Hip-Hop WiredNews

Singer Whitney Houston Dead At Age 48

Hip-Hop Wired — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:19:26 +0000

World renowned singer Whitney Houston died this afternoon, reports TMZ. A rep of the singer told the Associated Press that she died in the afternoon (February 11).

Just earlier today, it was reported Houston was being considered to become a judge on X-Factor.

Houston was a six time Grammy Award winner and sold over 170 million records worldwide. Houston's self-titled debut album was released in 1985 and her last proper album was 2009's I Look To You, which featured the Swizz Beatz produced "Million Dollar Bill."

In recent years, Houston's battles with drug addiction have nearly trumped all the accolades she received for her music and in late January there were reports that the singer/model/actress was bankrupt, which she denied. Nevertheless, she was recently spotted partying in LA.

The Newark, NJ native is set to star in a remake of the film Sparkle, due in theaters August 10.

Houston is survived by Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, her daughter with ex-husband Bobby Brown.

See Whitney Houston perform the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl below. Rest In Power.

MC Lyte Says Black People Need To Take HIV/AIDS Seriously

Latifah Muhammad — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:37:03 +0000

It's been over two decades since MC Lyte released her Lyte as a Rock debut, kicking off a career that has outlasted many of her colleagues. But while music is still a big part of her focus, these days the rapper has also added social advocacy to her plate. The Brooklyn native has been passionate about HIV/AIDS awareness, recently commemorating National Black HIV/AIDS Day by partnering with other celebrities to appear in a PSA put together by Greater Than AIDS and the Black AIDS Institute, as well as attending the Belvedere RED pre-Grammy concert Thursday (Feb. 10) night.

Belvedere is among several brands working with Project RED to support the Global Fund, one of the world's largest financiers of programs fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. "I'm just happy to be a participant with any organization that's going to make people aware of the disease that's killing us [Black people] by the millions," Lyte told Hip-Hop Wired. "There are so many sick in our backyards right now. There's not just [Project] RED but many other organizations that I work with that are all about bringing awareness [and] educating the youth about protecting themselves."

With staggering numbers of those infected with HIV in America, the Black community seems to be hardest hit by the epidemic. It is estimated that Black people represent nearly half of those newly infected with the virus in the U.S., despite making up only 12 percent of the population. The lack of awareness and prevention methods contributes to the growing problem which, according to Lyte, is the result of two distinct reasons. "One, for some reason we think it can't affect us," said Lyte. "Two, some of us really don't find life worth living, and there's a couple of other reasons that I can think of but the bottom line is we get the message to people. I was going to say kids, but really it's adults as well, so that they'll take it seriously."

While HIV infections among Black people in America has remained steady since the early 1990s, there are different organizations working to make a dent in the statistic. To learn more about HIV/AIDS prevention methods visit www.blackaids.org.

Diddy Partners With Weinstein Company For 'Undefeated' Film Projects, Nominated For Academy Award

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:30:54 +0000

The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced that Sean "Diddy" Combs has signed on as an executive producer of the studio's new documentary Undeafeated, which has been nominated for the 2012 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

The Bad Boy King will also be an executive producer on TWC's planned feature remake of Undefeated.

Directed by Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin, Undefeated is a coming-of-age verite-style documentary centering on several young student-athletes and the volunteer coach who guides them through a rough, yet rewarding, football season in northern Memphis. It opens in limited release on February 17.

Combs has produced numerous projects over the years, including the award-winning A Raisin In the Sun and Notorious, as well as the hit television shows "Making the Band" on MTV and "P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy" for HBO.

He has been featured in a wide range of film projects, including the recent Judd Apatow-produced comedy Get Him To The Greek and will continue to make the transition from music to film projects this year.

"I am excited to partner with Harvey Weinstein on this incredible project. Undefeated is a great American story with a lot of heart and soul. It had a profound effect on me and I couldn't get it out of my mind when I saw it. There is so much truth and so much hope in this film, and I feel passionately that everyone who sees it will be inspired," commented Combs.

Nicki Minaj & Will Smith's Nickelodeon Teen Choice Awards Promo [Video]

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:14:34 +0000

Will Smith will be hosting Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 31st. Having already won 10 awards himself in the past, Big Willie is ready to get slimed out from the looks of the promotional video, with the help of Nicki Minaj.

Stay tuned for more as this year's Kid's Choice Award nominees will be announced Tuesday. Check out the video after the break.

Jae Millz - 'The Virgo 4' Mixtape [Download]

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:56:19 +0000

New York's YMCMB representative has been quiet for a minute but awakens with his new mixtape, The Virgo 4. Reminiscent of Too $hort's "Freaky Tales," Jae Millz fourth installment of the series gets the Valentine's Day celebration jumping a little early.

Bei Major and Masspike Miles are also just a few crooners blowing vocals while Millz kicks his erotic verses. Check out the tracklisting below and download after the jump.

01. Young Barry Radio – Sinnamon Love Call-In (Intro)
02. Her Pussy Taste So Gooood
03. Sex On The Balcony (feat. Masspike Miles)
04. Beat Da Pussy Up
05. I Just Wanna
06. Make U Feel Good
07. Don't Let Go
08. Smoke & Fuck
09. Best Dick In Ya Life
10. Young Barry Radio (Interlude)
11. Wassup (feat. Khalil)
12. Magazine Cover (feat. Bei Maejor)
13. Don't Stop (Pop Dat')
14. Another Round
15. Seems Like You Ready (feat. Corte Ellis)
16. My Type Of Bitch

Download Here

Louis Vuitton Range Rover Spotted In The UK [Photos]

Hip-Hop Wired — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:15:27 +0000

A Range Rover completely wrapped in Louis Vuitton logos was spotted in the UK, and it's not even owned by a rapper (we hope). The Daily Mail reports that the customized Range was spotted on a street in Westbourne, Bournemouth.

The SUV is actually an Overfinch Range Rover. Overfinch is a British company that specializes in enhancing Range Rovers (sort of like AMG to Mercedes-Benz). An Overfinch Range Rover will cost you about £100,000, which equates to roughly $157,000. However, reportedly another company added the LV monograms via a removable wrap, like a street team van. That's crucial since the only thing worse than a whip with permanent LV logos, would be a silly tattoo of LV logos. Oh wait.

Click the #s for more photos of this LV Range Rover.

Rosa Acosta Photo Shoot With T.I.T.S. [Video]

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:59:41 +0000

The lovely Rosa Acosta shows us how she gets down in the kitchen. Peep the B.T.S. footage of the dime piece from her photo shoot with clothing brand Two In The Shirt (T.I.T.S.).

Childish Gambino - "Heartbeat" [Video]

Michael Ice-Blue Harris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:32:40 +0000

Childish Gambino has released his latest single "Heartbeat" from the critially acclaimed project Camp.

The Kyle Newacheck directed video stars Childish Gambino playing chauffeur to his lady love while venting his frustrations in rhyme. Childish Gambino a/k/a Donald Glover is proving to be a double threat as he moonlights from his NBC acting gig on Community.

Be sure to check out Camp at iTunes now.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé's Baby Blue Ivy Carter Revealed [Photos]

Alvin aqua Blanco — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:49:17 +0000

Fans of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's much discussed daughter, Blu Ivy, have finally been treated to intimate photos of the super couple's newborn. A tumblr page, HelloBlueIvyCarter, features photos of both Beyoncé and Jay-Z holding their child as well as close ups of the baby.

A message on the page reads: "We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during beautiful time in our lives. —The Carter Family"

That kid has got a lot of hair. See all the photos below.

Wiz Khalifa - "Taylor H*e" [Listen/Download]

The Kid Skoob — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:19:54 +0000

Pittsburgh's own, Wiz Khalifa, drops some new music from his upcoming mixtape, Stash House 12, with "Taylor H*e." 2012 is shaping up to be a big year for the "Black & Yellow" rapper, who recently spoke on his next album O.N.I.F.C. and was spotted in the studio with Pharrell Williams.

Continue for track stream and download link.

Download Here