Hip Hop Is Dead. Why ZERO Albums Have Went Platinum in 2014.

Image Credit: 2DopeBoyz.com

by: Dana P. (E.I.C.) 

A$AP Yams, co-owner of the A$AP Mob, took it to his Twitter to call 2014 "the worst year in rap history." Many disagreed and thought he was just downright crazy for saying such a thing. However, numbers don't lie so, let's check the scoreboard!

It's been a tough race in 2014, and unfortunately for those who dropped albums, no ones quite made it to the finish line. Week one numbers for Rick Ross' "Mastermind" and Young Jeezy's "Seen It All" came in strong, but not strong enough. Iggy Azalea's "The New Classic," along with Wiz Khalifa's "Blacc Hollywood" had a tough time passing 400,000! But are these artists really hip hop artists?

According to Billboard, ZERO albums have yet to go platinum in 2014. 

Is hip hop dead? Can any REAL hip hop artists step up to the plate, change the game back to the way it should be, and come back with a strong victory here? Nas, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar --we NEED you! 

Eminem, Fabolous and T.I. are all set to drop new albums  this fall. Let's hope they come through clutch with some dope material and SAVE the little bit left we have of 2014 and finish off strong by starting off 2015 the RIGHT way!

DEF JAM CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Photo credit: Twitter (@DefJamRecords) 

The record label executive for the Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Public Enemy, and many more is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this year. In honor of the success and significance that made hip-hop what it is today, Def Jam is throwing an all-star concert October 16th at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. 

Set to hit the stage, artists such as DMX, Rick Ross, Foxy Brown, Jhene Aiko, Ashanti, Ja Rule, and 2 Chainz along with legends, rising artists and many more will be in attendance. Tickets go on sale Friday August 22nd at 10am while pre-sale tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com on August 21st at 10am. 

The all-star event will honor Rick Rubin and Russell Simmon's greatest achievement and its impact in hip-hop. CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Steve Bartels, stated, "It’s very exciting to be able to be part of such a special announcement that solidifies and continues forward the enduring mark the brand has made on pop culture." 

The concert will also have artists like Fabolous, Jeremih, Warren G and EPMD rocking the stage. More artists are set to be announced in the near future. 

In honor of the anniversary, Def Jam is releasing two versions of a limited edition box set. The box set will contain music that inspired Rick Rubin to invent the label along with two-volume compilation of Def Jam Recordings' Greatest Hits. 

On September 20th the Barclays Center will host another show with Method Man and his group Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Lil Kim, The Diplomats, Curren$y, and Dom Kennedy as the legends take the stage for an unforgettable show. 

Be sure to check out more of Def Jam celebrating 30 years athttp://www.defjam.com/. 

Kateri Fischer

@katikiii

Rick Ross Teams Up With Fabolous, Ma$e, & Big K.R.I.T. For ‘Supreme Remix’

Image Credit: Rick Ross’ Instagram (richforever)

Ricky Rozay is up to something big! The Bawse recently teamed up with Hip Hop heavy-hitters Fabolous, Ma$e, and Big K.R.I.T. to form the latest remix for his track “Supreme.” On August 12, Rick Ross took to Twitter to release the remix to the single that originally derived from off of his Mastermind album.

The Rozay, Loso, and  Ma$e collaboration only added heat to the fire of this track since these legendary MCs have rhymes for days. Besides the lethal bars from these promising names, dirty south rapper Big K.R.I.T. continues to ease his way out of the underground scene as he delivers arguably the toughest verse on the remix; which just shows that he’s not going down without a fight.

Check out the Rick Ross, Fab, Ma$e, and Big K.R.I.T on the “Supreme (Remix)” here.

- Brittany C. Jackson

Twitter: @BChanelJackson

Maybach Music Group Rapper Meek Mill, Ordered To Prison After Parole Violation

Image Credit: KarenCivil.com

Days after rapper Meek Mill kicked off a social media family feud with his fellow label-mate Wale, he was hit with some rough news in the courtroom that even his big ego couldn't fix.

On July 11, Meek Mill was ordered by a Philadelphia judge to three to six months in jail after violating his parole as a result of a drug and gun conviction back in 2008. The cause behind all this still seems to be unclear but the local DA states that he was "worried about his behavior while on probation."

The rising rapper's dreams have quickly turned into nightmares. This ordeal comes as a shock as he just recently announced the September 9 release date for his sophomore album titled Dreams Worth More Than Money.

But not to worry because Maybach Music Group head honcho, Rick Ross, has got it all under control. The rapper released a written statement to MTV on July 12 in regards to Meek Mill's legal troubles, and how MMG will continue Meek's mission as planned.

"I created MMG years ago, my desire was to create a space where the most talented artists in the world could be nurtured and supported. With that came a commitment. I vowed to support these artist, through the good and the bad. Every individual signed to MMG is not just an artist, they are my family. And with family you ride, or you die. Yesterday, my brother, Meek Mill ran into some unfortunate legal issues. It happens. However, his team, our team, will continue to execute Meek’s plan as close to schedule as possible."

As a result of the sentence, Meek Mill's upcoming shows and projects have been cancelled/postponed. As far as the album, Rick Ross tells MTV that it is still coming and asks fans to continue showing Meek Mill love and support.

"We ask that the fans and the media continue to support him and his music during this time. He’ll be home soon. ‘Dreams Are Worth More Than Money,’ and family is worth more than Everything.  MMG FOR LIFE"

Hey readers! Do you think Meek Mill should have kept a lower profile in the industry while on probation? Why or why not?

-Brittany C. Jackson