Music Matters Daily: Joey Bada$ Encourages Rappers To Be Socially Conscious
Plus, Luke James to collaborate with Jessie J.
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Joey Bada$ Wants More From Today's Rappers - Unlike his peers, Joey Bada$ is aiming to be a more credible role model for this youth of this genration. In a recent interview with MTV, Joey spoke very candidly about the need for rappers to be more vocal surrounding major social issues like the shooting of Michael Brown. "Back in the day, a civil rights leader would come on television and he’s well-known; everyone knows him, he’s like the president. Now, today, it’s like, we have very few — and the people of today who have that same stature are musicians. Now, it’s rappers who have that stature." Hear what else Joey said, here.(Photo: MTV UK)
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G.O.O.D. Music Speaks on Change in His Music - In a recent interview with High Snobiety, “IDFWU” rapper Big Sean had a lot to say about the his new album and Kanye West's new Yeezy 3s. “We don’t want to set a date just yet, we’re just making sure everything’s right,” he said of the album. “It’s pretty much ready; you guys will get it as soon as it’s ready and we’ll be making that announcement soon... It’s way darker than anything I’ve ever done, way harder than any album I’ve ever done.” Read more of the interview here. — George Chapman Jr.(Photo: Krista Schlueter/BET)
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Lecrae Rallies in Atlanta in Support of Feguson - The recent decision in Ferguson regarding officer Darren Wilson and the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown has sparked outrage all across the nation. Joining the long list of celebrities rallying behind the cause is Christian rapper Lecrae. Recently in Atlanta marching along protestors, the Anomaly rapper told reporters, “I’m here trying to help a lot of these young people voice their anger and frustrations.” Find out what else Lecrae had to say here.(Photo: WSBTV 2, Atlanta)
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Kendrick Lamar Opens Up About Downfalls - You can always count on K-Dot to be honest with his fans both in his music and personal interviews. Sitting down with BMX rider Nigel Sylvester for a segment on Noisey called "Back and Forth," Kendrick revealed his greatest downfall as an artist. “When I was younger, I was caught into trying to make a radio song. [I was] chasing something that was only for the moment, you're not chasing longevity, so the more and more I was focusing on artists that embody something bigger... I actually started developing myself to a whole another level than I could possibly imagine." Watch the rest of the interview here.(Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
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Joey Bada$ Donates in a Big Way - Joey Bada$ has only scratched the surface of where he will go, but he’s already looking back and paying it forward. The Brooklyn rapper who didn’t finish high school at Edward R. Murrow went back to his former stomping grounds and donated $10,000 to their music program. As part of a new vlog, the rapper dropped in and connected with old teachers and students for a pretty noble moment. Check it out here.(Photo: Akomplice Clothing via Vimeo)
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K. Michelle Bares All - K. Michelle is giving away a signed nude poster of herself for every order of her new CD from her website. The black and white photo is finished with a bed of roses on her lap, which cover her lady parts. High first week sales? We think so.(Photo: Atlantic Records)
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The "Boy Is Mine" Remake Is a "No" - If you were waiting on the anticipated "Boy Is Mine" remake from Jessie J and Arianna Grande, you might be waiting indefinitely. What appeared to be a definite thing courtesy of Rodney Jerkins, the original song's producer may not be so, according to Jessie J. When asked about it on the AMA red carpet, the "Burning Up" songstress said, "Sadly, people are believing it. I spoke to Brandy and I was like, ‘No, it’s not happening.’ Monica and Brandy are the best.”(Photos from Left: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, John Ricard/BET)
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Ab-Soul Headlines Fader's Coast to Coast Series - Fader kicked off its Coast to Coast series with Reebok Classics with a strong set from Cali rapper Ab-Soul. The Black Hippy rapper delivered songs like "These Days," "TWACT" and "Sopa" for the high energy fans at the event. He closed out the show asking fans to put up three fingers, the first two for peace and the extra because two isn't enough.(Photo: the Fader via Instagram)
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K. Michelle's Latest Track, 'Going Under' - With her sophomore album’s release creeping up, K. Michelle teases fans by dropping another track, "Going Under." She hasn’t just been giving us audio, though, she’s also featured in Rick Ross’s "If They Knew" music video. Listen to her latest heartbreak single off her upcoming album, Anybody Wanna Buy a Heart? here.(Photo: Atlantic Records)
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Kendrick Lamar Documentary at Los Angeles Museum - The documentary m.A.A.d. screened at the Sundance Film Festival, but now the film by director Kahlil Joseph, accompanied by a Kendrick Lamar soundtrack, will be making its way to the West Coast, the home of its inspiration. From March 21 to July 27, 2015, K-Dot fans will get to experience m.A.A.d. at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s MOCA Grande Avenue in Los Angeles. (Photo: Interscope Records)
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K-Dot's SNL Performance Given the OK - Recall Kendrick’s eerie performance on SNL last week. Well, it turns out that it wasn’t so random after all. Music heads quickly decoded Kendrick’s ode to Wu-Tang’s Method Man and ODB as his iconic performance coincided with the 20th anniversary of the release of Method Man’s debut album, Tical, and the 10th anniversary of ODB's untimely death. RZA, of the famed group, reflected on K-Dot's performance saying, “I looked at it and I was like, ‘Wow, that looks like respect to me too. So, respect.” Hear what else RZA had to say here.(Photos from left: Sean O'Neill, PacificCoastNews, Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Jessie J Sparkles on the American Music Awards - Jessie J had a pretty amazing night at the American Music Awards. Aside from walking the red carpet with her new beau, Luke James, the British bombshell took the stage with her gal pals Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj for an epic performance. The trio performed their hit song, “Bang Bang” for a screaming crowd of their peers like Taylor Swift and Khloe Kardashian, who mouthed the lyrics along with the performance. Check out the highlights here.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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J. Cole Covers Complex Magazine - J. Cole is reaping all sorts of hype after the announcement of his new project. Adding to the hysteria of his forthcoming album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Cole is the cover star of the December issue of Complex magazine, and inside he talks new music and more. The full interview can be seen here.(Photo: Complex via Instagram)