Albums | ProHipHop

February 10, 2012

J. Cole Talks About Grammy Nomination

J. Cole became famous in the world of hip-hop music because of his unique, natural musical talent. The American rapper, who was the first rap artist signed to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation, was recently nominated for a Grammy for the very first time. He will join other artists such as The Band Perry, Bon Iver, Nicki Minaj, and Skrillex, who have also received nods from the prestigious award-giving body for Best New Artist.

However, the German-born emcee revealed that at one point he did not see himself being nominated. Even though he hurried to release his album before the Grammy deadline, J. Cole disclosed that he was not very confident during the nomination period.

In a recent interview with Associated Press, he confessed, “I thought my album was that good. But then the crazy thing is even though I thought that when it was time for the Grammy’s announcement for the nominations to come out, I really, truly had already given up. I was like ‘Ah nah.’ It didn’t feel right. I didn’t think they saw, I didn’t think anybody really noticed or whatever, but they did.”

The famed rapper also explained that he had the intention to release his album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story” before the Grammy deadline. “Around the time of ‘Work Out’ or whatever when I was like ‘Yo, this is the single. Come on. Let’s go, we gotta move.’ And everybody at the label knew we had to move just like I knew, but I was like ‘This is the one. Let’s go.’ It was because I was telling my management and telling the label ‘I have to beat the Grammy deadline. I gotta do it’,” he stated.

Posted by Karen on February 10, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Awards, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

February 07, 2012

Wiz Khalifa Talks About His Sophomore LP “O.N.I.F.C.”

Cameron Jibril Thomaz, otherwise known as Wiz Khalifa, has continuously enjoyed his prominence in the hip-hop industry. In 2011, the Pittsburgh emcee won Best New Artist at the BET Awards of 2011 to the delight of his followers. No wonder more fans are waiting for the release of his second album “O.N.I.F.C.”

Recently, the American rapper explained the meaning behind his upcoming sophomore album. He mentioned that the meaning of “O.N.I.F.C.” is “Only Nigga in The First Class.” In an exclusive interview with MTV’S Sway, Wiz also explained that the edited title of his sophomore commercial release is “One Night in First Class.”

According to the famed performer, the title of the hip-hop material stems from a few instances while he was flying first class. The crew insulted him for being a young black man with priority seating. He stated, “I’m just going to tell you what [O.N.I.F.C.] – it’s the Only N[igga] In First Class. It’s inspired by Prodigy’s H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong and it really meant something and it had the n-word in it. Only nigga in first class,’ and I was just talking about me being a young, rich dude and being black.

Wiz Khalifa also shared how he managed to prove that he deserves a first class seat in the airplane. He said, “It looks crazy to [the workers on an airplane] when I walk up to them and I show them a [first class] ticket, or I’m going to priority seating and they’re like, “You sure?” It’s kind of like that feeling – it’s a good feeling, but it’s like it’s a bad feeling, like ‘Damn, why y’all even feel like that about me?”

Posted by Karen on February 07, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

February 06, 2012

Nicki Minaj Talks on Grammy Nominations, Calls it a “Big Deal”

Nicki Minaj is one of the most successful rappers in the recent generation of talented musicians. With her incredible talent and unique sense of style, she effortlessly found her way to the hearts of millions of music lovers around the world.

Recently, Nicki Minaj shared her happiness for being nominated in this year’s Grammy Awards. She does not expect to win, but she is just happy to be acknowledged. The Harajuku Barbie received three nominations from this prestigious award-giving body. She also scored the most coveted nominations, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for Pink Friday.

In an exclusive interview with Pandora, the pretty singer mentioned that she has every intention to celebrate the moment. She said, “When I was at the Grammys last year, it was like I didn’t even exist. And then to now be performing and nominated, it’s a big deal. I’m not going to be nervous about winning because I really don’t think I’m going to win anything.”

The famed rapper also admitted that she valued her nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards. She stated, “The way I look at it is, I know eventually, in my career, I’m going to have a Grammy. This year is just about being nominated and feeling grateful, feeling like my fans and I have come a very long way and we’re just going to celebrate this moment. Nothing else matters – winning, not winning, it doesn’t matter. It just matters that they get to see a girl from the hood take these steps and continue to take these steps, just with hard work.” She also believes that in terms of her career, the Grammys is indeed everything.

Posted by Karen on February 06, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

February 01, 2012

Meek Mill’s Debut Album for December 2012 Release

Robert Williams, otherwise known as Meek Mill, is enjoying the bright side of his career nowadays. He just started his music career but swiftly gained support from the public. In March 2011, Mill was also listed as part of the “XXL Freshman Class of 2011.” The American rapper recently projects his debut album which will be released in December 2012.

In a recent interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez, Meek Mill talked about his upcoming hip-hop material. He stated: “Actually, I’m working on my album, trying to get my album right for the beginning of December [2012].”

The Philadelphia-born performer also disclosed his hardships and joys of raising an eight-month old child at this time of his career. He told Angie Martinez: “My baby’s eight-months [old]. I make it happen, though. You always gotta go home, at least once a week and make sure everything’s straight…I’m in a relationship. It’s rough sometimes, you know how it gets, leaving home for a month [to tour]…we make it work. I ain’t married, I’m only 24 right now, but things gonna happen.”

The well-known emcee continued sharing about his personal life. He explained: “My girl’s a rider. I was in jail before [MMG blew up], locked up nine months. My girl was riding, com[ing to] see me every week…[that part of my life's] over. It was a learning experience, it was a good thing for me, though. I just had to see it and know that’s not what I want to be. I get to come out and tell some young boys that that’s what they ain’t want to be. It put me on a straight path.”

Posted by Karen on February 01, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Music Industry | Permalink

January 31, 2012

Rapper Tyga Discloses “Careless World” Tour Dates

Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson, otherwise known as Tyga, recently shared his experiences in the hip-hop world, including the success of his “Rack City” project. In one of his interviews, he confirmed that it was his self-promotion that caused the material to score top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The famed artist also shared his thoughts about lyricism and stated that “there’s music for every type of thing.”

A lot of the fans of the young emcee were happy to know that he will stage a world tour in line with his album, “Careless World: Rise of the Lost King.” The project kicks off February 17 in Salt Lake City. The tour concludes April 15 at New Orleans, Louisiana’s Howlin Wolf.h.

Check the tour dates below.

02/17/12 Salt Lake City, UT Maverick Center

02/21/12 Atlanta, GA Masquerade

02/22/12 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution Live

02/23/12 Tampa, FL Ritz Ybor

02/24/12 Gainsville, FL The Vault

02/26/12 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues

02/27/12 Charlotte, NC The Filmore

02/28/12 Philadelphia, PA TLA

02/29/12 New York, NY Best Buy Theatre

03/01/12 Boston, MA Wilbur Theater

03/02/12 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place

03/03/12 Providence, RI Lupo’s

03/04/12 Sayerville, NJ Starland Ballroom

03/05/12 Silver Springs, MD The Filmore

03/06/12 Cleveland, OH House of Blues

03/08/12 Des Moines, IA Val Air Ballroom

03/09/12 Toledo, OH Omni

03/10/12 Milwaukee, WI The Rave

03/11/12 Minneapolis, MN Epic

03/13/12 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Music Hall

03/15/12 Chicago, IL Metro

03/20/12 Denver, CO Ogden

03/21/12 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre

03/22/12 Tucson, AZ The Rialto Theatre

03/23/12 Phoenix, AZ Clubhouse

03/24/12 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst

03/25/12 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre

03/26/12 San Luis Obispo, CA The Graduate

03/27/12 Sacramento, CA Sunrise Event Center

03/28/12 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory

03/29/12 San Francisco, CA Regency

03/30/12 San Diego, CA House of Blues

04/01/12 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia

04/04/12 Pullman, WA Washington State University

04/06/12 Yakima, WA Dos De Oro Buy tickets

04/07/12 Seattle, WA Showbox

04/11/12 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit

04/12/12 Houston, TX Warehouse

04/13/12 Dallas, TX Southside Music Hall

04/14/12 Austin, TX Emos East

04/15/12 New Orleans, LA Howlin Wolf

Posted by Karen on January 31, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 30, 2012

G.O.O.D. Music Producer Hit-Boy Talks about the Crew’s Latest Music Compilation

Hit-Boy is one of the most successful artists in the hip-hop industry. The American Grammy Award nominated hip-hop artist and music producer of G.O.O.D. Music record label recently explained what it was like to record with the crew. At present, the famed producer visited London, England with Kanye West and the G.O.O.D. Music rappers to work on the label’s compilation album.

In an interview with Complex.com, Hit-Boy recalled working with Jay Electronica, Mannie Fresh, Frank Ocean, John Legend and more. He stated: “I don’t know if Jay Electronica spit a verse], I was just in my room working on a bunch of ideas Kanye wanted me to do. I really didn’t get to come up there. But Pusha spit a gang of verses to my beats, so did Big Sean, Kanye, and John Legend.” He added: “I know Marsha got on a couple of my beats and did some hook ideas. We were all just bouncing stuff around. Mannie Fresh actually had the room next to the room I was working in. We were bouncing ideas. There was a bunch of creative shit going on with the most talented motherfuckers in the world.”

Hit-Boy also promised that they would produce high quality projects. He candidly enthused: “That’s the genius of Kanye, he knows how to put all those people in a room. You can’t have an ego with person like Kanye around. It’s going to be some fly shit and you are going to have the opportunity to make money off it.” He continued: “It’s been amazing so far. [The album] is going to be what you guys expect it to be. It’s good music as G.O.O.D. Music. It’s going to be quality shit.”

Posted by Karen on January 30, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Artists on Marketing, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 30, 2012

French Montana Discloses Why He Did Not Sign with Kanye West

Nowadays, hip-hop artists are getting confident in their choices of music labels. There are different reasons attached to their choices from financial-related issues to schedule differences. But it is rare to find hip-hop artists who choose to decline working with a famous rapper’s recording studio because of the lack of cellular phone.

Enter French Montana. The American rapper disclosed why he didn’t sign with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Company. French recently hinted that he would join G.O.O.D. Music but in due course signed with Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. Initially, the well-known rapper remained tight-lipped why he didn’t pursue signing a contract with Kanye West. But in a recent interview with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez, he finally revealed the reason why he slighted Yeezy.

French admitted that Kanye West’s lack of phone was the reason he did not join G.O.O.D. Music. He explained: “I met up with him one time and then I met up with him again. There were things that I was used to ’cause I was already moving. I’m like a money train. Kanye doesn’t have a phone. If you need to get in contact with Kanye, you have to email him. You can’t tell me how to do that. I don’t know how to use an email, so I guess me and you is never gonna talk.” He added: “And I’ma put my career in your hands? He’s definitely talented and I felt like if I went there, we would have definitely made history.”

After ditching the idea of signing with Kanye West’s well-known music label, French Montana signed with Bad Boy Records, with plans to launch his album in the upcoming months. He candidly shared: “When I met up with Puff, everything he promised me came through. And Rozay was definitely there for me too.”

Posted by Karen on January 30, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 26, 2012

Maino Disclosed Cover Art and Track List for “The Day after Tomorrow”

Before Maino became known in the hip-hop world, he founded an independent label named Hustle Hard. After numerous mixtape releases and key guest features, he was offered a recording deal by Universal Records. Later on, he joined Atlantic Records, imprinting his Hustle Hard label with the record company in a bid to gain stardom. Now that he had carved a name for himself in the hip-hop music industry, he made sure his fans will know his latest project.

The American rapper has announced the release date for his upcoming album, “The Day after Tomorrow”, which is his second huge hip-hop material. The New York emcee is planning to release the project on October 24. In an interview with Cheddar DVD, he stated, “My album is dropping October 4th, it’s called The Day After Tomorrow. We’re just getting ready for the second round.”

In addition, Maino expressed his desire to release a new mixtape before the arrival of the album. He confided: “It took me a minute to get the right record out there, but it’s a national look for me. It’s not a local record. It’s a big record, it’s gonna be. We just droppin’ this week and then we’re doing another mixtape, keep the streets down and staying on cheddar.”

Based on reports, the project “The Day after Tomorrow” will be released by E1 Entertainment, which is formerly known as Koch Records. The famed record label will launch Maino’s sophomore album with his Hustle Hard Music Group imprint. We remember that Maino released his 2009 debut, “If Tomorrow Comes” on Atlantic Records. The two labels will reportedly work together on this release. Atlantic and E1 have previously partnered on releases from B.G. and Juvenile.

Posted by Karen on January 26, 2012 in Album Cover Artwork, Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 26, 2012

Rapper Tyga Discussed Several Topics in a Recent Interview

The well-known emcee, Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson, otherwise known as Tyga (an acronym for Thank You God Always) continuously showed off his talent in the hip-hop world. He became famous with his impressive rendition of “Coconut Juice,” his debut single which featured his cousin, Travie McCoy. As the American rapper is preparing for the launching of his album, “Careless World: Rise of the Lost King,” he shared his thoughts about the process of preparing the album for release.

In a recent interview with Complex, the young rapper shared that it was his self-promotion that caused “Rack City” to score top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. He explained: “[I]n my world, I had a lot of underground hits that weren’t getting pushed to that level. I felt like ‘Lapdance’ was a big song, but it just didn’t get a push. So it stayed where it was at. ‘Rack City’ I pushed myself. I was shooting my own videos and paying my own radio guys and stuff like that. Then the label caught on to it.”

Tyga also talked about how Lil Wayne influences him. He stated: “It’s not what they say, but more what they do. Just being able to see how they move and be in the studio every night. Videos. Tours. To see their hustle and take my new artist hunger and add that to it. The one thing about them is that they don’t talk a lot. It’s their actions, really.”

But the most interesting part of the interview was Tyga’s thoughts about lyricism. He shared: “People have got to understand that there’s music for every type of thing. Hip Hop isn’t ‘It has to be this topic and this topic only.”

Posted by Karen on January 26, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Hip Hop Albums, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink

January 24, 2012

Nicki Minaj Disclosed Dates and Cities for International Tour

Nicki Minaj is one of the hottest hip-hop artists nowadays. The Trinidadian born American musician initially gained success when her debut album, “Pink Friday” was released in November 2010. It quickly reached the radar of hip-hop fans across the world. A month after its release, it peaked at number one on the United States Billboard 200 and achieved certified Platinum status. Because of the tremendous musical success that Nicki enjoyed in the music industry, she became the first artist to have seven singles on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time.

Nicki’s second single, “Your Love” reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, which made her the first female artist to top the chart unaccompanied since Missy Elliott achieved it with “Work It” in 2002. Consequently, she became the first female artist to be listed on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC List.

The Billboard 2011 Rising Star recipient recently revealed the dates and cities for her upcoming international tour. Even though the locations and ticket information is yet to be announced, the famed lady rapper took to Twitter and announced her plans to visit London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo during her worldwide tour. She tweeted: “London the 19th-25th. Paris 26th,27th. Berlin on the 28th. Tokyo: March 1st-4th.” The music-related trek kicks off on February 19^th and concludes in Tokyo on March 4^th.

The “Super Bass” singer mentioned that she plans to perform new material at the 2012 Grammy Awards. She posted: “Of course silly willies!!! > RT @WANI_MINAJ: RT @teamminajcunt: RT @urbankidd Are you gonna perform new tracks at the Grammys? @NICKIMINAJ.”

Check the tour dates below.

February 19-25 – London, England

February 26-67 – Paris, France

February 28 – Berlin, Germany

March 1-4 – Tokyo, Japan

Posted by Karen on January 24, 2012 in Albums, Artists, Artists on Marketing, Events, Hip Hop Business News, Hip Hop Files, Music Industry | Permalink