Sha Money XL Bringing One Stop Shop Producers Conference To NY & More Revealed In Interview

via PMP Worldwide

PMP: How does it feel being back in the Def Jam building as an executive?

Sha Money: It feels reel good and it's a blessing. I'm ready to put that work in; I'm not caught up in the hype.

PMP: What are some of the immediate differences between your current exec position at Def Jam and when you were over at G-Unit?

Sha Money: Def Jam has a huge team of professionals compared to G-Unit which had about 3 or 4 executives. At Def Jam you have over 30 professionals who know what they're doing so I've got an amazing team behind me. I have a music mentor in L.A. Reid who is a real music dude not just an executive only.

PMP: Coming from the background of being a producer do you look at yourself in the same light?

Sha Money: Absolutely, I'm a music person and I tell people I'll handle all the politics that have to be done before the music but my music speaks for itself and it always will.

PMP: What specific artist projects are your priorities?

Sha Money: My priority is Juelz Santana. Right now it feels like his album will probably drop 4th quarter definitely this year. We're getting started right now and he got some amazing music. Were really just getting to the nuggets right now so its too early to build on the specifics but trust I'm putting my 100% all into it no doubt.

PMP: Do you feel any pressure as far as expectations in a time when Hip Hop artists are not selling as many album units compared to the heydays of G-Unit?

Sha Money: Nah I don't feel any pressure and if there was any pressure then I like it because I'm good at handling urgency and importance. L.A. Reid told me to get results and that's what I do, you have to remember I work with one of the toughest dudes in the business (50 Cent) so pressure is nothing.

PMP: Do you feel A&R executives need to do a better job at utilizing the Internet when it comes to discovering talent and/or finding quality music from producers and writers?

Sha Money: You definitely have to be active when it comes to working with digital technology. With the PMP for example I've been in the back office, listening to tracks and learning how ya'll guys whole model is setup which is real dope and efficient so I'm all about being on the cutting edge as far as the Internet is concerned.

PMP: What is the current status of the annual One Stop Producer Conference?

Sha Money: It's still going down but I put it on hold because of this new transition. I figured I'll have more power behind me so I'm going to have more people participating for the next one. I don't have an exact date locked in but it's going to be in the Fall and I'm bringing it to New York this year.

PMP: Was the change of venue location due to the recent political atmosphere out in Arizona?

Sha Money: Yea well we held the conference 3 times out there and it felt good and now its time take it to new cities and help new producers out. New York is live and they're ready for it. In Arizona and the rest of the West Coast they needed it so I did everything West Coast and now its time to come back East and New York is the best place to start it at.

PMP: Def Jam as a label brand was once synonymous with authentic street hip hop, do you feel your part of a revival by being offered your new position?

Sha Money: Absolutely and L.A. Reid recognized that in me and he wants the streets happy that's why I'm here. I represent for New York and all the great street music from around the world and it's our job to bring that rush.

PMP: What's your personal feeling about the current hip hop sound that's in the market now?

Sha Money: I think it scattered right now because there's not enough official releases so everything is spread out too wide and it makes it hard to get a grip on exactly what's going on. My intention starting out at Def Jam is to have multiple releases coming out each quarter instead of all these little bricks going on right now. Hi-Tek and Kwali just dropped their new project earlier this week on Tuesday so we need more Hip Hop releases overall in the business.

PMP: In regards to the New York market many accuse the DJ's of not supporting the local acts. Do you feel this is a fair assessment?

Sha Money: I think the DJ's need to be more than just DJ's and help pave the way they want the music to flow but at the same time I also believe the artists in New York need to step their game up. There are a few dudes out there that are really bringing it but just not enough.

PMP: Is some of the problem due to a lack of artistic development in the A&R sector of the business?

Sha Money: A lot of A&R's are not on their jobs and I can you tell that for a definite fact. Its not going down under my watch, I'm here to push the music as far as I can take it while I have this opportunity

PMP: From the Russell Simmons to 50 Cents and now yourself what is it about the Borough of Queens that produce so many successful entrepreneurs in the music business?

Sha Money: It's the water man! There are a lot of successful people that have come out of Queens from the artist level, executive level and DJ level as well like DJ Clue, Envy and Whoo Kid. Run DMC was the first Hip Hop group to take it to a platinum level so it's gotta be something in the water.

PMP: For the producers on the PMP, both established and new what advice would you give them?

Sha Money: Make sure you shop your music to a lot of people that got good ears. Make sure your shit is really hot and not be caught up in just glorifying yourself. Take the time to study the game and become a real student of the game; don't just jump into the business not knowing the history behind it or what's currently happening. Once you become a great student then you can graduate and become the teacher

PMP: In your opinion how should a producer be compensated for providing original production for songs that are released on Mixtapes/online promotional?

Sha Money: I think the producer should get his credit up because if he's not known he should use that as an avenue to say 'this is what I've done'. Nowadays you have Mixtape records that get heavy play and are as respected as the songs coming off of retail albums so use it as a reason to get your name out there. The artist will love it and in exchange ask for your name to be credited on the insert 'produced by...'you need that for your own personal branding.

For example there is a producer by the name of Nascent, he did a lot of mixtape work for 50 Cent and then he finally got his shot on 50's last album and that was due to the work he was putting out there and getting a buzz around his name. It's like 'ok you did that, shit was hot let me hear some more' so it's all about allowing people to identify with what your work is.

PMP: Are you still producing and will it be a conflict of interest to submit your music to projects your responsible for at Def Jam?

Sha Money: Nah I'm getting music from everybody, I'm too busy on the executive side to be in a good creative space so I'm focused on helping make Def Jam the #1 label as far as market share and selling a whole bunch of records this year and for years to come. I'm good at making music but I'm great at creating and building brands and making stars so I'm going to concentrate on what I'm great at right now.

PMP: Are you still working with G-Unit?

Sha Money: Yea that's my family, I still work with them in the studio and when its time to get it in. I speak to 50 at least once a week and the same with Yayo and Banks, those are my brothers.

PMP: The Lloyd Banks record 'Beamer, Benz or Bently' was released independently is currently enjoying 'major-like' success. With Hip Hop is there really much of a difference between the majors and their indy counterparts?

Sha Money: It's the same game because now there's only a thin line between being on a major and being independent. You got companies like E1 that are kicking more ass than some of the majors so it's really no difference, its all about when the money stops. The majors have more money than the independent labels but that's about it.

PMP: So if the Lloyd Banks project was on Def Jam once it started making real noise that's when the extra $1 million can kick in and people like yourself can take it to another level correct?

Sha Money: Exactly

Lloyd Banks Live At The Nokia Theatre In NYC Concert Review

As reported by Jon Caramanica / The New York Times

In 45 minutes of almost nonstop bluster at the Nokia Theater on Thursday night (April 29), Lloyd Banks squeezed in one minute for another mode of persuasion: humility.

In the last three months, he’s returned from being a curio, a relic of the 50 Cent era of the mid-2000s, to a bona fide phenomenon, an unlikely twist attributable to “Beamer, Benz or Bentley,” one of the breakout rap hits of the year. But given that Mr. Banks hasn’t had one of those in a few years, he knows better than to take it for granted.

“I am completely independent at this point,” he said early in his set, painting himself as an underdog. Mr. Banks is the main protégé of 50 Cent, the Queens rap star who’s lately been in decline. But last year he announced that he was no longer signed to Interscope Records, which distributes 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records imprint, though he remains attached to the G-Unit label.

Especially in hip-hop, the role of the major label is decreasingly relevant, but for a rapper like Mr. Banks, accustomed to the old ways of success, reclaiming an up-by-his-bootstraps narrative must be alternately frustrating and invigorating.



On Thursday he stuck with invigorated, muscling his way through old hits — “Warrior,” “Straight Outta Southside,” “On Fire” — and a few listless old nonhits, his voice as molasses-thick as ever. At one point he swapped his Hermès sneakers for a pair of black work boots: “These joints cost about $1,300, but they slippery,” he joked.

“Beamer, Benz or Bentley” is classic Banks, a fusillade of dense, braggadocian internal rhymes: “Beat it, I bet she’d let me/She been fiending since she met me”; and “Press a button and I’m stunting, my roof look like it’s ducking/ Meter go 200-something and my trunk do wonders bumping.”

In other words, Mr. Banks is a brainy and boastful rapper, which leads to some stratification in his audience, some there for the attitude, and some for the intricate punch lines. That might explain, in part, the rest of Thursday’s scattershot bill: Jackie Chain, Cory Gunz and Reflection Eternal, three acts with no overlap point in their collective Venn diagram.

Best was Jackie Chain, a half-white, half-Korean rapper from Huntsville, Ala., but who received the night’s most hostile reception. What he might lack in lyrical acuity, though, he makes up for in personality: songs like “Mack a Bitch” and “Rollin’ ” are anthems waiting for audiences to recognize them.

Cory Gunz, newly signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records, wasn’t booed or greeted with middle fingers by the crowd, but his quick, nimble rhymes were largely charmless.





Most vexing was Reflection Eternal, the reliable social-progressive duo of Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek, who five years ago probably would not have guessed that they’d be on a bill opening for Mr. Banks. Their set — longer than Mr. Banks’s — felt like largely thankless work, the verses about Liberia and health care falling on uninterested ears. Older, more chipper songs — “Definition,” “Get By” — fared better, but not by enough to sandpaper down the dissonance.



By the time Mr. Banks finally got around to “Beamer, Benz or Bentley” at the end of his set, several dozen associates had joined him onstage. While they’d been enthusiastic up until that point, when the first peal of that song’s beat (produced by the comer Prime) dropped, they turned ecstatic.

Mr. Banks wasn’t even at his most electric, but it didn’t matter: the room carried him. There was no Juelz Santana, whose manic verse is crucial to the song’s success. No last-minute surprise appearance by the bossman 50 Cent. Just Mr. Banks, his muddled voice, that sinister beat and 10 tensed fingers, gripping tightly to the ladder so as not to fall back down.

Photo links:
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more video below.



(video courtesy of hostile163, marcusavila, this is 50 & 1m3folife)

With Sha Money XL Now At Def Jam Will 50 Cent And G-Unit Head Over?

via MTV

Queens is in the building — again. Sha Money XL has signed on to become the senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The label has had such a rich history of Queens-bred fellas in the boardroom, from its founder Russell Simmons to Irv Gotti to one of Sha's mentors, the late Jam Master Jay. XL is excited to plant his flag in the cherished hip-hop recording house.

"I've been floating around this industry since I've just been executive-producing 50 [Cent]'s albums," XL explained Thursday at the MTV offices. "Freelancing, doing my own thing. I've been able to meet with L.A. Reid. We've been having some great conversations. Finally, the call came. It felt so good. Def Jam is such a strong company and strong roster. The staff is amazing. I felt it instantly. I knew that this is something I can do with my New York vision and New York swag and bring that for all the guys that's based out here. And the things that was needed to excite the industry as well, internally and externally. I connect with everybody by all levels."

Sha said that after being with the G-Unit for so many years, there is no such thing as pressure to him anymore.

"I work good under pressure," he said. "Working with 50, I know what needs to get done. I don't feel pressure. I do the things that need to be done. As long as artists listen and we really become businessmen in this business, as we say we are, I think we should all prosper. I'm looking to make the company more money and take it to the top, the highest level."

So with 50 Cent a free agent, free to bring himself and his label — which includes Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — anywhere he pleases, will Sha try to secure a spot for his longtime friends at Def Jam?

"I spoke to Fif, to [his manager Chris] Lighty. I would love to see that there," Sha admitted. "Banks has an amazing record right now, independently. If things work out, then yeah, I would love to see that happen."

If the Unit came to Def Jam, things would get interesting, to say the least. Shyne, Rick Ross, Nas and DJ Khaled, people who Fif and the Unit have had problems with through the years, are all on the roster.

"I'm a businessman," Sha Money said when asked how he would feel having the Unit in the same building with some of their adversaries. "The beef stuff, I'm over. We at a certain point in life where we don't even need that. We eat that. So I will let them speak for their own, but honestly, I would like to see a company continue to grow. And I think G-Unit is in a position — coming from an independent space — that can continue to do their thing. I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow."

While the Unit deal is just in the talking stages now, Sha says his top priority is making sure Juelz Santana gets his LP out. XL already has his sights set on DJ Toomp to get in the lab with Juelz.

Capone-N-Noreaga Talk About Their Original 1997 Album 'The War Report'

Prepping for The War Report II, Capone-N-Noreaga talk about the times and the era when the original The War Report was released on Penalty Records back in 1997 at a recent press event on a rooftop somewhere in New York City.

Capone-N-Noreaga The War Report II on Ice H20 arriving soon!

(video courtesy of QButta)

Pharoahe Monch To Release W.A.R. New Project

via the press release

Pharoahe Monch is on the front lines once again and this time it's bigger than just album talk. Monch is gearing up to release his new project W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) through a partnership with Duck Down Music, while establishing his company W.A.R. Media as a viable entertainment portal. W.A.R. is the follow-up album to Pharoahe's "Desire" project from 2007. Fans can expect what they've come to love from Pharoahe on the new LP; complex rapping techniques that are both intricate and intelligent.

Monch states, "I'm incredibly excited about my upcoming release W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and my new partnership between my company W.A.R. Media, LLC, and Duck Down Music. This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things. Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come. It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary."

For fans and writers in Austin, TX, catch Pharoahe Monch live in concert during Duck Down's 15 Year Anniversary SXSW Showcase at The Scoot Inn, on Friday, March 19th. Doors are open at 8PM. The Scoot Inn is located on 1308 East 4th Street.

Pharoahe Monch will also join Slaughterhouse for a Canadian Tour starting in early April.

April 3 Saint John, NB Evolution Nightclub
April 4 St. John's, NF Club One
April 5 Halifax, NS Paragone Theatre
April 7 Ottawa, ON Ritual Nightclub
Aprill 8 Toronto, ON Venue TBC
April 9 Cornwall, ON Rangatangs Nightclub
April 10 Montreal, QC Telus Theatre
April 12 Thunder Bay, ON Roxys Nightclub
April 13 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
April 14 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre
April 15 Calgary, AB The Whiskey Nightclub
April 16 Edmonton, AB Starlite Room
April 17 Lethbridge, AB Venue TBC
Aprl 18 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar
April 21 Victoria, BC Element
April 22 Vancouver, BC Venue TBC

Consequence: More From The Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

(video courtesy of kimmicupcakes)

Related:
Consequence Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

Consequence Listening Session At The Digiwaxx Offices NYC

DigiWaxx held a private listening session (Tuesday, March 2) for rapper Consequence, he explains why he raps "Better" than EVERYBODY!

Photos:
Wire Image

Consequence - 'ConsTV' on Universal/Motown/G.O.O.D. Music coming soon!

(video courtesy of Telisad.com)

Nas Performance At 2010 Sundance Film Festival In Park City, UT

via Vibe

God Son is loved all over the world, even in the snow white mountains of Sundance where he gave a killer standing room only performance at Harry O's (Friday, January 22), even managing a "Utah State of Mind" remix. Ironically, right across the street at the Bing Lounge, Kelis performed to a smaller crowd.

PHOTOS:
LA.com
Film Magic

Jam Master Jay Documentary '2 Turntables And A Microphone' Trailer

Two Turntables and a Microphone DVD- The Live And Death of Jam Master Jay on Image Entertainment in-stores December 1.

Also available as part of 50 Cent's new release combo CD/DVD package 'Before I Self Destruct' in stores November 16.

50 Cent 'Before I Self Destruct' Movie NYC Screening

'It's easy to steal a song that's only 3:00 minutes,but it'll probably take 3 seconds to get it from a computer, but it's harder to take the movie, right?"

Photos:
Wire Image

Nas Live In Sydney, Australia

(video courtesy of DirtyDeegz)

50 Cent 'Before I Self Destruct' In Stores Nov. 16

50 Cent - 'Before I Self Destruct' receives a special Monday, November 16 street date and will be sold as a CD/DVD combo pack. The DVD content will be the 50 Cent self-produced movie by the same title and the Jam Master Jay documentary.

Related:
Will 50 Cent 'Before I Self Destruct' Get Pushed Up?

Cormega Performance At SOB's NYC

Quality fan shot video below





Photos:
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(video footage courtesy of briansi91)

Cormega 'Born And Raised' Out October 20th

Cormega - Born & Raised out October 20 on Legal Hustle.

via press release

"What's up with Cormega, have you seen him? Are y'all together?" The infamous lines that introduced Cormega to the hip-hop world are exactly what fans have been asking since the lyricist's last solo album, The True Meaning, in 2002. Well, if you're wondering the exact same thing, Cormega's back with his third solo album, Born And Raised, to be released October 20, 2009. "This album is the truest look into me not just as an artist, but as a writer and as a person. I came into my own in a lot of ways on this album," expresses Cormega. "Born And Raised is the first album where I talk about being a father and the impact my daughter has had on my life. It's also the first time I experimented with live sound without the guidance of a producer and the first time I got to record with producers and artist whose work inspired me to become an emcee.

While Cormega has released several projects on his Legal Hustle imprint, only two can be considered Cormega solo albums: The Realness (2001) and The True Meaning (2002). His third official solo album, Born & Raised, features production from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Easy Mo Bee, Havoc, Buckwild, DR Period, LES, Nottz, Fuzzy Womack, Ayatollah, Khrysis and appearances by Big Daddy Kane, Parish Smith, Grand Puba, KRS-One,Tragedy, Havoc, Lil Fame, Marley Marl, and Red Alert. His proudest musical moment during the making of Born And Raised was the recording of "Mega Fresh X" (produced by Buckwild) with Big Daddy Kane, Parish Smith, Grand Puba, and KRS-One introduced by Red Alert. "These were the emcees I looked up to so I wanted to pay homage to them. I remember the days when I had Kane's posters on my wall, CDs by KRS-One and like everybody in New York, I used to record DJ Red Alert cassettes off the radio, so for me to do a song with Kane, KRS-One, Puba, and P.M.D. and then on top of that have Red Alert on it, is a dream realized."

Pleasure P promotes his latest release in Queens New York

And the ladies love it. Ed Lover from Power 105.1 can also be seen in the video.
Pleasure P signing his latest release 'The Introduction of Marcus Cooper' at Hall of Fame Music Stop in Southside Jamaica Queens New York on June 9 street date.





'The Introduction of Marcus Cooper' out now on Atlantic Records/Bluestar.

Havoc from Mobb Deep and Infamous Crew perform Berlin Germany

Infamous crew invaded Berlin Germany's Dot Club taking their 'Free Prodigy' movement overseas May 31.