Here’s some rare unreleased footage of the Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy at the “Warning” video shoot. The clip which surfaced yesterday, features B.I.G. speaking on the success of his Ready To Die album, his newborn daughter, the name change from Biggie Smalls to Notorious B.I.G. Great stuff, check it out.

Props to RapRadar

Previously: The Notorious B.I.G. 15th Anniversary on Hot 97: Mister Cee’s Rare Gems And Memories

Who will be hip-hop’s first billionaire? Diddy’s on his way to accomplishing that feat as the mogul can add another title to his name. Forbes names Sean “Diddy” Combs the wealthiest rap artist of 2012 in the Forbes Five, which is a short list of the genre’s top earners. It’s the second year in a row Diddy’s claimed the title, as the Bad Boy Records founder leads the pack with a net worth of $550 million. Diddy’s fortune includes his Ciroc vodka campaign, Sean John clothing line, and marketing firm, Blue Flame. With his newly signed deal with Comcast to launch cable channel Revolt next year, Puff is well be on his way to gaining billionaire status.

continue reading who else made the list and view the top five and their numbers, plus Forbes’ previous lists after the jump….

(more…)

The highlight of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s historic performance at Coachella 2012 was the rumored and much talked about hologram appearance from Tupac Shakur. Fans in person and those streaming worldwide gasped and celebrated as the late legendary MC was brought to life for a brief moment in which the digital image performed “Hail Mary” and “2 of Amerikka’s Most Wanted” alongside Snoop Dogg.

Miss Info: This was definitely the most incredible stage stunt I’ve ever seen in my life. And the technology was unreal. I also loved how Snoop actually played off the Tupac Hologram like it was real. But that said….there’s a part of me that kind of wishes that the life-size hologram is so expensive that nobody else can do it.
I don’t think we need to see Frank Sinatra, Aaliyah, Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, Big Pun, Guru, or any of our treasured fallen legends digitally resurrected for the sake of a performance. (But I’m sure there will be a Biggie hologram before the year is out) The beauty of this moment was the surprise of it all. But I gotta say, even without Pac, Snoop and Dr. Dre completely tore down that stage with the smoothest set, incredible polish, amazing backdrops, and great guests. One of the best hip hop shows I’ve ever seen.

I think it was so shocking and impressive at Coachella tonight, but there’s so much opportunity for abuse.

Mikey Fresh: I just got back to my hotel and I’m in still trying to comprehend what went down. I have to start by saying this video clip doesn’t do this historic hip-hop moment justice. Info and I stood there in awe with over 60,000 other screaming fans as this unreal-insane-mind-blowing hologram of Tupac rapped alongside Snoop Dogg. From Pac’s G-stance to his rap mannerisms, it was almost spooky to witness the life-like image mimic the fallen rapper to a T. Nothing could have prepared us for this. The hologram was even realistic enough to shout out updated ad-libs and a Coachella shout-out. As “Tupac” rapped chills ran down my spine as I heard the familiar lyrics to”Amerikka’s Most Wanted.”
Though, it was an unforgettable moment, I’m also a bit scared about this technology being taken advantage of by the wrong parties. Do you think this is the future of hip-hop concerts?

Watch the bone chilling moment after the jump…..

(more…)

A classic hip-hop moment was created as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg closed out the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on Sunday night. The two rap heavyweights called in a few favors and brought a lost legend back to life on the main stage at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Opening with their classic “The Next Episode,” the two west coast legends ran through hits such as “Gin & Juice,” “Deep Cover,” and “”Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang.” The first break featured a tribute to late Nate Dogg, as Kurupt and Warren G. appeared the stage for a performance of the G-Funk crooner’s classic “Ain’t No Fun” as a mural of images took over the venue’s main screen. Snoop Dogg followed with a solo set of his radio-topping songs “I Wanna Rock” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” Uncle Snoop then called on his new partner-in-crime, Wiz Khalifa to perform their smash-hit collaboration “Young, Wild & Free.”

The wave of young talent continued as Kendrick Lamar joined his mentor Dr. Dre for his new single “The Recipe,” which marked the first-time ever their Scoop DeVille collaboration was ever perofrmed. After brief silence, the violent sounds of “What Up Gangsta” blared as 50 Cent and Tony Yayo exploded on stage, joining in for a G-Unit medley of “P.I.M.P. (Remix)” and “In Da Club.” What followed was the most shocking moment of the evening, after various reports, a hologram image of the late Tupac Shakur appeared from the darkness as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg each stood on the edges of the stage as the hologram figure performed “Hail Mary,” and “2 of Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.” An emotional moment for fans and viewers who streamed online. If the brief return of the Tupac Shakur wasn’t enough, the sounds of “I Need A Doctor” began to play as Eminem appeared on stage to perform his feature on Dr. Dre’s single before the two rocked the crowd with “Forget About Dre” and “Til’ I Collapse.”

Without any stalls, the high energy show concluded with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre closing out the evening with “What’s My Name” and “Still D.R.E.” The two will return to Coachella for the festival’s second weekend on Sunday, April 22.

Watch hip-hop history at Coachella 2012 by streaming the full one-hour show from Dre and Snoop, plus photos after the jump……

(more…)

Director Ice-T takes us on a journey to explore the roots of Hip-Hop from the beginning to the cultural phenomenon it’s become today in Something to Nothing: Art of Rap. The documentary features appearances from Kanye West, Eminem, Nas, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Common, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Bun B, MC Lyte and plenty more. Here’s our first preview of the upcoming film which hits theatres on June 15. Looks like it’s going to be a good watch.

Spotted at XclusivesZone

The G.O.O.D. Music family has just gotten a bit bigger. Def Jam CEO Barry Weiss has officially announced the signing of Q-Tip to G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam records. In a press release, the announcement also included news about Tip’s fourth solo album, tentatively titled The Last Zulu for a early 2013 release.

“I’m excited to be a part of the great iconic Def Jam label,” said Q-Tip. “I’m humbled to be a part of such a storied history. To reconnect with Barry Weiss is a great thing. As far as G.O.O.D. Music, I’m excited to solidify my working relationship with Kanye, and I look forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead in our partnership. I will do my best to present the most cutting edge music I can.”

Related: Q-Tip Brings Out Kanye West, Busta Rhymes & Black Thought At BK Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

The long-awaited moment is here! As we’re still amazed from yesterday’s preview, here’s the first official single off G.O.O.D. Music’s compilation album due later this year. Kanye West rounds up a lineup that includes Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz on “Mercy” produced by the label’s newest signee, Lifted based out of Phoenix, Arizona.

New Music: G.O.O.D. Music Feat. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, & 2 Chainz – “Mercy” (prod. by Lifted)

Purchase on iTunes now.

Audio: Lifted talks “Mercy” with Bootleg Kev

UPDATE: G.O.O.D. Music’s newest member Lifted, speaks with Bootleg Kev of Las Vegas’ Hot 97.5 on producing “Mercy.”

UPDATE2: Mikey spoke to 2 Chainz About His verse and working with Kanye

Previously:
Kanye West Vents On Kim Kardashian and More: “Theraflu” Feat. DJ Khaled and DJ Pharris
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West: Post-”Theraflu” Manhattan Movie Date
In Studio: The Making of the G.O.O.D. Music Album With Common, Big Sean & More…

OMG. I was just talking to DJ Khaled today at the MTV2 Hip Hop Squares shoot about this damn song! And suddenly it pops up via the big homie Funk Flex! We knew Kanye was itching itching itching to get this out before he drops that GOOD Music “Mercy” single on Friday…but it was supposed to come out this past Friday. Better late than never. And the song is whoa….Kanye got some shit off his chest! By the way…from what I understand, this is actually a Kanye West single off his own solo album (which will follow the GOOD Music compilation). UPDATE: Dirty/No Tags is now added to the stream, plus the official artwork (after the jump).

New Music: Kanye West Feat. DJ Khaled & DJ Pharris – “Theraflu” (prod. by Hit-Boy) (Dirty/No Tags)

wow. Let’s start dissecting these lyrics….

“And the whole industry wanna f–k your old G. Only n—a I got respect for is Wiz. And I’ll admit I fell in love with Kim ’round the same time she fell in love with him. Well that’s cool, Babygirl, do your thing. Lucky I didn’t get Jay to drop him from the team.“

Mikey: I love every f*ckin thing about this record. It’s gives me the same feeling I felt when I heard his verse of Weezy’s “Lollipop (Remix).” It’s like where Ye vents on his personal problems but makes you want to sing them out loud. Incredible. Sh*t, I even love the Ma$e reference on here, I used to bump “Lookin At Me” a lot back in the day.

And here’s where my age shows… LL Cool J actually spit it first on “Illegal Search.”

What the hell are you lookin’ for?
Can’t a young man make money anymore?
Wear my jewels and, like, freak it on the floor

Watch Ma$e’s video after the jump and read lyrics from his version…
Full lyrics transcription…
And If you’re a little fuzzy about Kanye’s Amber and Kim Kardashian references…
More after the jump
(more…)

lawdamercy. Drake is taking his Lil Wayne impersonation to new heights of awesomeness. It’s uncanny! Also creepy!
I love that Drake is game to conduct a mini interview with Tim Westwood as Lil Wayne. And he points out the key element: “You always have to get how he goes from happy to serious in 0.5 seconds...”

But if only…if only…we could get Drake to do a Drake impersonation??? Total bombs-over-baghdad mind explosion.

After the jump…
Watch footage of Drake’s Club Paradise tour in London….
And we might as well include this clip of Bow Wow’s visit to Tim Westwood, where the homie Bdot mentioned…he didn’t totally suck. (How begrudging am I? LOL)
(more…)

It’s been 17 years since NWA’s frontman, napoleanic gangsta rap mastermind, Compton icon Eazy-E died from AIDS. 17 years. But clearly, the impact that Eazy and the NWA circle of characters (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Suge Knight, etc) have is still evident in everything from hip hop to fashion to movies and more.

Today, Hot97’s DJ Mr. Cee follows up his incredible Notorious B.I.G. tribute mix from a few weeks ago, with another amazing throwback blend…this time, focusing on Eazy-E.

Mix: Mr. Cee’s Hot97 Throwback Tribute To Eazy-E

After the jump…
Some fantastic vintage photos of Eazy….and a look at his son and daughter
(more…)