Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Birdman Covers XXL (June 2011)
Who would have thought after 22-years in the music industry, Cash Money co-founder Baby a.k.a. Birdman, would be on top of the game? Responsible for three of the rap world’s biggest artists—Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj—Birdman is one of the hip-hop’s last true moguls. For XXL‘s forthcoming June 2011 issue, the magazine spoke with the New Orleans native about his exclusive position in the rap industry as one of the last moguls standing and the secret to his longevity.
In a sit-down with editor-in-chief, Vanessa Satten, Baby reflected on the harsh nature of his profession. “When I look around, through my years and my time, you know, the game, it was a lot in the field, a lot of people doing it,” he says. “And I look around, and it’s like, where the f*** did everybody go? I ain’t never understood that, but the game like that sometimes, that muthafucka’s gon’ keep ya or it’s gon’ leave ya. It’s all on you.”
Despite his current status as one of the only remaining powerhouses, there was a time when many considered Cash Money over. Following the departure of his first successful act—super group the Hot Boys with Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and Turk—and before Weezy rose to the prominent position that he holds today at the top of the rap food chain—Cash
Money seemed to be losing its touch. But as Birdman tells XXL, the hip-hop heavyweight learned a lot of important life lessons and studies the greats in order to figure out the best way to sustain his position in the game.
Arguably the best decision Baby made, was empowering Lil Wayne with his own label, Young Money, in 2005, which Weezy used to sign stars like Drake and Nicki Minaj over the past couple of years. “Honestly, I gave him the floor,” Baby says of Weezy. “He wanted it. I been with him since he was seven years old, eight years old. I been in his life all of his life, and he was like, “Let me handle, it.” At the time, me as an artist, losing my sister and everything I was going through personally, I was just like, ‘Go ahead, I’ma just support what you gon’ do. You can handle it.’ And I took a step back. Probably was the smarted move I ever made in my life was to let him go ‘head.”
In addition to the cover story on Birdman, XXL’s June 2011 issue also features an in-depth look at buzz-worthy, Los Angeles skate rap collective Odd Future as they brace for the limelight. Other articles include a candid interview with Ja Rule as he gets ready to begin a two-year prison sentence for gun possession, and an exclusive conversation with incarcerated Harlem rapper and ex-Bady Boy G.Dep, who is currently awaiting trial after he surprisingly admitted to shooting and killing a man 17-years ago. The mag also catches up with Tech N9ne and Max B, Swizz Beatz schools heads on Basquiat and the producer’s new Reebok gig, Outasight and Theophilus London are featured in XXL‘s fashion and there’s much more.
XXL’s June 2011 issue will be hitting newsstands nationwide on June 7, 2011.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Nicki Minaj Dumps Diddy As Manager, Hires Drake & Lil Wayne's Team
Diddy and Nicki Minaj have ended their business relationship about a year after it began.
According to XXL, Minaj fired Diddy and is now signed with Gee Roberson and Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua over at Hip-Hop Since 1978. They also represent her Young Money label mates Drake and Lil Wayne.
Nicki had been with Diddy since she parted ways with Deb Antney's management company last year.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lil Wayne Adds 40 New Dates To His 'I Am Music II' Tour
Lil Wayne has added 40 more dates to his successful 'I Am Music II' tour.
There are several major changes to the lineup for the new run. Nicki Minaj will not be on the bill as she is set to open for Britney Spears' new tour which kicks off June 16 in Sacramento.
Drummer Travis Barker has also been replaced.
The opening acts this time around will be Lloyd, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement and Officer Rick Ross.
Tickets go on sale the weekend of May 20 through Live Nation. Check out the full itinerary below.
7/13 Comcast Theater, Hartford, CT
7/15 Jiffy Lube Live Amphitheater, Bristow, VA
7/16 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
7/17 Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA
7/19 Toyota Pavilion, Scranton, PA
7/20 Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
7/22 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
7/23 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
7/24 Darien Lake, Darien, NY
7/26 Hershey Pavilion, Hershey, PA
7/27 Riverbed Amphitheater, Cincinnatti, OH
7/29 Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC
7/30 Farm Bureau Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
8/2 Cruzan Amphitheater, West Palm Beach, FL
8/3 1-800 ASK GARY Amphitheater
8/5 Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, AL
8/6 Aaron's At Lakewood, Atlanta, GA
8/7 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC
8/9 XCEL Center, Minneapolis, MN
8/10 Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
8/12 First Niagara Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
8/13 Midwest Amphitheater, Tinley, IL
8/14 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Noblesville, IN
8/16 Scotia Bank Place, Ottawa, ON
8/17 Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
8/19 Molson Amphitheater, Toronto, ON
8/20 DTE Energy Theater, Clarkston, MI
8/21 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO
8/23 Spring Center, Kansas City, MO
8/25 Ashley Furniture Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
8/26 Cricket Wireless, San Diego, CA
8/27/11 Glen Helen Pavilion, San Bernardino, CA
8/30 Comfort Dental, Denver, CO
8/31 Hard Rock Pavilion, Albuquerque, NM
9/2 Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA
9/3 Sleep Train Amphitheater, Marysville, CA
9/7 Qwest Arena, Omaha, NE
9/9 AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
9/10 Gexa Energy Pavilion, Dallas, TX
9/11 Woodlands Amphitheater, Woodlands, TX
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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