The Medicine Man
03:00PM ET November 20, 2009
Contributor: Nadine Graham
A Rocky Williform Company
Everyone's had that one friend that's always been cool, confident and unaffected by limitations. Upon meeting 23-year-old Pill, you realize that he's that guy. The Atlanta emcee is wise cracking and quick-witted, both in the booth and in regular conversation. Pill, born Tyrone Rivers, wrote his first rap in kindergarten and he can still recite the bulk of the song. He left rap alone for a while after that; it wasn't until high school, at the urging of his four older siblings where he picked it up again and committed to it. After learning under the tutelage of Grind Time Rap Gang leader Mike Bigga (formerly Killer Mike) he decided to go it alone and spread his wings as a solo artist.
In early 2009, Pill released 4180: The Prescription. It's currently one of the years most applauded mixtapes. The CD was quite a bold statement from an artist who, less than a year ago, was completely under the radar. He recently released the follow up 4075 The Refill amid monstrous buzz. Tyrone "Pill" Rivers offers no gimmicky ad libs and no sense of entitlement- but wearing his heart on his sleeve, he gives us a gruff delivery, a multi-faceted flow and a substantial sense of self. Just what the doctor ordered.
How long have you been rhyming?
Since kindergarten. I wrote my rap then, but I didn't start taking it seriously until I was in high school. I was recording in the studio in the 3rd grade. My homeboy Big Fred had an uncle who had a studio named Alphabet when I was staying in Adamsville. I used to go in there and spit. They'd record me and put me on tapes and all types of shit around the neighborhood. All my life, I was always rapping but I never embraced it on my own.
When did you embrace it?
When people started to say, 'Man, you need to do this shit for real. You need to take it serious,' I always felt like I was nice but I just didn't think I could actually go somewhere with it. I always wrote and a lot of times I'd freestyle around the cafeteria and riding to football games, when I played football. I'd played sports my whole life. That was my love: sports and music and I ain't that big as you can see, so I was like, "Well, uh... I might as well pick this pen back up. It don't look like I'll be getting no D-1 offer."
What was the turning point?
I was in this group in high school called Low Key. Then I started fucking with Killer [Mike], from my teenage years up until a year or two ago. I was feeling like I should do it on my own because I wasn't really seeing the type of recognition that I would've liked. I felt like I had something to bring to the game as a solo artist. I was always "featured on" and "seen on". It was a blessing for him to fuck with me in itself, it was my introduction to the industry. But when I dropped The Prescription at the top of this year, I was like Damn! I was just doing this for niggas in the hood where I was trappin'. Like, when I did "Trap Goin' Ham" and took it back to the hood. They were like, "Yeah, Psych [neighborhood nickname] you reppin'! When your tape coming out?" We'd see people on TV and they'd say, 'How you gon' let these niggas make it before you? When you gon' get on?' That was like fuel to the fire. Then I had my brothers and my sister in my ear telling me that I need to do my own shit man, telling me I got a testimony. That's when I made The Prescription- my first solo effort.
Now you've got people from all over saying "ham".
We been saying 'ham'. I ain't make that shit up, I just brought it to the forefront [laughs]. I had no idea that track was gonna be that big. I just made it for my partners in the neighborhood. The first time I did "Trap Goin' Ham", I went straight from the studio to a club called The Ham, in the Fourth Ward. I got the DJ to spin it and folks liked it, they played it in the hood, played it in the trap... Folks were like, "This shit is jammin'," then came the mixtape. I had "Trap Goin' Ham" before I even had the mixtape. That's when I said, "Okay, maybe I need to go and finish up this mixtape." I'd been telling everybody that I had a mixtape coming, and they said, 'Man, you bullshitting.' So I was like, ""Let me go on and get it together. So I went and did and people wanted the video. I went and did the visual and people responded well to it. I didn't have any idea that it would be what it's become and it's still growing. I said, "Oh shit, I just did this to kick it to the hood." It grew legs, totally unexpected. I can't lie and be like, "Yeah, I made it. I'm finna do my thing with this one. I'm finna kill these folk with this one." Nah it wasn't like that. I just did it and that was the result of it. It was a blessing but I had no idea it was gonna be that way.
Where are you from exactly? And do you feel that your hometown comes out in your music?
I'm from the Fourth Ward, Adamsville, all over the West Side. I went to two different elementary school, two different middle schools and I graduated from Doug [Fredrick Douglas] High School. I've moved around a lot since I was a child.
My [upbringing] just comes out, I can't not speak on it. It ain't like I go in there, "Let me make sure I represent this or that," I'm one of the few cats that is from the area that I say I'm from. There's no question about credibility.
Heard anything back from Gucci or Jeezy about joining you on the "Trap Goin' Ham" remix?
Nah, I wish it did happen because those are the two niggas that could speak on that shit perfectly and on that tempo. Although I know they don't fuck with each other like that... I would love to get either one of them really, but both would be perfect. Y'all know that shit ain't gon' happen. [laughs] That would be a dream for that to happen. I fuck with both of them. Both of their music is dope. I can't side with nobody cause they both have something different to bring to the game, when it comes to the trap shit because they're visionaries, they've lived it. So what's better than someone else to be on there that lived it and could actually be speaking the truth on it. I can't think of two other artists right now that can do it like they can- from the city.
Let's talk about the Nah Right show that happened in NYC recently. A lot of Southern Hip Hop heads felt that New Yorkers were out of line for booing OJ Da Juiceman, and that reaction stemmed from some sort of regional resentment. You were on stage before OJ though, and your set was praised. Were you surprised by how you'd been received?
I was very surprised. I didn't know how they were going to receive me. Every time I do a show, I don't ever know. I just try to make sure I go 100% with all my passion and all my energy and whatever else I have to bring to the table when I get to that stage, I let it all out. I mean, the game is hoping and wishing. You make the music and you hope people like it and when you perform, you hope people like it and you wish to make some money off it [laughs]. That's all it is and to see him go through that, it was like "Damn".
What was your first thought when you heard about it?
I had another show, so I wasn't there. After my set, I stayed for a few minutes, then I left for the Fool's Gold show, because they wanted me to perform. So I went to that, jumped on stage, then I got the call like, "OJ got booed." I was like, "Quit bullshitting." I thought they was joking. I was like, "Quit playing man; that man ain't get booed." It was kinda crazy though, because the reception I got... I was at a loss for words, I didn't know what to think. I feel bad for OJ in a sense when it comes to that because you know, he probably thought he was doing his thing and to get that kind of reception, it fucks up your confidence a little bit. Of course, he's home team and you don't wanna see anyone from the home team get booed or nothing like that. But I think that it was a different crowd. I think they wanted to just hear more lyrics... Not to step on anyone's toes or nothing because OJ has a great fanbase, once again and he's doing his thing but when you've got Raekwon, Jadakiss [on the bill]- you got all these muhfuckers spittin' and they gon' be hyped up to hear that, somebody that's more lyrical.
Andre 3000 thinks you're pretty lyrical, right?
Man! Just for him to like my shit, compliment it, recite my lines from the tape... It was surreal. He's like one of my favorite emcees of all time and for him to even give a damn that meant a lot. When I heard, I was like "Hold on now- what'd you say?" [laughs] I didn't think he'd ever even listen to the tape, I didn't think he'd hit me up or nothing. We randomly bumped into each other, I gave him the tape and my number and asked him to let me know if he liked it or not. Next thing you know he hit me up, I was like , "Who is this?" He was like, "3000", I said, "Who is this playing on my phone?" [laughs] He told me, "That mixtape is jammin'" I was like "What? I can't believe that. Okay, maybe I do know how to rap a lil' bit..."
Did 50 Self Destruct?
09:00PM ET November 12, 2009
Contributor: Eddie "Spotlight" Yancey, III
A Rocky Williform Company
Rating:
Actor, author, product endorser, video game hero and executive producer 50 Cent definitely is the ultimate entrepreneur. From starting off as a drug dealer then becoming a rapper in the late '90's, he rose to fame with his classic 2003 LP Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Today Fif is one of the richest hip-hop entertainers, bringing in an estimated net worth of $440 million last year.
This newfound "White-Collar 50" is great on the business side of things, but it's not going over so well with his fans that fell in love with the hardcore and brash lyrics that seemed to have diminished since his earlier albums. 50 is out to prove to his doubters that he still has that hood style with his newest joint, Before I Self Destruct, but does the album live up to it's edgy title?
You would figure that Before I Self Destruct, which was exclusively released on iTunes for digital download on November 9, 2009, would be well crafted since it was delayed numerous times and in the making for close to three years. The LP doesn't slack on production, as Polow Da Don, Scott Storch, and colleague Dr. Dre are some of the acclaimed producers who lay their credits down on the CD.
Before I Self Destruct jumps right into that psychotic side Fiddy wanted to portray with the intro track, "The Invitation," inviting his haters to "come get some," but only to be left in a bloody pile until the police arrive. Fans, of course, are familiar with the seductive, gold-digger anthem with Ne-Yo "Baby By Me." With “Then Days Went By," 50 nicely rides and sings across the well produced Lab Ox track where the chorus is on some everyday hood chronicles type stuff, as 50 states "I seen niggas getting rich, then days went by, then days went by, then days went by."
Special guest Eminem came with it, like always, on "Psycho" and Fif's first verse was pretty fluid as well. "Think About Me" is definitely a good look, as it shows the more eloquent rap style of Mr. Curtis. "Crime Wave" and "Stretch" are already getting major props by fans as they see a glimpse of the old 50 in the songs. "Get It Hot" is a cool, up-beat future single. In a semi ode to hip-hop classic "Rapper's Delight," fiddy cleverly incorporates his clip-pop concept with "Gangsta's Delight." The boastful, Dre produced "Ok, You're Right" booms nicely with its thunderous, yet simplistic, bass pounds. The lighthearted "Could've Been You" with R. Kelly discusses the frustrations of a chick that could have been living the good life. Two of the album's best tracks may be on the iTunes deluxe edition with "Flight 187" and "Man's World."
There are some lackluster joints on the album. The Dre produced "Death to My Enemies" is a track that could easily be skipped. He takes shots at his baby moms, The Game, and Young Buck on the minimal effective "So Disrespectful." "Hold Me Down" is an underachieving attempt at a love song with his strap (Pac, Nas and C-Bo have covered this territory already). "I Got Swag" basically discusses 50's riches and encounters with women.
At the end of the day, Before I Self Destruct is a solid album from 50. He's up to his usual antics, discussing women, drugs, and violence to go along with a lot of arrogance and cockiness that made him the beloved figure he is today. Fif described his two personas perfectly in "Strong Enough" when he said, "I'm pretty like a Harlem nigga / I'm a shooter like a Brooklyn nigga." When 50 Cent actually has a minute and sets aside some legit time to put together an album, the results are pretty credible. The physical CD will be in retail stores on Monday, November 16, 2009.
From Konvict To CEO
03:00PM ET November 11, 2009
Contributor: Nadine Graham
A Rocky Williform Company
Though Bu Thiam has quietly made a name for himself in the music business he's still mistaken for his older sibling, R&B superstar Akon on a regular basis. On the contrary Bu has been building his reputation based on his own hard work since the beginnings of Konvict Musik. As the co-CEO of all Konvict entities, Thiam carries the bulk of the responsibility for the movement of the labels: Konvict Musik, KonLive Distribution, and now, BuVision. He's a well-known figure in the Atlanta music wave, with nods from Young Jeezy and T.I. That is until LA Reid (Def Jam chairman and CEO) saw something larger in him and his track record. In addition to his duties with the Konvict umbrella, Bu was also a trusted consultant for Def Jam. That is before head honcho LA Reid saw something more and offered Bu the opportunity of his life.
Let's get an official response to the rumors that are circulating on the streets. What exactly is your new title up there at Def Jam? Sure. I have just been named Senior Vice President of Island Def Jam by LA Reid.
And what does that position signify for your career, besides the obvious? It means a lot for my career. It's a new, opened door for me that'll bring opportunities for my peers, my writers, and producers, just everybody. You know what I mean?
You've made a prominent name for yourself out in Atlanta. What will your Senior VP status do for the city? You have to move up north don't you? Well, I'll be up there. But I'll still be down here in the streets too. And as for the city, I'll be able to bring acts from Atlanta and bring a whole other view into the building, because I already feel like the people that... There are a bunch of older heads that don't really understand our music and our culture so I'm thankful for the opportunity to bring that energy into the building.
How did the promotion go down? Well, basically, LA Reid just came to me. He saw that I signed T-Pain; he saw that I had something to do with Lady Gaga. I asked him: "What goals are you trying to accomplish right now?" He was like: 'I want to break new acts.' He said that he had decided that he loved my energy and what I'm doing. Shortly after that, he came to me with the Senior VP position.
Things can get tricky with you at Def Jam and Konvict under the Universal umbrella, can't they? Well, we have a special contract with Jive. We have Konvict Entertainment with Universal, which is Akon. We have KonLive which is a four to five label deal with Interscope. KonLive is Kardinal Offishall, Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis and people like that. But Def Jam will absolutely take us in the direction that we need to go.
What direction is that? It'll give me the opportunity to understand the music industry fully. I've been independent all my life. I've never really worked for nobody. I feel like this is my opportunity to learn the corporate world and I feel like once I get the corporate world and the opportunities that come with it, I'll be a force to be reckoned with in this industry.
And your work load has obviously increased right? Oh yeah, but my responsibilities are still to bring new ideas to the table. Like, it was my idea to put Jeezy with Rihanna on that 'So Hard'. I had a lot to do with her album. Like, my responsibilities are a lot, but none of it is anything I haven't done before. I'll just take it all on head first.
Tell us a bit about your fledging label, BuVision. BuVision is a joint venture with Def Jam. We've got a lot of different type artists on there. Bree D'Val, Sean Teezy, Prynce, Rachel Assil and Tami Chynn, who's kind of on the reggae tip but she's singing. They're all dope.
What does an artist need to have to catch your eye? You've got to have originality, charisma, superstar quality, and confidence. You've really got to want to change the world with your music.
Are you going to use that same method to choose artists for Def Jam? I'm never gonna change how I choose an artist because it works for me. A lot of A&Rs and executives in this game, when they look for an artist, they look for a particular face, a particular name... I want something special, something wild. Like Lady Gaga is wild and different. I don't want to do the same thing everybody else is doing.
Lebron In L.A.
12:00PM ET November 6, 2009
Contributor : Eddie "Spotlight" Yancey, III
A Rocky Williform Company
Basketball fans remember last years basketball games at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing very well. That team brought the U.S. basketball legacy back to credibility. The squad was loaded with some of the best NBA ballers, including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the two best players in the game according to many. The players on Team USA had a great time playing with one another, with one of the main reasons being that none of them have that luxury of playing alongside numerous all stars during the NBA regular season.
With the epic free agency class of the summer of 2010, many general managers are hoping to rekindle some of those newfound bonds with the 2008 Summer Olympic squad. Recently on ESPN's First Take, the sports journalists discussed an interesting revelation recently made by Bulls.com writer Sam Smith. Smith feels that LeBron won't go to the Knicks because he would be backtracking in his career and that if he teamed up with Kobe, he could play Mr. Bryant's sidekick until he gets a little older and the roles would therefore reverse. Smith also talks of how the Cavs would have to do a sign-and-trade to the Lakers so that they won't be letting James walk away without getting anything in return.
"The King" and "The Black Mamba" would undoubtedly be one of, if not the, best 1-2 punch in the history of the NBA. Just imagine having two of the best players in NBA history on the wing wearing purple and gold. That would be a remarkable sight to see. Sam Smith also makes a good point about how LeBron could also promote his movies and books heavily in L.A. as well (Lebron's movie, More Than a Game is currently in theatres), being that it is home of the stars. Unfortunately though, there is a little thing called the salary cap in the NBA and it would be quite hard for the Lakers to be able to pass enough dough around to both of these megastars without having to pay the dreaded luxury tax (something the Knicks are all too familiar with). It's also very unlikely that the Cavs would just trade away their hometown "golden child" like that. So whether it's the Cavs, Knicks, Nets, Lakers, Clippers, or whoever is on the radar of "King" James', they most definitely are going to have to pay him what he wants.
Trina Returns
09:00PM ET October 23, 2009
Contributor: Nadine Graham
A Rocky Williform Company
Katrina Taylor has claimed to be the "baddest bitch" since the start of the millennium, nowadays; she's still bad and still relevant. She's an important part of southern rap history being one of the first female rappers hailing from Miami and one of the few left in the game. HHB had the chance to catch up with the Diamond Princess and talk about what it's like to be in charge of other artists, her projects since her last album, and what fans can expect from her newest offering, Amazin'.
What've you been doing since 2008's Still da Baddest? I just finished recording an album which is out in stores March 30, 2010. I have a lot of artists on the album: my artists, Pretty Money, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Lyfe Jennings, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson. I actually just started filming a movie to put out too! I'm really excited about that! It was really quick but it was so much fun! I'm also working on a TV show for the end of this year. So I've been having my hands in the pot heavy. Its different being on the studio side as opposed to being on the artist side; working on my own project, and working on the artists' projects- it's a lot.
Are you feeling like it may be too much pressure? It's not too much pressure. It's great! I've actually learned so much. I get it now: how I drove the label crazy, my artists are driving me crazy! I see it now! [laughs]
What can fans expect from Amazin'? Wow, it's amazing. I spent a lot of time on the album, I picked through the songs carefully. I recorded a lot of songs and I just wanted to have the best 12 songs on the record that reflect Trina in this day and age. Who I am now as a woman, where I've evolved to. Not from Da Baddest Chick album. Not from 'Nann Nigga'. No. From who I am right now because I'm a woman, I'm not nineteen years old. I'm mature; I know what it's like to be in love, out of love, to be happy. I know what it's like to be a businesswoman. I know what it's like to be so many different things now as opposed to when I first came out. To me, it's really important for the fans to understand and appreciate that.
