July 2005 Archives

It look's like Outkast is set to take over the game in 2005 just as they did in 2003/2004. The sixth OutKast album, 10 the Hard Way, is due for release in the summer 2005. The album was originally set to release in June but has been pushed back.

Intended as a throwback to the Southernplayalisticadillakmusic days, the album will feature ten songs, all strictly hip hop, and all produced by Organized Noise. It's been rumored to be a return to the hardcore hip-hop that they originally emerged with. Also on the immediate horizon is protege' Killer Mike and his second release Ghetto Extraordinary which I've heard and has the potential to be major.

Recently I had a chance to catch T.I. doing an interview after Birthday Bash with some of the 107.9 DJ's and the King was asked how he felt about being on the show Punk'd at which T.I said he didn't like that bulls&*t at all. Here 's the scenario, T.I was set-up by Ashton and the Punk'd crew as well as some of his own people who had bullets placed in his possession at an airport.

After checking out Young Jeezy's album release party at Visions Nightclub with lines wrapped around the building and $100-200 cover charges, I can't help but speculate on Jeezy devoting even more time to his limitless solo career. And yeah I know Jeezy was a solo artist from the start, but being a striving solo artist in comparison to a platinum solo artist is a huge difference. The sky is the limit for Jeezy at this point.

Yesterday the "snowman" was on 106 & Park commenting on his record and how he had the opportunity to express himself and become more creative with his solo project than he did with the Boyz N Da Hood record. This is usually a statement that precedes an artist looking to branch out even more into his solo work (see Toni Braxton, Beyonce etc...).

The Ying Yang Twins will be releasing a chopped and screwed version of their U.S.A (United States of Atlanta album on August 9th. The screwed version was remixed by DJ Michael Watts who has taken over the screw throne since the death of the late DJ Screw.

The original version has already gone gold in less than five weeks and I'm definitely feeling their club banger "Badd" a collabo with Mike Jones. I probably like that cut so much because I'm tired of hearing "Wait" although the screwed version is nice.

The Anger Management Tour has finally arrived in the A. So far the show has gotten excellent reviews and I'm sure the Atlanta performance will be no exception. The tour itself features Eminem, along with 50 Cent and the entire G-Unit, Atlanta's own Lil' Jon and The Eastside Boyz as well as Shady Records signees D-12, Obie Trice and Stat Quo.

The concert will take place Sunday July 31st at the HiFi Buys Ampitheater located at 2002 Lakewood Way Atlanta, GA. The show starts at 7PM. For tickets and specific info you can go to the official Anger Management Tour website.

Every Friday you can look for me to list the hot events for the weekend because you know it's always something poppin in the A. The hottest thing going this weekend is 107.9's Birthday Bash 10 at the HiFi Ampitheater. This always promises to be a fire show. This year Jermaine Dupri, Ying Yang Twins, David Banner, T.I., Ludacris, Boyz N Da Hood, Crime Mob, Three 6 Mafia, and Trillville will be performing... and from what I hear several surprise guests.

Also Switchfoot has been added as a headliner? Anyway, tickets are reasonable, $75 for up-front seats, $45 for the rest of the reserved seats and $25 on the lawn. Get 'em at Ticketmaster. Ryan Cameron who?

I have a few suggestions for Gucci Mane who was just arrested with several guns in his car in Miami. Gucci, either stay in the house and don't leave, move far away where nobody know's you or just get up out the rap game completely. Believe me we would rather see you alive than see you perform So Icey up in the club.

Check out his new single here...

Creative Circle Entertainment announces the 2nd annual Atlanta HipHop Film Festival to take place in the month of April 2006. The three-day festival grants awards to films influenced by HipHop culture as well as honoring prominent hip hop artists who have transitioned from music to film. Creative Circle Entertainment welcomes both established and aspiring filmmakers from the U.S. and abroad to submit their work for consideration.

For the first time Atlanta will be hosting the Billboard Hip Hop Music Conference, the premiere event for the industry's who's who to network, share knowledge and discover new talent. The annual event is in its 6th year and has made A-town it's permanent residence for the showcase. The showcase will take place from August 3-5 at The Hotel Intercontinental in Buckhead at 3315 Peachtree Road.

Atlanta's royal couple, Bow Wow and Ciara have finally dropped their first single together "Like You" off of Bow Wow's Wanted album.

I would comment on the entire CD but after listening to it, I'm sorry but I'll pass. I don't have the time or the writing space to waste. However, the single with Ciara is on point. Ciara is probably the savior for Bow Wow on this album, along with Omarion. "The record is crazy, Bow is a hard worker and has alot of energy...The record is just crazy." Ciara recently commented.

The definition of Stat Quo according to the Atlanta native is raising the average perception of how people percieve rap music. "I'm Stat Quo, I'm raising that average of how people perceive rap music. So Stat Quo is changing what the average is. I am the new bar for artists in the game. Isn't that cocky? Atlanta is in this thing, I love it!" Stat explains. As discussed earlier on this site in regard to Atlanta lyricists, he plans to show that mic skills do reside here and it's not all about the crunk sound.

Club Visions, arguably one of the most popular clubs in A-town before going into remodeling phase (which was needed) will be re-opening this weekend with a bang. The grand re-opening on Friday, July 15th will be hosted by Destiny's Child, who will be hosting the official after party there after their probable final concert in Atlanta as a group (Time will tell if this breakup is official or not). The buzz is that Hova and Memphis Bleek will be there co-hosting as well with DJ Mars behind the tables.

Karrine Steffans a.K.a. Superhead has made her way to A-Town once again. We already know from the promiscuous tales of secret celebrity romps as revealed in her book "Confessions of a Video Vixen," Karrine's been here before on another agenda. She'll be here in Atlanta on business this time at Chapter 11 books, 2345 Peachtree Road appearing for her book signing this evening.

Damn, it's beginning to feel like I'm doing street promo for Jermaine Dupri now, but the fact of the matter is that he's one of the few atlanta artists doing major things so far this summer. His most recent business endeavor is opening up Cafe Dupri, which was actually opened on June 6 but will have it's official grand opening on July 12th. Look for a bunch of celebs and big wigs to be in attendance on that day to celebrate the cafe's arrival.

After watching the Jermaine Dupri special "Welcome to Atlanta" I couldn't help but ponder a few questions in my head. The central theme of the documentary was that Atlanta is a hub for blacks to migrate to and prosper. This is very true and big ups to the the locals for providing the type of atmosphere for people to relocate to comfortably.

Hip Hop mogul Jermaine Dupri of So So Def Entertainment will be presenting a documentary entitled "Welcome to Atlanta" on Wednesday July 6, 2005 at 7:30 PM on BET in conjunction with Todd1. "Welcome to Atlanta," hosted by Jermaine Dupri, will take its viewers on a tour of Atlanta giving them a look inside the major clubs, downtown scene as well as the established and up and coming artists located in Atlanta.

What's Up with TLC? Atlanta's own, they are coming out with a reality show later this summer on FOX called "Are You That Girl?," aimed at finding a third member to step in for the late Lisa "Left-eye" Lopes. Excellent marketing idea but I do remember remaining members T-Boz and Chilli insisting that no one could ever replace Lopes after her tragic death. So I ask, what changed?

I think they were actually right initially, there should have been no replacement considering the tragic way that things ended. However, I do wish them the best of luck as they were one of the elite groups of the 90's and I hope that they can regain that status.

Atlanta's own Young Jeezy is quickly adding several notches to his belt in addition to his rising rap status as a member of Boyz N Da Hood and as a solo artist. Jeezy must be taking important notes from Diddy as he moves his hustle outside of the vocal booth and into the book publishing and fashion industries respectively.

I recently read an interesting article regarding the "Thanking of God" in acceptance speeches, songs etc...The article was in reference to Jada Pinkett-Smith's argument at the BET Awards last week, that if you cannot perform your music in church then you have no business at the podium thanking God.

T.I. aka the self-proclaimed King of the South will be making his first big screen appearance in the newly announced Warner Bros. film Jellybeans. The movie will be set in an Atlanta roller skating rink with the multi-platinum artist playing the role of Rashad, head of a local roller skating team. Chris Robinson makes his directorial debut on this film, taking a venture into feature films as Robinson has been a mainstay on the music video scene for years. T.I is also stepping up from his first acting gig, a spot role on the OC this past year.

Lets hope that this turns out better than many of the previous dirty south actors did, (see Master P). T.I can can learn valuable lessons concerning credibility from Mr. Miller who went from platinum-selling TRU to riding the back of his teenage son. Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that T.I. has the talent to transcend the borders of music and film as long as he remains focused on what got him there, his ability to rhyme. Master P had no lyrics and that makes a major difference too I guess. I am glad to see T.I setting himself apart from others because when it all boils down to it, it's all about business and making the right decisions. Big ups to the King.