'Diddy Does Dallas' Party NBA All-Star Weekend At The Palladium

Friday's (February 12) A-list party was "Diddy Does Dallas," at the Palladium on South Lamar Street. Diddy's co-hosts were Josh Howard of the Mavericks and former Mav Greg Buckner.

DJ Premier Interview At NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas

As reported by Sherron Shabazz at the Examiner

Examiner: What has All-Star Weekend been like for you so far?

DJ Premier: It’s been really great. We just got here today. The funny thing is I’m from New York and we just got a little rough snow but I’m used to it. I shovel my own drive-way, I shovel the side walk, take care of all my neighbors, and make sure all the old ladies get their drive-ways shoveled and get taken care of with salt and all of that. I’m from Texas originally but I’ve been living in New York for 22 years. My sister lives out here and to come out to 9 inches of snow is funny. I’m used to 36 degrees but everybody out here is panicking, flights were cancelled and all of that. We made it here safely.

Big shout out to 944 [magazine] for having us out here, we appreciate it. Shout out to The Boardroom for having us, Russell Simmons, Melanie Fiona, Paul Pierce, Snoop Dogg, DJ Reflex, and Doug E. Fresh. It’s a beautiful thing to be out here. Shout out to Nick Javas who ripped it with me. He’s on my label Year Round Records. Also shout out to all the people that came through, Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James, Chris Tucker, Magic Johnson and also Allen Iverson who couldn’t be here who I’m a big fan of.

Examiner: I read that you were working with MC Eiht on his new album, how did that come about?

DJ Premier: We’ve been friends for a long time. I’ve known him since the 90’s; we came up in the same era. When the West Coast was strong with Death Row MC Eiht had his own lane—he also became an actor in the film Menace II Society. I did my first gig in L.A. in 1989 with Gangstarr, Compton’s Most Wanted, WC and the Maad Circle, and Ice Cube. This was when Ice Cube first left N.W.A. He got into a big beef backstage. All the action wasn’t out in the crowd it was backstage. It was crazy to witness that and see how many people were mad at Cube for moving and taking that step. It turned out to be one of the best moves that he made.

The first person I met in Long Beach at the show was MC Eiht. He had two beepers on his hip, a big fresh jheri curl, and black khaki’s. He said, “What’s up DJ Premier my name is MC Eiht,” and we’ve been friends ever since. I just love his style. He has a unique voice and a unique flow—he has his own lane. That’s what it’s all about, having your own lane. Everybody always wants to sound like everybody else but when you’re different you always prevail even if it takes a minute to get there. He never switched that up.

When I put out an artist named Blaq Poet on my label Year Round Record in June of 2009 we wanted to do a remix. Eiht and I were on the phone talking about new music he was working on and I let him hear the song and he loved it. He was like, “Yo let me get on it.” I let him get on it and then my man Young Maylay who’s down with Dub C [WC] and Crazy Toones who is also from the west coast let me hear his stuff and he’s a great MC. He’s going to be on my label too. I asked him to get on it too and he sent it to me in a day—done! I said let’s shoot a video because I was working with Christina Aguilera on her new album out in L.A. Gordon Franklin who runs my label said, “Yo I got some cheap tickets we can get. Let’s bring Poet, fly out to L.A., shoot the video, and go back to New York the next day.” I stayed out there and worked with Christina. I snuck away…she don’t even know I broke away. I’m going to get in trouble now. I broke away from a session that she’s paying me to be out there for to go and shoot the video with Poet, MC Eiht, and Maylay. It came out really good, it’s called “Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed.” Then they came to New York and did the show for our release party. We flew them up, put them in nice hotels, and took care of them—we’re old friends. I said you know what, we should do an album. Eiht gave me like 40 songs and he doesn’t know how to mix. He gave me like 40 songs all sparse and crazy but the beats and lyrics were dope. I said, “Yo man we could do two albums together! I’m gonna put you on my label and do a couple of one-offs.”

That’s what my label represents, pure Hip-Hop from the bottom up! You gotta start from the bottom and work your way up. Everybody now is so caught up on first week sales and soundscan. [Forget] soundscan and [forget] first week sales, it’s all about integrity and quality music. We care about our fans and we care about giving them their money’s worth. That pays more than a payola record. Paying for a record means you’re buying your friends. I don’t have to buy my friends to like me. I want you to like me because I’m real and I’m me. So all those other [expletives] let them pay for their records, we know that they don’t hold water next to what we do. I don’t care if they get 20 million spins they can’t stand next to us when we drop our [stuff]. Play yours then play mine—ours is better (laughs).

Examiner: Pete Rock is in town, I think 9th Wonder just left town…

DJ Premier: Family man…all family.

Examiner: I recently saw clips from the show that 9th did to honor you and Pete in North Carolina….

DJ Premier: Yeah man. That’s one of the dopest things I’ve ever experienced. To be honored…. Man I feel like I got so many more miles to go. I’ll be 44 years-old this year. The love that 9th Wonder gave me and Pete was so incredible. The band that played for us mimicking our records and sounding just like the beats we produced from out heart and soul, it was one of the biggest, dopest events ever in my lifetime. I love 9th Wonder, I love Pete. Big shout out to both of them.

Read the full DJ Premier interview here:
Examiner - Q & A With DJ Premier

Other sources:
DJ Premier blog
Live from Headqcourterz

Young Jeezy Performs 'Who Dat' With DJ Khaled NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas

Melanie Fiona Performs At NBA All-Star Weekend Russell Simmons & 944 Magazine Sponsored Event

Melanie Fiona performs at 944 MAGAZINE and Russell Simmons (benefiting DEF) brunch during Dallas All-Star 2010 Saturday, February 13.
Of note, music producer 9th Wonder shows up (in the video) for Melanie's special performance

Photos:
Getty Images

Common Performs NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas, TX

Common performs 'The People' & a Freestyle live at the Ghostbar in Dallas, TX Sunday, February 14

Photos:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of sherronshabazz & RELIVEIT.tv)

Jay-Z & LeBron James 4th Annual 'Two Kings Dinner & Afterparty' NBA All-Star Weekend

MTV Shows

via MTV

DALLAS -- One event that's becoming an annual NBA All-Star weekend tradition is the "Two Kings Dinner & Afterparty," hosted by Jay-Z and Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James and sponsored this year by Bing and Sprite. As much as it is a celebration, the event is also a way for executives and stars from all worlds to meet and share ideas. At Saturday night's fourth incarnation of the event, Cortez Bryant (who manages Lil Wayne and Drake) was seen sitting down with people like New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul and even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"You do have a time in your life when you can hang out or recognize someone who has risen above the norm -- significantly above it," Jones said. "Jay-Z has done that in entertainment. LeBron is about that in sports and basketball. You transcend your game, so to speak. They represent that. It's a privilege to be on the team with them tonight and be a part of the celebration."

Along with Jones, the event was attended by Chris Tucker, Magic Johnson, New Jersey Nets President Rod Thorn, NBA All-Stars such as Paul and Jason Kidd, and various executives from Fortune-500 companies.

"You're talking about two of the best in what they do: The best rapper/entrepreneur in Jay-Z, and the best player in the game with LeBron James " said Kidd, of the hometown Dallas Mavericks, on the event's red carpet. "You put those two together, you're gonna have a great party. To be able to support those guys and is a great honor."

Diddy, a friend of both "Kings," echoed the sentiment that Jay and LeBron represent the best of both worlds.

"It's the perfect combination of sports and entertainment," Diddy declared. "Showing ways we can work together. Use our power in a positive way. They're both kings in what they do and they're combining forces. As entrepreneurs and young kings and queens, we've got to do more for the better of other people. I'm here as a king to support it."

Before the event, Jay and LeBron spent the early part of the day in the community.

"We went to the Boys & Girls Club, gave them some scholarships," Jay-Z explained. "I think it's important for us, where we come from, to inspire people from the same neighborhood, same struggle as us, just so they know it's possible. We're living our dreams. So dreams are possible, but it's hard work. We can be president of the United States, but everyone can't do it. It's a very difficult thing. [But we're aiming] just to show these things are attainable."

"It's all about commitment if you want to become something," James concurred on the event's red carpet. "It's not easy -- in no way, shape or form. You've got to commit to it."

Jay-Z said that it's very necessary for young people to get an opportunity not to just see him on TV, but actually hear some of the story in person.

"I never had these sort of role models growing up," Jay said. "I never had anyone come around and talk to me. I had to figure it out on my own. One of my promises to myself is that I'll never forget my journey. I'll always give back and speak to people that are going through the same thing I was going through."

Photo links from the event & press conference here:
Wire Image 1
Wire Image 2
Film Magic 1
Film Magic 2

Snoop Performs At The Boardroom NBA All-Star Weekend Dallas, TX

On Saturday night February 13, Snoop Dogg was in the house at the Russell Simmons-hosted 944 NBA All-Star party at The Boardroom in Dallas, TX.

Photos from the event here:
Wire Image

(video courtesy of sherronshabazz)

Bun B & Wale Perform At Jordan Brand 23/25 Event During NBA All-Star Weekend

press clipping via SLAM

(Saturday, February 13 - Dallas, TX) On a makeshift little stage, Bun B was rockin’ the mic, delivering his trademark crisp rhymes to the Jordan sneaker faithful. I’ve been to a million concerts so I can say this with confidence: small venues are the best way to enjoy live shows.

After Bun dropped “Big Pimpin’,” on us, DC-bred rapper Wale hit the stage and ran through his catalog to the delight of all the back-packed hip-hop heads. Funny development of the night: Wale threatening to do a cover of Kings of Leon if the crowd didn’t take its hype up another decibel and him doing it anyway and the crowd not missing a beat while singing along.

Photo links from the event:
Getty Images

Drake, Common And Others At NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Dallas, TX

Photo links from NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented By Final Fantasy XIII with Drake, Common, Chris Tucker, Michael Rapaport and others in Dallas, TX here:
Getty Images
Wire Image