Rap Producer J-Dilla Dies; Kidney Failure Suspected- courtesy of allhiphop.com
Hip-Hop producer J-Dilla passed away today (Feb. 10) due to an unspecified ailment. Early reports suggest he succumbed to kidney failure, a medical problem which arose in 2004.
J-Dilla, born James Yancey, was a member of Slum Village and worked with various Hip-Hop artists including Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest and Common's Grammy-nominated album, BE.
In 2005, rumors spread that the rapper/producer had died suddenly. Those rumors were debunked by J-Dilla's label, Stones Throw, but verified the producer did spend considerable time in the hospital. Stones Throw wasn’t at liberty to confirm the death of the rapper, but Slum Village group member T-3 confirmed the unfortunate event on his MySpace web page.
“I’m f**ked up, my n***a just passed away,” T3 posted on the website. Friends and fans posted their condolences on T3’s site.
One poster said, “Yo 3, hold ya head up man. I know how it is to lose someone you consider blood not just in the game, but also in just life period. I didn't even know DILLA personally, but he influenced me as producer and changed my whole life and aspect as a musician. Duke, keep your head up! His life was a blessing to many including myself. You, Elzhi, and Batin are in my prayers. We love you Dilla”
In a 2004 interview with Urb Magazine, J-Dilla disclosed that he had kidney problems as a result of malnutrition.
"What happened was that the doctor told me that I'd ruptured my kidney from being too busy and being stressed out and not eating right," J-Dilla told Urb. "He told me that if I'd waited another day, I might not have made it.
"Sometimes that fixation can be a good thing and sometimes it can be bad. There'd be days when I wouldn't eat at all because I'd be in the basement working all day," said Jay Dee. "This is definitely my second chance, my wakeup call. I still love the music, but I wouldn't put it first in my life. It's family first - and then everything else."
Representatives for Stones Throw Records confirmed hearing of the death, but could not offer a confirmation.
After being the in-house producer for Slum Village, J-Dilla left the group after their first national album, Fantastic Vol. 2., which was released on the Barak label.
The rapper debuted with his solo offering, Welcome To Detroit on BBE.
After joining Stones Throw in 2003, he formed the critically acclaimed group Jaylib with producer/rapper Madlib and released the album Champion Sound.
The rapper recorded the foundation for the 45-minute instrumental album Donuts while hospitalized and in his home studio. Donuts hit stores on Feb. 7 on Stones Throw.
According to Stones Throw's website, the producer was finishing a tour, which included appearances in Melbourne, Australia tomorrow as well as dates in Montreal, Canada and San Francisco.
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Wake Held For Busta's Bodyguard, Pressure For Rappers To Come Forward Grows- courtesy of allhiphop.com
A wake for the slain bodyguard of rap superstar Busta Rhymes was held yesterday (Feb. 9) in New York.
Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out.
Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between a group of men during a video shoot for the rapper's "Touch It (Remix)."
Although over 500 people were on the set in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, N.Y., authorities are reportedly being hindered in their investigation by the various rappers witnesses have placed at the scene of the crime.
Police hope to get a break in the case this week when they interview a bodyguard who was at the scene of the crime. Police were waiting until Ramirez was laid to rest before talking to the bodyguard.
Busta Rhymes is now drawing criticism for skipping the wake and for his delay in contacting authorities, who are seeking to re-interview him about the shooting on his video set that left Ramirez dead.
The rapper initially told police he was inside the studio with other Hip-Hop artists and celebrities when the shooting took place. But police believe Busta Rhymes was feet away from Ramirez when he was shot.
Ramirez' family members said the rapper admitted to witnessing the murder during a call he placed to express his condolences to the family.
While Busta Rhymes reportedly offered to pay for funeral expenses, he did not attend the wake, where police snipers were stationed nearby on rooftops. His absence at the wake drew the wrath of Ramirez' family members.
Authorities now believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit members spilled out onto the street, where the altercation took place.
On Monday (Feb. 6), Busta Rhymes' manager and Violator CEO Chris Lighty posted a statement on his blog.
"I have to hope that my children or their children will one day know Hip-Hop without the violence," Lighty wrote. "I am sorry and send out my regards to the family of Israel Ramirez. I don't know what happened as I wasn't on the scene, so I won't comment. But it is a sad day when violence erupts and takes anyone's life.
"We have to come together as a people and try to rise above the conflicts we have on the streets of our neighborhoods," Lighty continued. "I am sure that everyone has a comment and the press will blame Hip-Hop and rappers but none of that is the case. Hip-Hop gave the opportunity for all these great stars to come together for this."
Reports suggested Busta Rhymes was simply trying to make peace on the street when the altercation turned deadly.
After the argument escalated, a man believed to be an associate of Tony Yayo's allegedly fired at least 8 shots, striking Ramirez once and killing him.
Police believe Ramirez attempted to grab the gun as the trigger man opened fire near Busta Rhymes.
Yayo, of Queens, N.Y., released his major label debut Thoughts Of A Predict Felon in Aug. 2005. The album has sold almost 500,000 copies, powered by the hit single "So Seductive," featuring 50 Cent.
Sources stated that police believe the gunman is an associate of Tony Yayo's from Brooklyn. Authorities believe the gunman escaped in a car with the rapper, who has refused to speak to police via his lawyer, Scott Leemon.
According to reports, authorities considered checking to see if the rapper violated his probation in order to detain and question him but later ruled out the option.
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Kanye, BEP, Jay-Z, De La Soul, Others Win At Grammy Awards- courtesy of allhiphop.com
Multi-platinum selling rapper Kanye West scored three Grammys last night (Feb. 8), including the coveted Best Rap Album award at the 48th annual ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Fueled by the success of his sophomore album, Late Registration, the Chicago MC took home honors in three categories, including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gold Digger" and Best Rap Song for "Diamonds From Sierra Leone."
The super-producer's three Grammy's matched his total for last year.
West's label, G.O.O.D. Music, also enjoyed a successful night as his protégé John Legend won three awards: Best New Artist, Best R&B album for his debut, Get Lifted, and Best Male R&B Vocal for the piano ballad "Ordinary People."
In the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category, Jay-Z and Lincoln Park won for "Numb/Encore," while the Black Eyed Peas won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Don't Phunk With My Heart."
Best Short Form Music Video
(For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)
The Dave Meyers directed "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop, won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video
Performances rather than awards monopolized the majority of the more than three-hour televised ceremony, which opened with the cartoon band Gorillaz, featuring the real-life De La Soul, as they performed their Grammy Award winning hit "Feel Good Inc."
West, joined by Jaime Foxx, performed a medley of "Gold Digger" and "Touch the Sky" that was dubbed the "Grammy halftime show."
The performance featured West and Foxx dressed as bandleaders while leading their respective bands "KW State" and "JFU" in a step-show like routine.
Jay-Z and Lincoln Park performed "Numb/Encore" and were later joined onstage by Paul McCartney for a rendition of The Beatles' "Yesterday." McCartney's performance was his first ever Grammy stage performance.
Aretha Franklin, Maroon 5, Damien Marley and others also won awards.
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Kanye West Records Theme To 'Mission Impossible 3', Tom Cruise Speaks-courtesy of allhiphop.com
Slip-N-Slide Records Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal With Def Jam- courtesy of ballerstatus.net
Miami, Florida based label, Slip-N-Slide Records (SNS), has recently inked a million dollar deal with Def Jam, leaving its situation with Atlantic.
The label's roster of new artists including Rick Ross and Citty will record under the Def Jam/Slip-N-Slide umbrella, while Trina, Trick Daddy and Plies will remain as Atlantic/Slip-N-Slide artists.
SNS President/CEO, Ted "Touche" Lucas, made the announcement on Wednesday (February 8), and will drop the first release under the new venture this summer.
"We met with every major label head across the country," Lucas said in a statement, "but the level of respect that Def Jam showed for Slip-N-Slide was priceless. Jay-Z saw Slip-N-Slide's vision and was willing to do everything in his power to make that vision a reality."
While all the label's past artists have been local Florida natives, Lucas said he plans to expand beyond their local territory and seek out new artists under the Def Jam venture.
"Our past artists are Floridians," he said. "This venture will allow us to form a cartel of new artists from other regions."
The first release from SNS/Def Jam will be Rick Ross' Career Criminal, which is slated for a summer release, with Citty's album, Da Cookie Man, expected to hit later this year.
"We have very high expectations for Rick Ross, Plies and Citty. We're going to have a big year," Lucas predicted.
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http://www.ballerstatus.net/news/read/id/01258082/
