HIPHOP NEWS & ARTICLES
Barack Obama Wins 2008 Presidential Election
11/04/2008
11/04/2008
Americans have spoken, and their collective voice has summoned for change.
After years of ads, infomercials, primaries, debates and an online campaign
that generated a groundswell of support among the nation's disaffected
youth, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obamahas defeated the
Republican pick for president, Arizona Senator John McCain. The junior
senator from the state of Illinois announced his candidacy 22 months ago,
beginning his historic, barrier-busting bid for the nation's highest office.
CNN called the election for Obama at 11 p.m. ET, as the polls closed on the
West Coast. He will be America's 44th president.
Obama is projected to receive enough electoral votes to pass the 270-vote
threshold needed to secure the office. CNN projects he'll take California,
Washington, Oregon and Hawaii when all is said and done.
After years of ads, infomercials, primaries, debates and an online campaign
that generated a groundswell of support among the nation's disaffected
youth, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obamahas defeated the
Republican pick for president, Arizona Senator John McCain. The junior
senator from the state of Illinois announced his candidacy 22 months ago,
beginning his historic, barrier-busting bid for the nation's highest office.
CNN called the election for Obama at 11 p.m. ET, as the polls closed on the
West Coast. He will be America's 44th president.
Obama is projected to receive enough electoral votes to pass the 270-vote
threshold needed to secure the office. CNN projects he'll take California,
Washington, Oregon and Hawaii when all is said and done.
No matter how the vote ended up, history was going to be made Tuesday (November 4). A victory for one ticket would
have given the United States its oldest president (McCain, who is 72) and first female vice president (Alaskan
Governor Sarah Palin). The other would see the first African-America (Obama) moving into the White House and the
first Roman Catholic (Senator Joseph Biden) to win the vice presidency. It also marks the first time two sitting senators
vied for the post and the first time both major candidates were born outside the continental U.S. Obama, who spent
Tuesday afternoon in Chicago shooting hoops with friends, was born in Hawaii, while McCain was born in the Panama
Canal Zone.
But, ultimately, it was Obama who swept in to take the White House, netting some huge, unexpected wins early
Tuesday evening. CNN called the ever-important battleground states of Pennsylvania (where McCain canvassed
heavily in the final days of his campaign); Ohio (where voter turnout was estimated at more than 80 percent); and
Virginia for Obama, which effectively spelled doom for his rival. Ohio was a seismic victory for Obama, considering the
state's 20 electoral votes were critical to President Bush's re-election in 2004, and no Republican has ever won the
White House without winning Ohio first.
Obama also took Virginia, an unexpected win for the presidential hopeful. The victory marks a historic shift in the
state, one that was more than 40 years in the making. The last time Virginia voted for a Democrat was back in 1964,
when President Lyndon B. Johnson was elected. Recent shifts in the state's demographics are believed to have
helped Obama secure the win. The last two gubernatorial elections were won by Dems, as were the last senatorial
elections. Voter turnout in the traditionally conservative state was massive, with 500,000 young people registering to
vote in this year's election. Heading into Tuesday's election, Obama was leading McCain by 9 percentage points and
will now claim the state's 13 electoral votes.
have given the United States its oldest president (McCain, who is 72) and first female vice president (Alaskan
Governor Sarah Palin). The other would see the first African-America (Obama) moving into the White House and the
first Roman Catholic (Senator Joseph Biden) to win the vice presidency. It also marks the first time two sitting senators
vied for the post and the first time both major candidates were born outside the continental U.S. Obama, who spent
Tuesday afternoon in Chicago shooting hoops with friends, was born in Hawaii, while McCain was born in the Panama
Canal Zone.
But, ultimately, it was Obama who swept in to take the White House, netting some huge, unexpected wins early
Tuesday evening. CNN called the ever-important battleground states of Pennsylvania (where McCain canvassed
heavily in the final days of his campaign); Ohio (where voter turnout was estimated at more than 80 percent); and
Virginia for Obama, which effectively spelled doom for his rival. Ohio was a seismic victory for Obama, considering the
state's 20 electoral votes were critical to President Bush's re-election in 2004, and no Republican has ever won the
White House without winning Ohio first.
Obama also took Virginia, an unexpected win for the presidential hopeful. The victory marks a historic shift in the
state, one that was more than 40 years in the making. The last time Virginia voted for a Democrat was back in 1964,
when President Lyndon B. Johnson was elected. Recent shifts in the state's demographics are believed to have
helped Obama secure the win. The last two gubernatorial elections were won by Dems, as were the last senatorial
elections. Voter turnout in the traditionally conservative state was massive, with 500,000 young people registering to
vote in this year's election. Heading into Tuesday's election, Obama was leading McCain by 9 percentage points and
will now claim the state's 13 electoral votes.
Remembering Johnny J
10/10/2008
10/10/2008
Friends and family of producer Johnny "J" Jackson are simply stunned that he
died at age 39 over the weekend.
According to a source close to J and his family, he was serving a sentence in
Los Angeles County Jail for DWI. The source confirmed reports that he died
after apparently jumping to his death off an upper level at the jail. One jail
spokesperson has not yet returned MTV News' phone calls, while another was
trying to retrieve information on the incident.
Jackson, known in the music industry as "Johnny J," might not be as widely
known as Swizz Beatz or Timbaland, but his stats are impressive. He produced
about half of Tupac Shakur's All Eyez on Me double LP, including the hit "How
Do U Want It."
"When I talked to him, he told me he sold over 100 million records," King Tech
died at age 39 over the weekend.
According to a source close to J and his family, he was serving a sentence in
Los Angeles County Jail for DWI. The source confirmed reports that he died
after apparently jumping to his death off an upper level at the jail. One jail
spokesperson has not yet returned MTV News' phone calls, while another was
trying to retrieve information on the incident.
Jackson, known in the music industry as "Johnny J," might not be as widely
known as Swizz Beatz or Timbaland, but his stats are impressive. He produced
about half of Tupac Shakur's All Eyez on Me double LP, including the hit "How
Do U Want It."
"When I talked to him, he told me he sold over 100 million records," King Tech
from"The Wake Up Show" said Monday (October 6). "He has a bunch of stuff..... In my opinion, he needs to be put up
there on legendary status with a Quincy Jones or Dr. Dre, because nobody knew he sold that many records. He was
more of a low-key guy. He didn't go out there flashing his money, but when you go to his studio, you'd see 100 'Pac
plaques. You'd be like, 'Man, you did all of these records?' "
J's last major interview was with Tech on "The Wake Up Show" four months ago, right before he went to jail. The
producer told Tech and the listeners that he had around 30 Tupac records in his vaults that were unreleased and that
he was part owner of all of 'Pac's recordings.
there on legendary status with a Quincy Jones or Dr. Dre, because nobody knew he sold that many records. He was
more of a low-key guy. He didn't go out there flashing his money, but when you go to his studio, you'd see 100 'Pac
plaques. You'd be like, 'Man, you did all of these records?' "
J's last major interview was with Tech on "The Wake Up Show" four months ago, right before he went to jail. The
producer told Tech and the listeners that he had around 30 Tupac records in his vaults that were unreleased and that
he was part owner of all of 'Pac's recordings.
Check out Johnny J's Interview With "The Wake Up Show. Also 2 of his productions with west coast great TuPac. "All
About You" & "Poor Out A Little Liqiour"
About You" & "Poor Out A Little Liqiour"
WARRANT ISSUED FOR DMX ARREST
12/06/2008
12/06/2008
An Arizona judge issued an arrest warrant for DMX (born Earl Simmons) on
Friday (December 5) after the troubled rapper failed to appear for a court
date related to drug and animal-cruelty charges. In addition to the warrant, a
Maricopa County Superior Court spokesperson confirmed that Judge
Michael Kemp also raised the bond on DMX to $120,000 cash due to his no-
show.
While manager Fred Coleman had no comment on the latest twist in DMX's
ongoing legal saga, court-appointed Arizona attorney Charles Kozelka told
MTV News he informed the judge that X has been "in and out" of several
rehab facilities recently but that the judge would not accept that as a reason
for the rapper's absence. Kozelka also explained that unlike the previous
$10,000 and $25,000 bonds in the case — which allowed X to put up 10
percent of the bond in order to secure his release — the new bond must be
paid in full, in cash.
Friday (December 5) after the troubled rapper failed to appear for a court
date related to drug and animal-cruelty charges. In addition to the warrant, a
Maricopa County Superior Court spokesperson confirmed that Judge
Michael Kemp also raised the bond on DMX to $120,000 cash due to his no-
show.
While manager Fred Coleman had no comment on the latest twist in DMX's
ongoing legal saga, court-appointed Arizona attorney Charles Kozelka told
MTV News he informed the judge that X has been "in and out" of several
rehab facilities recently but that the judge would not accept that as a reason
for the rapper's absence. Kozelka also explained that unlike the previous
$10,000 and $25,000 bonds in the case — which allowed X to put up 10
percent of the bond in order to secure his release — the new bond must be
paid in full, in cash.
X was due in court Friday to answer to a number of charges stemming from a series of arrests in Arizona over the
past year, including 11 counts of drug possession and drug-paraphernalia possession, allegedly giving false
information at a hospital and seven counts of animal cruelty.
In September, DMX missed a court date in Arizona when he was reportedly rushed to an emergency room in South
Florida. That court appearance was tied to a previous bench warrant issued after the rapper missed a court date in
August. This marks the third fugitive warrant issued for X's arrest in Arizona this year due to his failure to appear.
Kozelka said he will soon be handing off the DMX case to another attorney, who could not be reached for comment
at press time.
past year, including 11 counts of drug possession and drug-paraphernalia possession, allegedly giving false
information at a hospital and seven counts of animal cruelty.
In September, DMX missed a court date in Arizona when he was reportedly rushed to an emergency room in South
Florida. That court appearance was tied to a previous bench warrant issued after the rapper missed a court date in
August. This marks the third fugitive warrant issued for X's arrest in Arizona this year due to his failure to appear.
Kozelka said he will soon be handing off the DMX case to another attorney, who could not be reached for comment
at press time.
MC BREED
12/06/2008
12/06/2008
The hip hop fraternity has lost one of it’s own today, Flint, Michigan native
MC Breed, who is most remembered for his 1991 record “Ain’t No Future in
southwest of Detroit.
Breed most famously collaborated with Tupac Shakur on “Gotta Get
Mine,” the lead single from his third album, 1993’s “The New Breed.”
The record reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart.
The cause of death is yet determined but foul play has apparently been
ruled out. Toxicology reports are pending. The Detroit News is reporting
that Breed dies of kidney failure but that has not been confirmed by the
medical examiner.
Between 1991 and 2004, Breed recorded 13 albums. Breed was 37. Born in
MC Breed, who is most remembered for his 1991 record “Ain’t No Future in
southwest of Detroit.
Breed most famously collaborated with Tupac Shakur on “Gotta Get
Mine,” the lead single from his third album, 1993’s “The New Breed.”
The record reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart.
The cause of death is yet determined but foul play has apparently been
ruled out. Toxicology reports are pending. The Detroit News is reporting
that Breed dies of kidney failure but that has not been confirmed by the
medical examiner.
Between 1991 and 2004, Breed recorded 13 albums. Breed was 37. Born in
Flint, Michigan, Breed is also known as the first commercially successful rapper to come out of the Midwest. MC
Breed's first album was released with rap group DFC and was entitled MC Breed & DFC independent record label,
SDEG Records. His solo debut was 1992's 20 Below, after which he released 1993's The New Breed. He would go on
to have a very extensive discography and have a very long career that was at times successful, but he never fully
broke into the mainstream. His highest charting album was 1994's Funkafied , which peaked at #106 on the Billboard
Hot 200. Through his career he would align himself with various rap scenes. Early in his career with DFC him and the
group were rather independent, as one of the first groups out of the midwest. However, later in his career he aligned
himiself with the West Coast, taking on more of a G-Funk and befriending West Coast rapper Too Short. Still later,
he realigned himself once again with the Dirty South for 1995's Big Baller.
On November 22, 2008, Breed reportedly died in his sleep while at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Breed's first album was released with rap group DFC and was entitled MC Breed & DFC independent record label,
SDEG Records. His solo debut was 1992's 20 Below, after which he released 1993's The New Breed. He would go on
to have a very extensive discography and have a very long career that was at times successful, but he never fully
broke into the mainstream. His highest charting album was 1994's Funkafied , which peaked at #106 on the Billboard
Hot 200. Through his career he would align himself with various rap scenes. Early in his career with DFC him and the
group were rather independent, as one of the first groups out of the midwest. However, later in his career he aligned
himiself with the West Coast, taking on more of a G-Funk and befriending West Coast rapper Too Short. Still later,
he realigned himself once again with the Dirty South for 1995's Big Baller.
On November 22, 2008, Breed reportedly died in his sleep while at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
DMX ARRESTED IN FLORIDA
12/09/2008
12/09/2008
A day after a $5,000 reward was offered by the Maricopa County Sheriff's
office for his capture, fugitive rapper DMX was arrested in Florida on to
appear in court last Friday.
Attorney Bradford Cohen told MTV News that the rapper was picked up by
FBI agents on Tuesday after patient-confidentiality laws prevented Miami
police from confirming whether X was at a local rehab facility. "A call went out
earlier this morning in regards to his location, and the regular police went out
to that location, which was a recovery clinic, but because of health care laws,
the clinic wouldn't confirm whether he was there," Cohen said. "So the cops
left, and apparently the sheriff down here didn't like that too much, so he
called in the feds."
FBI agents then apprehended DMX at the Palm Island mansion of producer
office for his capture, fugitive rapper DMX was arrested in Florida on to
appear in court last Friday.
Attorney Bradford Cohen told MTV News that the rapper was picked up by
FBI agents on Tuesday after patient-confidentiality laws prevented Miami
police from confirming whether X was at a local rehab facility. "A call went out
earlier this morning in regards to his location, and the regular police went out
to that location, which was a recovery clinic, but because of health care laws,
the clinic wouldn't confirm whether he was there," Cohen said. "So the cops
left, and apparently the sheriff down here didn't like that too much, so he
called in the feds."
FBI agents then apprehended DMX at the Palm Island mansion of producer
Scott Storch. According to TMZ, an unnamed woman in Georgia tipped off the Arizona sheriff's department officials to
X's whereabouts when she heard about the $5,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest. Cohen
said he is not sure what Storch and X's personal relationship is, or if Storch was home at the time of the arrest. The
producer had a warrant out for his arrest earlier this year, when he failed to appear in court for a child-support case,
and has been working on straightening out his finances after his home was foreclosed in July. X is being held in jail
until he goes before a judge in Miami on Wednesday morning. Cohen expects that the judge will not grant bond and
that DMX will be extradited to Arizona within 15 days. DMX was due in court last week for a status hearing on his
upcoming trial related to charges of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty. When he failed to appear, the
judge in the case upped his bond to $120,000 cash, and his public defender in Arizona, Charles Kozelka, said he
expects the troubled rapper to remain in jail for "a while" as he awaits trial on the charges. Cohen said he thought
DMX had checked into a rehab facility around December 1, but he was unsure if the MC had been in that clinic
consistently since then.
X's whereabouts when she heard about the $5,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest. Cohen
said he is not sure what Storch and X's personal relationship is, or if Storch was home at the time of the arrest. The
producer had a warrant out for his arrest earlier this year, when he failed to appear in court for a child-support case,
and has been working on straightening out his finances after his home was foreclosed in July. X is being held in jail
until he goes before a judge in Miami on Wednesday morning. Cohen expects that the judge will not grant bond and
that DMX will be extradited to Arizona within 15 days. DMX was due in court last week for a status hearing on his
upcoming trial related to charges of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty. When he failed to appear, the
judge in the case upped his bond to $120,000 cash, and his public defender in Arizona, Charles Kozelka, said he
expects the troubled rapper to remain in jail for "a while" as he awaits trial on the charges. Cohen said he thought
DMX had checked into a rehab facility around December 1, but he was unsure if the MC had been in that clinic
consistently since then.