(video above) Aspiring songwriters, producers and indie artists, join Multiplatinum Songwriter Tami LaTrell and Hot 107.9 as we educate you on the business of music, understanding music publishing, copyright and music advocacy! Our featured songwriter this month will be Michael Carlos Jones who’s written for Diddy, J.Lo, Beyonce, Fantasia and Trey Songz to name a […]
Though between legs of their tour, band is still making headlines, with copyright infringment suits and shots at the reunited Van Halen. By James Montgomery Black Keys Photo: The Black Keys have been keeping busy lately, though very little of that activity has to do with actual music. Instead, the Keys — who wrapped one leg of their El Camino world tour last month — are using their downtime to fire up the legal machine, filing a pair of copyright infringement lawsuits against Pizza Hut and the Home Depot. The suits, filed late last week, allege that two recent commercials — one touting Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Bites Pizza, the other promoting Ryobi power tools — feature music that sound a bit too much like the Keys’ hits “Gold on the Ceiling” and “Lonely Boy,” respectively. The Keys are seeking damages and an order preventing the continued use of the songs in the spots. The suits claim that both companies received written notices that the ads misused the Black Keys’ music, and according to The Associated Press, the band is looking to make them pay, to the tune of “unspecified damages of more than $75,000 apiece.” “The experts confirmed that this was copyright infringement,” a band spokesperson told the AP. A spokesperson for Pizza Hut told the AP that the company had yet to actually review the suit, and a rep for Home Depot added that “respect for intellectual property rights is a matter we take very seriously.” Of course, that’s not the only bit of Black Keys news out there. On Friday, oft-quoted drummer Patrick Carney — who in the past has taken shots at Spotify’s Sean Parker, Nickelback and Lady Gaga — was at it again, sounding off to Rolling Stone on a variety of topics, including dance music and the fact that the recently reunited Van Halen (which features Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, on bass, in place of founding member Michael Anthony) is “f—ing retarded.” “I have no interest in seeing bands with partial lineups. I just saw Van Halen without Michael Anthony … it was such a f—ing bummer. Like, what the f— is the point?” Carney said. “I mean, sure, Eddie Van Halen’s son is a pretty good bass player and he’s a 20-year-old kid and that’s cool, but like, what the f— is that? … If someone is able to be in a band for 30 years and then people are okay with replacing him with a 17-year-old, they’re obviously motherf—ing a–holes, right?” He also added that on a majority of recent festival dates, the Keys have witnessed first-hand the ascent of electronic dance music, and it mystifies him, to say the least. “I don’t understand it. I think when you’re trying to sell a hundred thousand tickets, you have to have a diverse crowd,” he said. “I think you have to kind of hedge your bets and make sure there’s stuff for people who listen to that music. I don’t know who listens to that kind of music, instrumental versions of LMFAO or whatever.” Oh, and Carney added that the Keys will return to the studio in July to begin work on the follow-up to El Camino, with the hopes of having the album out next year. So, yeah, there’s a lot going on right now — even if there really isn’t. Related Videos MTV First: The Black Keys’ ‘Gold On The Ceiling’ Related Artists The Black Keys
Scrappy tells ‘RapFix Live’ about the drama, denying rumors the show is scripted. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Lil Scrappy Photo: You can expect the female cast of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” to kick up some dust this season, but the guys get into their fair share of drama as well. A preview trailer for the rest of the upcoming season shows Lil Scrappy and record producer Stevie J. getting into a heated argument. Of course the tease is cut so we don’t see much of the action, but the clip does show an agitated Scrap punching a wall after he and Stevie go nose-to-nose. “It was a situation; it was a real situation,” Scrap said when he appeared on “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. According to Scrappy, the argument began after Stevie disrespected recurring castmember Erica, Scrappy’s child’s mother. The ATL MC feels that if Stevie had a problem with Erica, he should’ve bypassed her and addressed Scrappy instead. “Like I told him, you can walk off, you don’t gotta disrespect no female,” he said. “If you really wanna do something, ask her where her man at and tell him you wanna throw hands, you wanna take the fade, and I would’ve been happy to do that.” Though Stevie and Scrappy are accomplished musicians and both now reside in the same city, Scrap says prior to the show neither he nor Erica had a personal connection to the multiplatinum producer, who has done work for the likes of Diddy, Jay-Z and Mariah Carey. “He didn’t even ask — he didn’t know who she was. All he knew is she was a part of the situation and he wanted to pop off,” Scrappy said. The “Money in the Bank” MC wouldn’t give away the details of the fisticuffs, but he did shoot down whispers that he, his mother and his child’s mother were following a script. “I don’t know about the whole show and how [Stevie J.] do his end. I know my team Scrappy — we real on that side,” he said. Do you believe that “Love & Hip Hop” is scripted? Sound off in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ Gets Scrappy
‘No person that works with me will be disrespected in my presence as long as I’m on this planet,’ Weezy tells MTV News of his decision. By Rob Markman, with reporting by FLX Lil Wayne Photo: All Weezy wants is a little respect. After Nicki Minaj was insulted by a Hot 97 radio DJ, Lil Wayne made an executive decision and pulled his Young Money queen from the station’s Summer Jam concert . When MTV News caught up with Tunechi to talk about the incident for the first time, he didn’t throw stones or hurl insults at the New York City station, but simply stressed the importance of a certain seven-letter word. “That’s a female; first and foremost Nicki Minaj is a female. I don’t know what anyone else believes, but I believe females deserve the ultimate respect at all times no matter, when or where or how,” the multiplatinum rapper told MTV News on Saturday while backstage at Hot 107.9 ‘s Birthday Bash in Atlanta. Minaj was slotted to close out the yearly rap extravaganza on June 3 and was planning to bring out Nas, Lauryn Hill, Foxy Brown, Cam’ron and Lil Wayne during her set. That plan went south after outspoken Hot 97 personality Peter Rosenberg downed Nicki’s pop single “Starships” in front of concertgoers, prompting Wayne to pull the plug on all YMCMB Summer Jam performances, including Nicki’s and DJ Khaled’s. “As soon as she called me and told me she felt disrespected, I just declined everything,” Weezy told us. “I pulled her from the show because … no person that works with me will be disrespected in my presence as long as I’m on this planet.” Wayne feels Nicki should have gotten the royal treatment from the radio station and its employees. “I expect the red carpet, in her manner; the pink carpet should be laid out for her,” he said. “It’s just an executive move, no salt, no bad feelings, no hard feelings.” Many, including Hot 97 veteran DJ Funkmaster Flex, criticized Minaj for not taking the stage, but Lauryn Hill issued a statement supporting Nicki’s decision. “I don’t have details on exactly what transpired between the station and the artists, but I do support artists standing by their beliefs and walking with integrity,” Weezy agrees. “I feel like a woman should be respected at all times, therefore I made the right decision,” he said. Did Lil Wayne make the right call pulling Nicki from Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj
Young Money’s Mack Maine tells MTV News: ‘They said they’ll give him some tickets on the front row behind, but [not] courtside.’ By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images All Lil Wayne wanted to do is take in an NBA playoff game with his buddies, but on Thursday night (May 31) the Oklahoma City Thunder started baller blockin’. “Was going to go to the Thunder game tonight but was denied by the team to be in their arena. Wow. Smh. Go Spurs,” Weezy tweeted just hours before tip-off. Tunechi is a noted L.A. Lakers fan, but his friend and manager Cortez Bryant is a San Antonio Spurs die-hard, so Weezy thought he’d treat his buddy to a game — that is until OKC brass spoiled his plans. It was Young Money President Mack Maine who tried to score the tickets through a broker, but securing the seats proved to be difficult. “He finally just let me know, they not really tryin’ to sell tickets to him,” Mack Maine told MTV News minutes after the playoff game ended. “They said they’ll give him some tickets on the front row behind, but they’re not really tryin’ to have him sittin’ courtside.” Then things got even weirder Mack, told us. “Then they also sent a message back sayin’ the OKC policy was no special parking and no escort, so he gotta walk in like everybody else,” he explained. “Why would you actually want to cause pandemonium? That’s gonna make it harder for your security.” Mack explained that he and Weezy were just concerned about their safety and the safety of the fans. It’s hard to imagine that the multiplatinum superstar could just slip in and out of an arena unnoticed. “We’re not no prima donnas, but that’s just common sense, for our safety and the safety of your building,” the Billionaire Minds rapper said. “We were basically just tryin’ to take our brother to the game.” Chances are Tez wouldn’t have enjoyed himself anyway, as his beloved Spurs lost to the Thunder in a blowout, 102-82. “Yeah it worked out perfect anyway,” he said. Related Artists Lil Wayne
Jay will headline and curate Budweiser Made in America music festival over Labor Day weekend. By Rob Markman Jay-Z gives a press conference at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Photo: Bill McCay/ FilmMagic PHILADELPHIA — Jay-Z once bragged in song that he beat his assault charges “like Rocky.” Well, it’s been more than a decade since, and Hov — the multiplatinum mogul who remains atop music’s food chain — has done more than simply beat the charge. On Monday morning (May 14), rap’s most magnetic man drew a crowd of reporters and media types to the very steps that the fictional boxer Rocky has made famous. Standing triumphantly at the peak of the staircase of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Hov and Philly Mayor Michael Nutter announced yet another prolific Jay-venture: Budweiser Made in America , a two-day music festival in Philadelphia, this Labor Day weekend. “Everyone knows my love affair with Philly from the amazing, talented artists I’ve signed from here,” Jay said, prompting State Property MC Freeway to jump onstage beside him. Jay-Z will not only headline the festival, he will also curate the three-stage concert, which will feature close to 30 different acts. Still, for the God MC, there are a few things to consider before pulling off stunts such as these. “Whenever I enter into a project, I try to hit on some touch points. The first thing is: Is it great?” Jay asked rhetorically, addressing the crowd, which braved some clouds and drizzle. “The second one is: Is it gonna push the culture forward?” Forward progress is a safe bet: A press release for the upcoming event promises eclectic acts in multiple genres like rock, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and dance music, but the official roster won’t be announced until May 21. The third item Jay considers is the philanthropic opportunities, so once again, he is partnering with United Way. Together, they put on Jigga’s February Carnegie Hall concert in New York, and this time out, they aim to support local charities in both Philly and South New Jersey. The show will be held September 1 and September 2 on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. Tickets for Made in America will go on sale May 23 through Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com . Related Artists Jay-Z
‘No one’s exempt from people probing into your life once you get into the game,’ Nasty Nas tells ‘RapFix Live.’ By Rebecca Thomas, with reporting by Sway Calloway Nas on “RapFix Live” Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News They were rap’s royal couple. Nas and Kelis jumped the broom in 2005 after a courtship that included video cameos and public declarations of love. But the split between the rap legend and his R&B wife four years later was just as public and all too ugly. As the expectant “Milkshake” singer accused her husband of abandoning her mid-pregnancy in legal filings, allegations of infidelity burned up the blogs. Things got “crazy,” the pride of Queensbridge, New York, said on Wednesday’s “RapFix Live.” The divorce thrust Nas into the New York tabloids, where he was alternately painted as the victim of a gold-digging star and a cheater who callously hid the ATM cards with a baby on the way. Having stayed mostly mum over the years, Nas was ready to tell Sway his side. ”Life is crazy,” the famously private MC said. “I [wound] up paying more money to baby mommas than what some of my rap brothers and sistren make.” At the time, several outlets reported that Kelis was seeking about $45,000 a month in child and spousal support from the father of two, daughter Destiny from a previous relationship and son Knight with the “Bossy” singer. The figure was formally reduced last year by a court to a $25,000 month, but the scrutiny left Nas scarred. “I’ve always been away from too much limelight and that right there put me in your — no one’s exempt from people probing into your life once you get into the game,” he conceded. “So [the divorce] put a lot of my business out there, man. People weren’t thinking I was making that kind of money, and now they knew.” The handsome single rapper — a record number of MTV’s female staffers suddenly turned up on set this week — paused to reflect on what advice he’d give to a newly engaged couple. He looked away, the “God’s Son” tattoo on his neck visible for a split second, before responding. ”Man, if you’re happy,” he sighed and then paused again. “Love is a beast. Hold on, be prepared for any way it may go, and be honest.” Nas’ tax woes have also made the front page, but he declined to discuss the topic, promising instead to confront it on Life Is Good. Of course, it’s been more than four years since Nasty Nas dropped a solo full-length. And the multiplatinum lyrical legend has teased fans with spotty output. Still, the 39-year-old has impressed with recent features like Rick Ross’ “Triple Beam Dreams” and tracks like this month’s dancehall-flavored “The Don,” which managed to slay rap purists and trend on Twitter. But more important, these were signals that a release might be in the offing. All this anticipation for a rapper who was just out of his teens when he dropped his seminal debut, Illmatic, back in 1994. We’d say life is pretty good for Nas. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Nas & Killer Mike Related Artists Nas Kelis
New York’s DJ Clue and Funkmaster Flex compete over bragging rights to world premiere of Minaj’s latest Roman Reloaded single. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images After two of New York City’s biggest rap radio DJs faced off on Tuesday night, there was clearly only one winner: Nicki Minaj . With Nicki’s April 3 release date for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded inching closer, disc jocks are clamoring for exclusives from the YMCMB star, and Power 105’s DJ Clue and his rival, Hot 97 DJ Funk Master Flex, tussled over bragging rights to the Queens MC’s latest track. It all started Tuesday morning when Nicki retweeted a DJ Drama message urging fans to tune into DJ Clue’s show later that evening to hear the world premiere of Minaj and 2 Chainz’s Roman Reloaded collaboration, “Beez in the Trap.” But Clue didn’t get a chance to drop the exclusive as it hit the Internet hours before his show went on air. Flex then took credit for playing spoiler by hacking into DJ Clue’s email and lifting the track. Clue quickly hit Twitter to refute Flex’s account, ending his note with the hashtag #CompulsiveLiar.” Whatever the order of events, Nicki’s “Beez in the Trap” single clearly came out on top. The ’80s-inspired track is a departure from “Right by My Side,” the R&B duet that Minaj and Chris Brown released earlier on Tuesday. Instead, “Beez” finds the Harajuku Barbie once again taking aim at unnamed rap chicks. “Bitches ain’t sh– and they ain’t sayin’ nothin’,” she boasts on over a sparse drum track. Underground favorite 2 Chainz doesn’t compromise a thing spitting alongside the multiplatinum rapper. He drops a charismatic 16-bar verse where he goes on about his Lexus LS 450, True Religion jeans and his pimp ways. With the newly released Roman Reloaded tracks, Nicki seems to be striking a balance between melodic pop tracks (“Starships,” “Right By My Side”) and the rap fare that she came into the game with (“Stupid Hoe,” “Roman Reloaded”). “April 3 is gonna be a doozy. It’s gonna be crazy,” Nicki promised when MTV News caught up with her at the NBA All-Star Game in February. “It’s gonna be important for just hip-hop culture and pop culture. It’s gonna be very big.” What do you think of Nicki Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap”? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Nicki Minaj
‘Big was very protective of me, like overprotective,’ Lil Kim tells ‘RapFix Live.’ By Rob Markman Lil’ Kim on RapFix Live Photo: MTV News In the 1990s, there was no R&B band quite like Jodeci . While Boyz II Men, with their clean-cut image, were cut from a more traditional R&B cloth, K-Ci, JoJo, Dalvin and DeVante were the bad boys of the genre. No wonder they fit in so well with rappers, collaborating with the likes of Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Redman. They almost cooked up a collaboration with Lil’ Kim as well, but the Notorious B.I.G. put a stop to that. “Big was very protective of me, like overprotective,” Lil’ Kim said when she appeared on the March 7 episode of “RapFix Live.” In the early ’90s, Jodeci got their start at Uptown Records, where their talent was cultivated by a then-unknown Sean “Puffy” Combs — whom fans now simply call Diddy . Under the young executive’s watch, the quartet released their multiplatinum 1991 debut Forever My Lady, but somewhere down the line the relationship soured. Kim recalled one incident where she and Diddy’s Bad Boy crew had a run-in with Jodeci in a hotel. “Me and Keisha from Total were in the hallway talking to Dalvin and I think JoJo,” she remembered. “Puffy and Big were looking for us, and when they found us, Big just started draggin’ me by my coat and Puff was like, ‘We don’t eff with them. What are y’all doin’ talkin’ to them?’ ” Despite the incident, Jodeci later wanted to include Lil’ Kim on a remix of their 1995 single “Luv U 4 Life” and offered her a lot of money to do it, but Big, who was both Kim’s musical mentor and lover, vetoed the feature. “At that time, it was the beginning of my career; I hadn’t seen that much money for one record,” Kim recalled. “So Big comes to where I was stayin’ and he’s like, ‘You ain’t goin’ nowhere, I’m gonna out there to see what’s goin’ on,’ ” Kim remembered of Biggie’s interference while laughing. “He locks me in the room; he was like, ‘Oh you ain’t gonna go do no song with them.’ ” Join MTV News as we celebrate the Notorious B.I.G’s life on the 15th anniversary of his death. From now through March 25, we will be rolling out exclusive and commemorative content from Biggie’s closest friends, collaborators and his biggest fans. To join the conversation on Twitter, hit @MTVRapFix using the hashtag #biggie15. Related Artists Notorious B.I.G. Lil’ Kim Jodeci
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