Mar 24

Roxanne Shanté Explains Why She Walked Away From Hip Hop

New York, NY – Juice Crew alum Roxanne Shanté was responsible for what was one of the first diss tracks on wax, “Roxanne’s Revenge.” Produced by Marley Marl, the song was released in 1984 when Shanté was just 14.

On Friday (March 23), the Queens Hip Hop pioneer stopped by The Breakfast Club to discuss a bevy of topics, including the upcoming Netflix biopic, Roxanne Roxanne. During the interview, she revealed why her Hip Hop career was so short-lived.

“One of things about it was it was not financially beneficial for me at that time and I had a lot of responsibility,” Shanté explains. “Not only was I already a parent, already had my son, but I was responsible for my sister. So, being responsible for my family members, I needed things that were financially lucrative for me, and at that time it wasn’t. I was a battle rapper. I had no intention of making records.”

She continues, “It just so happens Marley Marl, who happened to be one of the greatest Hip Hop producers, lived across the street right above the laundry mat, and I was going to do laundry and he was like, ‘Listen, come and do a freestyle for me.’ And that’s how this came about. There was no demo. There was no looking around for record companies. Everything literally came to me — the same way how the movie came. It’s just about the things that take place in the universe.”

Let’s even it out @imroxanneshante is here with @chantee__ (who plays her character in the movie) #roxanneroxanne. They talk about how the movie happened when @mimivaldes approached her to tell her story, women being pitted against each other in hip-hop and her own experience with multiple Roxannes, why she cut her rap career short and how Chante was groomed to play her in this movie

A post shared by The Breakfast Club (@breakfastclubam) on Mar 23, 2018 at 5:25am PDT

When asked if she felt she wasn’t properly recognized as one of the first popular female MCs, Shanté replied, “Do I? No.”

“The reason why is because Roxanne Shanté has never looked or searched for the accolades from others,” she explains. “I’ve been very confident with that. I’ve always walked with a certain confidence, so I didn’t need anyone to validate me. I validate myself every morning.  So, I didn’t need validation from anyone. I didn’t need anyone to say, ‘Ok Roxanne Shanté started this.’ If you know that you started something, then there’s no need anyone to tell you what you started. See, a lot of people need that validation but I was blessed to already have that within myself. I didn’t need that.”

Roxanne Roxanne, which is produced by Forest Whitaker and Pharrell, is available on Netflix.

Watch the full interview above.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46306/title.roxanne-shante-explains-why-she-walked-away-from-hip-hop

Mar 24

Cardi B Goes Off On Uncle Sam For Taking 40 Percent Of Her Income

Cardi B revealed she had to hand over 40 percent of her income to Uncle Sam for taxes in an Instagram video uploaded on Thursday (March 22).

The future Mrs. Offset revealed she’s curious as to what exactly the government is doing with her money. The native New Yorker says there’s no way it’s going towards cleaning up the city.

I want to fucking know WHAT YA DOING WITH MY FUCKING MONEY !!!!!???

A post shared by Cardi B Official IG (@iamcardib) on Mar 22, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT

“So you know the government is taking 40 percent of my taxes,” Cardi said. “And Uncle Sam, I want to know what you doing with my fucking tax money … When you donate to a kid from a foreign country, they give you updates of what they doing with your donation. I want to know what you’re doing with my fuckin’ tax money.

“Because I’m from New York and the streets is always dirty,” she added. “We was voted the dirtiest city in America. What is y’all doing? There’s still rats on the damn trains. I know y’all not spending it in no damn prison because y’all be giving niggas like two underwears. One jumpsuit for like five months. So, what is y’all niggas doing with my fuckin’ money?”

Cardi’s remarks on taxes and the government received the approval of Diddy who said he’s been asking “THE SAME MOTHER FUCKING QUESTION.” Diddy reposted Cardi’s Instagram video with the caption, “@iamcardib I’VE BEEN ASKING THE SAME MOTHER FUCKIN QUESTION!!!! Real talk. WHERE’S IT AT!!!! We need some back so we can take care of our people!!!”

@iamcardib I’VE BEEN ASKING THE SAME MOTHER FUCKIN QUESTION!!!! Real talk. WHERE’S IT AT!!!! We need some back so we can take care of our people!!!

A post shared by Diddy (@diddy) on Mar 22, 2018 at 7:08pm PDT

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46307/title.cardi-b-goes-off-on-uncle-sam-for-taking-40-percent-of-her-income

Mar 24

Prosecutors Reportedly Want DMX To Serve 5-Year Prison Bid

Manhattan, NY – DMX could reportedly get five years in prison if federal prosecutors on his tax evasion case get their way. According to TMZ, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office wants the judge to “send a message” that “star power doesn’t entitle someone to a free pass.”

Prosecutors also reportedly said he’s been “on a one-man crime spree for the past 30 years.”

The veteran New York MC was facing up to 40 years in prison but he struck a deal by entering a guilty plea to just one count of tax evasion. He was originally charged with 14 counts.

The 47-year-old, who has wrestled with substance abuse issues for years, went to drug rehab as a part of his bail conditions but was arrested in January after failing a drug test.

X faces sentencing next week.

(The original version of this article was published on January 30, 2018 and can be found below.)

DMX was taken into custody at a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday morning (January 30) for violating his probation, according to TMZ.

The East Coast rap vet, who has consistently struggled with substance abuse over the years, was arrested for failing a drug test. He reportedly tested positive for opiates, cocaine and oxycodone, and the judge deemed him a flight risk.

The “X’ Gon Give It To Ya” mastermind was out on bail for his tax evasion case and ordered to complete drug rehab as part of his bail conditions. After short stint at a New England facility, he was back out and had gained 40 lbs.

Footage of X in an airport bar that circulated last week raised a few eyebrows. In the clip, X is seen drinking and buying shots for people as he preached the word of God. 

X was arrested on 14 felony counts of tax evasion last July and posted $500,000 bail before pleading guilty last November. X’s attorney Murray Richman expressed his disappointment on this most recent arrest.

“I’m saddened and disappointed,” Richman told TMZ. “We’ll have to deal with it accordingly.”

Richman added he’d like to get X back into a rehab program before he’s sentenced in March. If convicted, he faces up to 44 years in prison.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45824/title.dmx-heading-back-to-jail-after-failing-drug-test

Mar 24

Kendrick Lamar Cultural Biography On Its Way

Former DX contributor and current Bandcamp Senior Editor Marcus J. Moore has announced a deal to write the cultural biography of Kendrick Lamar. The book will be titled “The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America” and will explore Kendrick’s life and ascent through the music industry.

Moore has previously covered Kendrick’s work, including a review of DAMN. for The Nation and a review of K. dot’s live show for Pitchfork.

The book will be published through Touchstone Books, which is a division of Simon Schuster. The company has previously put out books on Paul McCartney, Charlamagne Tha God, Joey Ramone, and more.

No release date for the work has been announced yet.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46308/title.kendrick-lamar-cultural-biography-on-its-way

Mar 24

#DXHitList: Trouble, Saba & Royce Da 5’9" Top This Week’s Spotify Playlist

Spotify – Getting into this weekend with our #DXHitList on Spotify, Ear Drummer’s latest signee Trouble kicks off the playlist with “Come Thru” from his debut project Edgewood, executive produced by Mike WiLL Made-It. “Come Thru” also features some light vocals courtesy of The Weeknd intertwined with the production as Trouble rhymes about life in Edgewood.

Chicago spitter Saba is also featured on the #DXHitList this week with “LIFE.” His forthcoming album Care For Me is scheduled for release on April 5 and Chance The Rapper, theMIND and Kaina are all slated to make an appearance. He’s also prepping for a North American tour that kicks off April 11 in Philly.

Also topping this week’s #DXHitList is Royce Da 5’9″, who linked up with J. Cole for the inspiring cut “Boblo Boat” off Royce’s upcoming Book of Ryan album, produced by Cool Dre and 808-Ray. A visual for “Boblo Boat” is expected on Monday (March 26). As for what fans can expect when Book of Ryan drops on May 4, the Detroit spitter promises for it to be his best work yet.

Fresh music from Adamn Killa, Yung Bans, Belly and KYLE featuring Kehlani on “Playinwithme” are all ready for your listening pleasure, among many other fire songs.

Listen to the #DXHitList below and make sure you hit the follow button so you don’t miss out on the latest in music releases each week.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46309/title.dxhitlist-trouble-saba-royce-da-59-top-this-weeks-spotify-playlist