Busta Rhymes speaks on "Tha Carter IV"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

On Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne reached out to a couple of artists he had not worked with in a long time. Lil Wayne last worked with Busta Rhymes on Tha Carter III. With a three year gap in collaborations, Lil Wayne was able to land Busta Rhymes for the "Outro."

Busta Rhymes was excited to be a part of Tha Carter IV. With the album being the biggest hip hop album of 2011, Busta Rhymes knew he would benefit. However, Busta Rhymes had no idea how big of a role he would play on the album.

Usually, when an artist releases an album, they are the first and last voice a listener hears. The exception was on Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life album, when Memphis Bleek rapped the "Intro." A new exception is on Tha Carter IV when Busta Rhymes has the last verse on the "Outro," which is a posse cut.

Speaking on this, Busta Rhymes said he was surprised that the song ended that way. Busta Rhymes had no idea Lil Wayne was going to end the album in that manner. Because he, Nas, Shyne, and Lil Wayne did not record the track together, Busta Rhymes had no idea he would be at the very end.

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Album Preview: Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter IV"

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

There has been talk of Tha Carter IV almost immediately following the release of Tha Carter III. Lil Wayne said he wanted to release an experimental album following his triple platinum success. This album would become Rebirth, but was preceeded by his collaboration album introducing Young Money.

Tha Carter IV was initially intended to be released in 2009, but was pushed back until 2010. However, Lil Wayne had to serve a prison sentence in 2010. To hold fans over, Wayne instead delivered with another album, I Am Not a Human Being. The album featured tracks originally intended to be a part of Tha Carter IV.

Towards the end of 2010, fans received their first glimpse of Tha Carter IV with the first single, "6 Foot 7 Foot." The song marked the end of the feud between Lil Wayne and Bangladesh and was dubbed "A Milli" on steroids. "6 Foot 7 Foot" became the first true hit of 2011 and showed off Lil Wayne and Cory Gunz' lyrical ability. Even when the second single, "John (If I Die Today)" with Rick Ross, was released and became a hit, "6 Foot 7 Foot" was still dominating the radio.

If the first three singles, "6 Foot 7 Foot," "John (If I Die Today)," and "How to Love," are any indication, listeners are in store for one of the most-creative albums of the past few years. Already, there is an incredible mix of different genres placed onto one hip hop album. On each of the songs presented, Lil Wayne displays his lyrical prowess and creative abilities. Upcoming singles from the album will be the Drake-assisted single, "She Will."

Track listing

  1. "Intro"
  2. "Blunt Blowin"
  3. "MegaMan"
  4. "6 Foot 7 Foot" (ft. Cory Gunz)
  5. "Nightmares Of The Bottom"
  6. "She Will" (ft. Drake)
  7. "How To Hate" (ft. T-Pain)
  8. "Interlude" (ft. Tech N9ne)
  9. "John" (ft. Rick Ross)
10. "Abortion"
11. "So Special" (ft. John Legend)
12. "How To Love"
13. "President Carter"
14. "It's Good" (ft. Drake and Jadakiss)
15. "Outro" (ft. Bun B, Nas, Shyne, and Busta Rhymes)

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Lil Wayne recruits Nas, Shyne, and Jadakiss for Posse Cut

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

With Tha Carter IV coming out in a little over a month, Lil Wayne is putting the finishing touches on his album. After doing an experimental album, an album with Young Money, and an album of leftover tracks, Lil Wayne is releasing the album he wanted out years ago. Tha Carter IV intends to pick up where his previous Carter, III, left off.

Already on the album, Lil Wayne has enlisted Busta Rhymes, Cee Lo, Tech N9ne, Bun B, John Legend, and Will.i.am. Now, several of New York's finest have been added to the track listing. Lil Wayne will be teaming up with some of the greatest rappers of all-time for a posse cut for Tha Carter IV. Teaming up with Nas, Shyne, and Jadakiss, Lil Wayne is working on a classic track.

Apologizing to the fans for delaying the album for so long, Wayne put together his Sorry 4 The Wait mixtape. The official release of the mixtape will be this Wednesday. The album will feature production from Boi-1da, Polow da Don, Swizz Beatz, and Bangladesh. Tha Carter IV will see its official release date on August 29, 2011.

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Shyne talks Lil Wayne and Rick Ross [VIDEO]

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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.

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Shyne prepares "Gangland" album on Def Jam

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Things are finally coming together for Shyne, as he is preparing to release his first album since 2004. Titled Gangland, the album is his first release as a free man. Shyne began his career in the late 1990s on Bad Boy Records.

Upon being released from prison, in 2009, a small bidding war ensued over Shyne. Rumors pointed him to Roc Nation and to rapper, Game's Black Wall Street imprint. In the end, Shyne remained with Def Jam.

While working on new music, Shyne was deported and sent back to Belize. Currently, the Brooklyn rapper has converted into Islam and lives in Jerusalem. Still, he feels he can take the rap world by storm one more time.

Shyne is currently wrapping up his Gangland album. Earlier this week, he released "King David" as the first single off the album. After blasting Def Jam and L.A. Reid, Shyne was able to land a secure release date. His third studio album will be released on May 17, 2011.

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Shyne discusses Prison, Jerusalem, and Brooklyn

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Immediately after he was released from prison, Shyne was deported and sent back to Belize. For a little while, he remained there and recorded new music. Soon, however, Shyne reinvented himself and became a Muslim. With this change came his move to Jerusalem.

Shyne spent ten years in prison following a bar fight, alongside his former boss, Diddy. Many assume Shyne took the fall for Diddy. Shyne said the fight was his own, but he does have major issues with the original Bad Boy. Now in Jerusalem, he said they had it worse than he did when he was in prison.

These new experiences have changed Shyne as a person and it will be reflected in his music. Shyne said he is no longer making music for the hits and club bangers. Instead, he is making music to express himself and to talk about the struggle. With everything going on, Shyne said he might make a brief return to Brooklyn to discuss his new way of life, but he has finally found where he belongs.

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Shyne explains connection between Hip Hop and Politics

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, Luther Campbell and Ray J have expressed interest in holding political office. In the past, 50 Cent contemplated running for mayor in Connecticut. Diddy and Jay-Z have also toyed with the idea of politics in the past.

Wyclef Jean is probably the most-notable hip hop entertainer who tried to enter politics. During Haiti's crisis, last year, some Haitians suggested he run for president. Wyclef took the words to heart and began a campaign.

Former Bad Boy rapper, Shyne, broke down the connection between hip hop and politics. Shyne said rap music is policitical and referenced Public Enemy and KRS-One. Most of their rhymes were trying to gain political attention.

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Shyne plans to work with Israeli rapper

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In the time since being deported, Shyne has gone through a number of changes. Initially, he intended to only change his rapping style. But, over the past few months, he has gone through some changes.

The most-noticable change in Shyne is his conversion to Judiasm, which was some time ago. In an effort to further his advancement in the religion, he has relocated. Shyne now lives in Jerusalem.

Now living in the Holy City, the rapper still has plans of continuing his career. But, instead of only working with rappers from America, Shyne will be working with everyone. Most of his new material will feature work from Israeli rappers.

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Shyne disses Def Jam and wants Cash Money deal

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Ever since he was released from prison, almost exactly one year ago, Shyne has been involved in multiple label rumors. The last time Shyne spoke on his label situation, he announced he was with Def Jam. He said the deal was much better than the one he had at Bad Boy Records and better than other offers.

While the deal appeared to be good, a year has passed and there has not been any music coming from Shyne yet. Tired of all the games, Shyne said he wants to leave the label because the chairman, L.A. Reid, does not care about hip hop. Shyne accused Reid of not knowing what he is doing up there.

Shyne only has a distribution deal with Def Jam, so it will not be extremely difficult for him to get out of his deal. Once everything is squared away, Shyne said he wants to head over to Cash Money Records to join forces with Lil Wayne and the crew. He said he may just allow Cash Money to distribute his music because he is in business for himself, so he can deal with the company of his choice.

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Shyne may be headed to Cash Money Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The past few years for both Shyne and Cash Money Records have been very hectic. Shyne was poised to become the new face of Bad Boy Records before landing in prison. Cash Money was on top of the Southern hip hop game before internal fighting separated them. Then, Lil Wayne happened.

Ever since Lil Wayne made the unbelievable rise from average rapper to focal point of the game, Cash Money has had more control in the rap game. Last year, after successfully adding rising stars Drake and Nicki Minaj to their roster, the label also signed Bow Wow.

Loaded with stars, Cash Money Records is still looking to expand and have expressed interest in Shyne. The label situation with Shyne has been in question for some time. In 2003, the rapper was released from Bad Boy and signed with Def Jam. Throughout 2004, there were rumors of Shyne heading over to Murder Inc. Records. In 2007, it was rumored that he had actually joined the label, but it was said by Diddy that he was still on Bad Boy Records and Game said he had signed him.

Once the smoke cleared, Shyne said he was a free agent and rumors had him headed to Roc Nation. Jay-Z said he would have been glad to have Shyne, but he did not at the time. More recent rumors have Shyne heading back over to Def Jam. However, now, the rapper has revealed he remains unsigned and is likely to land with Cash Money Records.

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Throwback Video of the Day: Shyne - "Bad Boys"

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Shyne explains his New Style

Before he went to prison, Shyne was one of the fastest-rising rappers in the game. He was signed to Bad Boy right after the end of the Mase era. Shyne needed a label and the Bad Boy label needed an actual "bad boy." For one album, the Shyne/Bad Boy relationship was a strong one.

Months after the release of his self-titled debut album, Shyne was sent off to prison. For the past eight years, he has been an inmate in New York. Because of good behavior, he was let out early. At the start of 2009, it was announced that he would come out on October 6.

Shyne had planned to jump right back into the music, but he found himself deported. Once he got his stuff straight, Shyne went back to recording music. For the past ten years, Shyne has had the same flow. Now that he is out, he wants to capture attention and change his flow.

Because of everything that he has gone through, Shyne has decided to change his style. He said that the man he was on his previous two albums will not be returning. With a new style, Shyne hopes to finally rid himself of the jailbird image. Many people associate Shyne and his old style with his prison sentence. The new Shyne style has received mostly negative reviews. Following his diss aimed at 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks went on to tease the new style that Shyne is trying to promote.

Shyne feels that this new style will make him more marketable and he can finally move past his Bad Boy and prison image.

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