Maino talks "The Day After Tomorrow," Atlantic Records, and E1 Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In less than a month, Maino will deliver the world his second album, The Day After Tomorrow. Unlike his debut album, released in 2009, If Tomorrow Comes..., the new album will be released through both Atlantic Records and E1 Music. His debut was released straight through Atlantic Records.

In the eyes of many, Maino dealing with E1 Music is a step back. While E1 has a roster full of stars, the label is independent, while Atlantic Records is a major. Maino recently explained this. The Brooklyn rapper said E1 is helping him land more radio play, as Atlantic will handle distribution.

Maino also spoke on his own label, as his role as the head of the label. While he could have handled things on his own, through his Hustle Hard label, Maino said it would take him time to build his brand up. Not having much time, Maino decided to add E1 Music to his team in a joint venture with Atlantic Records.

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A-Thug provides updates on "The Signature," BRS Clothing, New Projects, Record Sales, and New Connections

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The summer has been very prosperous for A-Thug. He has been working very hard on new records and doing a number of shows. Earlier this year, A-Thug announced his upcoming album, The Signature.

The Black Rolling Stones CEO is still working on his own career and pushing the careers of his artists. Aside from his own projects, A-Thug is also helping Ronnie J'uz with his latest album.

A-Thug also provided an update on his clothing line, BRS Clothing. The summer has been very good to A-Thug and he is taking this momentum with him into the fall, as he prepares to put together a number of new projects. Earlier today, A-Thug got in contact with Hip Hop Vibe and an interview took place.

Read the entire interview below:

Can you tell us what it has been like, working on The Signature?
It has been a long, different project, from my last album. I wanted to take my time on this album, making it a masterpiece. I recorded over seventy songs and chose the best one of it. This project has more of my element.

How has your summer 2011 been?
It's been real good man. The ladies have been treating me really well, Harlem is behind me. I've been having fun, shopping, I have four videos on the way to.

What inspired your "Tell Me (remix)" over Mase's track?
Being from Harlem inspired that track. Girls usually don't talk, so I asked them numerous questions, some were sort of personal, but it's me wanting to know. Not too many rappers are doing real commercial-friendly songs, so I want to bring it back.

Have you been listening to older music, as you have also covered Tupac's "I Get Around?"
Oh yeah, Tupac is definitely an influence to me as an artist and a person. He gave his life to music and he addressed all the issues. His elevation is inspiring to me, so I had to cover "I Get Around." That song relates to me, I shot a video for it on the east side of Harlem.

Speaking of videos, how have things been going with Megastar Films?
Part five of Megastar DVD will be released in a month. Anyone who needs promotion needs to go ahead and hit us up. We have Nas, Murda Mook, and many other big names on this DVD. Part five will be the biggest edition yet.

Do you have any new plans for BRS Clothing?
Of course, we have new designs. Many of the artists who have inspired me will be used on promotional designs. Also, the BRS artists are releasing new music and they will have BRS-themed shirts for promotional use. We will also be having more original designs, outside of hip hop.

What moves are you making to separate BRS Clothing from hip hop?
Being the face of the clothing line. I'm endorsing it, I'm rocking it now, myself. Half of the week, I will be wearing something BRS. My team is also rocking and what we are going to do is branch out. So, if a person has never heard of BRS' music, they have heard of the clothing line. If a person mentions Black Rolling Stones, they may think it is the record label, while others may think it is a clothing line. We are even doing customizations. We're giving the people more of what they want with the clothing line.

Back to the music, have you been speaking with any major labels?
As of yet, we are trying to speak with E1 Music and Asylum Records. I want to move as soon as possible with these deals.

How do you feel about the independent success you have had this year?
Great man. It's been a steady grind man. I've been taking the Black Rolling Stones movement to the next level and still searching for more team members.

How many units have you been moving this summer?
I've been running various discounts and it has paid off for me. I have sold 15,000 CD this summer, by myself. This includes my own albums, mixtapes, and projects from other people I have deals with. Also, my DVD series, Megastar DVD, has had the numbers going crazy. During Harlem week, I ran a sale and it boosted my numbers.

Have you met any new people this summer, who have helped you advance in the game?
Definitely, I have. Some of the connects I have met, I haven't even had the chance to meet with because I have been so busy. I have one connect who is helping me talk to E1 Music, the goal is for me to get signed to a majorly-independent record label so I can penetrate the bigger market. But, I have also been doing production, working on tracks, and designing my clothing line, myself. I have been in the studio, making it happen, and I have been doing shows. I also have had other artists in my studio recording, because I charge an affordable rate.

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Slaughterhouse to release Lead Single before Year's End

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Eminem hinted at signing Slaughterhouse, almost immediately after the rappers joined forces. Having been away from the spotlight for five years, Eminem was just making a comeback, himself. Back to the top of the game, he laid several feuds to rest.

Joe Budden had been at odds with 50 Cent, ever since both rappers made it big, in 2003. Despite both being Detroit natives, Eminem had issues with Royce da 5'9 for years. Eminem laid all these issues to rest and prepared to sign Slaughterhouse, which also included Joell Ortiz and Crooked I.

Following the release of their 2009 self-titled debut album through E1 Music (formerly Koch Records), the group was signed to Shady Records. For the entirety of 2010 and for most of 2011, the most the fans have heard from Slaughterhouse has been talk. Outside of the talk, the biggest news made was Joell Ortiz with his controversial "Big Pun Back" single.

Recently, Royce da 5'9 opened up about the ongoing on the crew. Royce promised their second album was well on it's way. He promised at least a new single, if not a full album, would come before the end of the year.
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Royce da 5'9 to release album in July

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2009, Royce da 5'9 reunited with Eminem and he ended up being signed to Shady Records. Royce da 5'9 has recorded several albums in the meantime, though. He released Death is Certain, a critically-acclaimed album, through Koch Records (now E1 Music).

Seven years have passed since the release of his acclaimed album. In the years since then, Royce has put out two more albums. Now, back with his partner in rhyme, Royce da 5'9 is ready to release the sequel of his 2004 album.

Royce da 5'9 has discussed his album, Success is Certain, for the past few months. Currently, he is preparing some of the collaborations for the album. Eminem will be featured on the upcoming album, which will be released on July 26, 2011.

The album will be released through Shady/Aftermath.

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Jim Jones disappointed with "Capo" results

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

While Jim Jones is sure Capo will be one of the best albums released this year, he thinks it could have been better. Despite the album being put together to fill an obligation, Jones still had different plans. The album will be Jones' final release under E1 (formerly Koch Records), before he moves with Diplomat Records to Interscope.

Jim Jones did not even want to release the album on April 5, he wanted to give it more time. Jones felt if he had more time, the album could have had better marketing and promotion. Still, Jim Jones is not too upset because his album is "super dope." But, he feels things could have been better if it were not for the label politics.

But, being on a label as big as E1, Jim Jones had to comply with their rules. Throughout the year, more hip hop albums will be released in other time slots. Jim Jones decided to be the bigger person and go ahead and release his album, so the other artists on the label could have proper time. Jones said sometimes you have to sacrifice your art in order to please the label boss.

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Joell Ortiz discusses Solo Career, Slaughterhouse, and Shady Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

While Joell Ortiz has signed to Shady Records as a part of the supergroup, Slaughterhouse, he is still a solo free agent. For years, Joell Ortiz has been an independent artist. At one point, he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, but he left because he was a backburner artist.

Because of his experience with Aftermath, Joell Ortiz was weary about signing to a major label. While the Dr. Dre experience did not work out for Ortiz, his experience with Dre protege, Eminem, has changed his mind. Currently, Joell Ortiz is looking for a label to sign to.

So far, Eminem has done good by Slaughterhouse and if he continues, Joell Ortiz may consider signing a solo deal. He likes the fact that Eminem is not interfering with Slaughterhouse as they record their new album. In 2009, they released their debut album through E1 and maintained full creative control. Eminem is allowing them to record just as free on their major label debut.

When signing to a label, Joell Ortiz wants to pick a label who truly believes in him. Eminem gives him a feeling of security and this may lead to Ortiz making a deal with Shady Records.

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Saigon finally releases "The Greatest Story Never Told"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

One of the longest-delayed albums in hip hop history was released today. Saigon has been waiting for six years to release his debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told. After dominating the mixtape game, Saigon is officially ready to play in the major leagues.

There has been plenty of frustration over the past six years, due to release dates. Saigon partnered with Just Blaze and they took their project to Atlantic Records. For unknown reasons, Atlantic refused to release the album. Saigon and Just Blaze fought to be released from the label with the rights to the album.

Upon winning the war with Atlantic Records, the two reworked the album. Many who had heard the album, previously, said it was a true hip hop classic. Saigon had given his reasons on why the album was not released during his Atlantic Records' days. But, when he landed with E1 Music, Saigon was no longer focusing on the past.

Years of waiting had boiled down to hours and now the release of The Greatest Story Never Told is finally here. The album is available for purchase in stores nationwide.

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Can Just Blaze still become a Record Executive?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2003, Roc-A-Fella producer, Just Blaze heard Brooklyn rapper, Saigon, rap for the first time. He was immediately impressed and wanted to work with him. Because of his style, he knew Saigon would not fit as a Roc-A-Fella artist. Instead, Just wanted to start his own label for Saigon.

Roc-A-Fella boss, Jay-Z, had just taken over at Def Jam and he denied Just Blaze's request to launch a new label. Blaze instead went to Atlantic Records and they helped him establish his own label. Named Fort Knocks Entertainment, Just Blaze wanted to take over the rap game.

The executives at Atlantic Records promised Just Blaze they would release Saigon's The Greatest Story Never Told. But, for five years, they delayed his album. The frustration was so much that Saigon considered leaving his deal with Just Blaze just to release his album. Last year, Just Blaze was able to leave the label, taking Saigon and the album with him.

Now, with a distribution deal with E1 Music, Just Blaze and Saigon are ready to release the album. At the time, many people felt Just Blaze would have quickly released the album and establish a new powerhouse in the rap game. But, to the shock of many, not even his name could get the album released. By this time, many assumed Just Blaze would have also been one of the top record executives in the game. Now, Blaze has lost most of his credibility.

But, with The Greatest Story Never Told finally coming, Just Blaze hopes to gain a lot of this hope and promise back. After the release of Saigon's album, Just Blaze will likely want to sign more artists to his imprint. But, with the Saigon debaccle, what artist would even be interested in signing with Just Blaze's label if it will take them six years just to release their first album?

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Jim Jones releasing "Capo" on E1 instead of Sony

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the Roc-A-Fella days, Jim Jones began rapping, but he did not sign with the Roc. Instead, he established a deal with Koch Records and he released two albums with the label. His third album came in 2006 and made Jones a household name.

In 2006, Jim Jones was feuding with Jay-Z. Tired of the frequent disses, Jay-Z began responding. He boasted about how much money he makes and how many more records he sells. Jay-Z also scoffed at the fact that Jim Jones was on an independent label.

Jim Jones replied that he also had an A&R job with Columbia Records. Soon after the news was made public, Jones signed an artist deal with the label. He planned to release his next album through the imprint.

Ever since last year, Jim Jones has been recording, Capo, his fifth studio album. The album process has taken many wild turns. In a strange turn of events, Jim Jones has decided to release the album on his former label, Koch (E1) as opposed to Sony. Due to the relationship between Sony and Koch Entertainment, they have no issue in allowing Jones to do this.

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Armageddon prepares Debut Album

Despite rumors of a feud between Armageddon and Fat Joe, he remains on the Terror Squad roster. Two years ago, multiple artists that used to be on Terror Squad lashed out at Fat Joe. It was during this time that Armageddon supposedly left the label.

In the past, Armageddon complained about not having an album out. Fat Joe has said multiple times that his Terror Squad artists are lazy. He said all that they had to do was get into the studio and record music. Most people said Fat Joe was selfish.

Throughout his career, he has made moves that primarily benefited himself. However, his latest move was one that helped out everyone. Fat Joe finally landed an exclusive distribution deal with E1 Music for Terror Squad.

With the deal in place, Fat Joe has gotten down to business when it concerns his new album, The Dark Side, and he is trying to establish the other artists on Terror Squad. The first artist signed to Terror Squad, aside from Fat Joe and Big Pun was Armageddon. Not only has he been the longest-tenured artist on the label, but he has also proven to be the most-loyal, too.

Armageddon is currently working on his debut album, The Journal, which he proclaimed will be the album of the year. Before he can even get established, Geddy is toying with the idea of possibly changing the title of the album to The Journal: Vol 1 The Rebirth. On the album, he has recorded with Fat Joe and N.O.R.E. He has worked with such producers as Doo Wop.

Currently, he is out promoting the first single off of the album, "It's Over." The song is actually a remix to an older song that he created. However, this single will begin his push into the mainstream. He said that he had not spoken with Fat Joe in a while before the two worked together in Miami. Because of the chemistry that they had, Fat Joe decided to allow him to begin his debut album.

Now, Geddy says that he has reconnected with hip hop and he is ready to release The Journal.

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Joell Ortiz sounds off on E1 Music

Because of his struggle with the major record labels, early in his career, Joell Ortiz signed with E1 Music back when it was still Koch Records. Under Koch, he would release his debut album, The Brick (Bodega Chronicles), in 2007. The album would not be much of a success, but it was critically praised.

The second album from Ortiz was supposed to be released on Aftermath Entertainment. Following the warm reception from the streets to his album, Dr. Dre signed him. But, the top priority over at Aftermath was 50 Cent and G-Unit. Upset at the lack of attention, Joell Oritz would return to Koch Records.

One of the main reasons that Koch Records has been so popular is because they release albums from an artist, regardless. Where major labels push artists back at a constant rate, all they do is put the music out. But, now that Koch has become E1 and they have a distribution deal with Epic Records, they are a major label.

Now, Joell Ortiz is trying to put out his second album, Free Agent, and he is trying to release the debut album from Slaughterhouse. But, because E1 Music has this new deal, they are expecting to receive a full return on their investment. Even though Joell Ortiz is one of the best lyrical rappers out there, they do not feel that he is notable enough. Last week, they suggested that Ortiz create a feud with another artist for promotion. Fed up with E1, Joell Ortiz has had enough. Because of his treatment, Slaughterhouse is not going to sign with E1, instead, they will sign a group deal with another label.

While he is trying to move on, E1 is blocking any label from signing Joell Oritz from a group deal. This has upset the Brooklyn rapper and he said that E1 is trying to ruin his career. Now, he has taken direct aim and he has informed the executives of E1 Music that they are blocking something truly great from happening.

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