HHH Tour Ends, Vh1 Show Tonight, Lupe’s From Chicago, Jay-Z Album Preview, New Music Coming out of Philly.
The Roots, Kane, Lyte, and Skillz wrapped up their 14 city Hip Hop Honors Tour this past Friday with a double header at New York’s Nokia Theater. After starting late for the first show they had to cut two songs from the second and guess which one’s got the axe, “Proceed” and “Clones.” First Roots show (billed as) no Roots songs. Interesting. Check in with the final diary entry from Skillz and someone please, pass him a tissue.
Tonight on VH1 is their 4th Annual Hip Hop Honors show, hosted by Tracy Morgan. This year’s show will honor A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliot, and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing as well as a tribute to the seminal hip hop film “Wild Style” with performances by this year’s honorees, along with Ciara, Eve, Pharrell Williams, The Game, T.I., Timbaland, Lupe Fiasco, Common, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Keyshia Cole and more. Tune in tonight at 8pm (10/9c) on VH1 and check out these photos and commentary from the red carpet.
Lupe Fiasco, an artist peeps are quick to put in the same category as the legendary ATCQ (ie “backpack”, hate that term), openly admits he has never listened to the “Midnight Marauders” album. Rap nerds (I’ve really been latching on to that one lately), especially of the type okayplayer, are quick to criticize this, especially in lieu (get it) of Lupe’s honoring ATCQ at this years HHH. Here is what the man has to say to any haters out there.
When I was in Philly I had the pleasure of a private listening session of a sampling of new music from Nouveau Riche, Dice Raw, The Roots, and a new group called the Money Making Jam Boyz comprised of Dice, Black, and Truck. Needless to say, I was impressed across the board. Khari Ferrari’s production is getting better and better by the day and it seems like The Roots camp will spawn yet another super star beat maker. Check for him, Dice, Nikki Jean, and Nouveau Riche on their run of shows in Philly and NYC throughout October.
Entertainment Weekly’s Popwatch blog has posted an in-depth preview of Jay-Z’s American Gangster inspired album. You know you care.
Congratulations to Tanya Morgan for being one of the three finalists in the Myspace/XM contest!
-okpdan