Hip-Hop Wired » Features

5 Awkward Moments Involving Lauryn Hill [PHOTOS]

Latifah Muhammad — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:42:36 +0000

When Lauryn Hill hit the music scene, first as a member of the Fugees and later as a solo artist, she changed the climate for female artists. Rapping and singing—and doing both well—is not a gift that a lot of people possess. But the pressure being placed on such a high musical pedestal may have opened up the door to a host of bad decisions.

At the height of her fame, following her prolific The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill release, the New Jersey native slipped into an agoraphobic state. After eluding the public for a few years, she briefly returned to the stage for MTV's Unplugged series. The emotional performance reaffirmed any doubt of her abilities, but also showed the world that her uneasy relationship with the music industry was alive and well.

Today, what will forever be a career filled with great accomplishments, has also been marred with bad press, legal drama, and bizarre public appearances. While we here at Hip-Hop Wired are still pulling for the mother of six, we've compiled a list of some of her most awkward moments. We love you so much Lauryn, but we just want that old thing back.

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Photo: Bohemian Forrest

Travis Porter - From Day 1 Album Preview [LISTEN]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:11:23 +0000

This Tuesday, Atlanta trio Travis Porter will be releasing their debut album, From Day 1. The party starters have been through a ton of label drama, but the grassroots route that the three took to build their status has paid off with a slew of hit singles. Hip-Hop Wired now takes a look to see if the guys have what it takes to pull off an entire album's worth of hits. The stream is brought to you courtesy of Rickey Smiley, but Hit the jump. MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

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1.) Aww Yea

The party animals get the album started with the high energy "Aww Yea." The Travis Porter boys know exactly who their audience is and they don't intend to stray away from that. This song is a bouncy, energetic record that sets the pace for the album.

The History Of The YMCMB vs. G.O.O.D. Music Cold War [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:54:09 +0000

Two of the most dominant, divisive and successful crews in Hip-Hop are G.O.O.D. Music and YMCMB. At one time, the two factions headed by Kanye West and Lil Wayne, respectively, were quite chummy. Somewhere along the way however, as their success grew and grew, their friendship went astray.

But to understand how it went all bad, you have to remember that at one time it was all good (or G.O.O.D.). Hip-Hop Wired takes a look at the long and storied history of the YMCMB vs. G.O.O.D. Music Cold War. Whose side are you on?

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15 Flicks Of Rihanna Kissing People [PHOTOS]

kI — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:27:23 +0000

Apparently, Rihanna is a kissing machine. Photos circulate weekly of her putting her mouth on someone. [Pause]

In all seriousness, though, RiRi has been spotted on several occasions kissing some random person or celebrity, and as you'll see in our gallery, even kissing herself.

So to prove our theory that Rihanna is a lip-locking fiend, we decided to collect some photos of Rihanna kissing some known (Ruh!) and some unknown people. Think of it this way, seeing 15 photos of the good girl gone bad smooching people will surely give hope to some fools who hope to kiss her too one day. Word to the wise: don't walk up to her and expect to be kissed based on the strength of this list. Thank you.

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Photos: AP, Wire

Wired 25: The 25 Best Songs Of 2012 So Far [LISTEN]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:38:58 +0000

With 2012 just about at the half way point, Hip-Hop Wired is taking a look back at the most popular, impactful, and all around best songs of the year thus far. Although not many big albums have dropped since January 1st, 2012, the major, server-cracking mixtapes (Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T, Wiz Khalifa) that have dropped contributed heavily to this list.

Hit the jump to see if your favorite track made the cut.

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Rap Is An Art, You Can't Own No Loops: Did Lupe Fiasco Break An Essential Hip-Hop Rule?

Dart Adams — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:00:29 +0000

“Rap Is An Art, You Can't Own No Loops” © Keith “Guru” Elam

Much of the Hip-Hop world is outraged over Lupe Fiasco's latest single “Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)” which uses pretty much the same beat as Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's tribute to their fallen friend Troy “Trouble T-Roy” Dixon of Heavy D & The Boyz “T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You).” There are some that don't think it's a big deal, provided Pete Rock & C.L. get their proper credit or compensation for the beats usage.

Others instead feel that “T.R.O.Y.” is one of a few sacred Hip-Hop songs that are exempt from being remade or being sampled due to its place in Hip-Hop culture. “T.R.O.Y.” began as a song that two sons of Mount Vernon made in tribute to a beloved friend that was embraced by the entirety of the culture to the point where it was played at funerals and weddings alike. This is both a generational issue and a philosophical issue at the same damn time. Are there really rules in Hip-Hop or are we just kidding ourselves?

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Photo: Instagram

Bout to Blow: 7 Hip-Hop Labels Accused Of Being Fronts For Illegal Drug Operations

C. Vernon Coleman II — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:05:01 +0000

Nas famously compared the rap game and drug game on his freshman opus Illmatic. But for some aspiring, current and former record label CEO's, the two go hand and hand. That is, at least, according to the U.S. government.

Over the years, several record labels have been charged with pushing packs as well as raps, using their legit label operations as front for an illegal get money movement. Here are seven such rap imprints that have been accused of moving rhymes ~~like~~ and weight.

Note: All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Photo: History Channel

6 Rappers Who Lied About Retiring From The Game

Latifah Muhammad — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:47:46 +0000

Rappers love to bite the hand that feeds them. The music game can be a bumpy ride, and at some point the public glare becomes too much to stomach. Retiring is definitely within their rights, but with so many people claiming to be done with music—but never actually making steps to leave the spotlight— but threatening to walk away from music has become more of a publicity stunt, and less of a believable proclamation.

Earlier today, T.I. became the latest MC to announce that he “wants out” of the music game, because he doesn't like the direction in which things are going. Being that he runs a record label, and is the self-proclaimed King of the South, the idea of him completely walking away seems farfetched, but we'll humor him anyway. In honor of Tip's unofficial announcement, here are six other rappers who said they'd walk away from the game—but never did.

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Photo: Studio Noize

Exclusive: Curren$y Compares Making A Major Label Album To An Indie [VIDEO]

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:18:41 +0000

Curren$y stopped by the Hip-Hop Wired headquarters to talk about his new album, The Stoned Immaculate, which hits stores June 5th. He says that going from making mixtapes to making an album is like "putting on playoff Jordans," as well as what it took to make "Fast Cars, Faster Women."

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Waka Flocka Flame - Triple F Life: Friends Fans & Family Album Preview

Kazeem Famuyide (@RealLifeKaz) — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:06:34 +0000

Waka Flocka Flame has been everywhere recently. From covering SPIN and XXL magazines, to hitting MTV's Hip Hop POV, Flocka is setting the stage for his new album Triple F Life. The dreadlocked-tattooed party starter is out to show he's more than just a riot-starter when it comes to music, and this album is a pretty big jump from the street-favorite, Flockavelli. Is that a good or a bad thing? Find out as Hip Hop Wired gives you and exclusive preview of Waka's new album Triple F. Life: Friends Fans & Family, in stores June 12th. Pre-order that right here.
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