The CRUNK Report
News from the Hip-Hop World.
5/25- David Banner Returns with "The Greatest Story"
"I have a tendency to want to change music," Banner told Billboard. "But I realized that people just want hits. The ladies want a "Play," I made a "Cadillac on 22's," and I made a few "Like a Pimp" records. I did a rock song that's probably going to get me hung. Let's just say the record was written three years ago-it's just truthful."
Never one to mince words, Banner revealed that his last few years have been marked by struggle.
"2006 was the worst year of my life," Banner told Billboard. "2007 has been the best year of my life. I've learned to say no and not take on everyone's problems. My father had brain and lung cancer, and I had high blood pressure because I was working 18-hour days. You have to value the person you are."
5/25- Release date of 50 Cent’s New Album, Curtis, Pushed Back
“I’m an international artist. My fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the US. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action,” states 50 Cent. His first major performance will be June 26th on the BET Awards. For the first time ever, BET will let the fans decide which song 50 Cent will perform on the show. Text BANK to 23898 to vote for "Straight to the Bank" or text PARK to 23898 to vote for "Amusement Park". Tune into the show to see the winning performance.
5/18- Mike Jones announces new album and new way to talk with fans
Platinum-selling rap star Mike Jones's sophomore debut The American Dream will be released on July 10, 2007 instead of the original date of May 8, 2007. Mike Jones is also set to release a hilarious set of skits to help set up the release of his new CD called The American Hater where comedian Alex Thomas plays a rapper called Money $tack$ who has nothing but hate to spew on Mr. Jones.
The hip hop star has also set up an "Ask Mike Jones" email address where anyone can reach him directly with questions or comments at AskMikeJones@gmail.com. Jones promises to personally answer all emails.
"Because I received so many calls on 281.330.8004 there were many times where my friends couldn't get through. With the email address it will be much easier for me to communicate with them because I receive emails from that address on my blackberry that is always with me," states Mike Jones.
4/3- Snoop Challenges Bill O'Reilly
During the interview and before his performance at The Milky Way club, Snoop and Robert Jensen sipped Cristal, and Jensen questioned the rapper about his image in the United States, when the topic of Bill O'Reilly came up.
"**** Bill O'Reilly," Snoop said to rapturous applause from the studio audience.
A clip of a Nov. 2006 episode that featured Snoop's former attorneys said.
"I got females everywhere, I got em working for me," Snoop said before showing the clip. "She was riding for her pimp!" Snoop's former criminal defense attorney Lauren Lake vigorously defended Snoop, born Calvin Broadus from O'Reilly's accusations. "He's a good hearted young man, he's contributed to charities, he helps young people, you see him coaching his child's football team, buying them buses [and] giving young children from inner cities better opportunities," Lake said. During the clip, O'Reilly accused Snoop Dogg of being a drug dealer and promoting violence and offered to "build a jail" just for the rapper, whom he compared to 20th century Chicago gangster, Al Capone. "He's a *** prick," Snoop told Jensen. "He doesn't understand me. He doesn't understand how his kids and his family just loves Snoop Dogg, he don't really get it. So instead of him trying to have an interview with me to try and better understand me, he'd rather bash me in the media , when he could have a conversation with me and get a one on one with me."
The rapper even offered to actually appear on O'Reilly's popular television show, The O'Reilly Factor. "I'd love to go on his show, but we'd have to do it in my neighborhood though, so I can kick his *** a** when we are finished.
-AllHipHop.com
4/2- Mannie Fresh Signs With Def Jam
Former Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh has signed with Def Jam Recordings.
“I just did a deal with Jay-Z,” he stated, “Dude reached out to me. He flew me up, we talked about it and they wrote something nice. It was a nice little proposal. What made me take the deal is they didn’t want me to only do this exclusive deal with them. They were like, ‘You can go do whatever it is you do,’ so my thing [at Def Jam is to overlook the southern artists they have, as well as sign artists.”
Mannie Fresh is producing on albums from TI, Nas and Juvenile.
3/31- Fabolous Album Pushed Back:
The first single, "Diamonds," featuring Young Jeezy is currently in radio rotation. In addition to Jeezy, Ne-Yo also makes an appearance on the album and Timbaland, Just Blaze and Jazze Pha produce.
Fabolous' June release date is just the latest in a series of postponements; Def Jam previously discarded a December release date after Fabolous was shot in the leg last October.
From Nothin' to Somethin' will hit stores on June 12.
3/30- DJ Drama Speaks On The Future of Mixtapes:
Atlanta based mixtape master DJ Drama spoke Friday about his January 16 arrest. Drama, along with Don Cannon, were arrested on felony charges and had nearly 100,000 mixtapes, computers, recording equipment, and four cars confiscated. DJ Drama explained that he does not consider himself to be a "mixtape martyr" as some have suggested. He does, however, believe that change is necessary in the mixtape industry. Mixtapes have been a huge part of the careers of some of hip-hop's biggest stars, including Young Jeezy, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z. DJ Drama maintains a positive outlook and still plans to release his upcoming "Gangsta Grillz" album this summer.
3/28- Black Eyed Pea's Taboo Arrested for DUI:
According to reports from TMZ.com, Taboo, whose real name is Jaime Luis Gomez, was arrested after he crashed his car approximately 20 miles east of Los Angeles. LA police say Taboo was charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, possession of a prescribed medication without a prescription and driving under the influence.
3/27 - G-Unit and Game feud over?
It seems that the long running feud between The Game and G-Unit may be coming to an end. In an interview with SOHH, Young Buck says the beef is squashed. Young Buck took the task upon himself because G-Unit label head, 50 Cent will not speak to Game.
3/26- G-Unit's Tony Yayo arrested for slapping 14 year old
Authorities say he pushed and slapped the boy, hurting his ear and face. "We adamantly deny the allegations set forth by the people today," said Bernard's defense attorney, Scott Leemon.