Tone Trump - "Let's Win" episode 1 with Beanie Sigel

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Stalley ft. Freeway - "Jungle"

Freeway has said he has nothing but respect for Rick Ross and his Maybach Music. Now, Freeway has joined the likes of Beanie Sigel and others, collaborating with the team. Stalley recruits Freeway for his new track, "Jungle."

Listen to "Jungle" by Stalley ft. Freeway below:

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What if Roc-A-Fella Records had never Split?

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Sixteen years ago, Jay-Z was a street hustler trying to go legit. He had teamed up with Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke to launch his own record label. Jay-Z had attempted to get signed by major labels, but none of them saw his vision. The trio's hail mary attempt was starting their own record label, Roc-A-Fella Records.

In 1996, Jay-Z released Reasonable Doubt and Roc-A-Fella Records took off. Memphis Bleek also signed to the label, while Jaz-O, a mentor, of sorts, to Jay-Z, and Sauce Money were expected to. For one reason or another, they never signed to the label. Roc-A-Fella Records soon established a distribution deal with Def Jam and hit it big.

Before the end of 1997, Jay-Z had a platinum album under his belt and was quickly becoming a big name in hip hop. By 1998, Jay-Z became the biggest rapper on the planet, propelled by his "Hard Knock Life" single. Soon, Def Jam was using Jay-Z to spin off the careers of DMX and Ja Rule. Because of Jay-Z's initial flame, both rappers went on to achieve much success. Back at Roc-A-Fella Records, the label added several rappers from Philadelphia, which became State Property.

When the 2000s emerged, Roc-A-Fella Records had become the biggest hip hop label in the game. Every rapper in the game wanted to be a part of the movement. If an artist did not want to sign to the Roc, they wanted a beat from one of the in-house producers. Due to the success they were having, Damon Dash decided the company should branch out, which led to the 1999 launch of Rocawear. Corporate giants were watching Roc-A-Fella Records, as they had become much more than an independent record label.

Most independent record labels were founded when an artist had trouble getting signed. After creating one hit, the label gets picked up by a bigger label and the star makes hits. Roc-A-Fella Records bucked the trend and continued to sign more artists. Not only was Roc-A-Fella Records signing artists, they were also helping artists out with their movements. Beanie Sigel created State Property Records under the Roc, Memphis Bleek's Get Low label was founded in 1998, under Roc-A-Fella Records.

Roc-A-Fella Records' biggest move came in 2001, when Cam'ron was signed. Being from Harlem, Cam'ron knew Damon Dash and the two were friends. Cam'ron was also the head of his own label, Diplomat Records and he came to Roc-A-Fella for a deal. Unlike other artists signed to Roc-A-Fella, Cam'ron had buzz before signing to the label. Previously, Cam'ron had a deal with Sony Records. But, in 2002, he had the biggest hit of his career with "Oh Boy" and his only platinum album, to-date, Come Home with Me.

By 2003, it was clear Roc-A-Fella Records was much more than hip hop, with a film division, a clothing line, subsidiary labels, and a liquor brand. The major corporate players had watched long enough and they decided it was time to make an offer. Def Jam offered to buy complete control of Roc-A-Fella Records and offer an executive role to Jay-Z. Already worth well over $100 million, Jay-Z would have been well without the role with the company.

However, a behind the scenes beef with his partners prompted Jay-Z to move with Def Jam. But, had their not been any beef, Roc-A-Fella Records could have either turned Def Jam down, or made a counter-move. Either way, the label could have continued to run the game. Had Roc-A-Fella Records turned Def Jam down, they could have easily established a new deal with another label, which could have been much more lucrative.

A bigger focus could have been placed upon the sub-labels, building their stars. With Kanye West emerging, the Roc-A-Fella movement could be what the Cash Money movement currently is. Cash Money Records has big names, such as Bow Wow and Lil Wayne and is also the head of the Young Money movement. It could have been the same way for Roc-A-Fella Records and Jay-Z could have been just as rich, if not richer, had the partners been able to stay together.

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Ace Hood planning "Hustle Hard Tour"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Without a doubt, "Hustle Hard" is the biggest single of Ace Hood's career. To Ace, the "Hustle Hard" is more than a song, it is a lifestyle and motto. When his back was against the wall, Ace Hood recorded the "Hustle Hard" track, which led to the hit remix.

Fast forward six months, Ace Hood has a top ten album in his third studio album, Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Following the celebration, there is more work. Ace Hood is now preparing the "Hustle Hard Tour," named after the hit single.

This will be the first tour Ace Hood headlines and it will also feature appearances from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Beanie Sigel.

Read the tour dates and locations below:

September 9, 2011 Imperial Palace St. Louis, MO
September 10, 2011 Eagle Theater Pontiac, MI
September 16, 2011 HammerJax Dayton, OH
September 28, 2011 The Norva Norfolk, VA
October 6, 2011 Von Braun Center Huntsville, AL
October 14, 2011 Pierre Entertainment Center Ft. Wayne, IA
October 15, 2011 NC/AT&T Homecoming Greensboro, North Carolina

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Beanie Sigel speaks on Prison Stint

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, T.I.'s prison sentence made national news and it angered Beanie Sigel. At the time, Beanie Sigel had been taking shots at everyone. Initially, his only problem was with Jay-Z, but he soon dissed Memphis Bleek and Kanye West. When the news began reporting on T.I. he went at him, also.

Before so many rappers were going to prison, Beanie Sigel was behind bars, in 2005. During this period of time, Beans had also left Roc-A-Fella Records. In spite of everything going on, Beanie Sigel still managed to receive moderate radio play.

Now, in a more peaceful state of mind, Beanie Sigel opened up on his time behind bars. Beanie Sigel said he left his rap persona behind when he went to prison. Because of his stature, he was embraced by fellow inmates. Many prisoners had been behind bars for years, so they did not know what was currently going on, Beanie Sigel updated them.

Beanie Sigel said the time in prison was both good and bad. It was good because he needed a break from the game. However, Beanie Sigel could have come up with different ways to take his break. Still, he confirmed the stories about prison were true. Where most celebrities do not bode well in prison, Beans did and said he got some of the best sleep of his life while in prison.

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Game ft. Beanie Sigel and Rick Ross - "Heavy Artillery"

For the past two years, Game has expressed interest in working with both Beanie Sigel and Rick Ross. Game promised he would record with both rappers for his The R.E.D. Album.

Fans had to wait two years, but Game delivered on his promise and now the long-awaited collaboration, "Heavy Artillery," has been released.

Listen to "Heavy Artillery" by Game ft. Beanie Sigel and Rick Ross below:

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Beanie Sigel - "What Up"

Yesterday, new music came from Freeway. Today, the head of the State Property movement is back with a new release. Beanie Sigel leaked his latest song, "What Up," earlier today.

Listen to "What Up" by Beanie Sigel below:

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Album Preview: Game - "The R.E.D. Album"

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

This is the album everyone has been waiting for from Game. In January of 2009, Game announced he would not be retiring. Instead, he had to record two more albums and then he was done. Because of this, he began working on The R.E.D. Album.

Initially, Game planned to release the album through his home, Geffen Records. After leaving Aftermath, Game signed with Geffen. Only days before the official release of R.E.D., Game and Dr. Dre reunited. Their reunion was great for hip hop, but bad for Game fans.

The album was met with frequent delays, as Dr. Dre wanted to work on the album. Pegged with a 2010 release date, the album was delayed until the summer of 2011. Before the spring season, Game made his comeback official with the release of "Red Nation," the unofficial anthem to both Game fans and members of the Bloods gang. Featuring Lil Wayne, the song was able to crossover.

Game followed "Red Nation" with his Chris Brown-assisted, reflective song, "Pot of Gold." Today, the official tracklisting to The R.E.D. Album was released. On his latest album, Game blends the old with the new, with features from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, while also working with West Coast newcomers, such as Tyler, the Creator and Kendrick Lamar. Game also manages to reach out of his comfort zone to record with the likes of Nelly Furtado. By the looks of things, The R.E.D. Album will be Game's most creative album yet.

Track listing

1. "Dr. Dre (Intro)"
2. "The City" ft. Kendrick Lamar
3. "Drug Test" ft. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Sly
4. "Martians vs. Goblins" ft. Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne
5. "Red Nation" ft. Lil Wayne
6. "Dr. Dre 1 (Interlude)"
7. "Good Girls Go Bad" ft. Drake
8. "Ricky"
9. "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"
10. "Heavy Artillery" ft. Rick Ross and Beanie Sigel
11. "Paramedics" ft. Young Jeezy
12. "Speakers on Blast" ft. E-40 and Big Boi
13. "Hello" ft. Lloyd
14. "All the Way Gone" ft. Mario and Wale
15. "Pot of Gold" ft. Chris Brown
16. "Dr. Dre 2 (Interlude)"
17. "All I Know" ft. Luu Breeze
18. "Born in the Trap"
19. "Mama Knows" ft. Nelly Furtado
20. "California Dream"
21. "Dr. Dre (Outro)"

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Beanie Sigel - "Hold Up (Where You Been?)"

Four years have passed since Beanie Sigel last released an album. Despite the long gap between albums, Beans has remained relevant. Finally moving past his differences with Jay-Z, he is back to recording music.

One of the newer Beanie Sigel tracks leaked yesterday. The song is properly titled "Hold Up (Where You Been?)." Hoping to sign a new record deal, Beans hopes people will not be asking that too much longer.

Listen to "Hold Up (Where You Been?)" by Beanie Sigel below:

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Beanie Sigel says Jay-Z blocked his G-Unit move

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Perhaps an attempt to prove to the people he is not trying to get back on Jay-Z's good side, Beanie Sigel has another story to tell. Following the 2004 Roc-A-Fella breakup, each member had to choose between Jay-Z and Damon Dash. Most of the members had no trouble choosing, but Beanie Sigel was stuck in the middle.

In the end, Beanie Sigel decided to stay with Roc-A-Fella, while maintaining a strong relationship with Dash. In 2005, after being released from prison, Beanie Sigel released a new album, which was moderately successful. Even after the release of his 2005 album, Beanie Sigel remained with the Roc until the 2008 dismantling.

Now, after revealing he has beef with Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel has made a number of outrageous comments. The Philadelphia rapper teamed up with 50 Cent, nearly two years ago, in an attempt to bring Jay-Z down. Ever since 50 Cent and Jay-Z made peace, Beanie Sigel has been going at Jay-Z without enforcement. Most recently, Beanie Sigel has decided to speak on his release from prison and his plans. Originally, Beans intended to sign with G-Unit Records, after having meetings with 50 and the other executives of G-Unit.

Beanie Sigel said when he went to Jay-Z to secure his release from Def Jam, Hov refused to let him off the roster. According to Beanie Sigel, 50 Cent offered him his own label under G-Unit, cash in advance, and a full label deal with Interscope Records. While Beanie Sigel wanted to leave Def Jam, he wanted to remain on the Roc-A-Fella Records roster, but Jay-Z still refused to release him. Being the president of the entire company, Beanie Sigel thought he could easily make the deal happen.

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Peedi Crakk opens up on Burned Bridges in the Rap Game

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the height of the Roc-A-Fella dynasty, not only did the label have a roster full of popular artists, these artists also had their own roster of artists. Peedi Crakk was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records through State Property Records, Beanie Sigel's imprint. When things officially fell apart, in 2008, Peedi Crakk was the spokesman.

Peedi Crakk said Jay-Z had dropped the entire Roc from the roster, along with other stories. Early in 2008, Peedi Crakk had one insult or another for Jay-Z. Things were escalated so far that Peedi Crakk began releasing diss records against Jay-Z. Recently, Peedi Crakk informed aspiring artists of how important it is to have solid connections.

Comparing where he is, now, to where he was with Jay-Z, Peedi Crakk more than likely wishes he had maintained peace with Jay-Z. Now a renowned businessman, Jay-Z is not going to release a diss record to ruin Peedi Crakk. Instead, the multimillionaire will simply ignore him and all of the other major players will follow suit. Peedi Crakk said the right relationships are more important than having talent if an artist truly wants to make it in the game.

With the right connections, it will be easy to land other big names on records. After burning the bridge with former boss, Jay-Z, Peedi Crakk has learned how hard it is to build these connections without any help.

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Fred the Godson joins Rick Ross and Fat Joe to recreate The Fat Boyz

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Earlier this year, Beanie Sigel suggested he, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe get together to recreate The Fat Boyz. At the time, the idea stirred up a little buzz. But, after a few weeks, the idea was forgotten. Fat Joe has been struggling for hits, while Rick Ross has been taking over the game.

The Fat Boyz represented a time when hip hop was simpler and less violent. For years, leaders in the black community have been pleading for hip hop to return to this type of music. Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe all create violent music. But, if they were to unite to recreate such a legendary group, they may change their style up.

SOHH.com recently revisited the idea of recreating the legendary group. They asked "Fat Man" hitmaker, Fred the Godson about who he would team up with for a Fat Boyz crew. Fred replied with the same two Beanie Sigel chose, Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Ross would be on the team because of his popularity, while Joe would be on because of his personality.

A few months ago, Fred the Godson had the chance to meet Fat Joe and they hit it off well.

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50 Cent talks "Watch the Throne"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Throughout his career, 50 Cent has been very critical of Kanye West and Jay-Z. In 2007, 50 Cent challenged Kanye West to a battle of album sales. After Kanye West won the battle, 50 Cent targeted him with several disses. 50 Cent dissed Kanye for two years with no response.

Later in 2009, 50 Cent used Beanie Sigel to ignite a feud with former rival, Jay-Z. Ten years prior, 50 Cent had dissed Jay-Z and warranted a response on Vol. 3. But, this time around, Jay-Z did not engage 50 Cent. Behind the scenes, the two had a conversation and 50 Cent agreed not to diss Jay-Z anymore.

But, the news of Watch the Throne did not escape 50 Cent. He, surprisingly, is just as excited as most fans. With two titans in rap coming together for an album, 50 Cent says it will be an incredible thing to see and hear. Because of both of their talents, 50 Cent said he does not see why the album will not be one of the best of 2011.

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Beanie Sigel explains Kanye West beef

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, Beanie Sigel revealed that he had a problem with basically everyone who was signed to the Jay-Z-era Roc-A-Fella Records. After expressing his undying support to Hov, Beans went back on that and started dissing his former mentor.

Along with his Jay-Z disses, Beanie Sigel also took shots at Memphis Bleek and Kanye West. Bleek took the high road and offered to sit down and talk things out. Kanye, who was in the middle of the Taylor Swift drama, remained silent.

One year has passed since Beanie Sigel's drama and he has yet to earn a response from Kanye. Unlike last year, Kanye West is on top of the world. His latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, recently topped the charts. With Kanye West back on a roll, Beanie Sigel decided to rehash old wounds.

Despite his dislike for Kanye West, Beanie Sigel never went out and recorded a song dissing him. But, he has taken the time to explain why he does not like Kanye West. He said he has not spoken with West in two years and said he regrets calling him gay. Beanie Sigel said he no longer dislikes Kanye West and he was always cool with him. But, at the time, he felt upset because he helped Kanye and a couple of his friends out of a tight situation with some other people and he was never properly thanked.

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Beanie Sigel calls Dame Dash out

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year around this time, Beanie Sigel was in the middle of his feud with Jay-Z. He shed light on the publicized Roc-A-Fella breakup and admitted to siding with Dame Dash. But, despite the song he was singing last year, Beans has a different story this year.

Beanie Sigel said there is not any loyalty between he and Dame Dash. He said his lawyer discovered that his former boss owes him $11 million. Dame Dash is currently filing bankruptcy, so there is nothing that can be done.

Not only did he call Dash out over him owing him money, he also said he has never supported him. In 2004, Beanie Sigel was sent to prison and it appeared as if Dame Dash was supporting him with his visits. Beans says that was nothing more than a fascade and smoke and mirrors.

It appears as if there is no love lost or found with the old Roc-A-Fella Records camp.

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Young Buck shuns G-Unit, contemplates Roc Nation

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the feud between Young Buck and G-Unit Records. Their feud had been going on for a year, prior to, but things went public in 2008. In the time since the feud began, Young Buck has become one of the most-vocal critics of 50 Cent.

Last year, Young Buck decided to stop dissing 50 Cent and start trying to get on his good side. Buck felt that if he played nice with the boss of the Unit that he would get released from the label. The plan to play nice with 50 Cent backfired and Buck found himself the target on "So Disrespectful."

Ever since the New Year came in, Young Buck has been sending multiple disses towards 50 Cent and G-Unit. There was a time, last year, when it appeared as if a truce could be reached. Young Buck has shut down any chance of a truce with 50 Cent. Finally off of the G-Unit label, Buck said that he proved he can get money without them.

Last year, when Beanie Sigel began feuding with Jay-Z, the entire hip hop world looked at him as being ungrateful. But, when Young Buck began feuding with 50 Cent, many people sided with him. Because of this and Beanie Sigel aligning with 50, people saw him as disrespectful. Even though both Beanie and 50 said that they teamed up to rattle Jay-Z, there is a chance that he could still end up on G-Unit. Young Buck has a response if that does happen. He said that it would not take much for him to sign with Roc Nation.

While Young Buck would sign with Roc Nation, his primary focus is getting out of the deal with G-Unit. He no longer counts himself as a G-Unit artist, but legally, he is still signed to the label. Buck is hoping to negotiate a deal with 50 Cent that would allow him to get his cut, while he signed to his Cashville label and set up a distribution deal. Being the type of person that he is, 50 Cent is likely to keep Young Buck in his contract with G-Unit Records for the next ten years.

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