Saturday, July 12, 2014

VERY RARE animated Tupac Shakur Interview with Benjamin Svetkey; March 1994

Tupac Shakur on Life and Death | Blank on Blank | PBS Digital Studios

In the rare animated video The West Coast MC speaks candidly about life and death in a unreleased PBS interview. After he was asked where he saw himself in the next few years, at 0:15 in the video Pac says, "Best case. In a cemetery. Not in a cemetery. Sprinkled in ashes, smoked up by my homies. (SIC) "Worst case..." "I mean that's the worst case. That's the worst case. That's the worst case". "Best case? Multimillionaire. Owning all of this shit."

Then at 2:07 in the video, Pac reveals:

Benjamin Svetkey: How do people treat you differently? The people that you grew up with. Now that you're famous.

Tupac Shakur: They believe in the machine, not Tupac no more. They don't even know me no more. They just know about the machine.

Benjamin Svetkey: You mean the press machine.

Tupac: Yeah.

Benjamin Svetkey: Is that painful for you?

Tupac Shakur: Uh-huh. Everybody wants to use me. Everybody.

Finally, at 3:25 in the video, 2Pac reveals:

Tupac Shakur: "There's a machine that I have nothing to do with. It's called the " 'Tupac Machine.' And the media in this country has just fueled it and made me a monster that people just... They say I'm a criminal. They say I spit hateful, vicious, violent lyrics. You know I'm ready to be the bad guy. They gave me that job. I'm ready to have it".

Tupac Shakur on Life and Death - an unheard previously unseen 1994 interview between Tupac and Benjamin Svetkey

"They wouldn't buy my records if my records wasn't good."

"I feel like a tragic hero in a Shakespeare play" - Tupac Shakur. The lost interview.

The West Coast MC also predicted his end in a recently released PBS interview. After he was asked where he saw himself in the next few years, he said, “Best case, in a cemetery. Not in a cemetery, sprinkled in ashes smoked up by my homies. I mean, that’s the worst case.”

Read More: Tupac Shakur — Rappers Who Correctly Predicted Their Own Deaths | http://theboombox.com/tupac-shakur-rappers-who-correctly-predicted-their-own-death/?trackback=tsmclip

Yo Kid, Answer Ya Phone! It's Nas...

FASHAWN Was Discouraged With Rap, Until NAS Called Him

by Rob Markman

For over 20 years Nas has been building a lasting legacy and powerful hip-hop influence. The strength in his words can change lives for his fans and the young MCs that look up to him, just ask Fresno, California rapper Fashawn.

EXCLUSIVE: Very Rare Animated Tupac Shakur Interview...

Fash, who has been building a serious underground rap rep since 2006, was growing disheartened with hip-hop; that was until Nas called him with an offer for a record deal.

“Before this whole Nas thing happened, I was really discouraged with rap,” Fash told VladTV.com of the deal which was first announced earlier this year. “I was not excited about the future of hip-hop. I was doing other things. But, getting the call from Nas just lit the fire again. Really just got me ready to kill everything in my path.”

Nas is heading up Mass Appeal Records, a new independent label which shares it’s name with the magazine Mass Appeal. Back in May, the veteran rapper announced that he will be dropping his long-awaited The Lost Tapes: Vol. 2 as well as a label compilation and albums from new signees Boldy James and Fashawn.

Fash believes his next LP, The Ecology will drop on September 30. He didn’t open up about the album’s creative scope, but it’s clear that he’ll be looking to push hip-hop’s creative envelope. “This is what I want to tell rappers to do.I want to tell them to stop rapping about four things: money, weed, bitches and clothes,” Fash said. “Stop rapping about that and really go inside. Really talk to society. Not just talk about society but talk to them.”

SOURCE: http://www.mtv.com/news/1865033/fashawn-nas-signing/

Nas Signs Fashawn To Mass Appeal Imprint

by Andres Tardio

Exclusive: Nas calls Fashawn one of the most underrated in the game and says he is excited to have him as part of the Mass Appeal "family."

When Nas looked to sign rappers to his Mass Appeal imprint, he looked to Fresno, California's Fashawn.

"Fashawn is one of the most underrated in the game," Nas says in an exclusive statement to HipHopDX. “The world is gonna know soon. We're excited to have him as a part of the family."

Fashawn's prepping The Ecology for his Mass Appeal debut, a project that follows a series of past efforts from the emcee, including his Ode To Illmatic piece and his critically acclaimed Exile-produced album, Boy Meets World. Fashawn has been working on The Ecology, an album with the same name as a cut off Boy Meets World, for many years.

"I took the time to really work on this project because I knew it would be important not just for my career, but for Hip Hop," Fashawn says. "I can’t wait to finally share my new project, especially through a label that gets my vision."

In October 2009, Fashawn earned praise for Boy Meets World in a variety of publications. "Boy Meets World is the product of dutiful students of the culture and genre, students who soaked up the works of artists before them to create a new piece of art with a vintage sound," HipHopDX said in its review of the album. "Be it rhyming about introspective topics or just spitting on the mic, Fashawn’s rhymes backed by Exile’s beats provide one of the year’s most solid and balanced efforts, an inspired album."

In March 2014, Fashawn says, "This is kind of a new beginning for me," Fashawn says. "Simply just a glimpse of what's to come for my career. Me and the big homie have a lot of things brewing for 2014 and beyond. I couldn't have asked for a better MC to stand next to. It's not even even fair what we're about to do to Hip Hop from this point on."

That interview followed a SXSW performance alongside Nas at a Mass Appeal showcase.

"I got to share the stage with one of the most influential artist of our time," Fashawn said at the time. "It was an honor to share the stage with The Don and even more of an honor to [hear him] say that he is a fan of what I do."

During that interview, Fashawn also spoke about what fans can anticipate from The Ecology.

"Expect the return of Rap in its purest form," Fashawn said. "Expect an album music listeners and Hip Hop fans have been waiting to hear for a long time. I put my all into this project. I can say that The Ecology is going to be something special. My 2014 just got that much more interesting."

SOURCE: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29656/title.nas-signs-fashawn-to-mass-appeal-imprint

Ramones Drummer Tommy Ramone Dies at 65

UPDATED: Born Erdelyi Tamas, he would go on to work as a producer after leaving the influential band.

by Aaron Couch

by Aaron Couchby

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving founding member of the groundbreaking punk band The Ramones, has died. He was 65, his manager confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Ramones official Twitter account announced the news, and New York Rocker Magazine publisher Andy Schwartz wrote on Facebook that Ramone died at 12:15 p.m. in Ridgewood, Queens. He had been in hospice care and was suffering from cancer of the bile duct.

Ramone was born Erdelyi Tamas in Budapest, Hungary and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child to Forrest Hills, Queens.

EXCLUSIVE: Very Rare Animated Tupac Shakur Interview...

He formed The Ramones with singer Jeffrey Hyman (Joey Ramone) and bassist Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee Ramone). He recorded 1976's The Ramones, 1977's Leave Home and Rocket to Russia with the band, and also co-produced 1978's Road to Ruin, as well as the band's live double album It's Alive in 1979.

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Ramone left the band in 1979 and worked as a producer, where he notched up credits on The Ramones' 1984 album Too Tough To Die and The Replacements' 1985 album Tim. He landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ramones in 2002.

He is survived by longtime partner Claudia Tienan, brother Peter; sister-in-law Andrea Tienan; and nephews Eric and David.

SOURCE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

UPDATED: Born Erdelyi Tamas, he would go on to work as a producer after leaving the influential band.

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving founding member of the groundbreaking punk band The Ramones, has died. He was 65, his manager confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Ramones official Twitter account announced the news, and New York Rocker Magazine publisher Andy Schwartz wrote on Facebook that Ramone died at 12:15 p.m. in Ridgewood, Queens. He had been in hospice care and was suffering from cancer of the bile duct.
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Ramone was born Erdelyi Tamas in Budapest, Hungary and immigrated to the U.S. with his family as a child to Forrest Hills, Queens.
He formed The Ramones with singer Jeffrey Hyman (Joey Ramone) and bassist Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee Ramone). He recorded 1976's The Ramones, 1977's Leave Home and Rocket to Russia with the band, and also co-produced 1978's Road to Ruin, as well as the band's live double album It's Alive in 1979.
PHOTOS Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films
Ramone left the band in 1979 and worked as a producer, where he notched up credits on The Ramones' 1984 album Too Tough To Die and The Replacements' 1985 album Tim. He landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ramones in 2002.
He is survived by longtime partner Claudia Tienan, brother Peter; sister-in-law Andrea Tienan; and nephews Eric and David.

- See more at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tommy-ramone-dead-ramones-drummer-718152?utm_source=gravity&grcc2=669085c22de43944c1ece742a62f542b%7E1405172095712%7E01b0b9ad501e0c849a822e6124ff0fc2%7E493c7b3e7e0f1b24f3a4fa8a766e2ae7%7E1405169820000%7E598%7E38%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E-1%7E-1%7E-1%7E18%7E38%7E38%7EH4sIAAAAAAAAAI2QTWvcMBCG_0p92FOx0eh7egstgZJjyKEno7XHsRrbMrJ2ne1Bvz1yWugl0EoDEvMOz4M0prSexN2J35fa970ZwzTd9hD6SGuIiWLThblkI7lUX_3mw3JMhulK0S-01X0Jxnp28UpTTa_rFGLpjn6rDVhmbEYwUnCrrVJCo7LaQB7_V7vQvpUjhXm-1dHNYaHD2P-5F328zDPFQwaKn8T9Jc3tFi6xo5P49hzd1adbBhSQs0KbLcsMzuyMrlcMiHVWorOckwYuh4ENHf_3QM6bT_S9_1JLALAaNEc0BpCV57Wdm1fnn5cjNxZRoGGoBJOCQbGXDfn4hO6lbdrfoPYj0Oe_oPZDUKmnx-ppKYj-02NyibaKG1Z9db3_VWmFldCNZUozUdXWNFYI896WnANUDz-y06brEaWUZzADp96RFkJ2QIbOnImMtkHRgLENKMjbzw5qt3rGOObBTRvlY70B1RXkeUUCAAA#sthash.FijN2rZl.dpuf

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

UPDATED: Born Erdelyi Tamas, he would go on to work as a producer after leaving the influential band.

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving founding member of the groundbreaking punk band The Ramones, has died. He was 65, his manager confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

UPDATED: Born Erdelyi Tamas, he would go on to work as a producer after leaving the influential band.

Tommy Ramone, the last surviving founding member of the groundbreaking punk band The Ramones, has died. He was 65, his manager confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tracy Morgan Sues Wal-Mart Over Deadly Crash

UPDATED: The company says it is "committed to doing the right thing for all involved."

Associated Press

Tracy Morgan is suing Wal-Mart over a New Jersey Turnpike accident that left one person dead and several people hospitalized, including the 30 Rock actor.

Wal-Mart driver Kevin Roper allegedly plowed into a limousine van carrying Morgan on June 7, and Morgan and others injured in the accident allege negligence on Wal-Mart's part in a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in New Jersey.

"Wal-Mart was careless and negligent in the ownership and operation of its motor vehicle, which caused Mr. Morgan to suffer severe personal injuries,” the complaint reads. “As a direct and proximate result of said collision, Mr. Morgan was caused to sustain severe painful bodily injuries, including but not limited to multiple fractures which required multiple surgeries, extensive medical treatment and will require significant physical rehabilitation.”

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Plaintiffs include Krista Millea, the wife of late comedian James McNair, who died in the accident, as well as Morgan's assistant, Jeffrey Millea, and comedian Ardie Fuqua. The plaintiffs are suing for negligence, and in addition, Millea is suing for loss of consortium.

They are seeking compensatory and statutory damages, punitive damages, legal fees, as well as pre and post-post judgment interest, among other things at a trial by jury.

EXCLUSIVE: Very Rare Animated Tupac Shakur Interview...

Wal-Mart expressed its sorrow over the accident in a statement.

"This has been a terrible tragedy. We wish Mr. Morgan, Mr. Fuqua Jr., and Mr. Millea full recoveries," the statement reads. "Our thoughts continue to go out to them, their families and friends, as well as to the families and friends of everyone involved, including Mr. McNair who lost his life. We are deeply sorry that one of our trucks was involved. As we’ve said, we’re cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation. We know it will take some time to resolve all of the remaining issues as a result of the accident, but we’re committed to doing the right thing for all involved."

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The suit alleges that Roper was fatigued when the accident occurred, and that "Wal-Mart knew, or should have known" that he had been "awake for more than 24 consecutive hours" ahead of the crash. According to the suit, Roper had commuted 700 miles from his home in Jonesboro, Ga. to a Wal-Mart facility in Smyrna, Del., before beginning his shift.

"Additionally, there were many Wal-Mart distribution facilities closer to Mr. Roper's home — including nine in Georgia alone — which would have significantly reduced Mr. Ropers commute to work," the suit reads.
It says Wal-Mart either "knew or should have known" that it was "unreasonable" for Roper to drive 700 miles before his shift. The suit also alleges Roper fell asleep at the wheel immediately before the crash as a result of his fatigue. It goes on to say Wal-Mart turns a blind eye to workers who break regulations regarding shift limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"Wal-Mart not only failed to condemn, but condoned this practice of its drivers routinely violating the F.M.S.C.A. Regulations," the suit reads.

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Roper was going 65 mph in a 45-mph zone just before the accident, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. Roper has plead not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges.

Morgan left the hospital on June 20 and was moved to a rehabilitation facility.