''He Raised Awareness...'' 6:00AM ET May 15th, 2013 Contributor : Chris G. A Rocky Williform Company
In an interview with Big Boy's Neighborhood, Atlanta rapper Future was asked about the controversy that surrounded his remix single "Karate Chop" in the wake of Lil Wayne's much-decried reference to Emmett Till on the song. Future revealed that he thinks the controversy raised awareness about Emmett Till.
"We did the song with great intentions," Future said. "I never thought it was going to get so much attention. But I think, overall, with the whole situation, he did bring light, in a positive way, to what happened. Even though they might thought it was negative, he brought positive energy to the situation because a lot of people don't know, my dad didn't even know who Emmett was. He's thinking I'm talking about Emmitt Smith. ... He raised awareness to people who didn't even know who Emmett Till is to young kids who didn't even know what happened to him. After Lil Wayne brought light to it, they had to go and do their research."
''I Got Something Special For My Fans'' 6:00AM ET May 15th, 2013 Contributor : Martin James A Rocky Williform Company
Chris Brown's next single will feature a posthumous appearance from late R&B star Aaliyah. The beloved singer, who died back in 2001, will be featured on the song "They Don't Know."
“I got something special for my fans," Brown revealed at a press conference for the 2013 BET Awards. "It’s called ‘They Don’t Know.' All new stuff that’s never been heard before. It’s something special for all my fans.”
Brown has already shot the video for the song.
“I shot it in the hood," he said. "I wanted to bring both worlds together in the video and try to uplift the positive side of the community. I mean I come from Virginia, but everyone come from a broken home or broke. I remember when I was.”
Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, Earl Sweatshirt Also Taking the Stage 6:00AM ET May 15th, 2013 Contributor : Stephen Willis A Rocky Williform Company
Rock The Bells has announced its 2013 lineup; which includes of some of the most iconic names in hip-hop alongside some of the genre's biggest current superstars. Rakim, the Black Hippy collective, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, E-40, Big K.R.I.T., Too $hort, Common, Juicy J, Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Earl Sweatshirt, Kid Cudi, Lecrae and Wu-Tang Clan are among the acts scheduled to perform at the festival.
Rock the Bells is celebrating its 10th year this year, and will kick off in early September at San Bernardino, CA.
"We have curated a multi-generational line-up that includes the best and brightest artists in the genre," says Chang Weisberg, owner and founder of Guerilla Union, the company behind Rock The Bells. "It is not just great Hip Hop music. It's great music, period. It's a collection of artists who represent, respect and recognize everything that Rock The Bells...has accomplished in its storied history.”
Rapper Up For 13 Awards 9:30PM ET May 14th, 2013 Contributor : Stephen Willis A Rocky Williform Company
Rapper Drake leads this year's list of nominees at the 2013 BET Awards. The Young Money superstar landed a grand total of 13 nominations. The next closest artists are fellow rappers 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar.
Among the categories Drake has been nominated in are Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video Of The Year, and nine others.
Best Male Hip Hop Artist nominees also include A$AP Rocky, Future, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz. Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Elle Varner are all also up for awards.
''Whatever You Need, I Got Your Back'' 9:30PM ET May 14th, 2013 Contributor : Chris G. A Rocky Williform Company
Former Fugee Lauryn Hill looks to be headed to prison for three months in July for tax evasion. Her former bandmate Pras was approached by TMZ to offer his take on Lauryn's issues and Pras admitted that he hadn't talked with her about anything.
"Nah, I haven't spoken to her," Pras said. "But I did leave a call for her. So, you know, if she gets back to me, then you know. I wanted to just reach out to her and be like, 'Yo, whatever you need, I got your back.'"
"I doubt if she's gonna do three months, though," he added. "Nah. Listen, if Lindsay Lohan doesn't do any time, why would she do time? You feel me?"
He also said that he's doing his own thing--and he's avoiding the taxman.
"Everything's great," he said. "Great. Yeah, you know, I'm good. You know what? I ain't got no tax problems, that's what it's all about. You gotta stay away from that."
