R&B star Lloyd has some unfinished business. After being sued for breach of contract by his former manager Joyce Irby, the singer was supposed to pay her $100,000 in a settlement and find her a new job. However, Irby says she has only been paid $20,000, is still unemployed and filed papers to get her money. Joyce Irby was the bassist and co-lead vocalist of the 1980s all girl band Klymaxxx and was known in George Clinton’s P-Funk crew as “Fenderella.” In addition to LLoyd, she also helped launch the career of R&B singer Sammie. READ MORE AT TMZ RELATED POSTS: Lloyd: “Yeah, I Got Good Hair” [EXCLUSIVE] Lloyd Responds To Irv Gotti’s Rant Irv Gotti Clowns Lloyd: “What You Sell, Like 15 Units?” [VIDEO]
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream represent a multitude of values and principles to those who remember him. He was a peaceful uniter who stood up for the rights and liberties of African-Americans. And whether you focus on Dr. King’s message of non-violence or his efforts to bring social change, his legacy represents something good. Rappers are often painted with broad brush of negativity, so it may seem antithetical to state that MLK would be proud of any of today’s MCs. But if you take the following rappers into consideration, you may change your opinion. Lupe Fiasco “Stand up for freedom…” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lupe is one of the few rappers today who is relevant and unafraid to address politics and social issues in his music. Even though Lupe Fiasco’s commentary can sometimes be received as controversial, he’s made music with substance. In addition, his ability to make commercially viable songs allows his songs with more depth reach a broader audience. In an era where it’s not common to merge hip-hop and politics, Lupe Fiasco isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in, just as Dr. King did. The King Dream Chorus And Holiday Crew: Where Are They Now? Wale “We shall overcome…” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even though he’s from the mean streets of Washington, DC; the same city where Dr. King delivered his legendary “I Have A Dream” speech; Wale music doesn’t represent that life. He resisted the temptation to rap about the streets in order to acquire universal hood credibility, and the staying non-violent has worked well for him. The biggest hits of Wale’s career (“Lotus Flower Bomb” and “That Way”) are hip-hop love songs that have not diminished his credibility. Wale doesn’t rap about political or non-violent issues, but he overcame the effects of coming up in a harsh city. Martin Luther King Jr: “I Have A Dream” Speech [VIDEO] J. Cole “The content of [his] character…” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There’s nothing controversial about J. Cole. He comes across a good dude who makes great music, while leaving the violence alone. J. Cole is a bright spot in today’s hip-hop, because he’s acclaimed by critics, respected by his peers, Grammy-nominated, and he makes hits. J. Cole deserves to be celebrated for his music, but also because he’s shown good character by channeling his energy into music instead of beef. 5 Things Martin Luther King Would Be Ashamed Of Jay-Z “The crooked places will be made straight…” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jay-Z acquired fortune and fame by talking about his life as a drug dealer. But now he’s known for being one of the most important voices of this generation, and now, the proud father of Blue Ivy Carter. Jay-Z started off crooked and even engaged in battles with Nas and Mobb Deep’s Prodigy. However, Jay-Z has resolved his beefs and is now a respected artist and mogul living a straight life that includes him doing charitable work. Jay-Z hasn’t been perfect, but he’s proved that Dr. King was right when he stated that the crooked can go straight. How Gil Scott-Heron And Stevie Wonder Set Up Martin Luther King Day Diggy Simmons “All men are created equal…” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diggy is an embodiment of Dr. King’s dream, in that he comes from a generation that is less color conscious than any previous generations. He’s aware of his Blackness, but doesn’t feel the need to appeal to any one race. Dr. King envisioned a world where people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Diggy Simmons shows that this dream is already a reality for some.
Can 18-year-old up-and-comer top MTV News’ 2011 list? Vote now! By Rob Markman Lil Twist Photo: Getty Images/ MTV News You try standing out on a label headed by Lil Wayne and anchored by Drake and Nicki Minaj . That’s exactly what Lil Twist did in 2011 as he carved out his own identity in the omnipresent YMCMB machine. Twist appeared on the 2011 XXL Freshman cover at the top of the year and capitalized on that exposure by releasing a number of singles, including his cheater’s ballad “Love Affair” with Young Money boss Lil Wayne. From there the Mohawked Dallas, Texas, rapper released “New Money” with R&B crooner Mishon and then “Turnt Up,” a rapid-fire Busta Rhymes collaboration. The 18-year-old up-and-comer also hit the road this year, joining labelmate Tyga and R&B group Mindless Behavior on the Closer to My Dreams Tour. When he wasn’t out performing, Twist was busy putting the finishing touches on his upcoming debut album, Don’t Get It Twisted. Hottest Breakthrough MCs was established by MTV News in 2010 as a fan-driven initiative that spotlights, celebrates and cultivates new talent. MTV News chose a pool of young rappers and urged fans to vote for their favorite. When it was all said and done, Wiz Khalifa emerged as the Hottest Breakthrough of last year. The competition was tough, but the Taylor Gang General beat out runner-up Nicki Minaj, ATL group Travis Porter, Diggy Simmons and J. Cole. This year, you can vote for Lil Twist (or your favorite up-and-comer) over at RapFix.MTV.com , and be sure to check back for daily updates and poll results. Each day, MTV News will spotlight a new Hottest Breakthrough MC before we conclude December 13 when the polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will be revealed during December 14’s “RapFix Live,” during which the winner will appear as our in-studio guest. There will also be a special announcement about MTV News’ upcoming Hottest MCs in the Game list and debate. To be considered a Hottest Breakthrough MC , an artist cannot have released a major-label full-length album. Finalists from 2010’s Hottest Breakthrough MCs poll will not be eligible for 2011 consideration, so unfortunately, Diggy Simmons and Travis Porter won’t be part of this conversation. Who do you think should be 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC? Share your picks in the comments! Stick with MTV News as we profile the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs before announcing the winner December 13 on “RapFix Live” — vote now! Related Videos 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs Related Artists Lil Twist
Born This Way collaborator Fernando Garibay calls the clip a ‘thank you’ to Gaga’s label, Interscope. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa WhiteWolf Lady Gaga Photo: Joe Scarnici/ WireImage Lady Gaga has said the 14-minute “Marry the Night” video is an avant garde look at her early struggles before hitting it big, and frequent musical collaborator Fernando Garibay told MTV News he remembers seeing a lot of that strife that plays out in the clip. “She directed the whole video. It was her concept from beginning to end,” he said. “It was amazing to see. I was brought in to do the music for the video and additional scoring and such, and so I got to sit and watch the whole process. It’s pretty spectacular. It’s still breathtaking how much effort and input she has for concepts. … I might be biased, but it’s my favorite video so far. It looks great, and it captures the feeling of the song. It’s her story.” So what exactly is that story? The video follows a fictionalized Gaga pursuing her dreams as a ballerina. After she’s told to quit, she reinvents herself and becomes a pop sensation. It mirrors her real-life story of being dropped by Island/Def Jam before being signed to Interscope Records, and the rest is history. “It wasn’t easy — that’s like an understatement,” Garibay said of Gaga’s early days in the industry. “It wasn’t easy for her to get started in the music business, and I was there early on when she was already taking extreme risks. And a lot of the stuff, it’s tough to watch, ’cause I’ve seen that happen, some of those parts. And her honoring and paying homage to Interscope — ’cause it’s great, ’cause it’s our label and they were always believers in us, particularly her — so it’s great to see that. It’s like gratitude. It’s like a ‘thank you.’ ” In the lead-up to the video, Garibay said his pop-star pal wasn’t in any way scared to put so much of her life out there for public consumption. “I don’t think she’s nervous at all,” he said. “She’s fearless. There’s nothing to hide with her. She really put a lot of herself out there this time, but it’s something we see all the time. It’s nice for the public to see the story and what happened and the true expression of herself in video. It is very autobiographical. She’s been wanting to tell the story, so she finally got the opportunity. So it’ll be interesting to see what’s gonna happen next with her vision.” What did you think of the “Marry the Night” video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos MTV First: Lady Gaga Related Artists Lady Gaga
Cali MC got a boost from Drake and Dr. Dre, but he didn’t rely on co-signs to make MTV News’ 2011 Hottest Breakthrough list — vote now! By Rob Markman Kendrick Lamar Photo: Getty Images/ MTV News The year started off with a bang for Kendrick Lamar . After appearing on the cover of XXL ‘s Freshmen issue and in MTV News’ New West coverage , the Compton, California, MC proceeded to show and prove. Now, K. Dot is a 2011 MTV News Hottest Breakthrough MC candidate. He may have received a co-sign from Dr. Dre, but Kendrick didn’t use the Doc’s glowing endorsement as a crutch. Instead, he hit the studio and in July released Section.80, a tightly woven independent album on which he examined his place in the world. Songs like the J. Cole-produced “HiiiPower,” the soulful “Kush & Corinthians” and the socially enlightening “Ronald Reagan Era” proved that not only is Kendrick one of the most exciting newcomers, he also has substance to rival most veterans. Not just message-heavy, Section.80 also displayed Lamar’s ability to spit raw rhymes on “Rigamortus” and “The Spiteful Chant.” Kendrick — who made his name releasing free music online — for the first time set a price point with Section.80 and sold it on iTunes. It was another mark of his growth. “It was something that I had to understand, that my company had to make me understand. I’m putting out this free music, constantly putting it out,” Lamar told MTV News back in July of his old way of thinking. “My whole thing is bringing music back to where people actually buy it, but at the same time, you know what? I don’t think I’m ready yet to start selling my project, because I feel the world don’t know me yet.” This year, thanks to his hustle, drive and, of course, overall talent, Kendrick is in contention. Aside from his solo material, the nimble-tongued MC has been working with Dre on Detox and landed key appearances on Game’s The R.E.D. Album, TechN9ne’s All 6’s and 7’s and his own solo track “Buried Alive” on Drake’s Take Care. In fact, Drizzy has taken such a liking to Kendrick that he has booked the budding MC to open for him during his Club Paradise Tour in 2012. Hottest Breakthrough MCs was established in 2010 by MTV News as a fan-driven initiative that spotlights, celebrates and cultivates new talent. MTV News chose a pool of young rappers and urged fans to vote for their favorite. When it was all said and done, Wiz Khalifa emerged as the Hottest Breakthrough of last year. The competition was tough, but the Taylor Gang General beat out runner-up Nicki Minaj, ATL group Travis Porter, Diggy Simmons and J. Cole. This year, you can vote for Kendrick (or your favorite up-and-comer) over at RapFix.MTV.com , and be sure to check back for daily updates and poll results. Each day, we’ll spotlight a new Hottest Breakthrough MC before we conclude December 13 when the polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC will be revealed during December 14’s “RapFix Live,” during which the winner will appear as our in-studio guest. There will also be a special announcement about MTV News’ upcoming Hottest MCs in the Game list and debate. To be considered a Hottest Breakthrough MC, an artist cannot have released a major-label full-length album. Finalists from 2010’s Hottest Breakthrough MCs poll will not be eligible for 2011 consideration, so unfortunately, Diggy Simmons and Travis Porter won’t be part of this conversation. Who do you think should be 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC? Share your picks in the comments! Stick with MTV News as we profile the 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs before announcing the winner December 13 on “RapFix Live” — vote now! Related Videos 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MCs Related Artists Kendrick Lamar
Jo Jo Simmons On The Breakfast Club. Power 105 1′s The Breakfast Club Interviews Jojo Simmons discusses getting held hostage in Houston, also explains what happens with him and the Tranny he met via Twitter, and talks about being a wack rapper and his brother Diggy Simmons… Continue
Jo Jo Simmons On The Breakfast Club. Power 105 1′s The Breakfast Club Interviews Jojo Simmons discusses getting held hostage in Houston, also explains what happens with him and the Tranny he met via Twitter, and talks about being a wack rapper and his brother Diggy Simmons… Continue
Diggy Simmons is doing his thing on the Scream Tour. While stopped in Cleveland, he surprised a young fan with an iPad and two front row tickets to the concert. The girl’s classmates were treated to a pizza party also. The young lady, Kwynn, won the prizes from Diggy by entering into the “Diggy Jetsetters” contest sponsored by our affiliate radio station, z107.9. Contestants were asked to write a short essay as to why they love Diggy’s rhymes. Check out what Kwynn’s reaction and her reasons for liking Diggy Simmons’ music below. SOURCE: ZHip-Hop Cleveland RELATED POSTS: Diggy Simmons: “Girls Are Catty” [EXCLUSIVE] Diggy Simmons: “My Biggest Fear Is God” [EXCLUSIVE] Diggy Simmons: The One Thing He Gets From His Dad [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]
16 year old, Diggy Simmons, is now the victim of his first set of leaked photos…sha’ll we applaud? doesn’t that mean he has officially made it? Only the big stars have leaked pics! Pardon my sarcasm but I am getting really tired of the “leaked pic” craze. Good thing for us Diggy isn’t “busting it wide open,” in fact he is only showing us his six pack. Click here to see the not so racy pic. Diggy Simmons Spazzes On Radio Show [Video] Diggy Simmons: The One Thing He Gets From His Dad [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]
HOT 1079 AND ATLANTIC RECORDS IS GONNA GIVE YOU DINNER WITH DIGGY! THAT’S RIGHT, YOU AND A GUEST GET TO HAVE DINNER WITH DIGGY! AND ASK HIM WHATEVER YOU WANT! JUST LISTEN TO THE DURTY BOYZ’S HOT 7 AT 7 IF YOU CAN NAME ALL SEVEN SONGS YOU AND A GUEST WILL WIN DINNER WITH DIGGY!
