Eazy-E's daughter also wants in on NWA biopic, says Eazy-E's role should not be a given to Her Brother

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

At the time of his death, Eazy-E's children were small, but they are now all grown up. Eazy-E enjoyed a brief run on top of the rap game. More than anything, Eazy-E was known for being the leader of NWA. While the group ended in a battle, they all came together when Eazy-E died.

Sixteen years after his death, there have been several documentaries about his legacy. However, there has yet to be any actual films about Eazy-E. In 2009, The Notorious B.I.G. had a bio-pic produced, but the actual people were not pleased by the movie.

With Eazy-E's bio-pic, Ice Cube, his former group-mate is producing the film. Eazy-E's son, a rapper who calls himself Lil' Eazy-E, said he should play the role of Eazy-E. He said he has the look and he already knows the history, so he should be the man for the job. Lil' Eazy-E was hoping for support in his bid to play his father, but he has a little opposition.

This opposition is coming from his own sister, Erin Wright. During an interview with Black Voices, Erin stated Lil' Eazy should not be given the role because he is a junior. Eazy-E has four sons and Erin Wight says they all resemble Eazy-E in their own way. She feels her brother should audition, just like everyone else and win the role, instead of having it handed to him. Showing she was not simply dissing her brother, Erin Wright said she would also love to audition for a role in the film.

Read more...

Is French Montana the next King of New York?

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

New York is where hip hop was born. For decades, New York single-handedly dominated the rap game. However, in the late 1980s, the West Coast took over the game. New York hip hop suffered until the 1994 emergence of The Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy Records.

Following the feud between the East and West Coast, New York hip hop continued to dominate. However, in the 2000s, Southern hip hop emerged and took over the game. For well over ten years, the South has dominated because of their unity.

The problems in the New York hip hop scene have been magnified, but the West Coast was also struggling, until recently. Aside from the veterans, no New York rappers are having success. Papoose, Mims, and Saigon have been among the names picked to revive the mecca.

Papoose and Saigon both met their downfalls when they could not secure release dates. Mims, on the other hand, had a fast start, but quickly evaporated. Currently, New York hip hop is being held up by Nicki Minaj, best-known as a part of Young Money. Recently, Papoose returned to the headlines when he proclaimed himself as the king of New York.

Bad Boy rapper, Red Cafe, rebuffed those claims, saying Papoose does not have enough buzz to even be considered in the running for king of New York. While Red Cafe is signed to Bad Boy Records and has such stars as Akon, among others, in his corner, he does not have much buzz, either. French Montana, on the other hand, is making the most buzz, both in and out of New York.

Currently in talks of signing with Maybach Music, French Montana has taken several flights back and forth to the city of Miami to speak with Rick Ross. Even if he does not sign with Maybach Music, French Montana is working with the top DJs, producers, and executives in the game. If being the king of New York is simply based off buzz and popularity, French Montana is easily the king of New York.

Read more...

Greg Kading clears up Statements about Biggie and Tupac

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The year of 2011 has been a revolution, of sorts, for hip hop. Several new artists have emerged. Aside from the emergence of new artists, the veterans have experienced success, also. Even the deceased artists are making news.

January of 2011 began with rumors about the Tupac Shakur bio-pic and during the summer, Dexter Isaac admitted he was the person who shot Tupac in 1994 at Quad Studios. Isaac also admitted he shot the rapper on the orders of Jimmy Henchman.

Now, in the fall of 2011, Greg Kading, a former homicide detective for the LAPD, revealed information about the murders of both Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Greg Kading said a man named Poochie was behind the shooting of The Notorious B.I.G. The former detective also said Lil' Cease has had several stories he was telling about Biggie's murder.

Yesterday, Lil' Cease came out and denied the story Greg Kading had been telling. Kading said it has been a very broad investigation, regarding Tupac's murder and it leads right into Biggie's murder. The former detective said he was led to a Crip gang member, named Orlando Anderson. He said when Anderson was forced, he admitted he, his nephew, and other Crips, were behind Tupac's murder.

Despite the rumors about The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean "Diddy" Combs being behind the Crips' attack on their former friend, Tupac Shakur, Greg Kading said the Crips were not paid off by Bad Boy. Greg Kading said there was no evidence of Biggie being involved in Tupac's murder. However, without the Biggie paying off the Crips theory, there was no reason for the Crips, or Bloods, to have murdered B.I.G.

Read more...

Fred The Godson discusses DJ Clark Kent and DJ Drama mixtape

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Among the people bringing New York hip hop back is Fred the Godson. Hailing from The Bronx, some have tried comparing the newcomer to the late Notorious B.I.G. Those sentiments have not come from everyone, though. Still, most have agreed Fred is a very gifted rapper.

DJ Clark Kent, a man who worked with The Notorious B.I.G., along with Jay-Z, has been made into a believer. Upon meeting the famed producer, Fred the Godson said they immediately hit if off, establishing a relationship. Fred the Godson said he was amazed when Clark Kent co-signed him.

Fred the Godson said it was an honor to be co-signed by the same man who co-signed Biggie and Jay-Z. It was Fred the Godson's friend, PJ from Mount Vernon, who helped them meet. Fred was told by DJ Clark Kent he would be one of the greatest if he continued to go at the rate he was going, making classic records.

Another famous DJ Fred the Godson is working with is DJ Drama. His Gangsta Grillz mixtape will be called Fred and Friends. The mixtape will support a lead single, which features Diddy, Meek Mill, and Cory Gunz/ Fred the Godson said the mixtape has nothing less than album-quality material. Being unsigned is the only reason the mixtape will not be sold in stores. Fred the Godson spoke on his single, "Gettin Money... Pt. 2," saying the mixtape would be an album, if not for him being unsigned and the DJ Drama affiliation.

Fred the Godson went on to say Fred and Friends would be better than 95% of the albums coming out.

Read more...

Can Red Cafe return Bad Boy Records to Prominence?

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Early in its run, Bad Boy Records dominated the game. The label quickly built around The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans. Founded by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Bad Boy Records was quickly becoming a second-generation Def Jam. While Combs established himself a new-and-improved Russell Simmons, B.I.G. never had the chance to have a legacy like LL Cool J, as he was brutally murdered.

Bad Boy Records has had a number of hits over the past fourteen years, but the label has never had another flagship artist like their original. Immediately following Biggie's death, Mase became the new face of the label. However, during the promo run of his sophomore album, Mase decided to quit rap to become a preacher.

In 1999, Shyne became the new flagship artist for Bad Boy, but he was soon arrested and serving time in prison. Loon stepped up to the plate in 2003, but his career quickly fizzled, also. In 2009, Combs announced he had signed Red Cafe to the label. During the fall, Bad Boy Records left Atlantic Records for a new deal at Interscope Records. Diddy said Red Cafe would now be the focal point of Bad Boy Records.

Aside from being Bad Boy's new flagship artist, Red Cafe was also the head of his own Shakedown movement. Red Cafe has been working for well over five years, trying to gain exposure and release his debut album. After two years of delays, on Bad Boy, Diddy announced Red Cafe would soon be taking his rightful place as the new flagship artist of Bad Boy Records. Red Cafe also discussed the situation and announced his debut album would be released on Valentine's Day 2012.

But, for nearly ten years, Bad Boy Records has been struggling. Bad Boy Records has been struggling two years longer than the New York hip hop scene. Long before his Bad Boy days, Red Cafe was said to be the artist who would return New York to hip hop prominence. Now, he is being hailed as the man who can make the same happen for Bad Boy Records. However, Red Cafe does not have much more buzz than any of the other New York rappers in the game.

Once Red Cafe gets the Bad Boy machine behind him, will he be able to re-ignite New York hip hop and, in turn, place Bad Boy Records back on top of the game?

Read more...

Ol' Dirty Bastard and The Notorious B.I.G. in 1993 [VIDEO]

Read more...

What if The Notorious B.I.G. had Never Died?

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the late 1990s, the biggest feud in hip hop history emerged when Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records began taking shots at each other. The center of the feud was the outspoken Tupac Shakur, of the West, and The Notorious B.I.G., of the East. Initially, the two rappers were friends, but a shooting changed all of this.

The past few months have shed light into what caused some of the most-pivotal moments in hip hop. Tupac Shakur's beef with The Notorious B.I.G. stemmed from a shooting in 1994 at Quad Studios, which led to him being shot. Recently, it was said, by Dexter Isaac, that Jimmy Henchman was behind this shooting.

In March of 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. was preparing to release his Life After Death album. On the album, Biggie rapped the same street tales, laced with rhymes of wealth and prestige. Weeks before the official release of the album, The Notorious B.I.G. was taken, only months after Tupac Shakur. A few years ago, Diddy revealed Biggie was supposed to leave Los Angeles on the night of March 8 to head out of the country. However, Biggie ended up talking Diddy into allowing him to stay longer.

Had The Notorious B.I.G. taken the trip out of the country, he likely would have performed some of his older tracks and would have premiered a number of his new tracks. If The Notorious B.I.G. was still alive, today, he would be a seventeen year veteran. While Biggie promised he would retire, in 2000, to focus on the development of Junior M.A.F.I.A., he would have likely released a comeback album. By now, Biggie would likely become a commentator to the hip hop game. Nas created the "hip hop is dead" discussion and the discussion would not have taken place if Biggie were still here.

Jay-Z is the most-quoted rapper in today's generation. While Jay-Z has memorable quotes, many of his rhymes sample lines from The Notorious B.I.G. Had Biggie still been alive, Jay-Z's music would have been missing a number of quotes. In current hip hop, The Notorious B.I.G. would instead be the rapper being quoted all the time. Since his death "106 & Park" has become a surrogate home to hip hop and Biggie would have been a fixture on the show, especially during the era of AJ and Free. If Biggie were still here, hip hop would have more of a focus on lyrics than business.

While the focus would be lyrics, the business would still be booming. Being the businessman he is, Diddy would have made Biggie the focus of his Sean John clothing line, using him for the commercials. If Biggie were still here, a lot of rappers in the game would still be fighting for entry.

Read more...

Fabolous ft. Red Cafe and Trey Songz - "Sicker Than Yo Average"

Once again, Fabolous links up with Red Cafe and Trey Songz. However, this time it is on the same track. The trio come together for "Sicker than Yo Average," a song named after the famous Notorious B.I.G. quote.

Listen to "Sicker Than Yo Average" by Fabolous ft. Red Cafe and Trey Songz below:

Read more...

Smif-N-Wessun discuss The Notorious B.I.G. feud [VIDEO]

Read more...

Suge Knight goes at Diddy and talks Tupac Shakur legacy

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the 1990s, Suge Knight was on top of the world. His record label, Death Row Records, was making hit records. Even though the label was independent, they still managed to sell millions of albums.

However, by the mid-1990s, Sean Combs had launched his own label, Bad Boy Records. In the eyes of many, Bad Boy Records was the East Coast counterpart of Death Row. Because of this, there was immediate friction between Knight and Combs.

Following the deaths of Tupac and Biggie, Suge Knight and Diddy have gone through a number of changes. Diddy rose to become one of the top businessmen in the world. Suge Knight, on the other hand, has lost everything and is fighting criminal charges.

Recently, Suge Knight was caught in the street and he was asked several questions. Knight informed the people he was working on a number of movies. Suge Knight said some movies would be actual films and others would be documentaries. Due to his persona, Suge Knight said he is not like other people in the game who snitch to stay free, like Buffy (Tupac's nickname for Sean Combs).

Suge Knight said all of the people who did Tupac wrong, while he was alive, will be exposed. While he is not a snitch, Suge Knight promised to expose all of the wrongdoers.

Read more...

Jay-Z speaks on using Biggie's rhymes [VIDEO]

Read more...

Young Chris ft. The Notorious B.I.G. - "Me and My Bitch"

Read more...

Jimmy Henchmen's legal team responds to Tupac shooting claims by Dexter Isaac

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

For years, many have wondered exactly who shot the iconic rapper, Tupac Shakur, in 1994. Shakur blamed former friend, Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. In 2008, it was said that Jimmy Henchmen was behind the shooting, something he vehemently denied.

Dexter Isaac revealed, yesterday, he was the man who shot Tupac Shakur. He said he was working for Henchmen, who hired him to rob the rapper. In return for his services, he was rewarded $2,500 and most of the jewelry worn by Shakur.

Jimmy Henchmen was revealed to be one of the biggest cocaine dealers in the United States. His entire organization is under federal investigation. Henchmen said he is not guilty and will not return to the United States until the charges are dropped. Now, Henchmen is saying Isaac is lying and the only reason he is confessing is because he does not want to die in prison.

Read more...

Jadakiss strives to be "King of New York"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Many regard Jadakiss as one of the most lyrical rappers in the game and a legend. For the most part, Jadakiss is known for his rough lyrics. However, not many people know Jadakiss is also interested in acting.

In the late 1990s, Jadakiss inspiried The Notorious B.I.G.'s drug kingpin alter ego, Frank White. The character originated from the crime thriller, King of New York. Many classic movies have been remade over the past few years.

Jadakiss wants in if King of New York will be remade. As many likely guessed, Jadakiss would want to play the role of Frank White, the kingpin. In an interview with VIBE, Jada said they should just replace Christopher Walken with him.

Read more...

The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1997 belongings are Revealed

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Fourteen years ago, hip hop was dealt a second major blow only months after Tupac Shakur died. The Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in Los Angeles. At the time, Biggie and his crew were in the middle of a celebration.

Those close to Biggie say life has not been the same since. As big as he was, his personality was even bigger. Following B.I.G.'s untimely death, there has been much speculation about what led to his assassination.

While the mystery regarding The Notorious B.I.G.'s death may never be solved, more information has been revealed. In December, the case was re-opened. Now, some of Biggie's possessions that night have been released to the public.

The night he died, The Notorious B.I.G. had his asthma inhaler, a pack of condoms, birth control, and marijuana on him. Other possessions revealed were his blood-stained clothes and other clothes he had packed for his trip.

Read more...

Shyne determined to reach Jay-Z's level of success

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Early in his career, Shyne was molded in the same vein as Mase by Sean Combs. Following the death of The Notorious B.I.G., the Bad Boy label needed a new flagship artist. Mase was the first artist selected, but he gave up rap for ministry. Shyne was soon recruited to rebuild Bad Boy.

Shyne was a major star early in his career because he was with the Bad Boy label. But, following his prison sentence and his falling out with Combs and Bad Boy, Shyne was left out in the cold. Soon, he aligned with Irv Gotti, who helped him release his last album, in 2004.

While seven years have passed since his last album, Shyne intends to take over the game. Realizing he is not on the same level as Jay-Z, Shyne is inspiried by this. Shyne said he is going to work until he and Jay-Z are considered equals in the rap game. Given his change in style and the rejection of some of his newer songs, Shyne has his work cut out for him.

Read more...

Eminem's 2002 album "The Eminem Show" goes Diamond

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The past two years have been incredible for Eminem, as he did the impossible. Following his 2004 album, Eminem took a break from recording music. His break was so long, many assumed Em was done with music.

Five years was how long Eminem stayed away from the game. He returned with his Relapse album, which poked fun at his battle with drugs. The album was met with negative and mixed reviews. But, last year, Eminem corrected his mistakes.

Recovery was considered by many to be the top hip hop album of 2010. The album was the highest-selling album of 2010. Many who had written Eminem off following Relapse were now eating their words and ready to crown him king. Months following the release of Recovery and Eminem is still receiving praise for the album.

Nine years ago, Eminem solidified his legacy when he released The Eminem Show. The album was a sharp turn from his humorous lyrics on his previous albums. Eminem opened the world to exactly why he jokes the way he does and is"shady." It was after this album when people realized Eminem had a problem and that he was much more than a white boy rapper. The Eminem Show was critically-acclaimed and considered by many as one of the best albums of 2002.

Even after Eminem released more albums and moved on, The Eminem Show continued to sell. During the 2002 timeframe, The Eminem Show went platinum several times over. The album continued to sell well over the past nine years. Now, Eminem has joined exclusive company as only the third rapper to have an album sell over 10 million copies. Eminem joins the likes of MC Hammer and The Notorious B.I.G. as rappers with diamond albums.

Read more...

The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Puff Daddy and Mase - "Mo Money Mo Problems"

Read more...

The Notorious B.I.G. - "Hypnotize"

Read more...

The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Faith Evans - "One More Chance (remix)"

Read more...