By: Trees Aight.. we all know the deal, Jay-Z dropped the AG acapellas and every producer and they moms is dropping remix albums left and right. Rarely will any of these get any burn in this news section – except when one rises ahead of the pack. Well, we have a strong contender for the best AG remix crown: K-Def. For those that don't know who K-Def is, he's produced for everyone from Lords Of The Underground to Ghostface and I'll borrow a quote from his discogs bio description, "K-Def stands along side Spencer Bellamy and Buckwild as one of the most wrongly slept on Hip Hop producers of the 90's". To peep the remix LP click here
M.F. DOOM Fans Unsure What To Think : New Photos = The Smoking Gun?
12/31/07
M.F. DOOM & Daniel Dumile
By: Trees I've definitely gotten a mixed bag of email from the DOOM fans out there over the recent news article I wrote on DOOM not performing at/ lip synching his scheduled ATL performance. Here are a couple of the letters:
"Please people Mf doom is a legend, he is anything but fake, you are all fake tryna talk about whats real and whats, 2 hots snots in a pot full of scotch..FM Foolsss" ~ Ed via email.
and another:
"I recently read a blog on your news page, written by Trees. It was talkin bout puttin MF Doom on blast and such, for allegedly lip-synching at a recent performance. Well, Trees seems to have alotta bottled up anger on the subject of lip-synching, putting the blog a little over the top. Personally I have seen the infamous MF Doom perform and can say that he was not lip-synching. Also, from viewing performance clips, most notably his guest spot on Carson Daly with De La, it can be said that MF Doom is a true live performer. I would suggest that Trees calm down and be a little more objective when trying to put someone on "Blast"." Big Los via email.
If you've ever heard the saying, "a rumor that doesn't die is not a rumor", it's only amplified by the power of the interwebs. Bloggers have uncovered actual evidence that Daniel Dumile was in fact NOT behind the metal mask that night.
Take a look at M.F. DOOM's close homey and Atlanta's own DJ WESU. Looks a lot like DOOM with that mask on right? Notice the identical scars in the second picture. And I guess the long camo drapery was to cover WESU's dreads? I tell you what though, you kids are like Hip Hop CSI when it comes down to shit like this. So Daniel, explain yourself please. If I go see Kiss perform, I damn sure hope I'm paying for Gene Simmons under that face paint. Start billing your shows as DOOM tributes if no Dumile is involved. That's word to my $30.
By: Trees We just got word that Percy Chapman, aka Tragedy Khadafi, turned himself in to authorities and has begun serving his 4 year prison bid this past Thursday. Khadafi was arrested earlier this year on criminal charges of selling a controlled substance. It looks like as of now, there's no way he will be home any sooner than 2011. Keep your head up Tragedy. Anyway, If you want to send him any mail here is the addy:
Percy Chapman DIN #: 07A7101 Downstate Correctional Facility 122 Red Schoolhouse Rd, PO Box 445 Fishkill, NY 12524-0445
By: Trees DJ ON&ON chatted it up with a QB icon for UGHH's new KarmaloopTV interview. That's right - a brand new interview with the legendary Cormega for KarmaloopTV. The two discuss mainly fashion related topics in this interview, and UGHH will have the more ‘hip hop' interview later this month. Stay Tuned!
UGHH News Exclusive : Joe Budden Signs With Boston Based Amalgam Digital
12/21/07
Joe Budden UGHH In-Store Coming Soon!
By: Trees The hiatus is over and the ink is finally dry. Joe Budden will be releasing the official retail version of Mood Muzik 3 on February, 26th 2008 on Amalgam Digital. As a rising independent label and distribution powerhouse, the company home to Kurious, Tash (of the Alkaholiks), Treach, DJ Benzi, and the Juggaknots.
Joe Budden is best known for the Grammy nominated single "Pump It Up" off his self-titled debut in 2003 that sold over 500,000 copies on Def Jam. A subsequent album was never released.
For the starving Joe Budden fans, Mood Muzik 3: The Album, will feature songs in their entirety and unreleased material, sans DJ voice overs. This will serve as a prelude to his forthcoming album entitled "Padded Room". Both releases will be exclusively distributed worldwide by Amalgam Entertainment, LLC while Amalgam Digital functions as the label.
An advanced variation of the album, "Mood Muzik 3.5" is available exclusively right now at the www.AmalgamDigital.com online store with two bonus tracks. Regarding the nature of the release and his relationship with Amalgam Digital, Joe Budden made the following statement; "With the Mood Muzik series gaining mass attention, this is just our effort to maximize on awareness. Amalgam understands our vision, as we do theirs, so this will be first of many ventures to come. We have a full length album entitled "Padded Room" coming second quarter 2008. We're prepping for a big year…are you in the mood yet?????"
By: Trees Alright, well it was only a few days ago when the news broke that M.F. DOOM had performed a show in the ATL and was said to NOT be lip synching. We had posted a link to the source of this information, which was Pitchfork Media, which also included pictures from the show. Later that night, the link was suspiciously removed with no explanation. Well we now know why. Allegations have surfaced, that if prove to be true, would prove that the man you know as Daniel Dumile aka M.F. DOOM is apparently a fraud- a fake ass MC who lip synchs his live shows and cheats his own fans out of their own hard earned money. If this turns out to be the nail in DOOM's coffin, don't feel bad just because you enjoy his music and persona, this is a culture that was built off putting fake shit on blast, and the underground is supposed to be about real motherfuckers doing real things. Lip synching at a LIVE HIP HOP SHOW is the textbook hip hop definition of wackness. Other artists should stand the fuck up and put this mother fucker on blast if they know something. M.F. DOOM is basically the Ashlee Simpson of hip hop right now - and until he proves otherwise, going to a DOOM show is like spending your money to see Milli Vannili live. Dude is furiously faking the funk.
The show, which took place a week ago, December 13th @ the MJQ in Atlanta also featured John Robinson, Dres The Beatnik, and Stacy Epps – and while these respected performers all did their part to deliver a good show, the 20 minute fiasco that was the DOOM set is chronicled in a recent blog posting from our homey Senor Kaos – courtesy of The Kaos Effect Blog:
"Finally at 1:28 AM a figure wearing a mask emerges from the back and takes the stage. Kids go crazy! He never greets the crowd, says hello or anything, and hes wearing some Fatigue cargo net looking thing covering his head." Kaos continues, "So without greeting the crowd, this person jumps into songs while Lip Sinching the whole time. How do you he was lip sinching kaos? Because money had the CD quality vocals, and anybody who has ever performed or watched a show at MJQ knows that the sound aint that damn good! (no dis to mjq). There was no talking other than the verses, No what up, how ya'll doing, get ya hands up, none of that! And later on the evening I was told by a source that there wasn't even a signal in dudes Cordless Mic. Things that make you go Hmmmmm…."
So if that wasn't enough, the promoter of the show went on his myspace page the following day to express sorrow for all the fans who spent money at the show and posted a bulletin stating the following:
"Many apologies go to all of you who came out to the MF DOOM show last night at MJQ and paid $30 of your hard earned money only to watch him lip sinc for 20 minutes at 1:30 in the morning. This was by far one of the single worst experiences I've had as a club promoter and I sincerely apologize if you walked away feeling cheated. To make matters even worse MF DOOMS appointed doorman took off with all the money from the door after the show! As soon as we realized the money was stolen we decided to help ourselves to all of MF DOOMS merchandise which included a bunch of T shirts and posters. So, in an effort to make it up to everyone who walked away feeling cheated, we're giving away all the merchandise for free so come and get it while supplies last!! And if that's not enough, feel free to let MF DOOM aka Daniel Dumile know how you really feel by calling him at his home in Kennesaw Georgia."
He then went on to post DOOM's full name and address and phone number, which we won't repost here. And now, video footage from the event has officially leaked, and sure enough, the vocals sound suspiciously CD Quality –
So what the fuck is going on DOOM? At this point, your fans demand some answers and really should stop supporting you if these allegations prove true – and this is coming from someone who works at a store that sells a lot of your product. It's time for some answers, and no tongue in cheek, "Whattup I'm Dead" bullshit.
Marvin Gaye LP To Get The Remix Treatment From Prince Paul, ?uestlove, Easy Mo Bee, & More
12/19/07
Remix!
By: Trees The year is 1978 and Marvin Gaye is fresh off a divorce from Anna Gordy, the sister of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. MG's choice of release therapy? Chronicling the entire divorce, his feelings, and his failure at love on his out-of-print, oft-slept on album, Here, My Dear. When the album was initially released in 1978 during the height of the disco era, the LP was highly criticized for it's uncommercial sound and intensely introspective lyrics. When the LP was first re-issued in the early 90s, it debuted at #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and featured in-depth liner notes from Gaye's biographer David Ritz. Ritz wrote that Gaye was convinced that Motown would never push an album critical of the sister of company founder Berry Gordy, Jr., and did all he could to alienate the label, never giving Motown a chance to promote the album properly.
"Here, My Dear" will be available again for the first time in over a decade on January 15th. The two disc set includes a remastered version of the original double album and a new mix of the "Dream of a Lifetime" track "Ain't It Funny (How Things Turn Around)" by bass player Bootsy Collins. The second disc offers a resequencing of "Here, My Dear" comprised of Gaye's demo vocals and unused instrumental tracks from the period. The artists and producers who crafted the disc 2 material were asked to not use overdubs and only work with the original multi-track tapes. The Roots' ?uestlove tackled "Sparrow," while Prince Paul was behind the boards for a new "Everybody Needs Love." Other contributors include Mocean Worker, Easy Mo Bee, Leon Ware and Salaam Remi.
Keywords: Marvin Gaye; Prince Paul; ?uestlove; Funk & Soul
It's Official: New Wu-Tang Scans 68,000 First Week
12/19/07
Wu-Tang Sales Suffer
By: Trees So our early information was correct and the Wu-Tang Clan's reunion album 8 Diagrams (SRC Records) debuted at No. 25 with 68,000 scanned. Other notables: Birdman's "5*Stunna" (Cash Money) at No. 18 with 86,000, The-Dream's "Love/Hate" (Def Jam) at No. 30 with 59,000 and rapper Beanie Sigel's "The Solution" (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam) at No. 37 with 49,000. Sales this week (17.98 million units) are down 23.1% compared to the same week last year (23.39 million). This week's sum is up 24.4% from last week's. Normally, I would say something about fools downloading shit, but wtf is the point anymore. Lol. The industry is dying at a decent rate nowadays with no end in sight. I hope you fly by night MCs take notice
James Brown Tribute Show Spearheaded By Bootsy Collins
12/19/07
The Godfather
By: Trees It's hard to forget the day the legendary James Brown passed – many music enthusiasts will probably never forget waking up last year, Christmas morning to the terrible news. Bootsy Collins is hoping to keep the Godfather's funk legend alive by staging the first in a series of annual tribute concerts honoring his mentor James on Saturday (Dec. 22). The reason for the show is simple, proceeds from the event will go toward the rebuilding of Brown's early recording home, Cincinnati-based King Records, and the eventual launch of a museum. The inaugural James Brown Tribute Concert will take place at the Madison Theater in Covington, Ky., located across the bridge from Cincinnati. Featured acts include Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, rapper Lil' Boosie, Buckethead, Freekbass and Brown's most recent band, The Soul Generals. Also on tap: an appearance by members of the JB's, Brown's original backing unit, including Collins, his brother Catfish and drummers Clyde and Jabo. On hand as well will be comedians Michael Colyar, Tommy Davidson and Brown's longtime MC Danny Ray, as well as members of the Brown family and the family of late Brown collaborator Bobby Byrd. Ticket prices are also very modest, and Collins explains, "We didn't want a rock star hoopla kind of thing. I want to keep the focus on Mr. Brown; I don't want people to forget what he's done. To me, he's like the Martin Luther King Jr. of music." Tickets will sell for roughly $10 for advance sale to $25 on the day of show. Bootsy knew James Brown since he was 17 years old, "I was this kid off the street without a dad in the home," recalls the singer/bass player. "Coming right off the street into the JB organization ... man, that was some deep stuff."
Keywords: James Brown; Bootsy Collins; Funk & Soul
By: Trees Sorry if I play the role of a "journalist who does something that is going to try and hurt what [you are] trying to do" but the whole "I Quit Rap" shit seemed bogus as fuck from the beginning. Anyway, some of you may remember the Entourage actor posting a blog a few weeks back saying he was quitting the game. He's taken it all back. Saigon states, "I still feel the same way I did a month ago when I expressed how I felt about the state of Hip Hop..I still feel it needs a major makeover," he continued "I thought about alot of things…After all the messages from yall, the phone calls from the ‘real' industry people, and just the thinking I did…I decided 2 things, I decided that right now quitting is not an option for me, and number 2, that if Im going to continue to make music and do this rap thing…Im playing by MY OWN RULES….If youre not with me, youre against me…." To read the entire publicity stunt heartfelt blog posting, visit the dude's myspace page and cop the Greatest Story Never Told when it drops, (presumably '08?).
By: Trees Nick Jr. has announced the pickup of a second season of the critically acclaimed, live-action preschool music series Yo Gabba Gabba! For those that don't know, Yo Gabba Gabba! is pretty much THE live action heat rock TV show for kids and features a recurring role by Hip Hop legend Biz Markie in a "Biz's Beat of the Day" segment teaching preschoolers how to beat-box, and a recurring role by singer, illustrator and composer Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) in a "Mark's Magic Pictures" drawing segment. Additional guest stars include, Elijah Wood, Mya, The Shins, Sugarland, Rahzel, Tony Hawk, Laila Ali, Sean Kingston, Nikki Flores, Hector Jimenez, Smoosh, The Aquabats, The Aggrolites and Cornelius. UGHH also slangs those cute as f*ck Yo Gabba Gabba! Dolls. Check ‘Em Out Here and cop while supplies are still available.
By: Trees We only really report on album covers when we need to. This is one of those times where we need to. Peep the graphics. New album drops Feb 26th.
By: Trees Well, the rumors are true. Styles P and Jim Jones are joining forces for a new, as yet untitled, album on KOCH Records. This is of course the first project to join two of the heaviest street movements in the 21st century (Dipset, D-Block).
"Me and Styles got an album coming out," Jim Jones revealed to Tim Westwood's UK Radio Show. "The Ghost and The Capo, NYC to the fullest. It's a good thing, shout out to Koch, they giving up that paper, so why not?"
Styles P added, "They say there is not a lot of unity where we come from. [Jim] represents a strong army and I represent a strong army, so there is money to be made. He's been on the grind a long time, I've been on the grind a long time and besides music there isn't too many artists I bump with in the industry. Me and Jim we've had a relationship over the years, we see each other in the hood and we've kicked it. Somebody gotta put the city on their back, so we gonna put it on our backs."
Styles P recently dropped a new LP on December 4 released his D Block/Koch album, Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman featuring Dipset affiliate Max B. Jim Jones has experienced three Diplomat/Koch campaigns, the last of which Hustler's P.O.M.E produced the super-street anthem "Ballin."
Superhead Not Signed - Denies Eddie Murphy Connection
12/18/07
Still A Free Agent !
By: Trees Dear Mark DiSalvo, You just had to write a story on Superhead yesterday didn't you. Now I have to spend 5 minutes of my life working on a retraction. God damn you. Alright, according to MTV.com, Superhead is NOT signed to Eddie Murphy's record label. Here is the statement: "I am not signed to any recording deal or to any other type of deal with Mr. Murphy, I am not, and have no interest in being, a musician of any kind," the statement continued. "I am focused on my third book, upcoming magazine column, radio and reality shows. My performance on the King magazine mixtape [Freaky Flows Seductively Hosted by Karrine Steffans] was lighthearted and cynical. It was not a precursor to any future endeavors. This is just another example of how these sub-journalistic bloggers create and spread false information daily. Luckily, this time it was not a hurtful rumor. I urge the general public and major news media to be skeptical of unwarranted information and take such reports with a grain of salt." - You hear that Mark. Grain of salt homey. Enjoy the vacation.
Preliminary Wu-Tang Sales Figures In : Album Flops?
12/18/07
Flop?
By: Trees Alright.. some prelimary Wu-Tang Clan 8 Diagrams sales figures have just come across my screen. Now, these numbers could be waaaayyyy off, but maybe not. We will have a confirmed figure tomorrow (Wednesday). Anyway, HitsDailyDouble reports this as the final sales figure with all SoundScan stores reporting: 25 - WU-TANG CLAN - UNIVERSAL MOTOWN - 67,937. So a #25 debut with 68K sold. Damn. :(
By: Mark DiSalvo Beanie Sigel doesn't like the way his hometown is looking. With Philadelphia at 375 murders this year, the native of South Philly is doing his part to make a difference. In this month's The Source magazine, Sigel discusses his decision to take part in a public service announcement in Philly to stop the violence. His own past is plagued with violence and incarceration, but that's all the more reason for him to get involved, in Sigel's mind. "I got the scars, you know what I mean. I got the wounds. I know. Why should they listen to me? Who else they gon' listen to?" At this point, anything that can be done, should be done. Props to ya Beanie.
In other Beanie Sigel news, the Roc boy's new album, The Solution is out now.
By: Mark DiSalvo The last thing we want to think about the in the wake of Pimp C's death is if the man could be replaced. Lil Wayne feels the same way, but recently extended himself to Bun B. In an interview on a Houston radio station recently, Weezy shared memories of him and Pimp C, and sent a message to Bun B, "[I know] This ain't the time to think about it. There'll never be another Pimp C, but I know UGK will never die. If you need another partner, I'm am that." That's certainly something to look out for, and given Wayne's track record this year, I wouldn't be surprised to see a single hit the net. In any event, that was a great sign of respect on your part Weezy.
Listen to the bootleg quality of the radio interview here via YouTube.
By: Mark DiSalvo This hit the net a few days ago, but it's still something worth hearing. Kool G Rap, and Busta Rhymes, together on a new track, "OG Status." Props to Green Lantern for making it happen. Click Here To Download
By: Mark DiSalvo Of all our readers, only 3 of you at the most care about the next story, but I don't care because these two people have been some of my favorite "celebrities" for a long time. I'm talking about Eddie Murphy and Karrine Steffans, a.k.a. Super Head. It turns out Eddie's trying his hand at the recording industry and started a label, Murphy Entertainment. His first artist is the Video Vixen herself, Karrine Steffans. If you recall, she's released tracks of herself freestyling before. I really don't have anything to say except how far can one fall? I really don't want to see Eddie like this. On the bright side, this may put Steffans back into music videos, so Eddie really might know what he's doing. First Trees and his TMZ entry about Diddy, and now I'm coming at ya'll like I'm Perez Hilton. UGHH is in shambles.
Juice Crew Movie: David Banner To Play Biz Markie?
12/14/07
The Juice Crew Movie..
By: Trees I'm pretty much going to mentally file this under believe it when I see it, but it's being reported by various hip hop blogs that a major Hollywood motion picture about the formation of the Juice Crew titled, The Vapors is getting ready to start filming next month. The Vapors is set against the backdrop of New York City's Queensbridge Housing Projects, where The Juice crew was based. The character driven story is inspired by the true life events of DJ Marley Marl, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane and Roxanne Shante and chronicles the group's rise to fame during Hip-Hop's golden age. Furthermore, it's being reported that Cuba Gooding Jr. will play the roll of Marley Marl and David Banner is set to start as, get this, Biz Markie. Other actors already cast to star in the film, Evan Ross will play MC Shan, Jackie Long as Big Daddy Kane, and Idris Elba as Tyrone Williams aka Fly Ty. This is on the heels of the announcement that Keke Palmer has been cast as rapper Roxanne Shante. Clifton Powell was previous announced as playing the part of hip hop DJ and radio host Mr. Magic. The legendary collective was headed up by Marley Marl and featured legendary rappers like MC Shan, Big Daddy, Kane, Craig G., Biz Markie, Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo, Roxanne Shante, Masta Ace, TJ Swan, Cool V and Tragedy.
Keywords: The Juice Crew; Hollywood; Biz Markie; Marley Marl
By: Trees Peace to Pitchfork Media with the scoop. The metal faced super-villain M.F. DOOM surfaced in Atlanta last night. According to Pitchfork DOOM was "showing off some beats from the recent Stones Throw compilation B-Ball Zombie War" and "wasn't lip-synching into a dead receiver". Want to see the pictures? I know you do. ;) Click Here. (* The link is now dead.)
