The Birthplace of Hip Hop to be sold next week
A Bronx apartment recognized as the birthplace of Hip-Hop culture is expected to be sold next week.Located at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the building’s landlord group plans to withdraw the property from the city’s moderate housing program, allowing the owners to pay off the building’s $5 million dollar balance.The property will then be sold to high-profile real estate developer Mark Karasick, putting the future of the 100 families living there in doubt.The tenants and partnered housing advocates attempted to block the sale by filing a lawsuit in the State Supreme Court.Yesterday (September 26), the courts ruled against the groups and dismissed the suit. In the early 1970s, Kingston, Jamaica native and Hip-Hop founder Clive Campbell moved into the building.There he quickly constructed a graffiti crew dubbed the Ex-Vandals, and took on his famous DJ moniker Kool Herc.Exasperated by the gang violence that plagued the neighborhood, Herc and his sister Cindy began hosting parties in the building’s recreation room.Utilizing two turntables and a guitar amp, Herc revolutionized music by isolating “the breaks” of popular records like James Brown’s “Give It Up or Turn It Loose,” Booker T and the MG’s “Melting Pot,” Babe Ruth’s “The Mexican,” and The Incredible Bongo Band’s “Apache.”This style of musical arrangement grew exponentially, attracting dancers (B-Boys and B-Girls) and fellow DJs and future Hip-Hop luminaries Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash.Last year, New York officially christened the building “the birthplace of Hip-Hop” and declared it eligible for national and state registrars.At the press time, the bank financing the sale on the property is unknown. According to reports, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is estimated to be sold for $7.5 million.
Is BET Canceling Rap City?
Rumor has it that BET's longest running program, Rap City, is going to be yanked from the network. According to reports, the network's executives are pulling the plug on the iconic show on October 26. Word on this news has been going around for years now, but sources are saying that this time it is official. Since the departure of Big Tigger a few years ago, the show has seen three different hosts, J-Nicks, Mad Linx, and Q45. But none of them have been able to restore the show to it's former glory. At press time, however, the validity of this rumor could not be confirmed.yoraps.com
Jam Master Jay’s Murder On America’s Most Wanted
RapLegacy.net has learned that more pressure is set to be put on the murderers of slain Hip-Hop icon and Run-DMC group member Jam Master Jay, when America’s Most Wanted features a segment on the DJ’s murder during an upcoming episode.Sources have confirmed with AllHipHop.com that AMW is creating the segment on the pioneering DJ, who was gunned down on October 30, 2002, inside of his 24/7 recording studio, located in Hollis, Queens on Merrick Boulevard.While many theories exist about how Jam Master Jay was shot and killed and why, no one has ever been charged in the slaying, which occurred with as many as six people present in the recording studio.Those present in the studio included associates of Jam Master Jay: Uriel “Pretty Tony” Rincon, Mike B., Jay’s assistant Lydia Allen High and her brother Randy Allen.While Jam Master Jay, born Jason Mizell, was sitting on a couch in the recording studio, two unknown assailants entered the recording studio and shot Jam Master Jay once in the back of the head.Rincon was also shot in the leg by a stray bullet, but was not seriously wounded.After the shooting, a number of suspects emerged - mostly Jay’s close friends in the studio who witnessed the murder - yet no one has ever been charged for one of the music industry’s most heinous crimes.Even police detectives with the 103rd Police Precinct in Queens, as well as Jam Master Jay’s own mother have pointed to Jay’s inner circle as stonewalling the investigation.In previous statements and interviews with AllHipHop.com, both Allen’s, as well as other suspects have denied involvement in the murders.One person of interest officially emerged in the murder by the name of Tinard Washington, a child hood friend of Jam Master Jay, who was also implicated in the murder of Randy “Stretch” Walker.Walker, who was present when Tupac Shakur was shot inside of the Quad Recording Studios, was machine gunned to death on a Queens street, after a high speed car chase.Washington, who was also a childhood friend of Jam Master Jay, was implicated in the murders by unnamed witnesses.He has previously denied his involvement in the murder of Jam Master Jay.Jam Master Jay’s segment on America’s Most Wanted is currently in pre-production.
50 Cent: 'No One Knew Jay-Z Until He Married Beyonce'
The Queens rapper said it was Jay's marriage to superstar singer Beyonce - and not his own music - that made Hov the international star he is today, according to PR-Inside.com."I'm a big fan of Jay-Z, but outside of the States and Hip Hop circles, no one really knew who he was until he married Beyonce'," said Fif in the interview.The G-Unit general also said that reports of Jay-Z's total estimated worth of $1 billion is inaccurate. "I don't believe he's worth that much! It's all been exaggerated. I'm comfortable. I don't want for anything so I'm not in a race."This far from the first time 50 has had less than flattering comments towards Jay-Z in the past, as 50 has criticized Hov's previous work as Def Jam president. The two had a very minor dispute years ago, when Jay-Z responded to 50's underground hit "How to Rob" by rhyming at a Summer Jam concert: "I'm about a dollar/Who the fuck is 50 Cent?"
The Return of Beanie Sigel & State Property
State Property is back like they never left! They're in the studio working on new projects. Watch as Beanie Sigel discloses his true feelings about Dame Dash & Jay-Z. State Property also speaks on the E. Ness/Mysonne battle taking place this Saturday (Sept. 27th), and want to know CAN THEY GET SOME OPPONENTS?!!! Also, Beans talks about ownership of State Property. Watch as nearly 30+ NYC police cars swarm the scene when State Prop touches down!!!!
JAY-Z TO SIGN 50 CENT AND JANET?
Jay-Z is reportedly looking to sign Janet Jackson and 50 Cent to his new super label. I just don’t see this happening. I feel like 50 Cent is feeling that he can do his own thing his own way. Now, Beyonce that’s another story. I’d say Jay would sign his wife. Janet? That’s up for grabs, because she could probably benefit greatly from the Live Nation business model. We’ll see. I think some slightly younger talent would work better. But younger artists don’t fill stadiums like B, Jay, J and 50.
Liza Rios Goes in on Fat Joe.
The widow of Pig Pun, Liza Rios, was interviewed by Forbez and I'd say a good half of her interview was her explaining what a shyster Fat Joe is. Ms. Rios suggested that Pun has only received one royalty check and that was after his death. She also said Fat Joe wants people to forget about Pun and his legacy and money from several sources that was supposed to be for Pun's kids was never given to her. She just made Joey Crack sound really bad. And then at the end of the interview she said she totally had no issue with him. Hmmmm… I still can't get over the fact that she was sitting next to Puns urn during the interview. Those things give me a serious case of the creepies. Rest in peace, Big P.