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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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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