Video of The Day
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… “Empire” Star Jussie Smollett Gets Record Deal With Columbia
It almost seems as if art fully imitates life as one young star of Fox’s hit show “Empire” now has a record deal.
Jussie Smollett, who plays the homosexual singer Jamal, revealed to Entertainment Weekly that he signed on the line with Columbia Records.
“There will be a Jussie Smollett album. I signed to Columbia. So darling [Laughs] I’m label mates with Beyoncé and Adele and Barbra Streisand,” he said in the candid conversation.
Jussie said that he wouldn’t reflect the reality depicted in “Empire,” but rather a flavor all his own.
“It’s going to be a whole different thing. Now, the Empire family will still have something to do with it. I would love for Terrence to come and oversee the production of all of the music,” he said. “And I would love for Timbaland to come on and Jim Beanz. We’ve all talked and they’re all down to work on it.”
“Empire” has continually made gains in ratings and now clocks in 16.1 million viewers as of last week. The success hasn’t fully been realized by Jussie.
It hasn’t clicked yet. The other day I went to Whole Foods and bought some chewable Vitamin C and got mobbed by like 15 girls. Today I was seven minutes late to work and I’m never late to work. I have been late to work two times,” he said. “But a van of women were in Whole Foods and I was there to get my salad for lunch. Literally, they come up and they’re like “Jamal!” And I was late because they had to stay there and try to figure out how to use their camera phones.”
“Empire” co-star Malik Yoba outted Jussie as gay in real life after the 25-year-old had previously been non-committal in interviews.
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Troy Ave: I Saved A Generation Of Kids From Being Weirdos, Feminine, Suckas (POLL)
No one can ever say Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave does not think highly of himself. The leader of BSB Records has repeatedly taken credit for reviving New York City Hip Hop, and it appears Troy also feels he deserves praise for saving a generation from non street oriented emcees.
For years, Troy Ave called out other rappers for being “weirdos.” Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Chance The Rapper have all been on the receiving end of the New York City: The Album creator’s “weirdo rapper” tag.
On a recent Instagram post, Troy shared his opinion on the role he played in counteracting the “weirdos.” He also claims responsibility for providing kids a masculine, moral, and prideful performer to look up to.
Troy wrote:
How? it’s simple dawg …. they ain’t wanna pay us, so we paid ourself, can’t nobody run around sayin they gave me B$B start up [money]! NO investors x NO mentors
I AM THE BIG HOMIE not only did I bring New York City Back but I brought FURS back. Might of caused a few more animal deaths, but I saved a generation of kids from being weirdos, feminine, moral-less, pride less, identity crisis having suckaz but ain’t no award for that, but I’m rewarded everyday when I look in the mirror and feel good about myself, feel good about where I’m at, where I’m going, and how I got here with self respect on my own two feet ….. MEN DO WHAT THEY SAY AND SAY WHAT THEY MEAN, my new album gon be a classic AGAIN!! #MajorWithouTaDEAL COMING SOON get ready #GameChanger #GODisGreat#SaluteToTheDJs
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Mekhi Phifer Speaks On Monique Allegedly Being “Blackballed” In Hollywood (VIDEO)
Mekhi Phifer has been one of the most celebrated actors of the last 20 years among Hip Hop followers. The Harlem native has starred in films like Clockers, 8 Mile, and Paid In Full.
Up next for Mekhi is part two of the dystopian movie saga Divergent. Phifer stopped by the Sway In The Morning radio show to talk about The Divergent Series: Insurgent, but he was also asked about the topic of blackballing in Hollywood.
The conversation stems from the public discussion surrounding Oscar winner Monique allegedly being banned by the “powers that be” in the entertainment industry. Precious and Empire director Lee Daniels suggested Monique’s lack of projects is because she is difficult to work with, and Sheryl Lee Ralph stated sometimes actors need to “shut up, sit there, and look pretty.”
Phifer responded by saying:
I can’t speak for everybody else. I can only speak for myself. I’m not one to kowtow anything. I’m just me. I got love for Monique. She’s good people. I can’t see anybody not liking Monique, so I don’t know where that comes from…
I’m real simple. I just like to go to work, handle my business, and keep it moving. I’m not trying to play the whole game of trying to hang out with cats. I just want to feed my fam, and have a good time doing it. Everybody has their journey. It works for some people. For some people it backfires.
Monique is extremely talented, so I don’t know what her issues are. I haven’t spoken to her about that personally. But she’s dope. I’d work with her at a drop of a hat.
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… EXCLUSIVE: Raekwon Talks “Fly International Luxurious Art” Album (VIDEO)
Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon is prepping to release his sixth studio albumFly International Luxurious Art next month. The Chef sat down with AllHipHop.com’s Chuck Creekmur to discuss the upcoming LP.
“I want everybody to know I’m thinking big with this album. Everything is about expanding the mind,” says Rae. “I’m not just putting images out there. I’m putting out inspiration, motivation, stuff that we feel we deserve.”
F.I.L.A. is set to feature appearances by French Montana, Busta Rhymes, Estelle, Melanie Fiona, and more. The project is the solo follow-up to Raekwon’s Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang. Rae also contributed to last year’s the Wu reunion album A Better Tomorrow.
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Suge Knight Going Blind, Health Deteriorating
Suge Knight is deteriorating quickly.
The former Death Row mogul has had a myriad of health complications, including blindness.
Knight has fired his attorneys and also charged that he has been receiving insufficient health care in jail.
According to Townhall.com, he said he was blind in one eye and had roughly 15 percent vision in his other eye Monday. He also said that he’s dropped about 35 pounds since he was incarcerated and Judge Ronald Coen told the court he was hospitalized.
Knight was shot 6 times in August and has had issues related to it since.
He is presently facing murder charges after running over 2 men with his truck, killing one of them.
Incidentally, Knight’s next court date will be on March 9, the anniversary of Notorious B.I.G. death.
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Ludacris’ Baby Momma Is Coming Back With A Vengeance
Ludacris got custody of his daughter recently, but the fight for Cai Bella isn’t over.
Tamika Fuller is looking to fully appeal a judge, a decision that gave the ATL rap maestro full custody of the child.
On top of that Luda has requested permission to take the child on international vacation, which Fuller opposes. A court will render a decision sooner in that case.
Luda and wife Eudoxie recently revealed they are expecting their first child together.
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Dr. Dre Sued For Straight Outta Compton
A new lawsuit has popped up over an old album- N.W.A.’s 1988 album “Straight Outta Compton.”
R&B singer Prince Phillip Mitchell says he never gave Dr. Dre or Universal Pictures to feature his music in the upcoming movie of the same name.
Mitchell wants $6 million in damages outlined in a federal suit, according to The Jasmine Brand. “If It Ain’t Ruff” from N.W.A.’s album samples the 1978 record “A Star In The Ghetto.” The original sample is credited to the Average White Band, but Mitchell says he was never credited.
Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Matt Alvarez, Tomica Woods-Wright, and Will Packer are all listed as producers of the F. Gary Gray-directed movie.
Court documentation for the lawsuit can be found here at The Jasmine Brand.
Top Songs of The Week 3/2/2015
1. Different – Tasha Page-Lockhart
2. War – Charles Jenkins and Fellowship
3. No Greater Love – Smokie Norful
4. I Am – Jason Nelson
5. Great God – Deitrick Haddon’s LXW
6. God My God – Vashawn Mitchell
7. You Alone – Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir
8. Friend of Mine – DeWayne Woods
9. Alright OK – J. Moss
10.Bless Me – JJ Hairston/Youthful Praise
RWS RADIO.. WORD ON THE STREETS… Fellow Future Music Festival Act Bashes Drake, Refers To Him As A “Massive F*ggot”
For some reason Drake rubbed a member of South African “Zef” act Die Antwoord the wrong way. Vocalist Yo-Landi Visser posted a picture of the Young Money rapper on Instagram with the caption, “Fuk. Drake was kak [s**t].”
Die Antwoord also includes rapper Ninja and DJ Hi-Tek (Justin de Nobrega). The rave-rap group released their first LP, $O$, in 2009. Their latest work was 2014’s Donker Mag. Visser and Ninja appear in the new Neill Blomkamp movie Chappie as well.
Both Die Antwoord and Drake are currently playing the Future Music Festival in Australia. The traveling event began in Sydney on Saturday. The trek continues in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide this weekend. Drizzy was tapped to co-headline the festival along with Avicii and The Prodigy.