have your fans know one unique thing about you what would it be?

I write scripts sometimes.

Check out Jay Prince at DX’s Rap Rising showcase at SXSW on March 16 at The Parish.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46224/title.countdown-to-hiphopdx-at-sxsw-jay-prince

Mar 15

Forest Whitaker Reveals What Drew Him To Roxanne Shanté Biopic

Juice Crew member and battle rap queen Roxanne Shanté (The real Roxanne) will be profiled in a recently announced biopic that will be released by Netflix. The film has grabbed attention due to some of the big names involved. Nia Long and Mahershala Ali will star in the movie, RZA is serving as the musical director, and Pharrell Williams and Forest Whitaker are behind the picture as producers.

HipHopDX caught up with Whitaker, one of the stars of the $1 billion-grossing Black Panther, at the premiere of his new film The Forgiven in which he plays South African human rights activist Desmond Tutu. The conversation was brief, but the venerable actor lit up a bit when we asked about why the Shanté biopic was so appealing to him.

“It wasn’t just that era of Hip Hop,” he explained. “I think Roxanne Shanté … that was a very interesting [story]. I mean she’s a battle rapper who was really the queen of what was going on through that time.

Whitaker also noted the film was not just about the woman who could spit fire but will also dig into the person behind the rhymes.

“The movie itself is very human because it goes into the challenges that she had, the struggles that she was having and the things she had to overcome during this time,” he said. “The top of the rap game [at] the height of the battle. The top of the hill.”

Check out the trailer for Roxanne Roxanne directed by Michael Larnell below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46225/title.forest-whitaker-reveals-what-drew-him-to-roxanne-shante-biopic

Mar 15

Saba Announces New Album “Care For Me”

Saba fans won’t be waiting much longer for his next album. The PIVOT Gang MC unveiled the first details about his new LP, titled Care For Me, on Wednesday night (March 14).

The Chicago spitter’s sophomore album is scheduled to be released on April 5. The follow-up to 2016’s Bucket List Project features guest appearances by Chance The Rapper, theMIND and Kaina.

Saba made the initial announcement on Instagram Live before sharing the rest of the information across his various social media platforms. The album reveal comes just a few weeks after he returned with a new single titled “Busy” and unveiled his upcoming tour dates, which begin in April.

MY NEW ALBUM, CARE FOR ME, WILL BE AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE APRIL 5TH COMMENT #CAREFORME BELOW IF YOU’RE READY

A post shared by SABA (@sabapivot) on Mar 14, 2018 at 5:27pm PDT

Check out Saba’s Care For Me tracklist below.

1. Busy/Sirens f. theMIND
2. Broken Girls
3. Life
4. Calligraphy
5. Fighter f. Kaina
6. Smile
7. Logout f. Chance The Rapper
8. Grey
9. Prom/King
10. Heaven All Around Me

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46222/title.saba-announces-new-album-care-for-me

Mar 15

Meek Mill Inches Closer To Freedom

Philadelphia, PA – Meek Mill (real name Robert Williams) just scored a major win in his court case, according to a press release. On Wednesday (March 14), the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office submitted a filing to Meek’s lawyers that suggested his conviction could be “reversed (in whole or in part).”

District Attorney Larry Krasner also didn’t oppose Meek’s move for bail.

Joe Tacopina, Meek’s attorney, said in the press release, “We are very pleased with the District Attorney’s filing today stating that he is not opposing Meek’s immediate release on bail, and that there is a strong likelihood that Meek’s conviction will ultimately be reversed in whole or in part. We look forward to his immediate release by the court on bail in light of this development.”

Meek’s mother, Kathy Williams, also expressed her gratitude for the recent development.

“I would like to thank the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office for carefully evaluating my son’s matter and not opposing the request for bail,” Williams added. “The fact that Robert’s entire conviction could be overturned is a blessing and I pray that God gives Judge [Genece] Brinkley the wisdom to make the right decision and allow my son to return home to his family. I truly believe justice will prevail.”

There’s a possibility that Meek, who was sentenced to up to four years for probation violations, was unjustly convicted because of a cop who lied at his original 2008 trial for weapons and gun charges. 

The Wins Losses rapper was sentenced on November 6, 2017. Since then, Judge Brinkley’s ethics and conduct has been called into question multiple times. Things came to a head earlier this month when the D.A. released a roster of allegedly corrupt Philly cops and Meek’s arresting officer, Reginald Graham, was on the list.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46223/title.meek-mill-inches-closer-to-freedom

Mar 15

Delicious Vinyl Co-Founder Matt Dike’s Cause Of Death Disclosed

Although Delicious Vinyl released news of co-founder Matt Dike’s death publicly on Tuesday (March 13), Dike is confirmed to have passed away in January. According to The Los Angeles Times, he died from complications related to salivary gland cancer.

Dike’s brother, Lane, confirmed he succumbed to the illness mid-January at the age of 56, although Delicious Vinyl’s obituary suggested he was 55.

In addition to co-founding the iconic Hip Hop imprint, Dike was a key player in the Beastie Boys’ 1989 classic, Paul’s Boutique. He also reportedly co-produced Romeo and Master Rhyme’s “Crackerjack,” the first N.W.A diss track, and backed up Ice-T as a club DJ at the beginning of Ice’s career.

Dike left sole ownership of the Los Angeles-based label to his partner Mike Ross in 1992 but not before he created his own undeniable legacy.

Read more about Dike’s contributions below.

(The original version of this article was published on March 13, 2018 and can be found below.)

Matt Dike, producer and co-founder of the iconic Los Angeles Hip Hop label Delicious Vinyl, passed away on Tuesday (March 13). According to a press release on the label’s website, Dike died at his home after a brief illness. He was 55.

Dike established Delicious Vinyl in 1987 with fellow co-founder Mike Ross. He produced timeless hits for everyone from the Beastie Boys to Tone-Loc. The latter’s single, “Wild Thing,” went on to sell over two million copies. Tone-Loc’s platinum follow-up “Funky Cold Medina” and Young MC’s hit “Bust A Move” solidified the imprint’s legacy.

Most notably, Dike lent his sampling skills to Beastie Boys’ sophomore album, Paul’s Boutique, which was produced in his apartment with production assistance from The Dust Brothers. The album is lauded for being almost completely sample-based with the exception of Ad-Rock, MCA and Mike D’s voices. Although it was initially considered a flop by Capitol Records’ standards, it has since gone double platinum and is considered one of the best Hip Hop albums of all time.

Although Dike left Delicious Vinyl in 1992, giving sole ownership to Ross, he left an indelible mark on Hip Hop forever. The logo itself has become iconic and the music Dike left behind marks a permanent chapter in the Hip Hop history books.

Dike is survived by his brother, sister and nephew.

Tributes have started to come in on social media, including one from Questlove who regretted never being able to meet him.

“imo his crowning achievement was as one of the producers for one of THE greatest timeless hip hop albums ever #PaulsBoutique,” The Roots drummer wrote on Instagram. “It simply gets better with time (will be 30 years old in 2 years) it took 10 years to go double platinum and was considered a flop at the time of its release. But EVERY creative agrees that this album was not only @beastieboysofficial finest hour —but one of hip hop’s finest hours as well.”

Dog. This is crazy. So upset I never got to meet up/chat w #MattDike. Proprietor of @deliciousvinyl records. Creator of some of the most timeless fratty party hip hop ever (“Wild Thing” “Funky Cold Medina””Bust A Move”). Signing some stellar artists that were out of the norm at the time: #BrandNewHeavies #MellowManAce #ThePharcyde) but man, imo his crowning achievement was as one of the producers for one of THE greatest timeless hip hop albums ever #PaulsBoutique. It simply gets better with time (will be 30 years old in 2 years) it took 10 years to go double platinum and was considered a flop at the time of its release. But EVERY creative agrees that this album was not only @beastieboysofficial finest hour —but one of hip hop’s finest hours as well. It was my dream to nerd out and ask him ( the dust brothers too) about how they defied the laws of sampling gravity made some of the most groundbreaking work ever. Rest In Beats.

A post shared by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Mar 13, 2018 at 3:36pm PDT

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46211/title.delicious-vinyl-co-founder-matt-dike-has-died