Eminems family

Eminem's Children

Hailie Jade Scott (Mathers) is the daughter of Eminem and his wife Kimberly Ann Scott. She was born on December 25, 1995. The songs "Mockingbird" on Eminem's album Encore, "Hailie's Song" on The Eminem Show, and Eminem's 2005 single "When I'm Gone" are dedicated to her. Hailie joins her father in the hook for "My Dad's Gone Crazy." She also features prominently in a number of his other songs, most notably in Just The Two Of Us on The Slim Shady EP, later renamed '97 Bonnie & Clyde on The Slim Shady LP, which is a fictional account of Eminem, accompanied by Hailie, dumping the dead body of his wife into a lake, while he talks lovingly to his daughter in baby-talk.
Eminem's Family Members

Betty Kresin
Marshall's grandmother

Debbie Mathers Brigs
Eminem's mother, Debbie Mathers Briggs has been married four times - John Briggs is the latest husband

Marshall Bruce Mathers II
Started dating Debbie when she was 15. He left when Eminem was 18 months old. Eminem blames his mother for separating him from his father, though it is unknown whether Eminem has ever tried to contact Bruce of his own accord

Steven Nelson
Had a (non-fatal) stroke after Ronnie's suicide. Betty Kresin says it was a result of the stress

Todd Nelson
Divorced first wife, Janice. Remarried Katherine. Was sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter for shooting Janice's brother in self-defence. Educated in law, Todd is campaigning against asbestos use in prisons. Unfortunately he commited suicide. Todd Nelson shot himself in the head as he sat in his car. He had become depressed over a sheriff's rottweiler which was allegedly terrorising his family. The 42-year-old helped raise Eminem, whose real father walked out when the rapper was a baby.

Janice
Divorced from Todd. In the documentary Debbie describes Janice as a "fighter" and they argue over Korey's wish to live with Debbie and Nathan

Betty Renee
Now Eminem's live-in housekeeper in his gated mansion in Clinton township, Michigan, together with her husband Jack and their 3 kids. Betty Kresin says that Renee attacked her with mace when she was selling Eminem T-shirts

Ronnie Nelson
Born in 1971 just a couple of months apart, Ronnie and Eminem grew up as close friends. Ronnie Nelson committed suicide with a shotgun in 1992 aged 19, and is remembered in the song 'Stan'. Eminem has a tattoo tribute to him

Nathan Mathers
Now lives with Eminem and wants to be a rap star. Features as Lil 'Em in the video for 'Without Me'

Marshall Mathers III (aka Slim Shady aka Eminem)
Also known as Eminem and Slim Shady. Uncle Ronnie introduced Marshall to hip hop in 1983 when he bought him Ice T's Reckless

Kim Mathers
Fostered at the age of 13 by Debbie, she married Eminem in 1995 - the same year she gave birth to their daughter, Hailie Jade. Since their divorce, Kim has frequently been the subject of Eminem's songs

Korey Nelson
Lives with his father, Todd. Still in High School, excelling in mechanics. Thought to feature as the young, snubbed autograph-seeker in Eminem's hit single, Stan. And is graduated.

Hailie Mathers
Eminem's loved daughter, born in the year Eminem and Kim married. Now lives with Eminem
Alaina Mathers is Eminem's eleven-year-old adopted daughter, and the biological daughter of his wife's twin sister. Eminem has custody of his niece and is raising her as Hailie's sister. She is also referenced in the song "Mockingbird" on Encore, as "Laney".

Nathan Mathers is Eminem's younger half-brother by 14 years, and is in his legal custody.

Eminem is also determined to get custody of Whitney, Kim's child by another man, in order to become the girl's father. Eminem is quoted as saying about Whitney: "I'm in love with that girl, man. She's so sweet and funny." He plans to change Whitney's last name to Mathers.

Tupac's Death

Tupac's death
Saturday,
September 7, 1996 Tupac Shakur and Death Row's Marion "Suge" Knight visit the Mike Tyson - Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Travon Lane (a Death Row affiliate also known as "Tray") was confronted by several members of the Southside Crips two months ago on the Lakewood Mall in Compton. During the scuffle Travon Lane's Death Row medallion/necklace was taken from him.
When Travon Lane walks through the MGM lobby he spots a man, later identified as Orlando Anderson (the same man Travon thought who had taken his medallion). Travon Lane points out the man to Tupac and he confronts him with the question "You from the South?" (this scene is captured on tape by MGM surveillance cameras).

After the 109 seconds fight (around 8.55 pm) a gleeful Tupac baits a camera crew in the MGM lobby and leaves the MGM together with Suge Knight.

Back at his room in the Las Vegas Luxor hotel, Tupac is upset cause he couldn't find someone of the Outlawz, who planned to be at the Mike Tyson fight with him. One member of the Outlawz, Khadafi, will become an eye-witness to the shooting the same day and is found dead one week later in New Jersey. Khadafi R.I.P.
Tupac (now wearing a black basketball jersey and not the white silk shirt he wore inside the MGM) and Suge, surrounded by women, are catched by an amateur videographer outside the MGM in Las Vegas.

Saturday,
September 7, 1996
11.15 pm Tupac and Suge Knight turn off Las Vegas Boulevard onto Flamingo Road.

Suge Knight is driving the black BMW 750 and Tupac sits next to him, they are on the way to Suge's Club 662 to get their party on.

Tupac's window is down and he smiles and yells to fans on the street.

Some women in an oldsmobile and several Death Row cars (around 10) follow them, heading to Club 622 in Las Vegas.

Tupac and Suge Knight stop at a red traffic light in front of the Maxim Hotel.

A white Cadillac with California license plates pulls up to the right of the waiting black BMW. Inside the Cadillac are four passengers.

According to Las Vegas Police one of the four passengers takes out a high caliber gun (Glock .40 caliber handgun) and fires between 10 and 15 (probably 12) shots, sparks fly .... glass and metal everywhere.

Three bullets tear through Tupac's chest, one through his hand and one in his leg. Suge sufferes a minor gunshot wound to the head but is not serious wounded by some bullet fragments.

The scene is watched by dozens of witnesses at the street and the Death Row entourage in cars behind the BMW.

The white Cadillac turns off and moves to down south Koval Street.

Two police men hear the shots and immediately give chase, Tupac bleeds through his jersey and is stretched out in the back of the BMW.

Suge Knight gets the car one mile away and is pulled over by a Police Bike Patrol at the corner Las Vegas Boulevard/Harmon Avenue.

Tupac lost allot of blood, he is being brought into University Medical Center's trauma center and undergoes the first operation shortly before midnight. His right lung is removed when he is operated again more than 20 hours later. He is in very critical condition and doctors give him a twenty percent chance to survive. His mother Afeni Shakur, relatives and friends come to the UMC to be there for him.

According to a Compton police informant, Travon Lane later says (at Club 662) that the shooter was Orlando Anderson aka "Baby Lane" or "Keefee D's nephew", the same man they confronted in the MGM lobby some hours ago.

Monday,
September 9, 1996 Since Suge Knight was released from the UMC on Sunday he is not to be found. On Wednesday he appears for Las Vegas police questioning.

Another informant later noticed that Orlando Anderson's cousin drives a late-model white Cadillac into an auto shop.

At 2.58 pm a man (who was mentioned to LAPD as someone who might have been sitting inside the white Cadillac two days ago) is shot.

Tupac still in critical condition momentarily opens his eyes. His family and friends inside the UMC and hundred of fans outside hope and pray for him.

Wednesday,
September 11, 1996 At 9.05 am Bobby Finch (reputed to be Southside Crip) is gunned down on South Mayo. Later Las Vegas police receive telephone calls that Bobby Finch might have been sitting in the white Cadillac too.

The next days (September 13/14) ten more people (five Bloods) are shot (wounded/killed) in seperate shootings.

Las Vegas Police receive more and more calls that Orlando Anderson was the man who shot on Tupac and that people have seen him with a 40. caliber Glock handgun.

Thursday,
September 12, 1996 Tupac is still in very critical condition, his eyes are closed and he struggles for his life. He is connected to several intensive care unit apparates. His family and thousands of fans around the world hold out hope.

Friday,
September 13, 1996
4.03 am Tupac Shakur passed away at 4.03 am because of respiratory failure and cardiopulmonary arrest. He was 25 years old. Rest In Peace.


Tupac's mother Afeni, his cousin Yakki, his family and his friends leave the stillness of the UMC. Hundreds of waiting people outside the UMC cry, Tupac's music (coming out of cars) fills the air .... The world has lost one of the greatest rap artists. His family and millions of fans around the world lost a son, a cousin, a friend .... TUPAC WE MISS YOU.

Bohemia : Making of a Pioneer

Making of a Pioneer

About Bohemia the Punjabi rapper. The term “Bohemia” suggests flouting traditional mores. And rap is all about personal angst or feelings. So what is Bohemia the man all about? “Well, I lost my mom when I was just 14 or 15, and I was quite a momma’s boy. That made me mad and I was kind of pushed into negative things. I have to thank God for music, for that’s what finally made me wake up and gave a reason to live. Dad played the harmonium and I learnt the keyboard.”

He goes on, “When we moved to the U.S., and after losing my mom, I left home. I was virtually living in recording studios and sleeping in cars. And of mine who was also a musician was murdered :( and replaced by another musician just as easily as if he was a broken instrument, I was mad again. I told the studio engineer that I was through with being a keyboard player who could go into anonymity if he died tomorrow. I wanted to leave my own music behind”.

Bohemia’s first album was Vich Pardesan De 2003, which was about coming to a foreign land. Hip Hop was then limited to the underground. But with this album, he pioneered Punjabi rap. Then came Pesa Nasha Pyar (Money, Intoxication, Love) 2006, the first-ever full-length Desi rap album to be released worldwide on a major music label (Universal Music Group).

Da Rap Star, his new album he says, “is all me, without any samples used other than my tribute track to Malkit Singh. I am showing off how good a producer I am! I have played all the instrutments keyboards, drums and did all the sequencing. There are tracks that describe my journey. To sum up, it’s me saying, ‘I’m me! Look, I’m still here!’”

Through his experiences, come raw raps depicting not just California street life, but a life many south Asians lead in America. Bohemia looks up to artists such as Jagjit Singh and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and rapper's like Nas and KRS-One.

After having burnt up music charts with his Bollywood songs, Bohemia's highly awaited album Da Rap Star has finally released. Da Rap Star, written and produced entirely by Bohemia hit #1 on the Planet M chart India and is nominated as the Best Punjabi Album at the UK Asian music awards.

Eminem - Stan Details (This One is my personal Favourite)

STAN                                                                          "Stan" is the third single from The Marshall Mathers LP, by rapper Eminem featuring Dido. It peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also included on Curtain Call: The Hits, performed with Eminem and Dido as well track 17 on Curtain Call: The Hits as a live Performance from the 2001 Grammy awards featuring Elton John. The song was produced by The 45 King and Eminem, and uses a slightly modified break from Dido's "Thank You" as its base sample. The track also samples the opening lines of "Thank You" as its chorus. Coincidentally, both songs were released as singles in late 2000. Stan has been called one of Eminem's best songs and is considered one of his signature songs

The song is perhaps Eminem's most critically acclaimed song and has been called a "cultural milestone" and referred to as "Eminem's best song" by About.com.Analysing "Stan" in the Guardian newspaper, writer and literary critic Giles Foden compared Eminem to Robert Browning.

At the 2001 Grammy Awards, when Eminem was facing a lot of criticism from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation over his lyrics; Eminem responded by performing "Stan" with singer Elton John, who is openly gay, singing Dido's lines. Many of the profanities changed, for example, "You're like his favourite idol," in lieu of, "You're like his fucking idol," into different words. Recordings of this performance were available for download on Eminem's official website, Eminem.com, and, later, on his 2005 greatest hits release, Curtain Call: The Hits.

German rapper Prinz Pi made a German version of 'Stan'. His track also is named 'Stan' and is based on Eminem's 'Stan'-beat and has the same topic. Christian rap artist KJ-52 recorded two songs: "Dear Slim" and "Dear Slim, Part II," attempting to contact Eminem and talk to him about his own faith and help him through his troubles. The lyrics to "Dear Slim" reference the obsessed fan in "Stan." Various instruments within the song "My Life" by The Game were taken from Stan.

Rapper Canibus released a response track to this song entitled "U Didn't Care", in which Canibus, portraying Stan, accused Eminem of not caring about him at all.

As a result of the song, the term "Stan" is often used within various fan communities, not limited to musical, to derisively refer to people seen as overly-obsessed fans of someone or something. In "Ether", the anti-Jay-Z diss track, Nas calls Jay a "Stan" and claims that Jay idolizes him and later builds his career from Nas'. Eminem himself used it in the edited version of Curtain Call: The Hits, directed at Moby in "Without Me".German rapper Kool Savas calls his opponent Eko Fresh a "Stan" and claims that Eko admired him in his famous diss track "Das Urteil" (The Verdict). Also MOK, another German rapper calls Farid Bang a "Stan" in his diss track "Frohe Ostern/Mr. Lover Lover" in 2009.

"Stan" has been listed by many as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. It was ranked #3 on a list of the greatest rap songs in history by Q magazine, and came in 10th in a similar survey conducted by Top40-Charts.com.Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ranked it #290, one of Eminem's two songs on the list along with "Lose Yourself;" in the updated 2010 list, it was ranked at #296. It ranked #45 on About.com's Top 100 RapSongs

The song ranked number 15 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, and number 2 on their Countdown Millenium Songs. It was also named the 46th Best Song of the decade by Complex Magazine, and the 10th Best Song of the decade by Rolling Stone Magazine.

In 2010, underground rapper TNN released a Stan Part 2. The song was narrated by Stan's younger brother Matthew, who was mentioned in the original version.

In 2009 rapper/producer Swizz Beatz said he submitted an idea for a song for Eminem entitled "Stan 2." When Eminem turned it down, Swizz took it back and will use it for his album, Haute Living.The song will be entitled "Anne," will feature rapper Lil Wayne and will maintain the theme that Swizz had in mind. But on April 27, 2011, Swizz said that he had given the song to Lil Wayne in exchange for a verse on his new song. It is unclear that "Anne" may appear on Lil Wayne's ninth studio album, Tha Carter IV

Eminem - Lose Yourself lyrics + Video (Best song of Eminem)

LYRICS


"Lose Yourself"

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti
He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs,
but he keeps on forgettin what he wrote down,
the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out
He's choking how, everybody's joking now
The clock's run out, time's up over, bloah!
Snap back to reality, Oh there goes gravity
Oh, there goes Rabbit, he choked
He's so mad, but he won't give up that
Easy, no
He won't have it , he knows his whole back's to these ropes
It don't matter, he's dope
He knows that, but he's broke
He's so stagnant that he knows
When he goes back to his mobile home, that's when it's
Back to the lab again yo
This whole rhapsody
He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him

[Hook:]
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo
(You better)

The soul's escaping, through this hole that it's gaping
This world is mine for the taking
Make me king, as we move toward a, new world order
A normal life is boring, but superstardom's close to post mortem
It only grows harder, only grows hotter
He blows us all over these hoes is all on him
Coast to coast shows, he's know as the globetrotter
Lonely roads, God only knows
He's grown farther from home, he's no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
But hold your nose 'cause here goes the cold water
His hoes don't want him no more, he's cold product
They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose dove and sold nada
So the soap opera is told and unfolds
I suppose it's old partner but the beat goes on
Da da dum da dum da da

[Hook]

No more games, I'ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfucking roof off like 2 dogs caged
I was playing in the beginning, the mood all changed
I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhyming and stepwritin the next cypher
Best believe somebody's paying the pied piper
All the pain inside amplified by the fact
That I can't get by with my 9 to 5
And I can't provide the right type of life for my family
Cause man, these goddam food stamps don't buy diapers
And it's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard and it's getting even harder
Trying to feed and water my seed, plus
Teeter totter caught up between being a father and a prima donna
Baby mama drama's screaming on and
Too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony
Has gotten me to the point, I'm like a snail
I've got to formulate a plot or I end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherfucking option, failure's not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer's got to go
I cannot grow old in Salem's lot
So here I go it's my shot.
Feet fail me not this may be the only opportunity that I got

[Hook]

You can do anything you set your mind to, man 


VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp99IGfHIkA

Eminem - Conflict with Mariah Carey

Conflict with Mariah Carey

Eminem has written several songs referring to a relationship with pop singer Mariah Carey, although she denies the claim. She says that they hung out but nothing sexual or intimate occurred. Eminem has referenced her on many songs that include "Superman", "Jimmy Crack Corn", "Bagpipes From Baghdad", and "The Warning". While "Superman" was released in 2003, Carey released a song entitled "Clown" on her Charmbracelet album, released around the same time, which makes similar references in line with her 2009 hit "Obsessed".

Eminem's "Bagpipes From Baghdad" from his album Relapse may be his most well known reference to Carey due to the controversy it caused. The song disparages Carey and husband Nick Cannon's relationship.Cannon responded to Eminem by saying his career is based on "racist bigotry", and that he would get revenge on Eminem, joking that he may return to rapping. Eminem later stated that the couple misinterpreted the track and it was wishing the two the best.Cannon also stated that there were no hard feelings, and that he just had to express his feelings about the song.

In 2009, Carey released "Obsessed" in which she sings about an obsessed man who claims to be having a relationship with her. Cannon claimed that the song was not an insult directed at Eminem.However, Eminem responded in late July 2009 by releasing a track titled "The Warning". It contained samples of voice mail recordings which Eminem claimed were left by Mariah Carey when the two were together. Eminem also hinted that he had other evidence of their relationship in his possession. A little over a year later in September 2010 Nick Cannon responded with the song "I'm a Slick Rick" which in Slick Rick's flow he takes shots at Eminem.

Bohemia Conflict and Controversy

Bohemia Confilict and Controversy

Bohemia and Bally Sagoo

Chandigarh, Nov 28 2010 (IANS) Calling Britain-based musician Bally Sagoo a 'joker', American Punjabi rapper Bohemia Sunday accused him of taking undue advantage of his popularity and making wrong statements in the media.

Bohemia was visibly irritated with the recent statement of Bally in which he had claimed to bring the rapper into the limelight.

'It is wrong to say that Bally Sagoo brought me to the limelight. I am here only because of my own talent and creativity. In fact Bally used me to gain audiences and to create hype during his own shows. He is telling a lie. He is not a musician or a lyricist, he has not even written a single line till date,' said Bohemia, while talking to reporters here Sunday.

'But yes, he brought musicians from different countries to the forefront. Bally had money and he could do this. But I was only 16 when I left my home. I had no money and I was on the streets but today I am charging three times money as compared to Bally for a show.'

Bohemia was in this union territory to perform on the concluding day of the three-day Chandigarh carnival Sunday evening

'Bally is a joker, he wanted to use me as hype. He never made music and people like him are always afraid of me. Initially, I thought all of them were like me but nobody can compare me with them,' Bohemia said.

'I scrapped my relations with Bally during a show in the US. I was just over with my power-packed performance in which I had actually screamed my heart out. Immediately after it, Bali wanted me to go on stage because he was not confident about his own performance. I refused and ended my relationship with him.'

The controversy increased when Bohemia also condemned the Universal Music Group Pvt. Ltd. India.

'Universal music also tells people that they have made Bohemia, it is again wrong. I cannot give any credit to Bally or to Universal. I have 100 percent rights on my music, concept and lyrics; even the graphics and fonts on the CD cover are also decided by me. I only needed them to distribute my music,' Bohemia said.



Bohemia Canada border Issue

2007 Rapper Bohemia, who was scheduled to appear live at the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver, was refused entry to Canada on Friday and detained for 8 hours in a holding cell by Immigration Canada, said the concert promoter. "The version we got from Immigration Canada was vague because of their confidentiality and privacy laws," said Jhind of Dream Time Records LA, who was accompanying The Punjabi Rapper "Bohemia and his entourage arrived Friday at 10 a.m. from Oakland. Every member of his entourage was allowed in except him. All the paperwork was fine. "Bohemia felt he was waiting too long. You could tell he was getting aggravated," Jhind said "He was asked a few questions by the immigration officer and was detained and put under watch. Then he was escorted out at 7:00 p.m. the same night."

Through an unconfirmed source, The Punjabi Rapper might have been denied entry into Canada because a criminal charge was laid against him two years ago in the United States. An official at Immigration Canada said he could not discuss the specifics of individual cases, but confirmed the rapper was denied entry into the country. "Normally, someone coming here as an entertainer is referred to us," said Jean Edmonds, manager of Immigration Canada for Vancouver. "I can't comment on whether he has (a criminal record) or not, but individuals with a criminal record would have problems entering unless they had prior consent." Officials would not comment on whether the rapper was detained at the Vancouver airport, but they confirmed, "individuals who are denied entry are sometimes held until the next available flight." At the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver where the much anticipated debut appearance was to take place, an announcement was made for the crowd, followed by tracks from Bohemia's latest album blasting through the loud speakers. The Punjabi rapper's follow up Sunday performance in Edmonton was also cancelled. Jhind said Bohemia was arrested two years before he tried to enter Canada, but was not sure what he has been charged with. "It appeared as it the Canadian Officials had his whole Rap Sheet -- it had all his charges listed on it -- I guess they were holding him on that and questioning him on that. They kept him in the immigration interview for a few hours." The 25-year old Bohemia is widely recognized as the pioneer of 'Desi-Hip-Hip'. His latest album 'Pesa Nasha Pyar' [Money, Drugs, Love] under the Music Mogul Universal Records India and Ishq Records UK was released in April 2006 and remain in the Top Ten for 7 weeks in India. Many recent performers brought to the city from the U.S. by local promoters have faced hassles at the Vancouver International Airport, including Eminem and DJ Clue. "Bohemia's management is in contact with the Canadian promoters in efforts to organize a makeup date," Jhind said. "However, I firmly believe there is a red flag on Bohemia's name. He may not get into Canada even with a minister's pardon due to heighten security by Immigration Canada and given his [Bohemia] record. Many eager fans paid the VIP $65 looking forward to meet the king of Punjabi Rap in-person.

B.o.B

B.o.B


Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. (born November 15, 1988), also known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. "Airplanes," B.o.B's second single, emulated this success, peaking at number one and number two in the U.K. and the U.S., respectively. His third single, "Magic," became B.o.B's third consecutive top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. B.o.B was named the ninth Hottest MC in the Game of 2010 by MTV.


2009–2010: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

His debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, was originally expected to be released on May 25, 2010, but was advanced to April 27, 2010 due to the commercial success of his song "Nothin' on You", featuring Bruno Mars. The album was released under T.I.'s record label Grand Hustle and includes features from Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Playboy Tre, Hayley Williams, Rivers Cuomo, Rico Barrino, Eminem, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, and Young Dro.

Three other singles followed: "Don't Let Me Fall" (released April 6, 2010), "Airplanes" (April 13, 2010; featuring Hayley Williams), and "Bet I" (April 20, 2010; featuring T.I. and Playboy Tre). A video for "Bet I" has been released on Atlantic Videos on YouTube. The album was released April 27, 2010 and was given generally positive reviews. His album sold 84,000 copies in the first week and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It made B.o.B the 13th male solo artist to have a debut album at #1 in it's first week. In July, B.o.B announced he will go on tour, naming it The SHOOTiN for Stars Tour. The dates and times were released on his website on July 13.B.o.B has received nominations for his album, singles, and himself by the BET Awards, Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and the new Suckerfree Summit. "Airplanes" was featured in the trailer for the upcoming movie Charlie St. Cloud and "Magic" also landed him an Adidas commercial with him in it. B.o.B was announced to be a performer at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on August 18. He was added to the line-up of Eminem, Linkin Park, Kanye West, Drake, Usher, Paramore, Florence and the Machine, and Justin Bieber.

As of July 2010, B.o.B is the latest artist to star in the new Adidas commercial which features "Magic."

On August 14, 2010, Hayley Williams announced via the Official Paramore Fan Club that B.o.B would be the main support for Paramore's November U.K. Tour.B.o.B also opened for Eminem and Jay-Z's The Home & Home Tour at Comerica Park. B.o.B also did MTV Unplugged session. He performed songs off his debut album together with guests such as Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona, and Janelle Monae.B.o.B also made an appearance in Lollapalooza 2010. B.o.B. made an appearance at the 2010 MTV VMA's on September 12, 2010.He performed parts of both his singles, "Nothin' On You" with Bruno Mars and "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams of Paramore.

On December 7, 2010, B.o.B. released his mixtape No Genre. B.o.B was named "Best New Artist" by iTunes 2010 Rewind Chart. The Adventures of Bobby Ray was certified Gold by the RIAA on December 16. His song "Champion" from the mixtape May 25th was chosen as the ESPN Bowl Week theme.

Jessie J released a single along with B.o.B called 'Price Tag' on 30 January 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was quick to reach number one in the UK & Scottish charts selling 84,000 copies in its first week of sales.

Bizzy Bone

Bizzy Bone - Bryon Anthony McCane ll




Bizzy Bone started his solo career in 1998. He is best known for his style, combining rapid fire raps and double - sometimes triple - harmony choruses. His debut, Heaven'z Movie made it obvious that on his own he felt free to explore his psyche and to go to eccentric places. The critically acclaimed album received a positive reception from Bone Thug fans and made it to #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and has been certified Gold by the RIAA.

Bizzy Bone became an underground artist and began releasing albums with little or no marketing. The Gift, released on April 7, 2001, peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Independent Albums chart.

In 2002 at a Bone Thugs-n-Harmony performance in New York City, Bizzy was noticeably drunk and walked off-stage halfway through the show and was later let go from the group that night, but Bizzy claimed he had been a solo artist for years and only a guest in the group .

In 2004 Alpha and Omega was released and fans responded positively to the album , influencing Bizzy to produce his own underground limited-edition album for the internet, The Beginning and the End, with at the time manager Rick Robinson aka Double R CEO and Founder of iMG Recordings & SFM Management. .

On May 2, 2005, Bizzy Bone made news when he displayed unusual behavior during an appearance on Houston's KPFT radio show, "Damage Control". When asked about it in an MTV interview a few months later he said, "Everybody thought I went crazy, they were questioning my motives and what was going on."  He also stated he felt he was being antagonized during the interview and went into defense mode. He later admitted to having a drinking problem that he was working on, and that his family had attempted to have him committed to a mental health facility. It's been several years now since Bizzy's radio interview with KPFT. He is now back on his feet and once again a solo artist and former group member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony due to the group not agreeing with Bizzy making deals with Warner Bros on his own. They asked Bizzy to discontinue with the Uni5 tour as well as being in the group. He now works on his new solo project for 2011.

Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg



Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California. He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years. In 1991 Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, and their friend Warren G, formed a rap trio called 213. 213 recorded their first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach, the demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party and he was instantly hooked on the soulful voice of Nate.

Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike, and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993. Nate Dogg was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. Then in 1998 after a tumultuous time at Death Row Records he released another album. The double album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.

In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of the Weakest Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC.
Nate Dogg was arrested in Arizona in April 2002 and was charged with firearms and drug offenses. He pleaded guilty in May 2002 and was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service.He was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions.

Nate has found his greatest success, not in solo projects, but in collaborations with other hip-hop artists. As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles.

After a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004, his self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on Affiliated Entertainment Group on June 3, 2008.

EMiNEM - NOT AFRAID LYRiCS

Not Afraid"

[Chorus:]
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand)
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just lettin you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road (same road)

[Intro (during Chorus):]
Yeah, it's been a ride
I guess I had to, go to that place, to get to this one
Now some of you, might still be in that place
If you're trying to get out, just follow me
I'll get you there

You could try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say 'em
Cause ain't no way I'ma let you stop me from causin mayhem
When I say I'ma do somethin I do it,
I don't give a damn what you think,
I'm doin this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if it thinks it's stoppin me
I'ma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me I'm tearin down your balcony
No if ands or buts, don't try to ask him why or how can he
From "Infinite" down to the last "Relapse" album
he's still shittin, whether he's on salary paid hourly
Until he bows out or he shits his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for Christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the Earth, he's got the urge
to pull his dick from the dirt, and fuck the whole universe

[Chorus]

Okay quit playin with the scissors and shit, and cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words in the rhythm for you to know it's a rap
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth, for that
Fuck your feelings, instead of gettin crowned you're gettin capped
And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last "Relapse" CD was ehhh
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Relax, I ain't goin back to that now
All I'm tryin to say is get back, click-clack, blaow
Cause I ain't playin around
It's a game called circle and I don't know how, I'm way too up to back down
But I think I'm still tryin to figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out but I guess I didn't, this fuckin black cloud
still follows, me around but it's time to exorcise these demons
These muh'fuckers are doin jumpin jacks now!

[Chorus]

And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, I'ma face my demons
I'm manning up, I'ma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now! (now)

It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Admittedly, I probably did it subliminally
for you, so I could come back a brand new me you helped see me through
And don't even realize what you did, believe me you
I been through the ringer, but they could do little to the middle finger
I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of
my world, haters can make like bees with no stingers
and drop dead, no more beef flingers
No more drama from now on, I promise
to focus solely on handlin my responsibilities as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof, like my daughters
and raise it, you couldn't lift a single shingle on it!
Cause the way I feel, I'm strong enough to go to the club
or the corner pub, and lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raising the bar
I'd shoot for the moon but I'm too busy gazin at stars
I feel amazing and I'm

[Chorus] 

Ice Cube - O'Shea Jackson

Ice Cube




O'Shea Jackson (born June 15, 1969), better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He began his career as a member of C.I.A and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. In 2010 embarked upon a television production career with the TBS series Are We There Yet.


He married Kimberly Woodruff in 1992, with whom he has four children.From the 2000s onwards, Jackson focused on acting, and his musical output has slowed down considerably.







Biography


Jackson was born on June 15, 1969 in South Central Los Angeles, California, the son of Doris Jackson (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at UCLA. His cousins are Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien, who is a part of the rap group Hieroglyphics and is best known for his work with the Gorillaz; and Kam of rap group The Warzone. At age sixteen, Jackson developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School's keyboarding class. He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting. With friend Sir Jinx, Jackson formed the C.I.A., and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre.


In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian, Jackson stated that he is a Muslim, having converted sometime in the 1990s. He described his Muslim faith as a simple, personal one that does not involve attending prayer services or following rituals. Although he has spoken favorably of the Nation of Islam, he denied ever being in the organization.

Outkast

Outkast


OutKast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as The OKB (The OutKast Brothers) but later changed the group's name to OutKast. The group's original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-Funk.Since then, however, funk, soul, rock, electronic music, spoken word poetry, jazz, and blues elements have been added to the group's musical palette.


The duo is one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all time, having received six Grammy Awards. Over 25 million copies have been sold of OutKast's eight releases: six studio albums, a greatest hits release, and the Grammy Award-winning (for Best Album) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album containing a solo album from each member. Along with their commercial success, OutKast has maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.







OutKast



OutKast performing in 2001

History
Benjamin and Patton met while attending Tri-Cities High School, a Visual and Performing Arts School. Benjamin's parents were divorced and he was living with his father. Meanwhile, Patton had to move with his four brothers and six sisters from Savannah to Atlanta. Benjamin and Patton eventually teamed up and were pursued by Organized Noize, a group of local producers who would later make hits for TLC The duo initially wanted to be called "2 Shades Deep" or "The Misfits", but because those names were already taken they later decided to use "OutKast" based on finding "outcast" as synonym for "misfit" in a dictionary.OutKast,Organized Noize, and schoolmates Goodie Mob formed the nucleus of the Dungeon Family organization.


OutKast signed to LaFace Records in 1992, becoming the label's first hip hop act and making their first appearance on the remix of labelmate TLC's "What About Your Friends". During the holiday season of 1993, they released their first single, "Player's Ball". The song's funky style, much of it accomplished with live instrumentation, was a hit with audiences. "Player's Ball" hit number-one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

Future projects


Aquemini Records folded in 2004, and Big Boi founded a new record label, Purple Ribbon Entertainment, to be distributed by Virgin Records. Among its first signees were Sleepy Brown,Bubba Sparxxx, and Killer Mike. Big Boi has released a group album/compilation, titled Big Boi Presents... The Purple Ribbon All-Stars - Got Purp? Vol. 2.


One album remains on the band's LaFace contract. Due to both Big Boi and André's interest in separate projects such as movies, TV (André's Class of 3000) and solo albums, rumors of a split have turned up frequently in the media.André denied those rumors in a phone interview with MTV News, stating that even though they do not feel like performing on stage together, OutKast is "still tight".In an August, 2006, interview with UK journalist Craig McLean, after emphasizing that they would not split, the pair looked beyond music and film careers, Big Boi suggesting he may consider running for the job of Mayor of Atlanta in the future.


In 2007, Andre 3000 confirmed that a new OutKast album would be released, but said that he and Big Boi would release solo records first.Big Boi's 2010 solo album, titled Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, will be released first, the first promotional single "Royal Flush" first appeared in March 2008, featuring Andre 3000 and Raekwon. However, it was cut from the final track listing due to a dispute with Jive Records.


On November 14, 2008, the Guardian reaffirmed that OutKast will release their follow-up to Idlewild. On April 14, 2010, Big Boi said OutKast had something "brewing" and that it was "top secret". The new OutKast album will be released in the summer after Big Boi releases his solo album. The title of this album is to be announced.


On July 30, 2010, Big Boi revealed in an interview that the new Outkast album would be completed "as soon as Dre finishes his album". Big Boi added "Right now, we’re putting beats together for the OutKast album. … When Dre finishes, we’ll commence and record".

LL Cool J - James Todd Smith

LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, is an American rapper and actor. He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released twelve studio albums and a greatest hits compilation, with his latest album being 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings. He has also appeared in numerous films, and currently stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles. He now lives in Manhasset, New York, with his wife and four children.


Early life




Under his new stage name, LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat". The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York, the son of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith.His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents.He went to I.S.238 Susan B.Anthony Academy in Queens New York (Hillside). He started rapping at the age of nine. In his youth, LL Cool J performed in the church choir, participated in the Boy Scouts, and delivered newspapers. At age 16, by using a mixing table purchased by his grandfather at Sears, Smith produced and created demos and sent them to various record companies, including Def Jam Recordings.










Acting career




While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove, his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie calledWildcats. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom, In the House. He starred as an ex-Los Angeles Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children.




In 1998 he had a role in the film Halloween H20. In 1999's Deep Blue Sea, he played the wise-cracking cook on a top-secret sea base besieged by genetically-enhanced sharks. Later that year, he had a starring role in Any Given Sunday, in which he played Julian Washington, the talented but selfish running back on the dysfunctional Miami Sharks. Since then, LL Cool J has appeared in a variety of films, such as the 2002 remake ofRollerball, Deliver Us from Eva, and S.W.A.T..




In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the Fox medical drama House as a death row inmate felled by an unknown disease.




He also guest starred on 30 Rock in the episode "The Source Awards" as the hip hop producer Ridiculous, who Tracy Jordan fears is going to kill him.




LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, "Unanimous", in episode 4169 (Sept. 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008).




He is currently a series regular on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles, a spin-off of NCIS (which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal dramaJAG). LL Cool J plays Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on West Asian culture. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show. He continues to create a third season, with CBS in their new fall season.




LL Cool J also appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the movie Last Holiday.

Rakim - William Michael Griffin, Jr.

Rakim

William Michael Griffin, Jr. (later changed his name to Rakim Allah,born January 28, 1968), better known by the stage name Rakim, is an American rapper and one of the pioneers of the musical genre of hip hop. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time due to his exceptional flow and complex lyrical craftsmanship.




Early Life


Rakim is the nephew of American R&B singer and actress Ruth Brown. He grew up in Wyandanch, New York, and became involved in the New York hip hop scene at a young age. Eric B brought him to Marley Marl’s house to record "Eric B. is President." At the time Griffin was fresh out of high school and on his way to college, but he decided to forgo higher education and instead chose to record with Eric B.


When Griffin turned 16, he joined The Nation of Gods and Earths (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and legally changed his name to Rakim Allah
In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo — known as Eric B & Rakim — is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo’s first single, "Eric B. Is President" (#48, 1986) b/w “My Melody,” was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B'way. The duo’s next single, the smash “I Know You Got Soul,” sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo's use of a fragment of his music. Their first full length album, Paid in Full, was released in 1987, and has since been hailed as one of hip-hop's seminal albums. Their follow-up LP; Follow the Leader was released a year later, and was also well received by fans and critics. The duo recorded two more albums; Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and Don't Sweat The Technique before they parted ways in late 1992. Due to legal wrangling over royalties and his contracts with both his record label, and with Eric B., Rakim would not release a solo album until five years later.

Solo career


After splitting with Eric B., Rakim signed with his good friend at the time 'Harun Butt' "Q=BOB" Sallis of Q=BOB Records to commence his solo career, however, the label folded shortly afterward. He eventually returned in 1997 with The 18th Letter, which included collaborations with DJ Premier and Pete Rock; which was released in two versions, one of which included an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits disc titled The Book of Life. The critical reception of the album was positive, and it was certified gold. In 1999, Rakim released The Master, which received very good reviews as well.


Rakim was signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment record label in 2000, for work on an album tentatively titled Oh, My God. The album underwent numerous changes in artistic direction and personnel and was delayed several times. While working on the album, Rakim made guest appearances on numerous Aftermath projects, including the hit single "Addictive" by Truth Hurts, the Dr. Dre-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by Jay-Z, and Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack. However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and Oh, My God was indefinitely shelved, a result of creative differences with Dre. Rakim signed with DreamWorks Records shortly afterward, but the label closed its doors shortly after that.



Rakim performing in North Carolina

Rakim also made cameos in the Juelz Santana video "Mic Check," the Timbaland & Magoo video "Cop that Disc," and the Busta Rhymesvideo "New York Shit." In 1999, he worked with The Art of Noise on a single entitled "Metaforce". Eric B. and Rakim's classic album Paid In Full was named the greatest hip-hop album of all time by MTV. Rakim was engaged in a lawsuit with reggaeton performer R.K.M (formerly Rakim) over the use of the name "Rakim". Rakim won the rights to the name. Recently, Rakim was featured in an All-Pro Football 2K8commercial.


The Seventh Seal, Rakim's long-anticipaited album, was released November 17, 2009. The first single off the album, Holy Are You, was released through his MySpace page on July 14, 2009 and was made available on iTunes July 28. A second track "Walk These Streets" ft. Maino was released in October. The album was world premiered on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio almost a month before its release and received an overwhelming response from the hip hop community Rakim has been active during its recording with several national tours and special events. Rakim recently closed the Knitting Factory in NYC as the last Hip-Hop performer to walk off the historic club's stage after 25 years of underground performances.

Rhyme technique


Rakim is credited for the jazzy, heavily stylistic delivery of his lyrics. In an interview on PlanetIll.com, Rakim noted his musical background, being skilled in alto to baritone saxophone, as giving him an advantage in flow and syncopation over his contemporaries.


Rakim is also noted as being the MC who introduced a lot of internal rhymes to rapping, as well as complex literary devices. Masta Ace, in the book How to Rap notes: “Up until Rakim, everybody who you heard rhyme, the last word in the sentence was the rhyming [word], the connection word. Then Rakim showed us that you could put rhymes within a rhyme”. Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship explains that Rakim used braggadocio content in a “very, very technical” way, “talking about physics and metaphysics”.Tajai of Souls of Mischief also says with Rakim, “you can’t listen to [his] rap once and figure out what [he’s] saying”. Rakim was "among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down and writing intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors".

Soulja Boy - DeAndre Cortez Way

Soulja Boy




DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy, or Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, is an American rapper and record producer.

In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the Internet, and it became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007. This makes him the youngest person (16 years, 10 months) to write, perform, and produce a number-one song on the Hot 100, a title that was previously held by Deborah Gibson (17 years, 11 months) for almost two decades.


Despite his commercial success, his music has been the subject of ridicule from his peers and critics.





Early life


DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age six, where he became interested in rap music. At age 14, he moved toBatesville, Mississippi, with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.





Music career
Career beginnings and souljaboytellem.com (2005–2008)





Soulja Boy performing "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" in February 2008.


Way founded the record label "Stacks on Deck Entertainment" in 2004. While Way was signed underInterscope and Collipark Music, he claimed that his label had distribution deals with Interscope, Universal Records, and Koch.


In November 2005, Way posted his songs on the website SoundClick. Following positive reviews on the site, he then established his own web pages on YouTube and MySpace. In March 2007, he recorded "Crank That" and released his first independent album Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the "Crank That" dance. By the end of May 2007, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" received its first airplay and Way met with Mr. Collipark to sign a deal with Interscope Records.


On August 12, 2007, the song appeared on the Emmy-award winning HBO series Entourage, and by September 1, it topped the Billboard Hot 100and Hot RingMasters charts. Way's major label debut album Souljaboytellem.com, which was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio, was released in the United States on October 2, peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (a.k.a. Souljah Boy of Mo Thugs Family) who claims he first created the stage name "Souljah Boy".


For the 50th Grammy Awards, Way was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)". He lost to Kanye West's and T-Pain's "Good Life".


Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic but received mainly negative ones, such as from Entertainment Weekly. Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder.
iSouljaBoyTellem (2008–2009)


In June 2008, on DJ Cisco's Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T criticized Way for "killing hip-hop" and his song "Crank That" for being "garbage" compared to the works of other hip-hop artists such as Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube. One of the comments in the exchange was when Ice-T told Way to "eat a dick". The two then traded numerous videos back and forth over the Internet. These videos included a cartoon and video of Ice-T dancing on Way's behalf and an apology, but reiteration of his feelings that Way's music "sucks", on Ice-T's behalf. Rapper Kanye West defended Way by arguing that the younger artist created a new, original work for hip-hop, thus keeping the authentic meaning of the music.


The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception. The first single from the album, "Bird Walk", peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top 20 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone", with Sammie, followed, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.
The DeAndre Way (2009–present)


The DeAndre Way is Way's upcoming third studio album, due for a November 2, 2010 release.Way has stated that the album is intended to be his most personal and successful album thus far. When speaking on possible collaborations, he stated he wished to work with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West,Eminem, among others. The album was originally called "The DeAndre Way" but was changed in early 2010 to Dre, however it was changed back to The DeAndre Way in July 2010.


The lead single from the album, "POW", was released in January 2009 but failed to garner success and was dubbed a promo single. The official lead single from the album, "Pretty Boy Swag", was released in June 2010. The single has reached number thirty-four on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the Billboard Rap Songs chart. The album's second single was due to be "Digital", then "Speakers Going Hammer", but "Blowing Me Kisses" will be released in on August 31, 2010 as the second single instead. Soulja Boy will be part of the Summerbeatz tour held in Australia alongside, Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Travie McCoy in November 2010.
Musical style


Critics and hip hop figures such as Method Man have cited Soulja Boy as artistically typical of contemporary rap trends such as writing for the lucrative ringtone market, and the ascendence of "Southern hip hop", emphasizing catchy music that discards rap's traditional emphasis on message. Soulja Boy identifies his goal as making upbeat, party-themed music that avoids the negative, violent image that he sees in most hip-hop.


Despite this, his music has been banned from some school dances for sexual, violent content or innuendo. However, he has denied these claims. In the original YouTube video for "Shootout", Soulja Boy demonstrates his dance while holding a handgun in each hand and pretending to shoot into the audience.
Personal life


On December 30, 2008, Way was robbed and assaulted in his home. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were six masked men with AK-47s and pistols but on December 31, 2008, video clips surfaced on the Internet of two masked men claiming sole credit for the crime. Soulja Boy described the incident to MTV News a month later: He had come home very late at night after attending an album release party and was recording songs with friends when the robbers came in pointing their guns.


On October 7, 2009, Way was arrested on one count of obstruction, a misdemeanor, for running from police when he'd been ordered to stop. The rapper was released on $550 bond.


Soulja Boy has over 100 tattoos with his SODMG logo being his favorite.

Nas - Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones

Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (pronounced /nɑːˈsɪər/; born September 14, 1973), who performs under the mononym Nas (/ˈnɑːz/), formerlyNasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, he was born and raised in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. His debut album Illmatic, released in 1994 by Columbia Records, was critically acclaimed and would go on to be widely hailed a classic in the genre. Nas was part of hip-hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album.


From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a widely publicized feud with rapper Jay-Z; both rappers verbally attacked each other in their songs. The two formally ended their rivalry through duet performances at concerts sponsored by New York City-area hip-hop radio stations. In 2006, he signed to Def Jam, releasing his albums Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006 and an untitled album in 2008. In 2010 he released a collaboration album with Damian Marley and he plans to release a tenth solo studio album in 2010-2011.

Early life


Nas was born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. His father, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician from Mississippi. His mother, Fannie Ann Jones, was a Postal Service worker. He has one sibling, a brother named Jabari Fret who assumes the alias Jungle. While his family lived in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Nas would play the trumpet on his home stoop at age four. His family moved to the Queensbridge Houses in the late 1970s. Nas began writing rhymes at the age of nine. His neighbor, Willy "Ill Will" Graham, influenced Nas's interest in hip hop by playing him records. Nas' parents divorced in 1985,and he dropped out of school in the eighth grade.He educated himself, reading about African culture and civilization, the 360° Lessons of the Nubian Islamic Hebrews scrolls, the Bible and the Qur'an.





Musical style


Nas has been praised for his ability to create a "devastating match between lyrics and production" by journalist Peter Shapiro, as well as creating a "potent evocation of life on the street", and being compared to Rakim for his lyrical technique. However, Shapiro also notes that Nas has "regressed" ever since his debut album Illmatic.Kool Moe Dee notes that Nas has an "off-beat conversational flow" in his book There's a God on the Mic - he says: "before Nas, every MC focused on rhyming with a cadence that ultimately put the words that rhymed on beat with the snare drum. Nas created a style of rapping that was more conversational than ever before".


O.C. of D.I.T.C. comments in the book How to Rap: “Nas did the song backwards [‘Rewind’]... that was a brilliant idea”. Also in How to Rap, 2Mex of The Visionaries describes Nas’s flow as “effervescent”,Rah Digga says Nas’s lyrics have “intricacy”, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde explains that Nas doesn’t always have to make words rhyme as he is “charismatic”, and Nas is also described as having a “densely packed” flow, with compound rhymes that “run over from one beat into the next or even into another bar”.


In 2006, Nas was ranked fifth on MTV's "10 Greatest MCs of All Time" list.





Personal life
In 1994, Nas' ex-fiancée Carmen Bryan gave birth to their daughter, Destiny. Bryan had allegedly had a sexual relationship with Jay-Z and Allen Iverson after she and Nas had split up. Nas also briefly dated Mary J. Blige. In 2005, Nas married R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta after a two-year relationship. On April 30, 2009, a spokesperson confirmed that Kelis filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Kelis gave birth to his first son on July 21, 2009, although the event was soured by a disagreement which ended in Nas announcing the birth of his son, Knight, at a gig in Queens, NY, against Kelis' wishes.


According to attorneys for Kelis, Nas owes over $200,000 in child and spousal support as well as attorney's fees. In February 2010, her attorneys filed a contempt motion against Nas due to the fact that he had not yet paid said fees. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted of contempt he could face time in jail.


Nas is a spokesperson and mentor for P'Tones Records a non-profit after school music program that's mission is "to create constructive opportunities for urban youth through no-cost music programs"

Jay-Z - Shawn Corey Carter

Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America having had a net worth of over $150 million in 2009.He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving ten Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations.


Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club, is part-owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist.


Along with his financial and musical success, Jay-Z is known for quarreling with other artists in the rap industry, the most famous feud beingbetween him and fellow New York rapper Nas, which was eventually settled in 2005. He married American R&B superstar Beyoncé Knowles on April 4, 2008. On December 11, 2009, Jay-Z was ranked as the 10th most successful artist of the 2000–2009 decade by Billboard Magazine and ranking as the 5th top solo male artist and as the 4th top rapper behind Eminem, Nelly, and 50 Cent





Early years




Jay-Z (top) with a friend (left) in Trenton, New Jersey, circa 1988


Originally from Marcy Houses housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, Jay-Z was abandoned by his father and, at age 12, he shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry. Jay-Z attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn, along with rapper AZ, until it was closed down. After that he attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Downtown Brooklyn, which fellow rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes also attended, and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, but did not graduate. In his music he refers to having been involved in selling crack cocaine.


According to his mother, Gloria Carter, a young Jay-Z used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boom box for his birthday, sparking his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing lyrics, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time. In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname that eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". Themoniker is also an homage to his musical mentor, Jaz-O, as well as to the J/Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn.


Jay-Z can briefly be heard on several of Jaz-O's early recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie".Jay-Z was also involved in and won several battles with rapper LL Cool J in the early 90's as part of a plan to get a sought-after record deal. He first became known to a wide audience by being featured on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on the 1994 Big Daddy Kane album Daddy's Home. Jay-Z has been referred to as Big Daddy Kane’s hype man during this period, though Kane explains that he didn’t fill the traditional hype manrole, instead Jay-Z “basically made cameo appearances on stage. When I would leave the stage to go change outfits, I would bring out Jay-Z and Positive K and let them freestyle until I came back to the stage”. He made an appearance on a popular song by Big L, "Da Graveyard", and on Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build", which also featured early appearances by DMX, and Ja Rule in 1995. His first official rap single was called "I Can't Get With That", for which he released a music video.