UG Rap Community

Xzibit Coming "Full Circle" In The Summer



Xzibit has spoken with MTV about his current musical ambitions for this year and announces his sixth solo album due out in the Summer. Over the past decade he has released been a part of nine films, released five albums and been the host of one of MTV's most successful shows; "Pimp My Ride" however 2006 is the year he plans to come "Full Circle", an indication perhaps of the lyrical content and sound of the new LP? Perhaps.

The 32-year-old rapper told MTV; "I've been making records [for so long], so to be able to do what I love and do it well, I gotta take it back to what I love.

My perspective has definitely changed [over the years], the things I used to say when I was 18, 19 or 20 aren't the things I'm feeling now, you know? I've definitely grown a lot as an individual, as a man, and as a father, and that perspective needs to be shared and put out there.

"I think having powerful music that says something is a must for me [now], so that's what I plan to do with this record: shed some light on the growth that I've had so hopefully someone can relate and feel me."

Xzibit is playing his cards close to his chest about the new record refusing to divulge details about the producers he's working with or who he might be rhyming alongside in the recording booth however he has revealed that there will be 17 tracks on it when it drops in August. When asked about his first single he said; "Watch the mixtape circuit, there's so many ways for music to get out nowadays that the traditional way of just dropping a single before the record is out is obsolete."

The MC-turned-actor spoke to MTV at the "Tinseltown to Gotham" event in Beverly Hills where he was amongst a handful of performers that included Tyrese, Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill, all honored for accomplishing what few of their contemporaries could: successfully crossing over into a mix of entertainment genres, including film, television and music; on the accolade Xzibit said; "It feels good to be able to go from music to film and have a good transition and be given the opportunities I've been given, the roles I've had have worked out great for me, and tonight is just another stepping stone in the right direction."

When asked about the hit show "Pimp My Ride" X attributes much of his breakout success and crossover appeal to the show which enabled him to show a different, more personable side of him; "That show really exposed a side of my personality you don't get to see on rap videos or read [about] in magazines, there were decision-makers that watched that show, and the personality was there for them, they gave me different chances and it just worked."

_________________

Quelle: www.hiphopnews.de

Roy Jones Jr. Signs Atlanta Rapper Bone Crusher



Bone Crusher is mostly known for his fearlessness and Crunk classics like "Never Scared," but the Atlanta rapper has a fan in Roy Jones, Jr., who recently signed the rapper to a one-album deal.

The album, titled Release the Beast, will hit stores July 18 via Jones' Body Head Entertainment.

"It surprised me, because I didn't know Bone Crusher could rap that good," Jones told AllHipHop.com. "Oh my god, he's got mad flow. He's deadly. I heard his music, but I didn't know. On this album, there's not a bad song on there."

Jones and Body Head have also teamed with 845 Entertainment to release projects by Trick Daddy, Choppa (formerly of No Limit), Rush, VI.com, Swellz and 3D, a rap group comprised of Jones' two sons and their cousin.

845 is headed by Greg Miller and Jarred Weisfeld, the former manager of Ol' Dirty Bastard and Bizzy Bone. The company's roster includes Bizzy Bone, Pastor Troy, Lil J and Trina.

"We got a wonderful joint venture. I can't wait to get going. Jarred and them got their stuff together," said Jones, who has another solo album slated for a late 2006 release date. "BodyHead/845, we got the Bone Crusher album coming out, the Trick [Daddy] DVD, we got Boneface on the way. We got a couple things poppin' off. We on the grind now."

Weisfeld added, "Roy's vision, together with our imagination, will bring the world powerful content that will make us a premiere entertainment company."

Trick Daddy's DVD The Real Entourage, due June 26, follows the rapper and his crew as they careen through the urban streets of America. Choppa's as-yet- untitled LP hits stores on July 18.

_________________

Murs and 9th Wonder Hit The Road



Murs is set to kick off a nationwide two-month tour with producer 9th Wonder and labelmate Supreeme tomorrow (March 30).

Making stops in big time cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco, the tour is slated to launch to coincidence with the release of Murray's Revenge, his second album done in collaboration with Little Brother's 9th Wonder.

In related news, Murs is set to give some hip-hop flavor as a new A&R to his Record Collection record label which is known more for their indie rock releases.

ATL natives Supreeme, the first rap group he signed to the label, will be opening up for Murs on tour, and is slated to release their new album, Supremacy, on April 11.

_________________

TF Records Signs Houston’s Lil Keke

Original Screwed Up Click member Lil Keke is set to make his return after TF Records announced it has plans to release the veteran’s new album, Loved By Few Hated By Many, in the fall.

While details are still unclear, Swisha House has said it will be involved in the release of Keke’s album. T. Farris, President and A&R of Swisha House is also the Preseident of TF Records.

After a successful 2005, Swisha House also announced that it will release Mike Jones’ The American Dream this spring and Paul Wall’s Ain’t No 401K For A Hustler this fall, as well as new releases from Coota Bang, Archie Lee and a compilation titled The Day Hell Broke Loose 3.

_________________