Janelle Monae and Badu with thay Stargate swag :-) 9 hours ago
RT @MMFlint: Malcolm X's b-day. At 4yrs old, white supremacists in East Lansing, MI set his house on fire. FD, all white, just stood by & w… 9 hours ago
Clearly, the suspects in this shooting have no regard for the lives and safety of others… -Las Vegas Metropolitan Sheriff Doug Gillespie
LAS VEGAS, NV — Murdered Oakland rapper Kenny Clutch has been named by police as the main target of a drive-by shooting Thursday morning that has left two others dead.
Clutch, real name Kenneth Cherry Jr., was shot multiple times while driving in the valet area of the Aria Resort and Casino. The shooting caused Clutch’s Maserati to careen through oncoming traffic, striking two other vehicles before Clutch’s car crashed into a cab carrying two people. The cab burst into flames, resulting in the cab driver and passenger’s deaths. An unidentified passenger in Clutch’s vehicle survived with minor gunshot wounds.
Police have announced a four-surrounding state manhunt for the assailant(s), who were driving a Black Range Rover. The shooting is said to have been the result of an argument the suspect(s) had with Clutch at a nearby casino.
Clutch was 27 years old.
***UPDATE***
Police have found the black Range Rover and have identified their main suspect as a 26 year old man name Ammar Asim Faruq Harris.
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A killer in the streets, now I murder tracks… – Kenny Clutch
With the over the top fantasies and other assorted delusional behavior in the music, Hip-Hop fans know not to judge most rapper’s personal lives based on their lyrics. For now, I’m happy to see that the media hasn’t portrayed Clutch’s death as a gangsta rapper getting what he glorified in his music. For all we know, Clutch could have been a choir boy outside the booth.
Far as solving this heinous crime, I know there’s already some cynical folks out there who’ll say if Tupac, the most famous rapper in the world at the time of his murder, could get killed in cold blood on the Strip in an unsolved crime, why should we think this killing will be any different?
It’s a valid point, but there are two different circumstances here that are very important. First, this was a killing that resulted in the deaths of two others who had nothing to do with the dispute. Tupac’s murder was an isolated incident and more than likely a gang dispute resulting from his earlier altercation with Orlando Anderson. This triple homicide is the fifth violent crime to hit the Strip since December, so the call for swift justice will be high from a community that wants to keep its image as a safe, hedonistic tourist attraction.
Years ago down here in Atlanta, a lot of nightclubs were closed in the affluent Buckhead section after Diddy’s bodyguard Anthony “Wolf” Jones was killed in a shootout with members of the Black Mafia Family (BMF). No casinos will be closing in Vegas, but I’m interested to see if there’s a crackdown on Hip-Hop related acts (at least those on the lower end).
More on this story as it develops. If you’re curious about Kenny Clutch’s music, here’s two videos he cut over the last six months. The first video is pretty eerie since it features the Maserati he died in, along with his crew cruising the Vegas Strip. RIP…
When Chad Dawson’s career is over, two fights that will undoubtedly be seen as signature moments will be his two contests with Tomasz Adamek and Jean Pascal. One was a shocking, career-making victory. The other was an unexpected defeat his career has yet to fully recover from. In his last blog entry before Saturday’s battle with Andre Ward, Chad Dawson talks in-depth about these two moments and why they helped instill the “throwback fighter” mentality he plans to bring in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, California.
Discuss your best and worst memory as a fighter, and which wins — amateur or professional — have been the most satisfying or memorable?
As a fighter, you always strive to be the best, so when I suffered my first loss to Jean Pascal, it was a very disappointing moment in my life, and by far the worst memory of my boxing career. When I saw Pascal’s hand raised after the fight, the feeling in my mind, body and soul was demoralizing. I knew I had to get back in the gym and prove to the world that I had an off night, and work my way to get back on top. I learned a lot about myself and the people around me after that loss. I realized that I had group surrounding me that were in my circle for all the wrong reasons, not looking out for my best interest, which affected my mindset for the worse. Those days are behind me now and I have people in my corner that really care about me. The team I have in place now is tremendous. I consider them my family and our goal is to be the best team in boxing and show the world the Team Dawson is a force. Together we can’t be stopped, I really believe that.
When I won my first world title against Tomasz Adamek, who was undefeated at the time, it was an incredible feeling, because I accomplished my childhood dream of becoming a world champion. That win was so gratifying to me, because my dad had always told me that I could become a world champion some day and I finally made it happen for both of us. I can’t describe the feeling I had when I saw the look on my father’s face after that belt was strapped around my waist. No doubt, it was the most fulfilling moment of my boxing career. I realized then that I had the talent to become one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.
Taking this fight with Andre Ward in his backyard, coming down to his weight class, fighting for his world title, is proof that I’m a throwback fighter that doesn’t care about the situation. I’m willing to fight the best on any given day and that’s what boxing is all about. On September 8th, in Oakland California where the crowd will be rooting against me, you’re going to see a true warrior put it all on the line and bring home that world title, and that warrior is me. I will be victorious on fight night.
Ward vs. Dawson takes place Saturday, Sept. 8 live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT.
Nick Cannon will be making his boxing debut as a ring announcer (!) on September 8 for the Chad Dawson-Andre Ward fight in Oakland, California. Cannon hooked up with the latter recently for an informal conversation on discipline, humility and “ring announcer swag.” Of course, some have already rolled their eyes at Cannon’s inclusion in this event. I’m actually intrigued to see how he does. It’s not like he’s actually going to be calling the play by play. Hell, maybe Nick can work some further crossover magic and get his better half to sing the national anthem.
Rick Ross is currently wrapping up the nationwide “I Am Music Tour” with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. At their Oakland stop, Rozay hooked up with Bay legends E-40 and Too $hort. Travis Barker also rocked with Ross for “9 Piece.” Nice to see Rick giving 40 props for providing him with a “blueprint” in Hip-Hop. Of course the crowd went wild when 40 Water and $hort Dog rocked during Ross’ set. Maybach Music Group’s Self Made compilation album drops on May 24.
Does Nicki Minaj have her very own version of the Eminem/Rihanna smash “Love the Way You Lie” on her hands? The content is different, but Minaj’s video clip has the same emotion/feel of Eminem’s chart-topper. She also has, minus Rihanna, the Pop-heavy chorus that screams ready for MTV and Top 40 radio. Nicki is promising something for everyone on the actual album, but we know from this official first single who she’s trying to reach. We’re still a few weeks off from her November 22 Pink Friday release, so it remains to be seen if she has any other surprises left.
SOULS OF MISCHIEF “WON ONE”
They weren’t kidding when they told us it was ’93 til infinity. Last year, Souls of Mischief ended a 10 year album hiatus by dropping Montezuma’s Revenge. And it looks like we won’t have to wait another 10 years before they drop another project. Their latest video, “Won One,” is produced by Don Tyler, who took it back to vintage black and white on this one. Below is a link to check out the entire Hieroglyphics crew, and their label Hiero Imperium Records.
After the video is a special clip of Kanye West, John Mayer, and Just Blaze giving props to Souls of Mischief.
Remember those classic 90′s animes like Ninja Scroll? Illecism does. He had the novel idea to combine his favorite animated clips to bring a mini-movie to his entire mixtape Molotov, which is composed of beats from MF DOOM’s Special Herbs instrumental series.
For more info on Illecism and his crew Fly High, check their blog weareflyhigh.com/blog The footage for this clip was edited by DAG, Illecism and Rayintosh.
The full mixtape will be available for download at www.illthy.com on November 13.
CASUAL “ROCK MY SHIT”
There’s a lot of new faces coming out of the Bay Area (Moe Green, DaVinci). But don’t think the vets are ready to completely bow out. Hieroglyphics member Casual is looking to get his name back out there with “Rock My Shit,” which will be on his 2011 album He Still Think He Raw. That project will be produced by DJ Fresh, and feature appearances from Mitchy Slick & FAB, Grouch, Young Gully, Hongry, Yukmouth, and his Hieroglyphics family.
There’s no release date yet. But that hasn’t stopped Casual from confirming that he’ll have another album out by the end of 2011 called The Hierophant. Don’t call it a comeback…
Album delays are nothing new in the music industry, but Goapele’s situation is unique. The one year delay of her fourth studio album, Milk & Honey, is not due to label or ever her own dissatisfaction. Instead, Goapele cannot seem to stop recording music! The talented Oakland songstress has been on a creative high, and did not want to begin selecting songs until every lyric and vocal was out of her system. Now going into 2011, Goapele can count Kanye West, Bedrock, Drumma Boy, Bobby Ozuna, and Malay amongst the producers contributing to Milk & Honey. After a year plus of work, Goapele is just a few months away from sharing the fruits of her labor with the world.
Ismael AbduSalaam: When the “Milk & Honey” video dropped last year, everyone was expecting the album right behind it. What’s been the reason for the long delay?
Goapele: Um, I just wasn’t done yet, basically [laughs]. This album has been one that I really go to take my time with. So when we first put out the “Milk & Honey” song, I just kept recording and recording. It turned into a longer process so it could really feel right.
Ismael: Were you going in with a set directive, or was this an organic project?
Goapele: It came organically, and that’s the way it always ends up with me. I tried to come into it like “we’re going to do 10 songs and it’s going to have this type of vibe.” But I’m a very eclectic person, so now it’s turned into a much longer album, and trying to put the different pieces of myself in there. There’s a sensual vibe to it, and there’s also introspective song of what I’ve been through the past few years. And also some fun stuff; I feel much more open now. The tracks will be a little more synthy and hard-hitting, but I think it will be fun.
Ismael: Regarding that synthy sound, I heard the song you did with Drumma Boy (“Right Here”). It’s a song that can definitely fit into today’s radio market. With that said, were and are you worried about how your core fans will respond to such a drastically different sound?
Goapele: Yeah, I met Drumma Boy a few months back, and I thought it would be fun to work with him. Funnily enough, the songs he played for me at first were more in my vein, that straight R&B and Soul. And then he played the “Right Here” instrumental, which is like super hard-hitting and any rapper can get on. It was something I just really felt. And with my music I like the contrast, where I can go from hard-hitting to just laid back. I think I can bring that balance to music with my style.
When I record, I’m always a little worried about if people are going to feel it, because I am putting it out for people to enjoy. If not, I could just leave it to myself [laughs]. But, I can’t let it get in the way of my creativity when it gets down to it. But hopefully people will follow me.
Ismael: You mentioned to me before that becoming a mother made you a more daring artist. How is that so?
Goapele: I’ve been pushed so hard by having to step up and become a mother. I’ve always loved children. I used to work with children before I did music, and thought that I’d maybe follow that as a career path. I always felt it would come back into my life, and I was just waiting for the space to do it. At the second album, I was like “I can have a family along with the music.”
Being pregnant and going through childbirth alone is like surrendering a different control, because you’re creating another life and you have to make space for that. That’s reflected overall in my life, so of course that’s going to be in my music. Vocally, I’m more vulnerable. I’m also braver having gone through it. I feel more whole now.
Photo Credit: Madelynn Kenloy
Ismael: We know there was a lot of initial anger regarding the Oscar Grant verdict. You spoke about it in detail in a online article. Now that some time has passed, what has been the mindset of the community?
Goapele: [Pauses] Now that time has passed I don’t really even hear about it anymore. That’s kind of how things go. That’s the challenge, right? There are major things we need to change in the system. In Oakland, the way policing is done needs to change period. I’m sure it’s the same in LA, New York, and even here in Atlanta. There’s a major violence problem in Oakland, period. There’s also a economic problem. Then police brutality just adds on to it.
It’s an issue that needs a lot of attention. I think when people were upset, that could have been a time to really gather. Some people did, but it’s really hard to keep the focus going and progress to actual change. We’re all so caught up trying to live our lives and pay our bills; it gets hard to dedicate yourself to things outside of your life and family.
It’s a work in progress, trying to get through that lack of focus. I hope it’s something that we keep pushing towards.
Ismael: Now looking at the bigger political landscape, how have your feelings and thoughts changed, if any, since President Obama’s election and current administration’s work?
Goapele: Before he ran I felt pretty hopeless about this country. When he started running, I started to feel inspired. When I voted for him, I felt pride. For the first time regarding government, I felt it was a part of me up there. I had worked with a South African artist, Pantsula, and did a song called “Victory” about it. I felt like “you stand for us,” and people all over the world sensed that change was happening.
I don’t know how good it could have become, but there definitely has been a deflating feeling inside me over time. I hope he continues on because Obama is definitely better than the alternative. We have such a long way to go to feel more empowerment and equality. It’s more of an economic thing than racial.
Ismael: Last question. I’m sure you remember a lot of people online were shocked and a little saddened when you cut your locks. But even without them, that hasn’t stopped you from being stylish. How’d you come up with the new crown look?
Goapele: [Smiles] Well, I’ve always liked to have fun with my hair. Even now and then I miss [shakes head around] having long locks to do different styles with. But I like being versatile and feeling like I can change. I felt like it was time to let them go at that point. Instead of starting right back up, I was like “I can do braids and different styles.” I’ve been working with this woman Anana Scott that used to do my hair when I was a kid using dramatic styles like thread wrapping. I linked back up with her, and it’s been fun being able to be creative and different.
Goapele’s Milk & Honey is being targeted for a Spring 2011 release. For exclusive information, tour dates and downloads, visit her official site http://goapele.com/
