Lyor Cohen Claims Drake Reneged On Def Jam Deal Before Signing With Cash Money

Longtime music executive Lyor Cohen revealed some Hip Hop history while visiting The Breakfast Club on Wednesday (August 1).

The 300 Entertainment founder and YouTube’s Global Head of Music attributes his “old school” values of loyalty and power of his word to how he handles business and signs acts.

“I never signed an act because I was afraid of losing them,” Cohen said. “I only signed an act because I wanted them on my label. Different mentality these days. I never signed an act because … Man, when one act says to me, ‘Oh, man, another label is interested in me,’ I said ‘Go ahead with yourself. I’m not interested in you anymore.”

According to Cohen, one of the biggest artists in Hip Hop today didn’t uphold themselves to the same standards after agreeing to a record deal with the veteran executive.

At the 18-minute mark of the interview, The Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne Tha God asked Cohen to verify a rumor about his attempt to sign Drake early in the rap star’s career. Cohen confirmed he offered Drake a record deal before the “In My Feelings” artist ultimately signed to Cash Money Records.

“The truth is Drake shook my hand,” Cohen said. “Shook my hand.”

#lyorcohen is in the building

A post shared by The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) on Aug 1, 2018 at 4:17am PDT

After co-host DJ Envy asked if the deal was to sign with 300 Entertainment or Def Jam, Cohen replied, “Def Jam, son.”

However, Cohen doesn’t hold any grudges against Drake for snubbing him on the deal.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “He didn’t stop the party. I’m happy for him and I’m happy for his fans. It’s all good. It didn’t hurt my feelings, but I’m old school. I come from a different thing.”

The timeline of Cohen offering Drake a record deal with Def Jam wasn’t detailed in the interview but seems a bit off based on Cohen’s claims. In January 2004, Cohen left his post at Def Jam to become chairman/CEO of Warner Music Group. He then left the Warner company in 2012, and then launched 300 Entertainment in 2013.

Drake officially signed with Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint in 2009 and has been with the label ever since. In a 2010 interview with Complex, Cohen did lament that failing to sign Drake was “a very disappointed thing” during his tenure at WMG.

Elsewhere in the lengthy interview, Cohen told in-depth backstories of legendary rap acts he signed and managed throughout his 35-year career in the music business. He also answered questions about the infamous selfie with Kanye West wearing a MAGA hat, his philosophy on artist development and Rich The Kid’s desire to leave 300 Ent.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47881/title.lyor-cohen-claims-drake-reneged-on-def-jam-deal-before-signing-with-cash-money

Kendrick Lamar’s Riveting "Power" Performance Took Years To Develop

Kendrick Lamar’s impressive acting debut on the STARZ series Power took some time to cultivate before it came to fruition. According to Kung Fu Kenny, it was something he, 50 Cent and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith discussed for years.

In an interview for VarietyPower creator and showrunner Courtney A. Kemp asked Lamar what made him ask 50 to be on the show.

“I’ve always been a fan of the show,” the Grammy winner told Kemp. “Me, 50 and Top always communicate like, man, we got to do something one day and make something right. It’s been a process for like, I want to say four years. It’s been a while. It’s just timing about everything.”

It’s time. Check out @kendricklamar as Laces, on a new #PowerTV NOW on the @STARZ App.

A post shared by Power (@power_starz) on Jul 29, 2018 at 11:01am PDT

Kemp also revealed it was important to K. Dot that he not be cast as a drug dealer. So, the role of a crackhead named Laces was created — even though the Power creative team wasn’t looking for a guest star.

Watch Kemp interview Lamar about his acting debut on the fifth season of Power below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47865/title.kendrick-lamars-riveting-power-performance-took-years-to-develop

Joyner Lucas Cancels Remaining I’m Kind Of A Big Deal Tour Dates

Joyner Lucas is cutting his I’m Kind Of A Big Deal Tour short due to some medicial issues. Lucas’ manager Dhruv Joshi told HipHopDX the Massachusetts-bred MC had to cancel his Australian and European tour dates due to hoarseness and laryngitis.

“As an artist, his voice is his instrument, he cannot damage his voice permanently for one tour,” Joshi said in a statement to DX. “He needs to take care of himself and recover fully, he will be touring soon and will make it up to all the fans!”

Lucas wrapped up the North American portion of the I’m Kind Of A Big Deal Tour in June. Lucas’ Australian dates were slated to start on August 9. The European leg of the tour was supposed to begin on August 14 in Portugal.

While Lucas will be unable to tour overseas, he has promised to release new music in the coming months. A collaborative album with Chris Brown is also expected to drop later this year.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47866/title.joyner-lucas-cancels-remaining-im-kind-of-a-big-deal-tour-dates

Rich The Kid’s Instagram Hacker Wants $750K For Account

While it was initially speculated that Rich The Kid’s cryptic “RIP” Instagram post was in relation to a potential name change, it appears he’s actually a hacking victim — and the perpetrator is looking to cash in on his work.

I need 750K?for his Page back ??? lil bih, FUCK #Richthekid FUCK #richforever ??

A post shared by dreddy drew (@yungnavz) on Jul 31, 2018 at 2:15am PDT

“I need $750K for his page back,” the alleged hacker, up-and-coming artist Yung Navz, wrote via Instagram. The rapper’s handle was linked in an updated caption on Rich The Kid’s post, and he took it a step further by posting a video of himself logged in on his page.

It also appears Rich’s Twitter was compromised with the same message/video being posted, as well as off-brand jabs at Nicki Minaj and Kanye West.

Rich The KidRich The Kid

 

(The previous version of this article was published on July 31, 2018 at 9:23 AM and can be found below.)

Rich The Kid whipped his fans into a frenzy with an ominous Instagram post on Tuesday (July 31) that read, “R.i.P. Rich the Kid 1992 – 2018.” He thanked his fans and family “for everything” in the caption and wiped the rest of his account, but according to a comment on the post by Rich Forever AR Gramz, the post isn’t as tragic as it appears.

Thank u all my fans family for everything ??????

A post shared by @ richthekid on Jul 31, 2018 at 1:23am PDT

GramzGramz

“He changing his name,” Gramz wrote in a comment.

The “Plug Walk” rapper also “liked” a tweet suggesting he’s simply “trolling the internet.”

Rich has been critical of his 300 Ent. label, recently dubbing it “the worst label ever” while pleading for his release from his contract. “I don’t wanna be with y’all label no more. Y’all suck. Y’all is trash,” he said.

So could the R.I.P. post and clean Instagram be more a reference to a figurative death rather than a literal one? The change of name could potentially be a way for the rapper to continue making music while his label situation gets worked out.

Iconic rap group Rapper’s Delight — formerly The Sugar Hill Gang — famously lost all the rights to their name, but through a name change loophole, were able to tour for years performing all their hits.

Likewise Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993 while having contract issues with Warner Bros.

Rich The Kid’s team has yet to release any further details.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47854/title.rich-the-kid-posts-cryptic-rip-message-on-instagram

Lil Uzi Vert Teases “Eternal Atake” Album With Heaven’s Gate-Themed Art

Lil Uzi Vert appears to be having some fun with his fans, teasing his rumored Eternal Atake album on social media.

The Billboard chart-topping artist shared a picture featuring some purported album cover artwork, which referenced the Heaven’s Gate cult, on Instagram. Uzi’s profile avatar also references the cult with an image of Heaven’s Gate co-founder Marshall Applewhite, who led a mass suicide in 1997.

“Eternal atake wanna hear ?” he wrote. “Do you think This is Track list cover or real deal.”

(づ。◕‿‿◕。)づ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀. . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⌒ eternal atake ⠀ ?wanna hear ? Do you think This is Track list cover or real deal

A post shared by 16 (@liluzivert) on Jul 31, 2018 at 11:19am PDT

Uzi has deleted all of his Instagram posts except for the aforementioned one and a video of him dancing with the caption, “Uzi hurry up and drop.”

Fans have surmised that Eternal Atake is the title of Uzi’s next album due to his posts on Twitter. The “XO Tour Llif3” creator used the phrase in two July tweets and currently has it set as his header photo on the social media platform.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47860/title.lil-uzi-vert-teases-eternal-atake-album-with-heavens-gate-themed-art