 Jay-Z Lends Support To Kofi Annan’s Water Shortage Awareness Campaign
Jigga isn’t only concerned with running a label and finishing his return album, he’s also troubled by the lack of attention being paid to the growing world water shortage crisis.
http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5989
‘Desire’ Marks The Return Of Pharoahe Monch
It’s been a gruelling seven-year wait, but last month the mighty Pharoahe Monch passed through and played his new album ‘Desire’, for the UK press. The 13 track set, (not including skits), features beats from Alchemist, Lee ‘Simon Says’ Stone, Black Milk and Monch himself. Executive production duties are chaired by Dr Dre’s new secret weapon Denaun Porter aka D12’s Kon Artis, who gets behind the boards on two songs. Monch let it be known that though there were no guest emcees, that he was awaiting confirmation on appearances from Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and the great Aretha Franklin to be ironed out. Pharoahe also shed light on his battle to win his freedom from Geffen Records, after the demise of Rawkus, and why stories of him giving up the rap game if he couldn’t sign to Shady were doing the rounds. “I was gonna sign with Em, but due to my situation with Geffen, it would have meant that even if I’d done like tripe platinum, I would have ended up with like…$3 bucks ”, Pharoahe joked. “I’d managed to remove myself from the label and it meant I could do what I wanted”, Monch told The State. “So I was touring with Mos (Def) and (Talib) Kweli, writing for Diddy’s new album. So you know, I was doing alrite, but people around me were like, ‘You have a duty to get this music out to your fans, cause it’s hot’. So I shopped for a new deal and Steve Rifkind and his staff understood my vision, so I signed to SRC”. ‘Let’s Go’ surfaced on the net a few months ago, (check out the Music section if you missed the first time), but ‘Push’ will be the first official single on September 18th. The second single should be ‘Body Baby’ which sees Monch dressed as a black Elvis. (Trust me, the track is sick – Tee). There’ll also be a special 15-minute net only video for ‘When The Gun Draws’, which draws from Monch’s classic verse from ‘Stray Bullet’, and sees him on top lyrical form. Don’t sleep people, this album is a classic and hits stores November 27, with Pharoahe hopefully touring Europe in October. Expect a full review of ‘Desire’ closer to the date of release.
Outkast Refute Break-Up Rumours
When the ‘Idlewild’ track listing finally emerged, it sparked new talk of raps most successful duo breaking up… again. Big Boi and Andre 3000 find themselves once again having to put fans fears of a split to rest.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538157/20060809/outkast.jhtml?headlines=true
Dr Dre's 'Detox' Lp Still Hangs In The Balance
Bets are still being taken as to whether Dr Dre will ever manage to release 'Detox', or whether the album is now nothing more than an urban myth. Well rumour from Hiphopsite.com says if it is a myth, then its still got legs, as word has it that Dre reached out to Denzel Washington to narrate on 'Detox', but it never got off the ground. Denaun Porter aka Kon Artis, Hi-Tek and Nottz, have all contributed to the album and revealed the inside juice in ‘Scratch Magazines’ September/ October issue. So there might still be hope yet.
Swizz Beatz Outlines Forth Coming Work In Progress
He’s back making some of the big beats in club land right now, but Swizz isn’t taking it easy. Everybody’s go-to guy for 2006, has some major up coming projects, which include Eminem, Kanye West and…oh God…another 2Pac album.
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.4371
Adult Swim & Stones Throw Get Together For 'Chrome Children'
After proving their worth with the DangerDOOM LP, Adult Swim and Stones Throw combine again for 'Chrome Children'. The CD, which features music from Madvillain, Guilty Simpson, Madlib, and many more, also comes with a DVD of MF DOOM and Madlib's performance at this years SXSW festival. You can see details of the album, and most importantly, listen to a 20-minute mix with tracks from the album for free, (which features a quality rendition of ‘Long Time Coming’ by Aloe Blacc, and a definitive remix of ‘Hydrant Game’ by J Dilla), via the link below.
http://www.stonesthrow.com/chromechildren
Scarface Retires His Mic
After two decades, Houston’s most famous rapping son is calling it a day.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9551
Mos Def News
Recent reports have shed some light on rapper and actor Mos Def, his forth-coming work and private life, and it ain’t all rosy. On the work front thanks to Hiphopsite.com, we have a name of a new album titled ‘Tru3 Magic’. Could this be the rumoured collaboration between Mos and all-round musical everyman Madlib as reported in the 117th State Address? Well the good folks at HHS are quick to point out that the speculation as regards Mos and Madlib working together may be just that. Time will eventually tell on that one. On the life side, it seems Mos isn’t imperious to domestic dramas, as it was reported back in June that Mr Smith and his wife are in the throws of having their 10-year relationship terminated. (See URL). Now if only someone could illuminate on why he’s missed his last three scheduled UK shows, the circle of knowledge would be complete… damn it!
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.4253
Is Kanye West Ready To Settle Down And Tie The Knot?
For those not satisfied with the news of a date for the final instalment of Kanye’s ‘Graduation’ trilogy, (December 11), there’s talk that he’s asked his long-term girlfriend for her hand…in marriage that is.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9575
Snoop Reverts To His Old Doggystyle For ‘Vato’ Clip
Snoop keeps building on his peace mission in the West coast (1st URL), and with an all-star ol' skool line-up for his new video.
http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5918
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1538717/20060816/snoop_dogg.jhtml?headlines=true
Lil' Kim Shopping For New Record Deal
Now after finishing her term for lying under oath, it seems that Kim is ready to make some changes. Namely removing herself from her long-standing relationship with Atlantic Records and starting anew somewhere else. Will there be anyone brave enough to take on Kim’s baggage? Probably.
http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6013
Obie Trice ‘Rounds’ On Police Over Shooting Investigation
With his ‘Second Round’s On Me’ ready to blow, Trice shares his feelings on the record being leaked, and on the lack of progress being made to find the person who very nearly ended his life on New Years Eve.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9561
Lloyd Banks Faces More ‘Rotten’ Luck
Once again the G-Unit emcee’s sophomore album has been put back. On the up side there are some details regarding guests, and when Hot Rod, the newest member of the G-Unit fam, will be releasing his debut.
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/9547
Events
Get Lifted Once Again
Hear all new material from John Legend’s sophomore LP Once Again in the building most fitting his artistic presence. Avoid disappointment or ebay prices…book ‘em now!
2 Oct – Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London. Tickets: £27.50
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Kings Of Compilations
One of The State’s favourite indie labels, BBE Records, releases the next in their ‘Kings of…’ series. To hear a sample, click on the link below.
http://www.rapsterrecords.com/kingsofdiggin
Ex-Destinys Child Letoya Re-Ignites Career
After trying and failing to start a group after being removed from one of the most successful girl groups of all time, LeToya Tuckett is back on her own terms. Check out this short EPK (an electronic press kit for all you non-media types), where she tells fans of her return to the spotlight.
http://www.sohh.com/boost_mobile.php?videoURL=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/capi001/letoya/htownchickepisodes/htownchicepisode1_v100.asx
Comp.
J-Dilla Limited 12” Give Away
You lucky people have the opportunity to win a Jay Dee picture disc, which features Guilty Simpson, Common and D’Angelo. An easy two part question for ya, as I’ve been up all night writing this. Name the original members of Slum Village and the production outfit Dilla worked with from A Tribe Called Quest. (If you don’t know Google it, and we wanna hear from the ladies on this as well. REPRESENT!!!
Send your email to State@izm.co.uk with ‘J Dilla Was The Greatest’ in the subject box. All entries need to be sent no later than September 1.
http://www.bbemusic.com
http://www.j-dilla.com
Music
Outkast Feat. Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg - Hollywood Divorce
The best song we’ve heard so far from ‘Idlewild’ with Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg doing some sterling work on the verses, (and I don’t even like Lil Wayne - Tee).
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/outkasthollywood.ram
Method Man - The Glide, Dirty Mef & Walk On
Ooooh! This could be it people! Method Man’s return to form, but don’t take my word for it. The first cut features Raekwon and La The Darkman (who sounds a lot like U-God), produced by The Rza. The second features the vocals of ODB. 'Walk On' with Redman, has to be the one that will rise the most eyebrows, with its use of a rocked out Isaac Hayes classic. METH IS BACK!!!
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/methodmanglide.ram
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/methodmandirtymef.ram
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.426
M.O.P. Feat. Foxx - Make Em Klapp
Let's hope Bill and Fame are close to letting loose with an album, cause I need to bump this out of the first available ride, before the sun leaves us for another summer.
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/mopfoxxklaap.ram
The Game - One Blood
Rumours of Game’s departure from Aftermath may be doing the rounds right now, but there’s no confusing a man who’s hungry for mic time.
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/thegameitsokayoneblood.ram
Pharoahe Monch - Let's Go
For those of you who just arrived, ladies and gentlemen… Pharoahe Monch.
http://www.hiphopgame.com/audios/pharoaheletsgo.ram
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