Should Birdman take over at Def Jam?

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Coming out of his hiatus, Irv Gotti discussed a series of topics with MTV's RapFix. Among the things Irv Gotti talked about was Def Jam. The label was seen as the mecca of hip hop, but things have not been the same over the past few years. Gotti said hip hop without Def Jam is a problem.

During his interview, Irv Gotti said he was discussing this issue with Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope Records. When he was talking with Jimmy Iovine, he told him the new label in hip hop is Cash Money. Irv Gotti pointed out how there is no denying Cash Money, but it is no Def Jam.

Throughout the course of hip hop, there have been several other labels. Bad Boy Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Irv's own label, Murder Inc., have been met with success. Despite their success, Irv Gotti said there will never be another Def Jam. Even though hip hop is still successful, Irv Gotti said Def Jam has to be the focal point of hip hop.

Def Jam has been very successful over the years and has continued to dominate with the ever-popular artists on their label, Kanye West, Ace Hood, and Rick Ross, among others. While Def Jam is dominating, it is not the way it used to be. Cash Money Records, on the other hand, has had a legacy, which has rich history in its own right. Before he decided to rap, Birdman was simply known as one half of the CEOs of Cash Money, back when the label was still on the local level in New Orleans.

Cash Money Records has experienced all types of success and has a nice deal with Universal Records, which has allowed sub-labels, such as Young Money, to emerge. Def Jam had a similar deal, during its early days, with Columbia Records. However, Def Jam was purchased by MCA, which eventually morphed into the Universal Music Group. Currently, Cash Money Records is riding its third wave of success, with the first being on the local level, the second being the Hot Boyz, run and then there is now.

Birdman and Slim are obviously doing the right things to make Cash Money successful. Irv Gotti said the first thing Def Jam needs is a real CEO who cares. While he wants the job, he is willing for anyone, who is able, and who cares, to take the job. Irv Gotti is even ready to see his rival, Chris Lighty, take over the label if he wants to. Of course, Birdman is under contract with Universal Records for several years. But, if things were different, could Birdman be the person to right the ship at Def Jam?

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Jimmy Henchman hires lawyer, Gerald Shargel

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Under usual circumstances, Jimmy Henchman remains behind the scenes. Henchman is behind the careers of Game and Ray J, among other talents. This summer, however, it was revealed all of this was a front for Jimmy Henchman's cocaine ring, which generated $10 million a year.

Being brought up on drug charges did not stop Jimmy Henchman from maintaining his innocence. The troubled mogul said he had no parts of the operation. Soon, Dexter Isaac, a former employee, revealed he was the one who shot Tupac Shakur in 1994. He only shot him because he was unable to rob the iconic rapper.

While Dexter Isaac's confession is not doing anything to help Jimmy Henchman's case, it has no effect on his current charges. However, a recent raid on one of his properties revealed Henchman owned a machine gun and a silencer. Now, with those charges mounting, Jimmy Henchman has decided to bring in more legal counsel. Recently, Jimmy Henchman hired Gerald Shargel, who has represented John Gotti, and he famously defended Irv Gotti and Murder Inc. Records from money laundering charges in 2005.

Speaking on represeting Jimmy Henchman, Gerald Shargel said this is his type of case and he is honored to be defending Henchman. Shargel is honored to represent Henchman, but the mogul is facing 30 years of prison, based simply off the gun charges. For heading up the cocaine ring, Jimmy Henchman is facing a life sentence in prison. Assistant US Attorney, Todd Kaminsky, showed how Henchman used music crates to ship cocaine across the United States.

Interscope Records was also under investigation, as it was assumed Jimmy Henchman was running his organization through their Los Angeles offices. However, last week, Interscope Records was cleared from the investigation. Jimmy Iovine discussed the matter, saying Interscope Records has never had any type of ties to organized crime. While Jimmy Iovine is free from the investigation, other members of Henchman's organization have been revealed, such as his brother Kesnar Rosemond.

Jimmy Henchman worked with a number of businesses, including an unnamed New York City car dealership. He was also suspected of shipping his products through Rock-It Cargo, with them being a knowing partner. There are also a number of FedEx accounts that have been opened in Jimmy Henchman's name. While Jimmy Henchman continues to fight for his innocence, his brother, Kesnar, has pled guilty and is cooperating with the law enforcement.

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Diddy signs Machine Gun Kelly to Bad Boy Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2009, Diddy moved Bad Boy Records from Atlantic Records, their home of four years, to Interscope Records. The deal was made because Diddy was focused on expanding the label. Having been with Atlantic Records for so long, Diddy was ready for a change.

While Diddy was entering Interscope Records, 50 Cent announced his intentions on leaving the label. Diddy intended to mold Red Cafe's career while with Interscope Records. Fans have yet to hear from Red Cafe, but they have heard from Bad Boy.

Diddy intended to sign Kreayshawn to Bad Boy Records. Kreyshawn made waves, earlier this summer. However, Diddy was unable to convince her to sign with the label. Determined to expand the roster of Bad Boy, Diddy still signed a new artist.

Machine Gun Kelly, a rising artist from Cleveland, Ohio, was officially signed to Bad Boy Records, earlier today. Both Diddy and Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope Records, discussed the signing today. Kelly also talked about his rise. Today, Machine Gun Kelly talked about how he started literally in the basement and how his career grew to him eventually signing to Bad Boy Records.

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Dr. Dre ends 50 Cent feud, G-Unit leader joins "Detox"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For years, there were rumors of a closet feud between Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. These rumors began when 50 Cent kicked Game out of G-Unit and Dr. Dre soon released him from Aftermath. The story was told over the next few years.

When his album, Curtis, did not fare so well, 50 Cent placed the blame upon Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. 50 Cent began sending several light disses to Dr. Dre. At times, 50 spoke publicly on the feud, but said he would never directly diss Dr. Dre.

This March, 50 Cent revealed Dr. Dre was upset over his headphone line. This is something Dr. Dre denied before calling out an unnamed rival in "I Need a Doctor." Some speculated he was actually going after 50 Cent.

Recent news, however, has proven otherwise. 50 Cent has been invited, by Dr. Dre to record on Detox, the album which will house "I Need a Doctor." No solid release date for the album, or song, has been released to the public.

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Mobb Deep considers G-Unit return

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2005, 50 Cent released his diss record, "Piggy Bank." He left no rock unturned in the scathing diss song. "Piggy Bank" included disses to Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Nas, and 50 made fun of Jay-Z's "Takeover" diss towards Mobb Deep.

Prodigy, of Mobb Deep, was spotted with Game, right after he released his first G-Unit diss. This had all the makings of a major feud between G-Unit and Mobb Deep. But, 50 Cent surprised fans when he signed Mobb Deep.

With this signing, Mobb Deep took on all of G-Unit's feuds, including feuds with Nas and Game. For years, Mobb Deep dissed these two rappers. Game extended an olive branch in 2008 and Mobb Deep was dropped in 2009.

Towards the end of 2009, 50 Cent confirmed Mobb Deep was no longer a part of G-Unit. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Mobb Deep was dropped because Jimmy Iovine forced 50 Cent to get rid of them after their album failed to sell many copies. This, along with a lack of promotion, is why 50 Cent made the decision to leave Interscope Records for a new deal with EMI Records.

Prodigy is now out of prison and he is working on a solo album. The Mobb Deep group, Prodigy and Havoc, are currently working on a new Mobb Deep project. Prodigy said it is very likely that this new project could end up being released on the new G-Unit/EMI label.

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Juelz Santana confirms Interscope Records move

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The Diplomats have been spending quite a bit of time with Dr. Dre, as he is helping them with their new music. Their work with hip hop's doctor comes after 50 Cent called Cam'ron a good guy. Four years ago, the two were embroiled in beef after 50 dissed their former distributor, Koch Records.

50 Cent was still riding the wave of his first two albums and was the top priority at Interscope Records. But, after the low sales of his next album, 50 Cent intended to leave the label. Over the summer, he did just that. 50 Cent now has a new distribution deal with EMI Records, which is only a notch about Koch.

Juelz Santana, a member of Diplomat Records, recently announced they would be signing to Interscope. In order to fill the void of 50 Cent, Jimmy Iovine has been recruiting. Cam'ron has great chemistry with Dr. Dre and he has the right type of talent Iovine can help expand upon. Now under a secure deal with Interscope Records, Santana said to expect new releases coming soon.

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50 Cent downplays Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre feud

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

50 Cent confirmed years' worth of rumors when he publicly dissed his former bosses, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. Ever since his 2007 album, Curtis, did worse than expected, 50 Cent has had problems with Jimmy Iovine. When 2009's Before I Self Destruct was held up because of Dr. Dre, 50 Cent called him out.

With Before I Self Destruct being 50 Cent's last album under his deal with Dr. Dre, he announced he would not re-sign. Building for the future, Dre re-added Game to the label. Game and 50 Cent were label-mates from 2002 until 2005. Upon releasing their albums, the two revealed they had major beef.

Even with everything going on Dr. Dre intended to reunite his former proteges on his Detox album. But, 50 Cent released a statement dissing both of his bosses. According to 50 Cent, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre were upset when he released his headphone line, Sleek by 50, as it was directly competing with the line Dre launched in 2008 with Iovine, Beats by Dre.

After the story has flooded the internet, 50 Cent is trying to downplay the madness. He said he still has love for Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. Without them and Eminem, he does not know where he would be right now, as he was having trouble getting signed. 50 Cent said he spoke with Jimmy Iovine and the two quickly ended their beef. The next person on 50 Cent's agenda is Dr. Dre, once he talks to him, maybe he can be added to the Detox lineup again.

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