hustle on your move
hustle on your grind
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X LYRICAL S SWIZZ B
Moves Into Boxing A hustler never sleeps and 50 Cent can testify to that. Love him or hate - he’s making moves and making paper.
Seated reflecting on Mandela Day (July 18), as the whole world wished the old man blissful 94 years on earth - we started thinking
In their most recen U.S. authorities ha tioned Grammy wi per/producer Swizz potential U.S. repr for Megaupload.
MONTH
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BEATZ JOHN IN SA 10 BEST
nt filing the ave meninning rapz Beatz as a resentative
It is official, international headlining sensation John Legend will be back in SA
Allow rap to reintroduce itself with our list of The 10 Best Hip-Hop Documentaries.
DRA OVO
AKE O FEST
50 CENT
A hustler never sleeps and 50 Cent can testify to that. Love him or hate - he’s making moves and making paper. Fiddy is stepping into the world of boxing promotion on his new business venture. His longstanding friendship with championship boxer Floyd Mayweather is no secret. Fif has regularly attended Mayweather’s fights, and has participated in the fighter’s entrance to the ring several times. Now, 50 looks to begin his own boxing promoting business, founding TMT Promotion, with the TMT standing for The Money Team. The Vitamin Water mogul and purveyor of video games, energy drinks and various books has TMT licensed in New York, and is in the process of applying for a license in Nevada. Sports Illustrated reports that 50 will be working with Mayweather and that he is expected to sign former featherweight title holder Yuri Gamboa and super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell.
MALCOLM
X
LYRICAL REFERENCES Seated reflecting on Mandela Day (July 18), as the whole world wished the old man blissful 94 years on earth - we started thinking‌ who else has influenced the world of lyricism? Malcolm X The slain activist is one of the greatest inspiration to the hip-hop culture. Hustle takes a looks at 20 songs with Malcolm X lyrical references surprisingly not just in hip-hop.
20 Kendrick Lamar – HiiiPower
“Malcolm X put a hex on my future, someone catch me.”
19 Drake - Forever “Whoda thought a country-wide tour be the outcome/Labels want my name beside an X like Malcolm?” 18 Krs One - Ah Yeah
Other times, I had to come as Nat Turner/They tried to burn me, lynch me and starve me/So I had to come back as Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley/They tried to harm me, I used to be Malcolm X/Now I’m on the planet as the one called KRS.”
17 Pitbull - Castle Made Of Sand
Just like most kids, a father I did it without one Come from the city/ X you like Malcolm, then you wonder how come I can move in the room full of wolves so swift so smooth.”
16 The Maccabees – Right to Bare Arms
“I grab my strap, ride for the Hebrew Macks/Blackout on the president and the cop’s presidents/CIA killed Malcolm X, lied on national news/Then flew out on a jet.”
15 Lowkey – Blood, Swear & Tears
Who adjusted and found normality in the madness/Fight the power ‘til I’m out of breath like Malcolm X/You empower the powerful, I empower the powerless.”
14 Kendrick Lamar – I Am “The way he piece up trooper, then round up shooters/Like Malcolm X did, I stand for what I believe in/Family, God and honor.” 13 Fatal - Outlaws
“It’s the merciless X/Like Malcolm/Black as a falcon.”
12 50 Cent – Many Men (Wish Death)
“I’m like Paulie in Goodfellas, you can call me the Don/Like Malcolm by any means, with my gun in my palm.”
11 Killah Priest feat Nas – Gun for Gun
“I’ll make Mussolini wear a Kufi/I talk like Dr. Ben but look like Malcolm holding his Uzi.”
10 Pac - Words of Wisdom
“No Malcolm X in my history text, why is that? / Cause he tried to educate and liberate all blacks.”
9 Guru “Feed The Hungry”
“And I doubt we’ll see another Martin or Malcolm/Cause the rims and the blimps, have distorted the outcome/And how come, we’d rather floss than get our souls right.”
8 The Roots - Tip The Scale
“Lot of niggas go to prison/How many come out Malcolm X?” “I think I’m Malcolm X, Martin Luther, add an X add a Jr.”
6 Jay Z - Intro I’m tryin to be calm but I’m gon’ get richer/through any means, with that thing that Malcolm palmed in the picture.” 5 Lil’ Kim - Whoa
“Man I do’s it in heels or a pair of crisp Nikes/Stand behind Martin Luther King, but I’m more like Malcolm X/Guerillas beatin on they chest, get it right on Malcolm X.”
4 Nas
“What did Malcolm think split second before he was shot?/Did he think to hit the deck on the floor before he dropped?/Or did he just say “Fuck it” I’m ah die for my brothers?”
3 Kanye West – Good Morning
“Good morning, on this day we become legendary/Everything we dreamed of/I’m like the fly Malcolm X.”
2 Jamie Green - Malcolm X
“Tears are no justification/But they flow nonetheless/And I’m sorry, Malcolm X/So sorry, Malcolm X.”
1 2Pac - Blasphemy
“while the preacher bein richer you say honor God’s people/Should we cry, when the Pope die, my request/We should cry if they cried when we buried Malcolm X/Mama tell me am I wrong?”
goodmusic cruel summer 2012
SWIZZ BEATZ Feds Drag Rapper Swizz Beatz Into Megapload Case In their most recent filing the U.S. authorities have mentioned Grammy winning rapper/producer Swizz Beatz as a potential U.S. representative for Megaupload. In response to Megaupload’s motion to dismiss based on lack of jurisdiction, the feds are trying to find a way to serve the company on U.S. soil. Beatz, husband of R&B superstar Alicia Keys, was previously listed as Megaupload’s CEO but the authorities say he is refusing to cooperate with the investigation. On the day Megaupload was shut down, the company website listed rapper/producer Swizz Beatz as company CEO. The popular rapper/ producer was one of the stars who endorsed MegaUpload in public and he reportedly recruited several artists for the Mega Song promotion. But despite his strong ties to Megaupload, Beatz was not named in the indictment as a member of the “Mega Conspiracy.” However, now that the case is progressing, Beatz is being involved by the U.S. authorities.
In the most recent filing the U.S. opposes Megaupload’s motion to dismiss based on a lack of jurisdiction. The defense team argued that Megaupload can’t be subjected to a criminal prosecution, because the law doesn’t allow foreign companies to be served. However, the U.S. disagrees. United States Attorney Neil MacBride sums up a variety of reasons why it can, and in a footnote it is mentioned that Megaupload previously employed two CEOs living in the U.S. “After Defendant Dotcom became Defendant Megaupload’s Chief Innovation Officer, the company appears to have employed at least two Chief Executive Officers in the United States: first David Robb and then Kasseem David Dean (also known as Swizz Beatz),” the filing reads. MacBride goes on to state that Beatz officially represented Megaupload before the United States Trade Representative, when it was accused of being a piracy haven December last year. In addition, the authorities have requested Beatz’s cooperation with the Megaupload investigation, which he has refused. “Mr. Dean through counsel has refused to cooperate with the government’s investigation,” the United States Attorney writes. Voluntarily or not, the U.S. authorities believe Beatz may become involved in the case since they view him as one of the individuals through which they can serve the company. “Delivering a summons to Mr. Dean, a resident of the United States, in his capacity as apparent Chief Executive Officer should also constitute proper service of process upon an officer of the company,” the filing reads. Whether the above will help to overcome the jurisdiction issues, and the fact that foreign companies can’t be served, is now for the courts to decide. A few months ago District Court Judge O’Grady already acknowledged that this “issue” warrants further investigation, suggesting that it could be the beginning of the end for the Megaupload case. A case that just got even more high-profile now Swizz Beatz has been dragged into it.
S I THUG A ica r f a h t sou
It is official
John legend
official
legend in sa
John Legend
Set To Wow SA Ladies It is official, international headlining sensation John Legend will be back in SA for an exclusive and intimate show to celebrate Woman’s Day this August. Taking place at the Sandton Convention City on August 10th, he will be supported by SA songstress / Idols judge Unathi Msengana and multiple SAMA winning outfit MiCasa. Cleverly leaked on social networks mid last week, Trademark Entertainment today announced their partnership with SABC3 to bring the iconic musician to SA in celebration of women all over the country. The night is especially dedicated to SA ladies but promises to entertain and wow all John Legend fans alike. With the inclusion of two of SA’s hottest acts at the moment, the choice was obvious to include the talented, sexy and sassy Unathi and the SA favourites MiCasa to the line-up. Event ambassador Minnie Dlamini who will MC the show tweeted that the night will offer a more intimate show than all his previous SA concerts. “This intimate seated show only offered a limited number of fans an experience to remember”, stated MetroFM’s Tbo Touch on his radio show last week. With only 4000 tickets on sale nationwide, sales opened this week at Computicket. General access tickets are available for R900 while VIP costs R1400. For a more exclusive experience, VVIP tickets / hospitalities packages are also available at R1750 via special bookings on 011 844 1103.
The 10 Best Hip-Hop
Documentaries Allow rap to reintroduce itself with our list of The 10 Best Hip-Hop Documentaries. Hip-hop’s rich, colorfully history makes it a supreme subject for a documentary. It has an arc, an unstoppable momentum thathumbly sprouts from the streets of the Bronx, birthed from a hunger for a true sense of originality. It has its forefathers (Grand Wizard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash, and Melle Mel) and its ground breakers (Afrika Bambaataa, Doug E. Fresh, and N.W.A.). And yes, it has strife in spades, but it also has something pop music will never truly comprehend—community. Thanks to complex, here are what they think are the best doccies.
10. Beef (2003)
“Beef” is the dramatic thrust behind hip-hop, an addictive back-andforth between big personalities and even bigger egos that’s as intrinsic to the art-form as rhythm, which is why director Peter Spirer was wise to have made it the focus of a film. Spirer’s classic hip-hop doc illustrates the colorful history of rap’s feuds, from the clash between KRS-One and MC Shan, to the more recent animosities of Jay-Z and Nas. The director employs interviews, archived footage, and artist performances to tell an in-depth story of how rivalries arose and grew from simple street battles to full-fledged MC showdowns. The film’s success spawned two sequels and a BET series by the same name, which served to fuel our hunger (for, uh, beef), and, as of late, have also made us wonder: When will we get a new Beef, and will it focus on Drake and Chris Brown’s recent altercations? So many questions...
9. The Carter (2009)
“I’m going to quit very rich, very successful and the game is going to be begging me to come back,” Lil’ Wayne boasts to the camera in this fascinating doc. But, clearly, quitting doesn’t seem to be on his agenda, a notion The Carter only serves to solidify. Adam Bhala Lough, along with producer Quincy Jones III, focuses our vision of Wayne, following the rapper at a pivotal point in his career, the seven months before he drops his triple-platinum Tha Carter III, in addition to several months after. Using a self-described “fly on the wall” style of filming, Lough gives us an unrivaled glimpse into the rapper’s work ethic, illustrating him as an obsessive lyricist who writes rhymes constantly, a focus that is contradicted by Wayne’s equally ardent drug use (which consists of mainly marijuana and sizzurp). Despite everything being purple for Lil’ Wayne, the documentary still shows a full-spectrum glimpse into his genius that demands respect. Above all, Wayne’s dedication to his craft is apparent, which why the rapper’s lawsuit to stop its release was so puzzling. Wayne may have lost his case for creative control over the final product of the documentary, but he did allow the cameras in, and the final product, by any rap fan’s measure, is far from unflattering. The filmmakers entered into Wayne’s life without a particular point to prove, aside from showcasing the truth, and in doing so allowed us to discover it for ourselves.
8. Fade To Black (2004)
Hov dropped The Black Album, then he backed out of the game, saying he’d retied... And we got an amazing documentary out of the (temporary) deal. Seriously, though, Jay-Z’s retirement may have been been short-lived, but within the context of a “final performance” we truly get to see the rapper at his best and brightest. The incredible energy behind his now-legendary show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 2003 (which included the likes of The Roots, R. Kelly, Beyoncé, Mary J., ?uestlove, and Diddy, just to name a few) is brilliantly captured. There’s also behind-the-scenes action featuring Hov and a fresh-faced Kanye West in the studio (Yeezy was mostly a beat-maker back then, remember?). But perhaps the documentary’s most fulfilling aspect is the insight we’re afforded into the legendary rapper’s meticulous creation process. But a farewell? The Black Album being his final record? We didn’t believe that shtick for a second.
7. Beats, Rhymes & Life (2011)
An alternate title to this documentary could have been Growing Pains. Director Micheal Rapaport, in his directorial debut, follows the legendary ‘90s rap group from its birth to its very messy breakup, thanks to the perennially rocky, complex relationship between Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. The documentary is as much about that tenuous bond between two rappers as it is about the music; while their music evolves and their fame grows, their relationship deteriorates. But, like any relationship, history plays a large part in its future, and Rapaport does a great job of projecting both questions and hopes of what their future might hold, both as friends and as artists. Also excellent is all of the included concert footage, which captures the seminal group in all of its trail-blazing, ‘90s glory. It’s all very sentimental, and you’ll probably play “Bonita Applebum” on repeat for weeks after watching.
6. Public Enemy: It Takes a Nation - The First London Invasion Tour
1987 (2005) Not even ultra-grainy footage could stop this account of Public Enemy invading London in November 1987 from becoming a classic. Flavor Flav’s energy is far too frenzied, he has too many over-sized clocks in rotation, and Professor Griff has too many stoic faces. All of it is just too much to bear, and we mean that in the best way possible. “Everything is real. Real real real real...”, Flavor Flav contends, and we’re inclined to agree. Both on-stage and backstage antics from
the crew, appearances from Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, Whodini and LL Cool J, and PE frontman Chuck D.’s musings all exceed expectations. And, of course, Flav uttering “Bass for your face, London,” in its appropriate setting, amps up our enjoyment, re-creating an authentic energy.
5. Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
Tupac Shakur manages to extend his lifespan just a little longer and somehow finds a way to tell his tale from beyond the grave… Well, at least that’s what crafty director Lauren Lanz would have us believe. By painstakingly editing together a slew of sound bites, previously unseen video clips, and unaired archival footage of 2Pac’s life, Lanz allows the late rapper to tell the story of his life, and even comment upon his untimely, controversy-laden death to great effect. A stitched together, hodgepodge expression of one of the greatest rappers to ever live seems like it wouldn’t do him justice, and certainly couldn’t bring anything new to the rapper’s legacy. But somehow, it manages to weave 2Pac’s world together, creating a cut-and-paste truth of his significance to hip-hop, almost like one of those big pictures that are made up of 100’s of tiny images—step back and you’ll see how the old can somehow create something new entirely.
3. Rhyme & Reason (1997)
Peter Spirer was behind many of the notable hip-hop documentaries on this list, but none are as ambitious as Rhyme & Reason. It’s not even that Spirer interviewed over 80 major artists for the film—it’s the subject matter he includes that other documentaries fail to acknowledge. Yes, Spirer gives us the requisite history tutorial, but he takes it to a new place, examining hip-hop’s standing amongst other culturally significant types of music (like jazz and gospel), as well as their shared ties, namely a desire to be original and to give pain a voice. And while you’re still thinking over the last connection he drew, he’s on to another, splicing together potent scenes so that they play in an endless loop, like the break in the hands of a capable DJ. But the film’s greatest strength is in pulling on your nostalgia-inclined heart strings by following inner city kids, and then presenting questions about where hip-hop is heading by talking to the shortcomings embedded in the music. Such as, what does hearing women being called “bitches” and “hoes,” as Lauryn Hill points out, do to a child’s sense of respect for women? Big questions are posed by Rhyme & Reason and presented with such passion that we’re inspired to find the answer to them ourselves.
2. Big Fun in the Big Town (1986) Dutch filmmaker Bram Van Splunteren’s doc was filmed for Dutch TV in 1986, but it was only released on DVD a few weeks ago, more than 25 years after Big Fun in the Big Town was first shot in NYC. And, honestly, we’d be mad that we’ve been without it this long if making the discovery this much later didn’t feel like unearthing treasure the way it does. Van Splunteren’s passion for hip-hop shines in his earnest representation of his subjects, from a hungry LL Cool J and a very fresh-faced Biz Markie, to a boastful Doug E. Fresh confidently displaying his beatbox skills, all shown in crisp cinematography with a still-gritty New York City in the background. There are also plenty of original interviews with Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, Grandmaster Flash, Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay, Roxanne Shante, Russell Simmons, the Last Poets and more. It’s like finding a forgotten $20 in your winter coat pocket.
1. Style Wars (1983)
More than any other film on this list, Style Wars manages to communicate the essence of hip-hop music without overtly focusing on the music itself. Instead, the film sets its sights on graffiti and break-dancing, centering on how the evolution of these expressions became vital to the vibrant roots of hip-hop culture spreading across the streets of New York. Style Wars, which originally aired on PBS in 1983, follows several street artists, notably one-armed graffiti writer Kase 2, who is famous for his signature form of wild style called “computer rock” as much as for his boundless devotion to expressing his art. If he was writing in his room, this wouldn’t be the film it was; instead, we have an educational-sounding voice-over (this is PBS, remember?) describing the great risks he took to write on subway cars, and gorgeous visuals of graffiti-enveloped trains weaving throughout NYC. Kase 2’s art is not just about aesthetics any more than Rock Steady’s devotion to breaking is just about physical movement. It’s about capturing a certain spirit, expressing something otherwise inexpressible, and ultimately making something your own. And that’s all hip-hop really is, at it’s heart, isn’t it? A film like this is not without accolades: Style Wars was deservedly awarded the Grand Jury Prize in documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival, and is widely viewed as a indelible declaration of hip-hop’s commitment to originality at a fundamental time of its development.
T-sh comm
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