ThaWilsonBlock Magazine

NY Rapper/Actor Lord Jamar recently went on DJ Vlad and said that Lil Yachty is trash and anyone who likes his music is stupid. While Yachty fans may strongly disagree, many independent underground Hip Hop fans feel the same way. "When I heard Yachty on a Sprite commercial with LeBron James , I knew it was real that they were putting these culture vultures in position to potentially take over Hip Hop," says an anonymous rapper. Hear what Lord Jamar has to say in full about rappers like Lil Yachty and Young Dolph...

Buying photography equipment for the first time is a daunting task. Useful guides exist to help beginners choose a good camera, but few newcomers realize that the camera itself is only the first of many pieces of equipment necessary to create a full setup for photography. This guide suggests a complete kit — everything from lens cloths to computer monitors — that will provide a beginner with high quality images (and room to grow) for a price of around 2000 US dollars. Note that this guide is not a comprehensive list of equipment that will work for every type of photographer. As your photography becomes more specialized — portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, or anything else — you will gravitate towards more specialized equipment as well. These recommendations can be considered an all-purpose starter kit rather than a list tuned to one specific type of photographer. View Full Guide

The street named after the late Phife Dawg will officially be unveiled in November. The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to take place on Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. in St. Albans, Queens. Linden Boulevard at 192nd Street is the location where Phife Dawg will be immortalized. The spot holds a specific significance as it is where Phife met Q-Tip. A Tribe Called Quest would famously reference Linden Boulevard in their classic single “Check the Rhime.” “The thought of having Linden Boulevard at 192, renamed to Malik ‘Phife Dawg’ Taylor is indescribable,” Phife’s wife Deisha Head Taylor said in a statement. “This is a perfect representation of who Malik was, and what Queens meant to him. Whenever he mentioned Queens, Linden Boulevard at 192, was a focal point of reference, so I am certain he would be pleased with having it renamed in his honor.” Phife Dawg’s memory will receive further recognition with a new A Tribe Called Quest album . Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid let the news slip back...

Rap titan Jay Z could become the owner of Prince’s unreleased music if a hefty offer receives the proper sign-offs. TMZ reports that the TIDAL owner has already put in an offer of about $40 million for the late musician’s catalog of unreleased tunes. Jay Z reportedly even went so far as to meet with Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson and her husband, flying them out to New York City to discuss the multi-million dollar offer. For the offer to be approved, the Brooklyn lyricist would need more than just a sign-off from Nelson. Although Nelson is Prince’s only full sibling, the late singer’s half-siblings would also be required to sign-off on the $40 million offer. Currently, TIDAL serves as the only streaming service Prince’s music is available on. Months before his death, Prince expressed his confidence in TIDAL and Jay Z during an interview with Ebony . “TIDAL is a new company, it’s brand new,” Prince said. “They’re just getting their footing, and I think when there’s a company like that...

DJ Akademiks Speaks on Ace Hood Telling DJ Khaled To Use his 'Keys' and Unchain and Let him Free from his Label 'We The Best'

After tweeting his 1.11 million fans that he'd be releasing new music, YG kept true to his word and dropped a dedication track early Tues. morning (Oct. 25) titled "One Time Comin'" dedicated to individuals who've been subject to police brutality. The Compton rapper is known to keep his music brutally honest, from his anti-Trump song "F--k Donald Trump" to "Police Get Away With Murder" from his newest album Still Brazy -- which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and carries on his unapologetic attitude on "One Time Comin'."

The Yonkers Police Department and Fire Department gathered on Friday (Oct. 21) for their annual Toughman Competition charity event, and were met with a heart-warming speech by one of the night's famous attendees, DMX . "On February 8, [they] saved my life," the legendary rapper told the room of policemen and firemen in a video TMZ released . "To go from, at one point running from the police to get away from shit -- you know, to get away from what I was doing -- to having those same police save my life..." Earlier this year, DMX was found unconscious in the... Read Full Story

Buy Release Date: April 20, 2016 Label: Diamond Lane Music Group, Inc. / Blake Enterprises Copyright: Diamond Lane Music Group, Inc. / Blake Enterprises Total Length: 28:28

Papoose was a recent guest on Sway in the Morning. He says he would record a song with Azealia Banks, gives relationship advice, talks Kanye West vs Jay Z, his wife Remy Ma, "Love & Hip Hop," "Hoodie Season 3" mixtape, possible collaboration between Remy and Nicki Minaj, spits a freestyle. Black Love! Papoose joins us on Sway in the Morning during our Celebrity Wire with Tracy G and weighs in on Azealia Banks' recent craziness + Kanye West's latest rant about Jay Z. Papoose also gives love advice ( 14:50 ) in reference to his refreshing love with Remy Ma + takes a second to call out Kevin Hart and challenges Chocolate Droppa to a battle on Sway in Morning. And of course Papoose dropped a fire Halloween-themed freestyle!! Subscribe to our page: http://bit.ly/SVsBQC TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RealSway http://twitter.com/TheHappyHourwHB http://twitter.com/DJWonder http://twitter.com/ItsTracyG http://twitter.com/NickyGeezy http://twitter.com/YSKSKMedia FACE...

Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle has definitely left his print on how to become a successful entrepreneur. If his exclusive music and branding wasn't enough, he's got some more cool stuff popping up! This time...Hair!  ELITE HUMAN HAIR Open Now!! 3816 w Slauson Ave Ladies pull up! A photo posted by Nipsey Hussle (@nipseyhussle) on Oct 19, 2016 at 9:43am PDT

Eastman Kodak Company announced its new Kodak Ektra smartphone Thursday. The phone is designed "for those with a passion for photography, from enthusiasts to experts," according to a news release sent out Thursday. The name of the smartphone is a nod to the original Kodak Ektra Camera, launched in 1941. The Android-based phone will be launching "soon" across Europe. Other international markets, including the U.S., will see the Ektra released throughout 2017 - pending successful sales in Europe. The main selling point on the Ektra seems to be the 21-megapixel fast focus camera sensor with f2.0 aperture. A second front-facing 13-megapixel front-facing camera is also on the phone. The camera app on the phone has a variety of settings similar to an SLR-style dial, which can be switched from auto to manual. Editing software from Snapseed comes with...  Read More...

Ice Cube, who has been vocal about N.W.A belonging in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a rap group, now voices his support for Tupac to get the honor. The late, great Cali rapper was announced yesterday (October 18) as a nominee for the Class of 2017 . “I think we need our own Hall of Fame to be honest, but Tupac definitely needs to go into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Cube says to TMZ . N.W.A had a long journey into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, being nominated several times, but was finally inducted this year , much to the frustration of KISS singer and Class of 2014 member Gene Simmons. “It don’t matter, as long as you get in, baby,” Cube says of Tupac’s first nomination despite naysayers like Simmons who don’t think rap belongs in the Hall. The Class of 2017 inductees will be announced in December. Watch the clip of Ice Cube endorsing Tupac’s nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

If you're an artist in or around Los Angeles/Southern California and are looking for a movement to join that will expand your network and presence, Tha DENA Music Scene , formerly known as the Pasadena Music Scene, is hosting an informal, free photo shoot for local, native, independent artists at McDonald Park in Pasadena, CA on Friday October 28th, 2016 from 12p-2p.  This shoot is tha first of many to come each month as Bing Bing is working vigorously to unite tha local music scene in tha Pasadena / Altadena region. It is called the #BringingItTogether Free Artist Photo Shoot where local artists come together to take formal pictures with other artists demonstrating values of love, peace, & unity. By doing this, we are taking control of our artistic destinies and using our influence for tha greater good of ourselves and our community. By having artists take photos together demonstrating honorable values, we can influence our future in a positive way. We must understand that...

American wildlife photojournalist Tim Laman was named winner of the prestigious annual competition for his image Entwined Lives, showing a critically endangered Bornean orangutan in the Indonesian rainforest . The award is given for a story told in just six images, which are judged on their story-telling power as a whole as well as their individual quality. The images will go on display at the Natural History Museum in London from 21 October, before touring internationally. He observed the animal's behavior, then spent three days using ropes to climb the tree, setting up GoPro cameras that he could trigger remotely. This allowed him to capture the orangutan's face from above, with a wide-angle perspective of the forest below. Wild orangutans face habitat loss from agriculture and logging. This, combined with increased poaching for illegal pet trade, poses huge challenges to the species. Tim says, 'Protecting their remaining habitat is critical for orangutans to survive...

Wars are fought on many fronts in what I call “the war against the  war on black and brown people.” I  watched emotionally with most of America when Diamond Reynolds live streamed on Facebook the shooting of her fiance Philando Castile, shouting: “please officer, don’t tell me that you did this to him…” We watched him take his last breath, while her 4 year old daughter sat watching in the back seat. It did something to me, it really did. I envisioned what it must have been like when Mamie Till, the mother of Emmitt Till, made the decision to allow her sons casket to be open for the world to see the ugliness that engulfed him. America needed to see what evil was, and look it dead in the face. “I want them to see what they did to my baby,” Mrs. Till said to the world 100 years ago. I know the part I need to play and will play in the fight for social justice and reform of the Criminal Justice system. The fight will be long and hard but I wish my erstwhile manager was here to join...

Eminem surprised fans by dropping a new song, “Campaign Speech,” today (October 19), just days after his 44th birthday. The track stands at just under eight minutes and features intricately intense bars that can only be delivered by Slim Shady. Over the simple looming production, he addresses Trayvon Martin’s death , Colin Kaepernick and says that yes, he’s going to dunk some Donald Trump  supporters under water, “snuck up on ’em in Ray Bands / In a gray van with a spray tan / It’s a wrap like an Ace bandage.” Read Eminem's Lyrics to "Campaign Speech"

In 1989, Ruthless Records boasted one of the finest rosters in Rap music history. With N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton in heavy rotation (with a massive tour behind it), Eazy-E’s independent label was fast expanding to include The D.O.C., Above The Law , and J.J. Fad. By 1990, everything had changed. Ice Cube had angrily left his group and label, as N.W.A. appeared fractured in the aftermath. Meanwhile, The D.O.C. was critically wounded in a near-fatal car accident that almost destroyed his ability to speak, let alone rhyme. As Cube was at odds with his former band-mates, he would famously get into it with A.T.L.’s front-man and producer Cold 187um (a/k/a Big Hutch), due to their rise in his absence. At the Anaheim Theater in April of that year, the two gangsta rappers came to blows in 187um’s dressing room, following some jabs in the media. In July, at New York City’s Marriott Marquis in Times Square—the two men, backed by Above The Law and Da Lench Mob, respectively, had an encore...

Recently, DubCNN caught up with the original founder of Black Wall Street Records and brother to rapper The Game , Big Fase 100 , for an exclusive interview. In this feature, Big Fase talks to us about a myriad of topics including his new artist Benji, the re-launch of the label, his top 5 emcees of all-time, the recent Compton Sheriff slaying his close friend Donta Taylor , his take on The Game verbally assaulting Meek Mill , and much, much more! Read more...

Dr. Umar Johnson stopped by VladTV to talk about his thoughts regarding the murders of Prince, Michael Jackson and Tupac. Dr. Umar began by providing background on the deaths of the late celebrities. " Michael Jackson owned the rights to The Beatles ; he owned a significant portion of Elvis 's catalog, who's more popular than them, two guys? In the world of white music, and a black man owns the rights, Sony Records deliberately sabotaged Michael Jackson 's last album..." Umar explained that if Michael had gone on tour, he would have had the liquid cash to pay off a debt he owed to Sony Records and he would have been able to keep his catalog. Umar went on to go into depth about how he feels the music industry works. "You know the music industry functions like any other white racist society; it gets down to lay down, so Michael was murdered." Read More

Do you think that the Eastsidaz will ever get back together and record another album? We’ve discussed the possibility of it but to be honest, I think that Snoop is in another place as far as music is concerned. It’s not like he couldn’t do it but to revisit that mind-state and to re-display that to the public – I don’t think that is who he is. Plus, I don’t think that the chemistry is there to go in and get it done. A lot of things have gone on and been said since I was away. We are all friends, don’t get me wrong. We communicate, but there isn’t that same solidarity like there once was. Dogg House was a family and that’s the same structure that I’m building over at Supreme Circle – a place where everybody makes and is dedicated to making great music. My dream came true in just being able to put together this company and to complete an album of this magnitude with these features and different types of production. From the first song to the mastering of the album, I’ve invested about si...

It really looks like there is absolutely no possibility for reconciliation between Lil Wayne and Birdman, although it once seemed possible. Wayne sat down to talk with HipHopHollywood to explain that readers will get a true inside look into his life in his new book, ‘Gone ‘Til November: A Journal Of Rikers Island’. In the interview he also opened up about the lessons he learned behind bars, and his plans to release new music....

Four years ago, Ice Cube was asked about the return of the Friday franchise, and he said  until he shows up on set, we never know . I’ve spoken with Mike Epps about Last Friday as well and he informed me the studio that made Friday is no longer making those types of movies.  Read Full Article & Quote from Chris Tucker

Paco Swartz and Tommy Bunnz are respected not just for who they are, but for what they do. Tha two artists came together for a grand Teddy Pendergrass remix called "Wake Up" that is sure to inspire artists and fans alike. "I've seen cocaine in a diaper bag, and young men turn to bangin' just like their dad," says Paco Swartz in tha opening line of tha song. Tommy Bunnz directs a masterpiece that should reach every aspiring artist out there. This song is good for those growing up in tha inner-city as it brings awareness to tha harsh realities of life that many of us are subjected to. "It makes me sad to see a sister high off tha glass, or $20 to ya name, tryna make it last." Tha music video sets a great example of two artists having love & respect for each other.

Oxnard, California rapper Rey Avalon, formerly known as Cali Allstarr,  links up with ThaWilsonBlock to talk music production and local music scenes in tha 805 and 661  Download This Interview Mistah Wilson : Yo, Rey Avalon! What's good wit it, fam! Honored to have you here with us for this exclusive interview with ThaWilsonBlock. What's tha latest & greatest?  Rey Avalon : First, thanks for this article. I’m a Hip Hop lover, but music lover first. You can hear all the different sounds I incorporate in my music. I’m originally from Lancaster, CA. Now I reside in Oxnard, CA, The home of agriculture, beautiful beaches and women. I’m an artist before everything. Not a perfectionist, I like to "let the music be" if that makes sense. Mistah Wilson : First & foremost, I gotta let tha world know that we go wayyy back! Never once did I think you or I would become tha artists we are today. What led you to becoming an artist? Rey Avalon : I started off writing poetry, ...

Seattle rapper Grieves returns to deliver his fourth studio album, Winter & The Wolves , on Rhymesayers Entertainment . The insatiable, devil-may-care MC is well known for his meticulous exploration of life, love and loss, through a unique medley of hip-hop and soulful music. Together with B. Lewis , Grieves created 14 new tracks, combining organic pianos and guitars with boisterous synthesizers, to paint a colorful backdrop for his unique blend of rapping and singing. A reflection on growth and maturity, Winter & The Wolves is about the instinctual fight for survival. It’s about suddenly finding that you’re all alone, facing countless hindrances to your livelihood, and having the courage to overcome them all. Tackling difficult obstacles like addiction and heartbreak, Grieves wrestles with the realization that life doesn’t get any easier as you get older. His signature combination of humor and gloom culminate to depict the struggle of a man’s inner turmoil between abandoni...

Midwest poet Prince Ea puts the educational system on trial. A powerful message that raises awareness of tha fact that our school system hasn't changed in over 150 years. In this creative visual, Prince Ea asks if the school system is preparing kids for tha future...or tha past. Every word he speaks in this masterpiece has purpose and makes every bit of sense.Prince asks the school system if they proud of tha things they've done, making kids believe they are unworthy because they're different. Judging a fish by it's ability to climb a tree...and climb down. This riveting project by tha Prince will give you tha chills.

Hip-hop has always shown love for Mariah Carey . One of the biggest artists on the planet, the singer has had multiple No. 1 albums, multiple platinum-selling singles, a voice that comes once in a lifetime and a strong connection to the genre. The pop icon has been in the music industry for over 20 years and has had over 40 songs land on the Billboard Hot 100, including those with some of the game’s biggest rappers. To say that Carey is a megastar is an understatement. Around the late 1990s, she made a bold move by tapping Ol’ Dirty Bastard for the remix to her double platinum track “Fantasy.” Cory Rooney, an A&R rep that helped put the song together, recently described ODB’s specific demands before he would start recording the song... Read Full Article

A year ago, as Mayor of Portland, Oregon Charlie Hales endorsed the first Hip-Hop Day event, the mood was hesitant but hopeful. The friction between city authorities and hip-hop performers was cooling off. The debut event drew a crowd and strong performances from local MCs and DJs. For a music community that's often felt unjustly targeted, it looked like progress. Read Full Article

As Game rediscovered his inner fire throughout 2016, he used personal memories of 1992 to create this cinematic autobiography. In part, the album is a love letter to his formative years, and it’s a treat to hear the rapper joyride vintage West Coast beats on “True Colors / It’s On,” “Bompton,” and “F**k Orange Juice.” While the story deepens with the anguish and regret of “Young N**as,” “92 Bars” reminds hip-hop fans of a diss track’s brutal purpose: decapitation via verses.

Murs has successfully completed his goal of rapping for more than 24 hours straight (minus the five-minute breaks he was allowed each hour), starting yesterday morning and ending today (October 13). In the span of the day, the Los Angeles rapper performed his own tracks as well as other popular rap songs from Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan. He ended the final stretch with a freestyle. “Fuck it I’m outta here have a nice life everyone,” he concludes with a hoarse voice, referring to his last album, Have a Nice Life . Murs was allowed a five-minute break each hour and had representatives on site at the studio in Los Angeles where he performed to ensure the Guinness World Record guidelines were followed. Straight after completing the gargantuan task, the Strange Music signee dropped the video for “Rick Grimes is Dead” via Twitch. Murs announced this summer that he was attempting the day-long feat in a partnership with Boost Mobile. He held various #WYALA events featuring pe...

The sensible Vermont-based ice cream company, founded by liberal activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, issued a lengthy statement last week saying “systemic and institutionalized racism” are the “defining civil rights and social justice issues of our time.” “We’ve come to understand that to be silent about the violence and threats to the lives and well-being of Black people is to be complicit in that violence and those threats,” the Ben & Jerry’s statement read. “All lives do matter. But all lives will not matter until Black lives matter.” Read Full Article Black Lives Matter. Choosing to be silent in the face of such injustice is not an option. https://t.co/6Vy0KHJeKU #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/pK96teLRhd — Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) October 6, 2016

One of the first things on his agenda is defending his G.O.O.D. Music signee, Desiigner, who has come under intense criticism both for his style which many believe is derivative of that of Future, as well as has role as a leader in so-called “Mumble Rap.” Pusha says “Don’t listen to ’em, Desiigner. The same rappers talkin’ next year will be Uber drivers (Fuck ’em).” Pusha T Bodies Another Track Leaving Nothing But Crutches, Crosses & Caskets (Audio) From there, he moves on to what he sees as the increasing fakery in Hip-Hop. While his bars are cryptic, given his past verbal dust ups with Drake, certain lines appear directly aimed at the Toronto MC. He raps “It’s too far gone when the realest ain’t real. I walk amongst the clouds so your ceilings ain’t real. These niggas Call of Duty cause their killings ain’t real. With a questionable pen so the feelin’ ain’t real.” With Drake’s debut mixtape being titled So Far Gone, and last year’s well-detailed accusations of him using ghostwrit...

“I gotta live life, I gotta experience things. Sometimes music can shift society, man,” Jones said. “When I started out, I didn’t know this thing would be so global. Things are changing, music is changing, so I just want to make sure … I gotta feel it. It’s all about the feeling.” -Nas on why no new album in 4 years

It is still hard to believe Tommy Ford died at the young age of 52, Oct. 12, after suffering from a ruptured aneurysm in his abdomen. But, what could have led to his untimely death? “An aneurysm is congenital sometimes,” Dr. Carol Richardson-Te, who has not treated Tommy. That means it’s possible Tommy’s aneurysm, which lead to his death , could have been there since birth. Unfortunately congenital aneurysms can go completely undiagnosed. “It is something that just happens, you could have a malformation of an artery. These things are asymptomatic and they don’t present themselves with anything until you find them, because you are looking for something else; Or for some reason, something in that area causes you to look under imaging and you find it.” Read More...

And according to a one Mr. Clifford Harris a.k.a. T.I., his longtime nemesis Floyd Mayweather, owes one to the black community for a recent interview he conducted where he calmly repeated the phrase that was created after BLM began to gain some traction within political conversations. Yo, @floydmayweather all our past personal differences & opinions of each other aside.... This is socially irresponsible,inconsiderate,& insensitive. It mirrors delusional oblivion in a way only brainwashing tactics can achieve. This completely undermines & discredits the movements that fight for the plights of our people. You're a leader whether you know it or not. Don't get so lost in personal possession or individual achievement that you lose sight of the things that are larger than all of us. Freedom, equality, justice, human rights,qualities of life that have been withheld (or given out sparingly) from our people for generations (400 yrs approximately). A true champion is a man of...

Windchill has been rocking with us for a little while now so when he had his 20th year in hip hop anniversary, we knew we had to do something special for him. We assembled an all star cast of MH Cypher Veterans + New comers to come down and celebrate with us! And by celebrate we mean rap (incase you were unclear on that). If your not aware of the movement then its time to Get Familiar! Produced by GeoMtrk Steve Sxaks B. Devinichi Al Mighty Nico The Beast Tawobi Microphone Jones The Means Smoke Tray Digga Unik Stylez Crazie Kid AnonYmouS Windchill

Common wears many hats. Not only is he one of the most revered MCs in the game, but he's also a celebrated actor, author, and Academy Award winner. Weeks before the release of his 11th album, Black America Again, Com chats with us about his new project, upcoming film roles, Ice Cube, Kanye West, J Dilla, classic albums, and more. In the skit following “The 6th Sense,” Common made light of his public image. The Chicago, Illinois MC made a song that fought for Hip-Hop’s preservation. Moments after, he made light of the way he appeared to some—as a deeply conscious, lighthearted poet. The same artist who had been involved in serious beef with Ice Cube had a laugh at skeptics’ expense. As the most recent guest on the Rap Radar Podcast, Comm’ was asked more than 15 years later what his thoughts are on how the public sees him. Since then, the MC has released hits like “The Light,” and appeared on Erykah Badu’s “Love Of My Life,” two love songs rooted in Hip-Hop. Last year, C...

Here are some of the lyrics, with Nas speaking as directly as he seemingly ever has—as a Black man, a concerned father, and an affected human being: “ White man with a gun apprehended, he still alive Black man with a gun, he has no chance to survive They gon’ shoot him dead soon as they see the brown of his eyes And they ask me, “Why you ain’t smilin’ Nas?” Cause I have a son and I die inside when I gotta tell him what was told to me Can’t play with your water gun son ’cause the police see A seven years old as a threat They think it’s right to kill a seven years old on sight ’cause he ain’t white So baby if I’m actin’ uptight When our conversation is weak, it ain’t you It’s just it ain’t that deep ” After Robin’s evocative lyrics about a world amiss, Nas comes back around to reflect on the upcoming election, showing praise of powerful women in a litany of fields, and his own dreams as of late. Read Full Article

Beanie Sigel chats about his beef with Meek Mill and The Game, problems with State Property and Charlamagne not being qualified to talk about these issues.

Download Get Wit It (Intro) by Relly 2euce Hustlaz, Playaz, & Bitches by Relly 2euce Before & After by Relly 2euce Stunt Hard by Relly 2euce Feins by Bing Bing & Relly 2euce Pandamonium by Relly 2euce Duffle Bag Dixon by Relly 2euce feat. Young Quise Reppin That 500 by Relly 2euce Place Called Home by Relly 2euce Dirty Money by Relly 2euce feat. YG Chief & Tre Boog Champions (Interlude) by Relly 2euce Mr. Dixon by Relly 2euce feat. Ryane Mooves 6ix Tummies by Relly 2euce feat. St. X Nightrider by Relly 2euce feat. AV Kinidee & 2dalu Beast Mode by Relly 2euce & YG Chief Veterans by Relly 2euce feat. AV Kinidee Impossible Is Nothin' by Relly 2euce