Not Afraid: The Shady Records Story Ft. Eminem, 50 Cent, & Dr. Dre

Fifteen years ago, the world was introduced to a rapper from Detroit named Eminem, and hip-hop hasn’t been the same since. 

Image Credit: Complex.com

Last year, Eminem and Paul Rosenberg celebrated the 15 year anniversary of their label, Shady Records, with the release of the compilation album Shady XV. The album was a double disk, one side filled with new material and the other filled with Shady's greatest hits. While the album provided a neat summary of the label's history, it didn't really tell the story of how Shady Records came to be and what it achieved during it's 15 year run. 

This documentary is an in-depth look into not only Eminem's career, but also the careers of the all the artists' who graced the label over the years.There are interviews with Dr. Dre, and the man who Em helped turn into a superstar, 50 Cent, Mr. Porter and Royce Da 5'9. This documentary is the definitive look into how one of the rap's greatest stars came to be.

The 32-minute film, which was shot in Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York, chronicles how Shady Records became one of the most dominant labels of the 2000s.

Eminem talks about his humble beginnings and how he went from struggling local rapper to an international superstar. But once Em's career took off, that's when things really started to get interesting as Shady brought artists like D12, Obie Trice, and 50 Cent into the fold. After a few missteps and a step back from music in the late 2000s, Shady entered the 2010s with new acts like Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf. 

“Within the next 15 years, we’ll try to keep shit going and try to sign new exciting acts. Hopefully discover the next whatever,” said Eminem.

Watch the entire documentary here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se9kiTUqdFo

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Melissa Howe, Playboy Playmate & Hip Hop video vixen.

Image Credit: Melissa Howe's official Twitter (@MelissaHowe1990)

by: Dana P. (E.I.C.)

Melissa Howe, who is one half of the Howe Twins, calls into HipHop ShortStop to talk about her career as a Hip Hop music video vixen, and Playboy Playmate! This British hottie, who resides in Los Angeles, has appeared in videos for Snoop Dogg, & 50 Cent. She has also played a small part in a movie scene with Wiz Khalifa. 

Due to some technical difficulties, we were unable to do a Skype video interview. But not to worry!  We were able to pick up audio & have gathered some HOT photos of Melissa with her twin sister, as well as photos of her with multiple celebrities! 

Listen to her cute little British accent as you will also hear her talk about "420," partying at the Playboy Mansion with P Diddy & Chris Brown (just to name a few), and much more!

G-Unit Reunites For XXL Magazine Cover & Roundtable Discussion

It's a G-Unit reunion and XXL snagged the exclusive. New York's pride and joy got the opportunity to post up on the cover of the final print issue of XXL Magazine. 50 cent and his boys Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Kidd Kidd not only got a chance to tell their break up to make up story in the magazine but also through a two-part documentary series.

The video documentary goes behind-the-scenes to uncover the truth behind the group's disagreements, which ultimately lead to the breakup. But don't worry, G-Unit doesn't dwell on the past too long as the group also touches on their reunion and takes a deeper look into each individual member of the group. The documentary was shot in 50 cent's Connecticut mansion and features a round table discussion of the Hip Hop artists. G-Unit is featured on XXL's October/November issue which is set to be released on October 17.

Watch the XXL G-Unit documentary pieces here.

— Brittany C. Jackson

Twitter: ___PXC

50 Cent Praises Eminem As One of The Best Rappers To Ever Do In The Premiere Episode of Music Choice's New Show 'Chronicles'

Image Credit: 50 Cent's Instagram (50cent)

50 Cent was never one to hold his tongue; so it was no surprise how real he kept it when he was asked to give an honest view of the Hip Hop game for Music Choice's new show Chronicles. The G-Unit head honcho is the first musical artist to be featured on the show which is set to air on August 26 at 8pmest. In this interview, 50 praises his good friend Eminem as one of the greatest rappers to ever step foot in the Hip Hop game and should be respected regardless of his race.

50 Cent speaks on the raw and unique talent that Eminem posses in the Chronicles episode:

The one Grammy I have is for "Crack a Bottle." I couldn't even have that without Em. You know, and that's why I have so much value for him, not just in my career, just in my life. He's one of my best friends because I can trust that he's gonna be honest with his constructive criticism when it's time to listen to the music before it goes out.
Hip-hop is black music, without question. And unfortunately for some people, it's tough to accept that you've got a white artist that does it better than black artists. It is what it is. You could get whoever you feel like is the best black artist and stand them face to face in a room with Em, and he'll eat that n---- alive.Right now, if you had 'em prepare themselves in whatever way they would have to prepare themselves to come battle, and I bet you, I bet everything I have - that that n----'s meatloaf.

As a White man holding a dominate spot in the Hip Hop game, the Shady Aftermath co-founder has held his own within the predominantly Black genre since the late 1990s. His sick flow and lyrical uniqueness has earned him tons of respect from Hip Hop fans and it was dope for 50 cent to publicly recognize Eminem's dedication to the game.

Check out a clip from 50 cent's interview on Chronicles here.

— Brittany C. Jackson

Twitter: @BChanelJackson

#MusicMondays: G-Unit Surprises Fans With New Track Titled "Come Up"

Image Credit: 50cent's Instagram (50cent)

G-G-G-G-G-UNIT has been working on one hell of a comeback after their reunion at Hot 97.1 FM's Summer Jam 2014, and now with their new single "Come Up." On July 28, "The Breakfast Club's" very own DJ Envy premiered the group's new track. 
The "Come Up" features the group's fan favorites - 50 cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Kidd Kidd - schooling haters while dropping bars on the instrumental of the Gap Band's track "Outstanding."  The rags-to-riches inspired track professes the crew's drive to run more than just the streets and rather continue on their grind to achieve their dreams.

Check out  G-Unit's new single "Come Up"here.

-Brittany C. Jackson
Twitter: @BChanelJackson

Hip Hop IS Dead! Summer Jam recap:: Nas, 50 Cent, Drake, Nicki Minaj, & more.

I was going to attend Hot97 Summer Jam this year, as I've went the past 3 years & haven't really been disappointed. I ALMOST had tickets last minute, but unfortuneately, I got stuck home live streaming the concert. I sure am glad I didn't waste my hard earned money on this concert....

Sevyn Streeter opened up the main show following the "festival stage" pre show. I really like her, & maybe it's because she's never really performed in front of that many people in the NYC area, but I found her performance to be slightly boring. 

Things got even worse as Rosenberg got on stage & hyped up Action Bronson, who was a complete mess. Not sure what kinda drugs he was on, or how much he had to drink, but his ego appeared to be bigger then his gut. He was all over the place, between slurring, looking & sounding like shit, rocking a pair of sandles to later on, take them off and hop off stage to perform in the crowd. This guy literally wouldn't stop his performance, until he was told to stop. It seems as if he was trying to take over the show, and it appears as if he thought he was some kind of "big star." Absolutely horrific. 

I'm really not sure who exactly was next, either Troy Ave or Wiz Khalifa. Not really much of a fan of either 2, but Troy started out with what appeared to be, taking shots at Trinidad James, via a video of the jumbotron before he performed. Troy Ave did bring out T.I. as a surprise guest. Wiz Khalifa topped off his set with a surprise appearance from none other then the legendary SNOOP DOGG! Snoop surprised the crowd & performed "The Next Episode," followed by "Young, Wild and Free" with Wiz. 

The Roots followed up after Khalifa's set, if I'm not mistaken. First, they brought out none other then one of my personal favorite hip hop groups EVER, The Lox! The show in my opinion was majority pretty bad, until they came out & performed some of their classic joints. M.O.P. and Black Sheep were amongst The Roots other surprise guests. The crowd, however, didn't really seem to be interested much. But I'll get back to THAT part later.....

Trey Songs was up next, & as usual, drove the girls crazy. He ended his set with his surprise guest, Ty Dolla Sign & performed "Paranoid" together, following Trey shouting out his incarcerated friend, Chris Brown, & performed Brown's new hit song, "Loyal." 

HIP HOP IS DEAD!

Nas came out next, and again, the crowd wasn't in it at all. He performed mostly songs from Illmatic. No energy what so ever. To make matters even worse, Nas brought out Meek Mill, followed by French Montana to completely take over his set. The crowd LOVED every minute of it & seemed to have livened up quite a bit. Very, very sad day for hip hop. Complete smack in the face & a HUGE amount of disrespect to Nas. I'm not sure who's idea this was, but Nas seemed to have no problems with it, as he was really into Meeks "lyrics," by singing along. Maybe it was all the Hennessey Nasir drank throughout the night, but never could I see this man,(who is the TRUE DEFINITION of REAL HIP HOP) actually respect and allow these guys ON STAGE WITH HIM. This literally hurt me. It was very sad to watch, however it made me very happy once again, that I didn't spend money to be there & actually witness this in person. 

After Meek & French finished their set, Nas brought out 50 Cent. 50 performed a couple classics as well as some new joints from his new album that dropped yesterday, Animal Ambition. He reunited G-Unit ON STAGE, bringing out Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and even Young Buck. He later on brought out Fabolous & performed their new remix to Fabs hit song, Cuffin Season. As this was happening, a little rowdiness appeared to be going on. It turns out there was some sort of a fight, which later was reported that Slowbucks, of SBOE, was robbed of his chain. A member of 50's security reportedly snuffed Slow, ripped off his chain, and 50 WORE IT the rest of the night! It seems as if 50 was trying to prolong his set, as he mentioned on the mic that Ebro (Hot97's executive producer) was "yelling at" him, only for 50 to reply saying that HE'S the boss when he's here! Whole lotta drama. 

Video footage of what went down can be seen here: http://youtu.be/lXwZy1VH4DM

Nicki Minaj was next, and I thought the LAST part of the concert. She put on a great performance, as she promised the crowd. She brought out Soulja Boy to perform their new single "Yass Bitch," then later brought out another surprise guest, as I would've bet my life that he was going to show up, none other then Drake. She got on the mic & said, "Drake, I don't fuck wit you no more!" He then came out to perform "Worst Behavior," as the crowd livened up a lot more! Nicki & Drake went on to perform their song featuring Lil Wayne,"Believe Me." Weezy came out for his verse, wearing a stupid face cover up, which he took off after a couple of seconds. Drake & Weezy also performed "Trophies." Their set ended with Nicki, Lil Wayne and Drake ALL sweating each other. Nicki Minaj even stated that "Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive!" LOL!!

This is where the show should've ended....

DJ Mustard followed Young Money's set & brought out a few guests. YG, Ty Dolla Sign & surprise guest, none other then YOUNG JEEZY performed their hit, "My Ni**a." 

At this point, I began to lose a little bit of interest, as I feel the show ran way too long, & was a bit all over the place. The show could've been put together a little bit better. Also, the sound system seemed to be an issue throughout the night, which pissed off a couple of the performers. 

You can find some YouTube videos from the concert, here; http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/summer-jam-2014-performances 

Summer Jam has always been one of my favorite concerts to attend. You don't really seem to get much from other concerts put on by other radio stations. I think Hot97 has the MOST respect from a lot of artists, & others involved in the hip hop industry, and this is why Summer Jam is always a SPECIAL SHOW to me! It's always hard to top each year. This year was GOOD but it didn't beat last years SJ, that's for sure. 

By:: Dana P. (Blog Owner/Editor in Chief