Monday, January 30, 2017

NEWS: Migos Are 'Ready' to Perform at Super Bowl If Petition Pans Out

Migos Are 'Ready' to Perform at Super Bowl If Petition Pans Out

"Let's do it!"

With Super Bowl LI looming, avid rap fans are pushing for a change in this year's halftime show. A new petition on Change.org is calling on Atlanta trio Migos to replace Lady Gaga.
"Halftime should be Migos killing Bad and Boujee," reads the petition. "Future kills em with March Madness, then Outkast comes out and does an AQUEMINI sampler and then they end it with BUN B and JAY Z DOING BIG PIMPIN!!!! If you're gonna put on a show for billions THIS IS THE ONLY SHOW."
As of Monday (Jan. 30), there are nearly 22,000 signatures in place, with the goal being 75,000. In a recent interview with Music Choice, Migos were more than thrilled with the idea of performing "Bad and Boujee" on the biggest stage in sports. "I didn't know it was real and people got signatures," Quavo said in the interview. "Let's do it. We're ready to f---ing perform."
Fans also envisioned a pre-show consisting of some of Atlanta's all-stars, like Gucci Mane, Ludacris and Jeezy. To up the ante, the petition is asking for Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu to reunite and perform together, while having Young Thug croon "Guwop Home" in place of the national anthem. Instead, the NFL has booked Hamilton stars Phillipa Soo, Renee Elise Goldsberry and Jasmine Cephas Jones for the "Star-Spangled Banner" and Luke Bryan for "America the Beautiful."
While the likelihood of the Super Bowl lineup changing now is slim, Migos can still rejoice that "Bad & Boujee" remains at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

NEWS: Drake's Competition in 2017 Might Just Be His Father

Drake's Competition in 2017 Might Just Be His Father

The way most of us met Dennis Graham was indirect. Before we laid eyes on the man and his remarkable mustache, we were introduced to the Memphis native via the work of his son, Aubrey Graham, better known to planet Earth residents as Drake. From the beginning of his career -- literally, from the very first track of his first studio album -- Drake has put his father right in his lyrical crosshairs: "My dad called me up knowing that I still listen/ And he’s still got his foot out, guilt trippin’/ It’s been years, though, I just learn to deal with it," he raps on "Fireworks" off 2010's Thank Me Later. Even on one of the rapper’s latest releases, "Two Birds, One Stone," Drake continues to paint a portrait of Graham through unflinching vignettes that often show a rocky, but immensely formative relationship.
"It was good to hear some things," Graham admits about Drake’s lyrics. "We had a discussion about some of the things that were said, and it’s all good. Because I know why he was doing it. He explained to me why, so it made it alright."
And it hasn’t dampened the sheer joy of watching his son rise from aspiring actor to one of the world’s most recognizable creative voices. "He did what I always thought I would do," Graham says. "I always thought that I would be that big star, and I never made it. But Drake did it and I felt like, by him doing it, I had made it."
But now Graham is finally making an honest run at his own solo career, with a new single and album to follow. In many ways, he was just as -- if not more -- positioned for fame than Drake.
He was raised in Memphis (Graham won’t reveal his exact age) with music in his blood. His uncle was Willie Mitchell, a producer who worked for the Memphis soul label Hi Records, perhaps best known for his work with Al Green. His cousin, Teenie Hodges, would grow up to be a prolific guitarist and songwriter for Green, too. There’s an incorrect factoid out there that Graham’s mother babysat Aretha Franklin. It was actually his grandmother and Tina Turner, he says. But it seems Graham was never very far from talent, including his own.
He taught himself to play the piano, guitar, and drums as a kid. Raised by a single mother to the sounds of B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Johnny Taylor, and Sam Cooke, Graham often had to be resourceful. His first drum kit was a converted tin bathtub. His cousin accompanied him on the cardboard box.
Graham has pretty much been in one band or another his whole life. Around age 18, he lucked into a gig drumming with Jerry Lee Lewis. He was hanging out at a Memphis club called the Hot Air Balloon when Lewis’ drummer walked across the street for a beer and cigarettes. Problem was, he didn’t have any cash. "So he robbed her. He pulled a pistol out," Graham recalls. "I’m glad I didn’t go to the store with him." Instead Graham walked upstairs to deliver the unfortunate news to Lewis that his drummer was currently a fugitive. He ended up covering that night, and would continue to work with Lewis whenever the two crossed paths.
Graham eventually moved to Toronto. He met Drake’s mother, Sandi, after a set one night at Club Bluenote. When Drake was about five -- right around the age his parents split -- Graham remembers bringing him onstage to play the tambourine. He was a regular at jam sessions between Graham and Teenie Hodges. "It’s in [Drake's] blood,” Graham says plainly.
When Drake was around nine years old, Graham remembers his son proposing a $5 bet. “I’m going to do more music than you ever did. I’m going to do more movies than you ever did,” the younger Graham said confidently. His father agreed to the deal. He finally paid his debt in 2009. Thankfully, Drake did not charge interest.
But it seems the bet might not officially be won just yet. Just over a month ago, Graham released his new single, "Kinda Crazy." The video should be out in February or March. Is there more on the way -- an album, perhaps? "One hundred percent," Graham says before correcting himself: "One thousand percent." Despite a brief moment of social media indigestion, where Graham threatened over Instagram to unfollow anyone who didn’t buy his single (he insists it was a marketing technique, a form of “reverse psychology,”), he says he’s pleased with the song’s reception.
“Kinda Crazy” is probably not what most expected, especially critics looking for an easy punch line. Graham’s deep and surprisingly warm voice drapes over a slow-burning ‘90s instrumental, ripe with slick electric guitar picking and cascading piano that, when combined, form an undeniable sonic aphrodisiac. It’s got a fur-coat sensuality about it, and shows the bones of what could be an interesting album -- one which might just feature a very special guest verse. “[Drake and I will] eventually get around to doing something together sooner or later,” Graham says.
The work he’s done so far apparently already has Drizzy's seal of approval. Graham loves that he can share his work with his son now, and the crossover star has apparently been returning the favor. Graham has heard most of his son’s secretive new project, More Life, which prominently features Graham himself on its album art. He affirms it is "worth waiting for -- trust me." Anything else he can share about it? No luck -- Pop’s been in the game too long to fall for that one: “You’re trying to get me killed.”

NEWS: WORLDSTARHIPHOP FOUNDER DEAD AT 43 (UPDATE)

WORLDSTARHIPHOP FOUNDER DEAD AT 43


WorldStarHipHop founder Lee O'Denat -- known as "Q" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
We're told Q, the face and CEO of WorldStar, died in his sleep Monday night.
Q founded the premiere hip-hop website in 2005 when he started posting mixtapes, which gradually progressed into a mash-up of hip-hop videos, fight clips and other outrageous camera footage.
An autopsy is scheduled for later Tuesday ... although one source tells us Q died of a heart attack.
He was 43.
RIP

WORLDSTARHIPHOP FOUNDER WAS ON WEIGHT LOSS KICK BEFORE DEATH (UPDATE)


4:05 PM PT -- Q did die from a heart attack, according to the San Diego County Coroner. Autopsy results also list "obesity" as a contributing condition. He failed to respond to CPR, and was pronounced dead on the scene.
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WorldStarHipHop founder Lee O'Denat -- better known as "Q" -- had been on a fierce path to slim down in the weeks leading up to his death.

We're told Q, the face of WorldStar, had been going HAM in the gym and on the treadmill -- sometimes at 5 AM. People close to him say he was over 300 lbs. at his heaviest, but had been trying to shed weight to look his best for his new MTV reality show ... slated to premiere in the Spring.
The show revolved around 43-year-old Q, his website's crazy videos and celebrity guest appearances. We're told Q had been telling friends how insanely busy he'd been juggling the show and his new gym life.
TMZ broke the story, Q died in his sleep Monday night. An autopsy is set for Tuesday.

FASHION VIDEOS: Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage to the Reebok Classic Club C in Video Series

Kendrick Lamar Pays Homage to the Reebok Classic Club C in Video Series 


Paying homage to the upcoming global release of the Club C for spring/summer of 2017, acclaimed West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar ‘Holds Court’ with Reebok Classic in a brand new four part video series, shot by coveted director Nabil. As an artist who takes inspiration from his childhood basketball courts, and who is recognized worldwide for using his music to inspire and empower the younger generation, Kendrick is the perfect spokesperson for the Club C silhouette, that’s been around since 1985.
In the four-part video series, Nabil does a great job of capturing K.Dot in a series of short films, shot in front of a projection Compton High School’s tennis court. In the video below, the “Alright” rapper can be seen discussing the values intrinsic to both him and the sneaker. While dressed in the forthcoming pieces for Reebok, Kendrick can also be seen sporting the new sneakers that make up the brand’s spring and summer 2017 collections.
The official Reebok x Kendrick campaign, which is also shot by Nabil, will be unveiled on Mon., Jan. 30, along with more information on the upcoming Club C releases for spring/summer of 2017. Make sure to check back with HHLS this coming week to find out all about the latest Reebok and Kendrick campaign.