Hip-Hop Turns 50. The Grammys Celebrate the Milestone Despite Its Complicated History With the Genre
Hip-hop has had a contentious relationship with the Grammys, but tonight’s 50th anniversary performance was a much-deserved celebration of the genre. The loaded showcase achieved performance co-curator Questlove’s previously stated goal to span the breadth of hip-hop’s 50 years. The Recording Academy has been criticized in the past for controversial award selections in the rap categories, but this performance was a decision that few hip-hop heads could complain about.
Trailblazing artists from the genre’s past five decades performed, including Big Boi, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star,...
Trailblazing artists from the genre’s past five decades performed, including Big Boi, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
An episode of the long-awaited fourth season of Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty will get an exclusive, never-before-seen screening at the second annual Adult Swim Festival in November. The two-day event in Los Angeles runs Friday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Nov. 16, with the Rick and Morty screening set for Day 2.
Adult Swim had previously announced that Rick and Morty‘s Season 4 will launch in November.
In addition to the Rick and Morty sneak, this year’s festival will include events described by Adult Swim as “one-of-a-kind, 360° fan experience” attractions such as “Robot Chicken Intergalatic Power Summit, Squidbillies 10 Man Bunkhouse Stampede,” a discussion with Genndy Tartakovsky, and exclusive talent appearances, panels, meet and greets, merchandise, games, and more.
The festival also will feature performances by Dethklok, Jamie xx, Vince Staples, Young Thug, Captain Murphy, The Eric Andre Show Live!, Tierra Whack, Lil Nas X, among others.
Last year’s debut festival drew...
Adult Swim had previously announced that Rick and Morty‘s Season 4 will launch in November.
In addition to the Rick and Morty sneak, this year’s festival will include events described by Adult Swim as “one-of-a-kind, 360° fan experience” attractions such as “Robot Chicken Intergalatic Power Summit, Squidbillies 10 Man Bunkhouse Stampede,” a discussion with Genndy Tartakovsky, and exclusive talent appearances, panels, meet and greets, merchandise, games, and more.
The festival also will feature performances by Dethklok, Jamie xx, Vince Staples, Young Thug, Captain Murphy, The Eric Andre Show Live!, Tierra Whack, Lil Nas X, among others.
Last year’s debut festival drew...
- 6/25/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The second annual Adult Swim Festival is set to take place on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16 at Los Angeles’ Banc Of California Stadium. Music acts on the bill include Lil Nas X (pictured), Jamie xx, Vince Staples, Young Thug, Dethklok, Captain Murphy and Tierra Whack, among many others.
Additional offerings include comedy performers, special experiences and screenings, for example: a 360° fan experience, a premiere screening of “Rick and Morty” season four abd a Robot Chicken Intergalatic Power Summit.
The 23,500-seat Banc of California Stadium open just over a year ago on the site of the venerable L.A. Memorial Sports Arena — site of legendary shows by U2 and Bruce Springsteen as well as basketball’s L.A. Clippers for a time — adjacent to the Coliseum and the USC campus. June 2). The renovation took 20 months and cost more than $350 million.
Tickets start at an affordable $49.
See the lineup below
Friday,...
Additional offerings include comedy performers, special experiences and screenings, for example: a 360° fan experience, a premiere screening of “Rick and Morty” season four abd a Robot Chicken Intergalatic Power Summit.
The 23,500-seat Banc of California Stadium open just over a year ago on the site of the venerable L.A. Memorial Sports Arena — site of legendary shows by U2 and Bruce Springsteen as well as basketball’s L.A. Clippers for a time — adjacent to the Coliseum and the USC campus. June 2). The renovation took 20 months and cost more than $350 million.
Tickets start at an affordable $49.
See the lineup below
Friday,...
- 6/25/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
When Mike Judge began work on Tales From the Tour Bus, a new country-music docuseries for Cinemax that premieres on September 22nd, he did so with a mission. "I like converting people who don't like country into going, 'Ok, maybe this is Ok,'" he says. So the Silicon Valley, King of the Hill and Beavis and Butt-head mastermind began collecting the wildest, most hilarious stories about Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis and other hellraisers he could from their friends and family and animating them.
"We're trying to...
"We're trying to...
- 9/20/2017
- Rollingstone.com
[[tmz:video id="0_dl3w4aw4"]] Apparently Treach has some questions about whether the Geto Boys' Bushwick Bill is down with O.P.P. ... so he pushed him off the edge of the stage they were sharing. We're kidding about the reason, but Treach and Bill did take a tumble during Naughty by Nature's set of their "I Love the 90s" stop in Houston. Bill was rapping his verse to "My Mind Playing Tricks on Me," and Treach decided to join him,...
- 7/31/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSOver the weekend we lost two greats: Filmmaker George A. Romero, best known for inventing the modern version of all things zombie, and actor Martin Landau. Patton Oswalt has pointed out that a 19-year-old Romero worked as a pageboy on North by Northwest, Landau's second movie.The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has again added more names to its membership, and this latest batch includes even more unexpected additions from the world of international art cinema, including directors Pedro Costa, Lav Diaz, Ann Hui, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Kira Muratova, Johnnie To and Athina Rachel Tsangari.Did you see that the lineup of the Locarno Film Festival has been announced? With a huge retrospective devoted to Cat People director Jacques Tourneur and a competition including new films by Wang Bing, F.J. Ossang, Ben Russell,...
- 7/19/2017
- MUBI
Houston rap legends Geto Boys (currently Scarface, Willie D, and Bushwick Bill) haven't made an album together in ten years. Since 2005's The Foundation, all three rappers have gone their separate ways — with one-off reunions and even a tour in between — but now the trio are finally ready to release new music together, with an album called Habeas Corpus. And like many acts from their era (most recently, TLC and De La Soul), they've turned to Kickstarter in lieu of a record label to protect their creative control. "We're gonna go the fuck off on the new album. If it scared David Geffen back in 1990, it's gonna ruffle a few feathers in 2015," Willie D tells Rolling Stone, referencing the group's famously political and graphic songs. The album, for which they're asking $100,000 to be raised by July 15, will be produced by longtime collaborator Mike Dean,...
- 6/15/2015
- by Dee Lockett
- Vulture
Funny or Die has done what everyone's thought of doing since Office Space first taught America about about pieces of flair and and how to properly say "Ummm" in 1999: Replace the character Michael Bolton with the actual Michael Bolton.
The new clip finds Bolton dutifully recreating a handful of scenes where office drone Michael Bolton, originally played by Dave Herman, suffers the indignity of having to explain that he is not related to the singer. Bolton only breaks character once, winking at the camera as he tells Samir Nagheenanajar...
The new clip finds Bolton dutifully recreating a handful of scenes where office drone Michael Bolton, originally played by Dave Herman, suffers the indignity of having to explain that he is not related to the singer. Bolton only breaks character once, winking at the camera as he tells Samir Nagheenanajar...
- 3/10/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter have learned that Slim Shady himself will be performing at Friday's Beats Music launch party along with a constellation of hip-hop luminaries that includes, Ice Cube, Sean "Diddy Combs, Geto Boys, Method Man and Red Man, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, members of the Pharcyde, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Teddy Riley & Blackstreet, Busta Rhymes, Ma$e, Souls of Mischief and DJ Irie. The Beats Music streaming service only came out this past Sunday (Jan. 20), but its launch party during Grammy week with a hip-hop line-up that could be run-of-show for an
read more...
read more...
- 1/25/2014
- by Shirley Halperin, Billboard Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Remember the '90s? Sure you do. The music was grungier. The Marky Marks were Markier. You had to choose between your phone and the Internet. And the ponytails were occasionally sideways.
Well, if you somehow missed the decade due to an interference in the time-space continuum — or you just happen to be really young — we've assembled 15 movie clips that best represent what life, or at least movies, were like during that glorious decade. A '90s time capsule, if you will. So sit back, relax and throw on your favorite starter jacket.
1. 'House Party' (1990) — Kid 'n Play Dance-Off
Way before film dance battles occurred in 3D thunderdomes and huge flattop cuts were throwbacks, Kid 'n Play were throwing down the on-screen dance gauntlet with some fly girls in "House Party," a movie that knew enough to not let a plot get in the way of fun and...
Well, if you somehow missed the decade due to an interference in the time-space continuum — or you just happen to be really young — we've assembled 15 movie clips that best represent what life, or at least movies, were like during that glorious decade. A '90s time capsule, if you will. So sit back, relax and throw on your favorite starter jacket.
1. 'House Party' (1990) — Kid 'n Play Dance-Off
Way before film dance battles occurred in 3D thunderdomes and huge flattop cuts were throwbacks, Kid 'n Play were throwing down the on-screen dance gauntlet with some fly girls in "House Party," a movie that knew enough to not let a plot get in the way of fun and...
- 10/1/2013
- by Adam D'Arpino
- NextMovie
Grand Theft Auto V digital Playstation 3 pre-orders were made available for pre-load overnight throughout the UK. This has led fans to uncover mysterious info through searching of the game’s files. The most significant pieces of info to come out of this leak was the finding of information of a number of music stations and songs. The list below shows the traditional mix of Hip Hop, Rock and Country while including artists such as Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears and Muse.
Please take this information with a pinch of salt as the legitimacy of this information has yet to be clarified by Rockstar. Hopefully within the next few days more will be revealed. If true, what do you make of the soundtrack and which artists were you hoping would make an appearance?
The source of this leak came from GTAForums
An updated list can be viewed at on Reddit
West Coast...
Please take this information with a pinch of salt as the legitimacy of this information has yet to be clarified by Rockstar. Hopefully within the next few days more will be revealed. If true, what do you make of the soundtrack and which artists were you hoping would make an appearance?
The source of this leak came from GTAForums
An updated list can be viewed at on Reddit
West Coast...
- 8/24/2013
- by Niall McLoughlin
- Obsessed with Film
This week writer/director Paul Soter’s intensely creepy thriller Dark Circles (review) arrives on DVD, VOD and more courtesy of Lionsgate and After Dark Originals.
Starring Johnathon Schaech and Pell James, Dark Circles follows new parents Alex and Penny, who move to the country with their infant in hopes of a normal life and upbringing for their son, but neither of them is prepared for the consistent sleepless nights when their little one can’t sleep for more than 15 minutes, which preys on their ever-diminishing fragile mental states. As both parents begin to experience strange figures and disturbances around their house, neither can determine if what’s happening is something more sinister or if it’s just their minds playing tricks on them (cue the Geto Boys).
Dread Central recently chatted with Soter about what inspired Dark Circles, his comedic roots with Broken Lizard and much more. Check out...
Starring Johnathon Schaech and Pell James, Dark Circles follows new parents Alex and Penny, who move to the country with their infant in hopes of a normal life and upbringing for their son, but neither of them is prepared for the consistent sleepless nights when their little one can’t sleep for more than 15 minutes, which preys on their ever-diminishing fragile mental states. As both parents begin to experience strange figures and disturbances around their house, neither can determine if what’s happening is something more sinister or if it’s just their minds playing tricks on them (cue the Geto Boys).
Dread Central recently chatted with Soter about what inspired Dark Circles, his comedic roots with Broken Lizard and much more. Check out...
- 5/21/2013
- by thehorrorchick
- DreadCentral.com
Lest you forget Beyonce's Houston roots, check out the remix to her new tune "I Been On." Bun B of Ugk, Scarface and Willie D of Geto Boys, Z-Ro, Slim Thug and Lil Keke all show up for rap verses on the tune, with the voice of the "little wife" all but gone. Everybody who shows up -- including Queen B herself -- are Houston-bred, and they all take time extolling their Texas town. As in the original tune, Beyonce reveals in drop octave that she was in a Willie D video when she was 14. And remember history: she guested...
- 3/29/2013
- Hitfix
Warning: the video above contains some adorable dog footage matched with a classic rap song featuring some Nsfw song lyrics.
But we have a feeling you'll like it anyway.
You probably remember the Geto Boys' infectious "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" song from the scene below in "Office Space," but now we have a new reason to love it: Archer, the dog who totally gets it.
Via Blame It On The Voices...
But we have a feeling you'll like it anyway.
You probably remember the Geto Boys' infectious "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" song from the scene below in "Office Space," but now we have a new reason to love it: Archer, the dog who totally gets it.
Via Blame It On The Voices...
- 3/6/2013
- by Katla McGlynn
- Huffington Post
With just more than three weeks to go before their thirteenth annual event, "Gathering of the Juggalos" organizers late last week released a 23-minute video promoting their upcoming festival and its full lineup.
The video frames the festival as a secure escape from a world "over taken [sic] by mindless zombies unable to develop their own opinion of anything:"
"Harbored deep within the woods of Cave In Rock, Illinois, are living, breathing free thinkers [sic] who have constructed a compound of freshness for their kind to not only survive within but also to flourish."
That "compound" consists of the Aug. 8-12 festival, which this year features, in addition to the Insane Clown Posse and a smattering of Psychopathic Records acts of course, Cheech and Chong, Raekwon, Dmx, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Master P, Biz Markie, Danny Brown, Three 6 Mafia, a reunion of The Geto Boys, Fear Factory, comedian Jamie Kennedy...
The video frames the festival as a secure escape from a world "over taken [sic] by mindless zombies unable to develop their own opinion of anything:"
"Harbored deep within the woods of Cave In Rock, Illinois, are living, breathing free thinkers [sic] who have constructed a compound of freshness for their kind to not only survive within but also to flourish."
That "compound" consists of the Aug. 8-12 festival, which this year features, in addition to the Insane Clown Posse and a smattering of Psychopathic Records acts of course, Cheech and Chong, Raekwon, Dmx, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic, Master P, Biz Markie, Danny Brown, Three 6 Mafia, a reunion of The Geto Boys, Fear Factory, comedian Jamie Kennedy...
- 7/16/2012
- by Joseph Erbentraut
- Huffington Post
Nas and I have something in common: We both miss the 1990s. I miss it because that was the decade when I graduated from high school and went to college. Everything felt so important back then -- especially music. Nas presumably misses it because his music was among the most important of the decade. Illmatic, released in April 1994, was a dispatch from the Queensbridge projects that immediately established Nas as one of the premier rappers of his generation. I'm sure it's because we were biased New Yorkers, but nobody I knew listened to Tupac until he died. Our "Who's No. 1?" debates all centered on Biggie and Nas.
None of which is to suggest that Nas (born Nasir Jones) hasn't enjoyed his share of success in the new millennium. He's released five successful solo albums since 2001; one went double platinum, two went platinum, and the last two hit No. 1. And he's...
None of which is to suggest that Nas (born Nasir Jones) hasn't enjoyed his share of success in the new millennium. He's released five successful solo albums since 2001; one went double platinum, two went platinum, and the last two hit No. 1. And he's...
- 6/14/2012
- by Michael Hogan
- Huffington Post
'This is my favorite place in the mother----in' world!' Drizzy declares.
By Maurice Bobb
Drake backstage at his tour in Houston
Photo: MTV News
Houston — Drake's ties to Houston run deep. It was the city made famous by Rap-a-Lot Records, the Geto Boys, Ugk, DJ Screw and a litany of chopped-and-screwed odes to purple syrup that sired, cultivated and ultimately catapulted the Toronto native into the stratosphere of chart-topping, award-winning artists, so it was only fitting that the Mc born Aubrey Graham would pour more of his heart and soul into Thursday night's Toyota Center performance, an earmarked leg on his mammoth Club Paradise Tour.
Before Drizzy took the stage for his nearly two-hour set, he was preceded by a coterie of hip-hop radio fixtures: French Montana, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame and J. Cole. Each artist was allotted an average of 30 minutes to run through their budding...
By Maurice Bobb
Drake backstage at his tour in Houston
Photo: MTV News
Houston — Drake's ties to Houston run deep. It was the city made famous by Rap-a-Lot Records, the Geto Boys, Ugk, DJ Screw and a litany of chopped-and-screwed odes to purple syrup that sired, cultivated and ultimately catapulted the Toronto native into the stratosphere of chart-topping, award-winning artists, so it was only fitting that the Mc born Aubrey Graham would pour more of his heart and soul into Thursday night's Toyota Center performance, an earmarked leg on his mammoth Club Paradise Tour.
Before Drizzy took the stage for his nearly two-hour set, he was preceded by a coterie of hip-hop radio fixtures: French Montana, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame and J. Cole. Each artist was allotted an average of 30 minutes to run through their budding...
- 5/18/2012
- MTV Music News
Wednesday's show will also pay tribute to fallen Beastie Boy Adam 'McA' Yauch.
By Rob Markman
Travis Porter
Photo: Getty Images
There's no telling what's going to happen on Wednesday's "RapFix Live" when host Sway Calloway brings Atlanta's wild boys Travis Porter and hip-hop legend Scarface to the red couch.
Ali, Quez and Strap of Travis Porter have been on their rap grind for quite a few years, but now that they're getting set to release their major-label debut, From Day 1, on May 29, things really look to be paying off. Tp's first official album features 2 Chainz, Jeremih, Tyga, Mac Miller and Mike Posner, but more importantly will be filled with the same type of rambunctious party starters that the trio has hung their hat on. So "Rfl" fans can expect the same type of energy when Travis Porter make their way onto the MTV News set on Wednesday at 4 p.
By Rob Markman
Travis Porter
Photo: Getty Images
There's no telling what's going to happen on Wednesday's "RapFix Live" when host Sway Calloway brings Atlanta's wild boys Travis Porter and hip-hop legend Scarface to the red couch.
Ali, Quez and Strap of Travis Porter have been on their rap grind for quite a few years, but now that they're getting set to release their major-label debut, From Day 1, on May 29, things really look to be paying off. Tp's first official album features 2 Chainz, Jeremih, Tyga, Mac Miller and Mike Posner, but more importantly will be filled with the same type of rambunctious party starters that the trio has hung their hat on. So "Rfl" fans can expect the same type of energy when Travis Porter make their way onto the MTV News set on Wednesday at 4 p.
- 5/7/2012
- MTV Music News
Geto Boys alum (and his grandmother) appear on Sunday's 'Yo! MTV Raps: Classic Cuts.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Rahman Ali Bugg
Scarface
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
Scarface and the Geto Boys inspired so many up-and-coming rappers with their 1991 classic "Mind Playing Tricks on Me." The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Prodigy, Game, Killer Mike and the Clipse have all either sampled the track or referenced it in their lyrics, but fans might be surprised to learn that it was Scarface's grandmother who inspired him to write the influential track.
"He came to the room. I think I was just mumbling to myself, my lips were working or something, and he said, 'Mama, what you talkin' about?' I said, 'Oh, nothing, my mind's just playing tricks on me,' " the rapper's grandmother told MTV News as her famous grandson looked on. "I didn't have no idea he was...
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Rahman Ali Bugg
Scarface
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
Scarface and the Geto Boys inspired so many up-and-coming rappers with their 1991 classic "Mind Playing Tricks on Me." The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Prodigy, Game, Killer Mike and the Clipse have all either sampled the track or referenced it in their lyrics, but fans might be surprised to learn that it was Scarface's grandmother who inspired him to write the influential track.
"He came to the room. I think I was just mumbling to myself, my lips were working or something, and he said, 'Mama, what you talkin' about?' I said, 'Oh, nothing, my mind's just playing tricks on me,' " the rapper's grandmother told MTV News as her famous grandson looked on. "I didn't have no idea he was...
- 11/30/2011
- MTV Music News
The Snowman will join Sway on 'RapFix Live' Wednesday at 4 p.m. Et on MTV.com.
By Rob Markman
Young Jeezy
Photo: Getty Images
It's been almost three years in the making, but on December 20, Young Jeezy will finally be releasing his long-awaited Tm: 103 Hustlerz Ambition. And on Wednesday, the Snowman will be coming to "RapFix Live" to chop it up with Sway about his upcoming release. Not only that, but Young has also given RapFix an exclusive clip from the album's accompanying film.
The album boasts appearances from Lil Wayne, T.I., Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg and Devin the Dude. Last week, "I Do," a tongue-in-cheek love song featuring Jay-z and Andre 3000, hit the Net to rave reviews. On it, Jeezy professes his love for hustling, while Jay cleverly raps about his marriage to the streets, though at times sounds like he is dedicating his bars to wifey Beyoncé.
By Rob Markman
Young Jeezy
Photo: Getty Images
It's been almost three years in the making, but on December 20, Young Jeezy will finally be releasing his long-awaited Tm: 103 Hustlerz Ambition. And on Wednesday, the Snowman will be coming to "RapFix Live" to chop it up with Sway about his upcoming release. Not only that, but Young has also given RapFix an exclusive clip from the album's accompanying film.
The album boasts appearances from Lil Wayne, T.I., Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg and Devin the Dude. Last week, "I Do," a tongue-in-cheek love song featuring Jay-z and Andre 3000, hit the Net to rave reviews. On it, Jeezy professes his love for hustling, while Jay cleverly raps about his marriage to the streets, though at times sounds like he is dedicating his bars to wifey Beyoncé.
- 11/23/2011
- MTV Music News
Groundbreaking hip-hop show Yo! MTV Raps will return to TV for one night only next month. MTV will broadcast retrospective Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts on its MTV2 station on December 4. Original Hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and André 'Dr Dre' Brown will return for the one-off, which features interviews with the creators of the classic videos for A Tribe Called Quest's 'Scenario', Geto Boys' 'My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me' and Ice Cube's 'It Was a Good Day'. Lover told MTV News: "It's a great moment to be reconnected with Yo! and examine the music that had a role in introducing hip-hop to music lovers globally. "By looking back at these classic songs in hip-hop, it becomes clear that hip-hop would inevitably transcend distance and generations." Fab 5 (more)...
- 11/21/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Classic hip-hop special will air on MTV2 after first annual Sucker Free Awards.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: MTV2
Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."
The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.
The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: MTV2
Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."
The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.
The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...
- 11/18/2011
- MTV Music News
Classic hip-hop special will air on MTV2 after first annual Sucker Free Awards.
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: MTV2
Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."
The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.
The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...
By Gil Kaufman
Photo: MTV2
Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."
The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.
The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...
- 11/18/2011
- MTV Music News
Screengrab from the ‘Banksta’ video
Occupy Wall Street may be struggling to find its core message, but with the release of “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Banksta,” at least it has its soundtrack. Cult Comedy Picture Show, a comedy troupe based in New York, premiered a parody music video on Tuesday in which Republican Presidential frontrunner Herman Cain joins a pair of Wall Street fat cats to infiltrate Zucotti Park in New York and sing (okay, rap) about their success.
Occupy Wall Street may be struggling to find its core message, but with the release of “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Banksta,” at least it has its soundtrack. Cult Comedy Picture Show, a comedy troupe based in New York, premiered a parody music video on Tuesday in which Republican Presidential frontrunner Herman Cain joins a pair of Wall Street fat cats to infiltrate Zucotti Park in New York and sing (okay, rap) about their success.
- 11/4/2011
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Soul legend Syl Johnson claims duo used 1967 hit without permission.
By Gil Kaufman
Jay-z and Kanye West
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
Jay-z and Kanye West have been sued by soul/blues icon Syl Johnson over allegations that they sampled one of his songs on their Watch the Throne album without permission.
The complaint, filed in Illinois federal court Friday, alleges that the dynamic duo sampled a portion of his 1967 hit "Different Strokes" on the Throne deluxe-edition song "The Joy," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Johnson claims the song was sampled without his permission and has was not credited in the album's liner notes. The song was produced by Pete Rock (Kanye West is credited as producer along with Mike Dean and Mike Bhaskar) and was originally part of the G.O.O.D. Fridays series of leaks.
The allegation of copyright infringement was first raised in late August, when archival...
By Gil Kaufman
Jay-z and Kanye West
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage
Jay-z and Kanye West have been sued by soul/blues icon Syl Johnson over allegations that they sampled one of his songs on their Watch the Throne album without permission.
The complaint, filed in Illinois federal court Friday, alleges that the dynamic duo sampled a portion of his 1967 hit "Different Strokes" on the Throne deluxe-edition song "The Joy," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Johnson claims the song was sampled without his permission and has was not credited in the album's liner notes. The song was produced by Pete Rock (Kanye West is credited as producer along with Mike Dean and Mike Bhaskar) and was originally part of the G.O.O.D. Fridays series of leaks.
The allegation of copyright infringement was first raised in late August, when archival...
- 10/18/2011
- MTV Music News
Most may know Erik MacArthur as an actor, but for years he's been sitting in the producer and director's chair. We all know him from esteemed works like Pleasantville, We Were Soldiers and the cult following Salute Your Shorts, but now it's time to see the other side. Ology caught up with MacArthur to discuss his impressive background in film and television and to see what projects he's currently working on.
Like catching up with an old friend, Erik talks to Ology about his newest film Pono that will begin filming in Hawaii in the upcoming months. He also explains the transition he made to behind the camera, with previous projects like the short Life Makes Sense When You're Famous and his first feature film Bottoms Up.
Ology: It's so nice to talk to you today and seeing what you're up to. What projects are you currently working on?
Erik MacArthur...
Like catching up with an old friend, Erik talks to Ology about his newest film Pono that will begin filming in Hawaii in the upcoming months. He also explains the transition he made to behind the camera, with previous projects like the short Life Makes Sense When You're Famous and his first feature film Bottoms Up.
Ology: It's so nice to talk to you today and seeing what you're up to. What projects are you currently working on?
Erik MacArthur...
- 9/26/2011
- by Stephanie Webber
- Celebsology
Most may know Erik MacArthur as an actor, but for years he's been sitting in the producer and director's chair. We all know him from esteemed works like Pleasantville, We Were Soldiers and the cult following Salute Your Shorts, but now it's time to see the other side. Ology caught up with MacArthur to discuss his impressive background in film and television and to see what projects he's currently working on.
Like catching up with an old friend, Erik talks to Ology about his newest film Pono that will begin filming in Hawaii in the upcoming months. He also explains the transition he made to behind the camera, with previous projects like the short Life Makes Sense When You're Famous and his first feature film Bottoms Up.
Ology: It's so nice to talk to you today and seeing what you're up to. What projects are you currently working on?
Erik MacArthur...
Like catching up with an old friend, Erik talks to Ology about his newest film Pono that will begin filming in Hawaii in the upcoming months. He also explains the transition he made to behind the camera, with previous projects like the short Life Makes Sense When You're Famous and his first feature film Bottoms Up.
Ology: It's so nice to talk to you today and seeing what you're up to. What projects are you currently working on?
Erik MacArthur...
- 9/26/2011
- by Stephanie Webber
- Filmology
'I want your parents to not want my music in your iPod,' Gangsta Gibbs says on 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting Sway Calloway
Freddie Gibbs
Photo: MTV News
If you ask Freddie Gibbs, rap just isn't what it used to be. With a style influenced by acts like the Geto Boys, N.W.A. and 50 Cent, Gangsta Gibbs paints vivid street tales, but these days, that brand of rap seems to have taken a back seat to a softer, less menacing sound.
"Rap lost its edge man. I don't wanna be a part of what's been goin' on in the past five years," Gibbs told Sway when he appeared as a guest on this week's "RapFix Live."
"I wanna be taboo. I want your parents to not want my music in your iPod. I want your mom to be scared of what I'm talking about because it's so real,...
By Rob Markman, with reporting Sway Calloway
Freddie Gibbs
Photo: MTV News
If you ask Freddie Gibbs, rap just isn't what it used to be. With a style influenced by acts like the Geto Boys, N.W.A. and 50 Cent, Gangsta Gibbs paints vivid street tales, but these days, that brand of rap seems to have taken a back seat to a softer, less menacing sound.
"Rap lost its edge man. I don't wanna be a part of what's been goin' on in the past five years," Gibbs told Sway when he appeared as a guest on this week's "RapFix Live."
"I wanna be taboo. I want your parents to not want my music in your iPod. I want your mom to be scared of what I'm talking about because it's so real,...
- 9/9/2011
- MTV Music News
Houston rapper spent 10 months behind bars for failure to pay child support.
By Rob Markman
Scarface (file)
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
After 10 months behind bars for failure to pay child support, Scarface was recently released from Harris County Jail in Texas and is now prepping an album for the end of the year, a rep for the Houston rapper confirmed to MTV News.
The Geto Boys rapper (born Brad Jordan) was jailed October 13, and it was reported by XXLMag.com that 'Face owed more than $123,000 in child support on four separate cases. Bonds were reportedly set in each case with separate amounts: one for $93,376, another for $50,000, a third bond for $30,000 and the fourth and final one for $500, bringing the grand total to $123,372.
It was also reported that the "I Seen a Man Die" Mc was being held on unspecified federal charges, but MTV News has not been able to confirm that information.
By Rob Markman
Scarface (file)
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
After 10 months behind bars for failure to pay child support, Scarface was recently released from Harris County Jail in Texas and is now prepping an album for the end of the year, a rep for the Houston rapper confirmed to MTV News.
The Geto Boys rapper (born Brad Jordan) was jailed October 13, and it was reported by XXLMag.com that 'Face owed more than $123,000 in child support on four separate cases. Bonds were reportedly set in each case with separate amounts: one for $93,376, another for $50,000, a third bond for $30,000 and the fourth and final one for $500, bringing the grand total to $123,372.
It was also reported that the "I Seen a Man Die" Mc was being held on unspecified federal charges, but MTV News has not been able to confirm that information.
- 8/23/2011
- MTV Music News
Jamie Foxx found himself in a small scuffle at last night’s Usher show in Hollywood. Which brings to question, how does one get into a fight during Usher show? When I think Usher, I think relaxed, smooth melodies. This ain’t a Geto Boys concert! It’s not a Gwar show! So what happened? According to TMZ, someone in the audience took a “pot shot” at Jamie, and pretty soon, fists started flying before security broke up the fight. After the show, Jamie didn’t appear to be hurt, as he walked to his car surrounded by security guards....
- 2/11/2011
- Hollyscoop.com
Jay touches on miscarriage, his assault charge, Bono and more in the memoir/ lyrical breakdown.
By Hillary Crosley and Rahman Dukes
Jay-z
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
On Tuesday (November 16), Jay-z released his book "Decoded," explaining the history behind some of his most infamous lines. MTV News took a peek at the collection and selected a few topics and metaphors that surprised even us, the most avid of Hov followers:
Jay-z on Bono
Jay-z's larger-than-life influence has reached far beyond the realm of hip-hop. The Mc has been closely affiliated with some of pop music's biggest entertainers, including Linkin Park, Coldplay's Chris Martin and U2 frontman Bono. Early in "Decoded," Jay elaborated on his relationship with Bono and his first impressions of the singer.
"The writer had asked me about the U2 record that was about to be released and I said something about the kind of pressure a group...
By Hillary Crosley and Rahman Dukes
Jay-z
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
On Tuesday (November 16), Jay-z released his book "Decoded," explaining the history behind some of his most infamous lines. MTV News took a peek at the collection and selected a few topics and metaphors that surprised even us, the most avid of Hov followers:
Jay-z on Bono
Jay-z's larger-than-life influence has reached far beyond the realm of hip-hop. The Mc has been closely affiliated with some of pop music's biggest entertainers, including Linkin Park, Coldplay's Chris Martin and U2 frontman Bono. Early in "Decoded," Jay elaborated on his relationship with Bono and his first impressions of the singer.
"The writer had asked me about the U2 record that was about to be released and I said something about the kind of pressure a group...
- 11/16/2010
- MTV Music News
By Jeremy Kaplan
Bun B's latest album Trill O.G., which dropped this week, has become the latest recipient of the vaunted five mics from The Source, the first LP to grab the honor since Lil' Kim's 2005 release, The Naked Truth. Although a number of rap albums were eventually bumped up from an initial less-than-five or non-existent rating (either because they were re-considered or because their release dates preceded the magazine's founding), Bun's solo record is one of only 14 albums to get the Source's five mics immediately upon release, marking it superior from the get-go.
And although he's nearly 20 years into the game, Bun still considers himself a late prodigy, as he told our Mixtape Daily recently. Since the tragic death of his Ugk brother in 2007, Pimp C, Bun has turned his attention to his solo career. Now, with the release of Trill O.G., Bun can bask in the moment,...
Bun B's latest album Trill O.G., which dropped this week, has become the latest recipient of the vaunted five mics from The Source, the first LP to grab the honor since Lil' Kim's 2005 release, The Naked Truth. Although a number of rap albums were eventually bumped up from an initial less-than-five or non-existent rating (either because they were re-considered or because their release dates preceded the magazine's founding), Bun's solo record is one of only 14 albums to get the Source's five mics immediately upon release, marking it superior from the get-go.
And although he's nearly 20 years into the game, Bun still considers himself a late prodigy, as he told our Mixtape Daily recently. Since the tragic death of his Ugk brother in 2007, Pimp C, Bun has turned his attention to his solo career. Now, with the release of Trill O.G., Bun can bask in the moment,...
- 8/5/2010
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
Timbaland, Lil Jon, Paul Wall and others also performed at the event, which airs Monday on VH1.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Rick Ross
Photo: Getty Images
New York — "VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" might have represented Atlanta, Texas, Miami, New Orleans and everywhere in between, but all points were a unified front for the event Thursday night (June 3) at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
"I always say the East Coast is one piece of bread, and the West Coast is another piece of bread," honoree J. Prince of Rap-a-Lot Records said during the tribute. "And the South is the meat. I describe it that way, 'cause everyone has roots in the South."
Drake, Bun B, the Game, Juvenile and the Geto Boys' Willie D all performed as a part of the Rap-a-Lot set. Drake paid homage to the late Pimp C as he and Bun joined forces for "Get Throwed.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Rick Ross
Photo: Getty Images
New York — "VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" might have represented Atlanta, Texas, Miami, New Orleans and everywhere in between, but all points were a unified front for the event Thursday night (June 3) at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
"I always say the East Coast is one piece of bread, and the West Coast is another piece of bread," honoree J. Prince of Rap-a-Lot Records said during the tribute. "And the South is the meat. I describe it that way, 'cause everyone has roots in the South."
Drake, Bun B, the Game, Juvenile and the Geto Boys' Willie D all performed as a part of the Rap-a-Lot set. Drake paid homage to the late Pimp C as he and Bun joined forces for "Get Throwed.
- 6/4/2010
- MTV Music News
Some have criticized the 2010 honorees for who was included or omitted.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Nelson George and Fab Five Freddy
Photo: MTV News
The executive producers of "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" have responded to various Southern rap pioneers who have criticized the production for its 2010 selections, which include Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Rap-a-Lot Records founder J Prince, Luther Campbell and 2 Live Crew, Master P and Outkast producers Organized Noise.
"We try to pick people from different eras, whether it was closer to the beginning or from the late '80s into the '90s," Fab Five Freddy said of the process, which has drawn criticism from Suave House Records founder Tony Draper and rappers Scarface and Uncle Luke. "And people that carved out specific lanes and styles in the music."
The onetime "Yo! MTV Raps" host and writer Nelson George, who have overseen each show since its inception, admitted that every show will have detractors.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Nelson George and Fab Five Freddy
Photo: MTV News
The executive producers of "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" have responded to various Southern rap pioneers who have criticized the production for its 2010 selections, which include Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri, Rap-a-Lot Records founder J Prince, Luther Campbell and 2 Live Crew, Master P and Outkast producers Organized Noise.
"We try to pick people from different eras, whether it was closer to the beginning or from the late '80s into the '90s," Fab Five Freddy said of the process, which has drawn criticism from Suave House Records founder Tony Draper and rappers Scarface and Uncle Luke. "And people that carved out specific lanes and styles in the music."
The onetime "Yo! MTV Raps" host and writer Nelson George, who have overseen each show since its inception, admitted that every show will have detractors.
- 5/24/2010
- MTV Music News
Fifteen years after Eazy's death, MTV correspondent gives us some insight into his friend's genius.
Eazy-e
Photo: Ruthless Records
The appearance was rebellious, the music was revolutionary, the history is legendary. Eazy-e changed not just what we say in music and how we listen to it, but also the business of hip-hop. Friday (March 26) is the 15-year anniversary of Eazy-e's death from AIDS complications. Eazy is still loved, and our very own Sway Calloway had the pleasure of calling E a friend. Here, Sway, in his own words, gives us insight into the genius of Eric "Eazy-e" Wright.
Independent Thinker
Eric "Eazy-e" Wright was a friend of mine. It was a certain appeal about Eazy-e. Little girls liked him. The revolutionaries liked him, because he spoke his mind. He was easy to market, and he had a distinct voice. I met him through his music first, through N.W.A.
Eazy-e
Photo: Ruthless Records
The appearance was rebellious, the music was revolutionary, the history is legendary. Eazy-e changed not just what we say in music and how we listen to it, but also the business of hip-hop. Friday (March 26) is the 15-year anniversary of Eazy-e's death from AIDS complications. Eazy is still loved, and our very own Sway Calloway had the pleasure of calling E a friend. Here, Sway, in his own words, gives us insight into the genius of Eric "Eazy-e" Wright.
Independent Thinker
Eric "Eazy-e" Wright was a friend of mine. It was a certain appeal about Eazy-e. Little girls liked him. The revolutionaries liked him, because he spoke his mind. He was easy to market, and he had a distinct voice. I met him through his music first, through N.W.A.
- 3/26/2010
- MTV Music News
Let the Cure, Korn and Nine Inch Nails give you nightmares this holiday, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
The Cure's Robert Smith
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic
If you're like me, you'll probably be spending Halloween hiding in your closet from pagans (seriously, have you ever seen the Nic Cage version of "The Wicker Man"?!?) and the day after Halloween cleaning up the eggs those pagans decided to throw at your house.
Even without the egg-tossing polytheists, Halloween is totally terrifying. The apples stuffed with razorblades, the candy corn, the sexy Ghostbusters — it's like every childhood trauma rolled into one miserable, macabre holiday. And while, in previous years, I'd spend the night quaking in my Snuggie, this Halloween is gonna be different. Rather than hide from my fears, I've decided to embrace them (my mom says it's Ok).
So to thoroughly up the spooky, I've created a list...
By James Montgomery
The Cure's Robert Smith
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic
If you're like me, you'll probably be spending Halloween hiding in your closet from pagans (seriously, have you ever seen the Nic Cage version of "The Wicker Man"?!?) and the day after Halloween cleaning up the eggs those pagans decided to throw at your house.
Even without the egg-tossing polytheists, Halloween is totally terrifying. The apples stuffed with razorblades, the candy corn, the sexy Ghostbusters — it's like every childhood trauma rolled into one miserable, macabre holiday. And while, in previous years, I'd spend the night quaking in my Snuggie, this Halloween is gonna be different. Rather than hide from my fears, I've decided to embrace them (my mom says it's Ok).
So to thoroughly up the spooky, I've created a list...
- 10/28/2009
- MTV Music News
If you've been surfing Fangoria over the past couple of weeks, chances are you've seen the ads for the 2009 Cypress Hill Smokeout. The event takes place October 23rd and 24th in California and we're giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky Fangoria Musick reader!
Want to see a massive lineup in a two day show for free? Enter below!
To Enter: Send an email to smokeout@fangoria.com with your name, age, address, and phone number.
Winner will be chosen at random on or about October 12th, but Must be at least 18 years of age, and provide their own transportation and lodging for the event. Prizes will be sent by Guerilla Union!
Good Luck!
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took...
Want to see a massive lineup in a two day show for free? Enter below!
To Enter: Send an email to smokeout@fangoria.com with your name, age, address, and phone number.
Winner will be chosen at random on or about October 12th, but Must be at least 18 years of age, and provide their own transportation and lodging for the event. Prizes will be sent by Guerilla Union!
Good Luck!
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took...
- 10/5/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
If you've been surfing Fangoria over the past couple of weeks, chances are you've seen the ads for the 2009 Cypress Hill Smokeout. The event takes place October 23rd and 24th in California, and today we've got a new video featuring Fletcher from Pennywise speaking about the recent changes in Pennywise, the future of the band, and playing at Smokeout Festival! Our friends Slipknot (see them on Halloween at the Inagural Fangoria Trinity Of Terrors!) will be playing in addition to a Huge lineup, which you can find below the jump along with the video!
Stay tuned, as Fangoria Musick will be offering readers a chance to Win tickets shortly!
Fletcher Talks About Pennywise Change!
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took place in...
Stay tuned, as Fangoria Musick will be offering readers a chance to Win tickets shortly!
Fletcher Talks About Pennywise Change!
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took place in...
- 9/27/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
If you've been surfing Fangoria over the past couple of weeks, chances are you've seen the ads for the 2009 Cypress Hill Smokeout. The event takes place October 23rd and 24th in California, and today we've got a new video featuring Cheech and Chong talking about the event. Our friends Slipknot (see them on Halloween at the Inagural Fangoria Trinity Of Terrors!) will be playing in addition to a Huge lineup, which you can find below the jump along with the video! Stay tuned, as Fangoria Musick will be offering readers a chance to Win tickets shortly!
Cheech and Chong on SmokeOut 2009
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took place in 2003, returns for the first time as an epic two-day mind opening experience encompassing...
Cheech and Chong on SmokeOut 2009
Guerilla Union has announced the return of the annual Cypress Hill Smokeout Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at the San Manuel Amphitheatre and festival grounds in San Bernardino, CA. The event, which last took place in 2003, returns for the first time as an epic two-day mind opening experience encompassing...
- 9/23/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
How long horror has lived within the rap industry is an interesting debate that, after hours of research - I’m still not certain I can answer with 100% confidence. I can say that the early 90’s saw a sudden explosion in graphically violent content and particularly sadistic lyricism. Performers like Esham, Brotha Lynch Hung, X-Raided and The Insane Clown Posse put their balls on the line, stepped out of the industry manufactured box and released a torrent of musical savagery that sent rap detractors through the roof. The maneuver also sent a wave of inspiration throughout the rap genre that lives on today. I can also say that before even these pioneers took to the path of darkness, there were others…
While digging through crates of old cassette tapes I stumbled upon something of interest. An album titled “We All Burn In Hell”, by an artist known then as “Deathmask...
While digging through crates of old cassette tapes I stumbled upon something of interest. An album titled “We All Burn In Hell”, by an artist known then as “Deathmask...
- 8/13/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Matt Molgaard aka InstantLegend)
- Fangoria
Rapper Willie D has denied multiple charges of wire fraud. The Geto Boys group leader has pleaded not guilty of allegedly running an international online vending scam.
Willie D - real name William James Dennis - was arrested in May for reportedly running an iPhone scam through an online selling site.
According to the authorities, Willie would conduct the scam through eBay by having foreign consumers buy bulk purchases of iPhones. Once the electric wire transfer was completed, buyers were sent bogus shipping tracking numbers. The packages would never reach the victims.
Willie was released after posting bond.
Willie D - real name William James Dennis - was arrested in May for reportedly running an iPhone scam through an online selling site.
According to the authorities, Willie would conduct the scam through eBay by having foreign consumers buy bulk purchases of iPhones. Once the electric wire transfer was completed, buyers were sent bogus shipping tracking numbers. The packages would never reach the victims.
Willie was released after posting bond.
- 7/3/2009
- icelebz.com
Rapper faces up to 20 years for selling electronics online and never delivering them.
By Gil Kaufman
Geto Boys' Willie D
Photo: Ben Rose/ Getty Images
The Geto Boys rapper Willie D (born William James Dennis) was arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday night at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and charged with wire fraud in connection with an alleged plot to sell iPhones over the Internet and then never delivering them.
According to the Houston Press, the arrest warrant in the case alleges that D, acting through a shell company called Texas One Wireless, arranged to sell iPhones and other electronics to overseas buyers over the Internet. Beginning in September 2008, Willie D allegedly used eBay to establish his credibility with international buyers. Once a buyer became interested, D then allegedly moved the transaction outside of eBay to an e-mail account.
Once the buyers had electronically transferred money into his account,...
By Gil Kaufman
Geto Boys' Willie D
Photo: Ben Rose/ Getty Images
The Geto Boys rapper Willie D (born William James Dennis) was arrested by FBI agents on Wednesday night at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and charged with wire fraud in connection with an alleged plot to sell iPhones over the Internet and then never delivering them.
According to the Houston Press, the arrest warrant in the case alleges that D, acting through a shell company called Texas One Wireless, arranged to sell iPhones and other electronics to overseas buyers over the Internet. Beginning in September 2008, Willie D allegedly used eBay to establish his credibility with international buyers. Once a buyer became interested, D then allegedly moved the transaction outside of eBay to an e-mail account.
Once the buyers had electronically transferred money into his account,...
- 5/15/2009
- MTV Music News
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