New video: Dbanj - Oliver Twist (Official Video)

JAJ, TOOLZ, ELDEE, DAREY, OTHERS SPEAK ON D’BANJ-DON JAZZY SPLIT

The recent split between Mo’Hits bosses D’banj and Don Jazzy has gained major attention from all over the world with everyone sharing their opinions on the sad separation.

Here’s what some of key industry players have to say on the shocking development… We’d love to know what you think too.

Terry Tha Rapman: Well, first of, I don’t want to believe it’s true. Who knows it might be a publicity stunt. But if it’s true, then it’s sad because they were about to make history with the alliance with G.O.O.D Music. Now Mo’Hits’ fans are torn apart and it might affect both of them.

M-Trill: I think it’s a sad development not just that they split but the way they did. I wish it was more cordial. Now, I have renewed my respect for Kenny Ogungbe and D1. I wish them both the best…

Demola Ogundele (Notjustok): The split is sad. The good thing is that they are still both alive and have the opportunity to drop music that we can still enjoy. The bad thing is that we won’t get to enjoy the Synergy and the magic they have created together in the past. I wish them both blessings as they move on to their individual goals.

Evaezi: I’m genuinely speechless and sad. They made a great team… Their chemistry was unbelievable…and you could feel it in their music. As for the effects, I honestly don’t know. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Cyrus Tha Virus: I really think it’s not as bad as a lot of people are making it out to be; both parties have paid their dues together as a formidable Mo’Hits entity. Now I guess it’s time for chasing separate personal dreams; what it portends for the Nigerian Music industry? I guess we will now see a lot of the other ‘labels’ struggling to become the number one label in Nigeria and I can’t wait to see what Don Jazzy and D’banj can do separately.

Goldie: I feel it’s very sad, especially as together; they were a force to be reckoned with. It’s hard to imagine how each would cope without the other.

Princess: They are both roles models to a lot of people. They should sort out their differences but not break up

Overdose: Both men are grown and make decisions. I don’t think it has anything to do with other people making music.

Aremu Afolayan: a fan of them. I don’t know what their problem is. They make a hell lot of money from us Nigerians. They should call themselves together and settle it. It’ll affect a lot of things in the industry.

OC Ukeje: The music industry will do well with or without them. They will need people. Don Jazzy has an advantage over him as a producer and singer.

Olisa Adibua: The industry is bigger than them. So it can’t affect them. It’s time for the industry to get more people. The artistes under the label won’t suffer, just that the friendship between the two will. They might come back again like the Beatles

Jacob Akinyemi Johnson: Well the truth is I don’t have all the facts about the matter yet, and as such I can’t really speak on it for now. Don Jazzy and Dbanj are both my friends so I have to be careful what I say about it for now.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu: It’s hard to react yet because we’ve not heard from D’banj yet, but in all I think music has gone beyond individuals, it’s not the end of the world. The good thing is Don jazzy has said he’s gonna continue doing music and D’banj too will continue, though maybe on an international level, but at any rate, I think they will continue doing good music.

eLDee: I don’t see any negative effects on the industry. I think they are going to continue to do good music as long as they are active. It’s just unfortunate things turned out this way and I wish it wouldn’t have come to this. I’ve been through this before and I can tell you it hurts. But I wish them the best.

Toolz: I think it’s sad because you really can’t talk about Nigerian music without mentioning them. However, I see it as a whole new chapter for the artistes on the label and I also think that won’t stop them from doing music.

Steve Babaeko: Unlike most people my focus is not on the split but the outstanding contribution that both Don Jazzy and D’banj have made and are still making to Nigeria’s music industry. Change is part of this game, sadly so. In a country where millions of young people are struggling to find their voice, these gentlemen not only found theirs they spoke eloquently about the courage, perseverance and creativity of Nigerian youths. I wish both of them good luck in their future pursuits.

Olumide Iyanda: Well I think it definitely has affected the music industry, I was there when the whole thing started in 2004. Anyway, for now, let’s see how the whole thing goes.

Segun Demuren: I think it’s a shock, especially coming on the heels of a major international deal, I wish it didn’t have to happen this way. Don Jazzy is probably the best producer in the country right now, and D’banj, in spite of what people may say or think, I mean, I know he drew quite a lot of criticism on twitter and the like, but he is one of the most electrifying performers anywhere. I think they will both go on to do very well in their careers.

Modenine: Well I’ve known D’banj for quite a while now, more than 10 years ago, and I’ve also met Don Jazzy as well and we all know they are both an award winning team. I’m not about what went down and all of that, but It’s unfortunate. I do wish them well though.

Obi Asika: I was extremely sad to see Don Jazzy’s tweet today. I just want to salute Don Jazzy and D’banj and the entire mo hits crew, amazing memories! I pray that the personal relationships can be repaired and wish both Don Jazzy and D’banj well. They made history don’t forget it! Sad News!

Illbliss: It came as a shock. They made great music as a team but then that’s the music business. Life goes on uninterrupted.

Darey: It’s pretty sad to hear that because they are all my friends. I hope everything turns out for the best

Did Kourtney Kardashian Forget Her Pants??

Kourtney K was spotted out on a lunch date with friends in Los Angeles wearing what seems to be half of an outfit. Some say it’s a kaftan, but it really looks like a t-shirt with nothing underneath. Check out the full pic below…

2 nurses in Uruguay charged with killing patients

Two male nurses face murder charges in Uruguay after admitting to killing a total of at least 16 patients in two hospitals in the country's capital, Montevideo, a judge told CNN affiliate Teledoce.

One of the men has been charged with five aggravated homicides, while the other has been charged with 11 aggravated homicides, Judge Rolando Vomero said in an interview with Teledoce, noting that the two men appeared to have acted independently of each other.

The authorities are also charging a woman as being an accomplice in one of the murders, he said.

According to Vomero, the two male nurses both said they killed the patients because they did not want to see them suffer. But not all those killed were terminally ill, he added.

The killings took place at the hospitals of Maciel and La Espanola in Montevideo, the judge said

Nigerian woman Christine Adewunmi killed in Missouri USA Police investigate shooting deaths of mom and 3 daughters as possible triple murder-suicide

Police say they are investigating the shooting deaths of a mother and her three children at a remote Missouri campground as a possible triple murder-suicide.

The body of 37-year-old Christine Adewunmi was found Saturday afternoon along with the bodies of her three daughters, 8-year-old Lauren, 6-year-old Samantha and 3-year-old Kate, Fox2 reports. The bodies were found in a campground about 80 miles southwest of St. Louis, and police say they appeared to have been there for hours.

Crawford County Sheriff Randy Martin said in a statement Adewunmi and her children each sustained one gunshot wound and a handgun was found close to the bodies.

When asked if he believes the woman shot the three children and then herself, Martin said, "We don't know for sure, but it kind of appears it could be that way. But again the investigation is still kind of early."

He added that investigators weren't seeking any suspects.

Adewunmi's husband and the girls' father had reported his family missing Friday, the St. Louis County Police Department said. He told them his wife and their daughters were gone when he returned home from work.Neighbors say they are stunned.

"There was no indication of any problems," said neighbor Jeff Melching, who had met the family last week when he moved into their neighborhood. "They were talking to me like normal neighbors would when you meet somebody for the first time."

The girls all attended Oak Brook Elementary in the Parkway School District. The school's principal sent an email to parents, saying, "our thoughts are with the Adewunmi family as they deal with this tragedy in their lives." A business manager at Blue Springs Ranch says there will be no comment from the facility until authorities release more information. The resort on the Meramec River has campsites, cabins, trail riding and other activities.

Kanye West Why Is D’Banj Not a Walking Liability for G.O.O.D Music? D’Banj IGNORES MAJOR Announcement of Dissolution of Mo’Hits by Don Jazzy, Goes on

By now both Africa’s music industry insiders, fans and the public are aware of the confirmation by Don Jazzy, Founder and President of Mo’Hits Records, of the termination of his relationship with D’Banj, his business partner and artist turned Vice President of the company. This announcement came less than twenty four hours ago via Twitter. For insiders in the know, this news is not necessarily a surprise. Reports have indeed circulated that the two have not spoken for over four months so the split seemed inevitable. Nevertheless, Don Jazzy made the announcement less than 24hours ago and added he will donate proceeds from his music production catalogue from day one to charity but says NOTHING about the obligations of Mo’Hits to signed artists under the label. As an executive working for Mo’Hits, can he just arbitrarily make his own personal decision to donate (proceeds from ) his production works in behalf of the company to charity??? What about the artists signed to the label: Wande Coal, Dr. Sid and D’Prince?

Further, as if that is not enough, his business partner D’banj ignoring Don Jazzy’s announcement that has cluttered the internet, gone viral across Africa and trended on twitter, pulls a PR stunt that in essence says ”let me show you how irrelevant you are Don Jazzy. I will drown your news with my new music video Oliver Twist.”

Like who really cares about Oliver Twist? We haven’t even touched ownership/ the intellectual property rights that affects the performance of Oliver Twist given the termination of their relationship. Neither have we touched the issue of the Oliver Twist winner who was supposed to be featured in the video. Is the winner in the video? For all intended purposes, Oliver Twist is irrelevant when the President of a global African owned music brand of which D’Banj co-owns, in less than 24hours BEFORE release of D’Banj’s new video online, tells the world your relationship is over. You don’t ignore it. You speak on it. You don’t drop a video, you speak on what your President just said.

Folks these are executives of one of the major labels in Africa whose affiliation with Kanye West’s GOOD music made headlines the world over. They are not random individuals running a company. They are executives and have a responsibility to their shareholders, if they have one, and definitely their signed artists on their labels and the members of the public to inform of the implications of the termination of Mo’Hits; specific to these signed artists while the two sort out their mess outside of or in a courtroom. Why exactly is D’Banj not acknowledging a major statement from the President of his company; and is instead focused on promoting that Oliver Twist video again?

When the OccupyNigeria strikes hit Nigeria, D’Banj, Nigeria’s UN Youth Ambassador, ignored youths and instead went promoting his Oliver Twist video. Now, he continues the same pattern and practice. Clearly, he could care less. Hence my focus on the people who do care and should care, Kanye West’s GOOD Music, Island Def Jam, their Publicists and Entertainment Lawyers.

Folks, what I want to know is this, Kanye West , GOOD Music representatives, Island Def Jam, why is D’banj not a walking liability for GOOD Music? I’d love to hear why. Can anyone within your departments have a talk with Kanye to pull this young man in and make sure he is clear on his intentions given your affiliations with his personal brand?

The bad publicity he continues to generate for GOOD Music is one thing. But, opening GOOD music to potential legal liability in the handling of his affairs both with his fellow GOOD Music signee Don Jazzy and the artists signed to his label ‘Mo’ Hits’ is another story.

D’Banj is not the first African to do business with an American record label and he won’t be the last. What’s really GOOD, GOOD MUSIC?

Woman Marries Herself In A Symbolic Ceremony

In quite possibly the loneliest news of 2012, A 36-year-old woman married herself. Yes, no groom. It was a proclamation of independence showing that she was in love with herself.

– In a purely symbolic ceremony, the 36-year-old “married” herself before a crowd of 45 friends and family members Saturday at Ecce Gallery in Fargo.

During the observance, the Fargo woman read her vows: “I, Nadine, promise to enjoy inhabiting my own life and to relish a lifelong love affair with my beautiful self.” She presented herself with a ring and invited all guests to “blow kisses to the whole world” at the point of the traditional, bride-groom lip-lock.

“I’m very proud of it, and I feel very good about it,” says Schweigert, who works at Swanson’s Health and teaches yoga. “I’m so glad I did it.”Schweigert views the secular ceremony as a public pronouncement that she has learned to love and accept herself as she is.

That hasn’t always been the case. The divorced mother of three says she struggled for years with self-acceptance, attending therapy groups and studying books like Melody Beattie’s “Codependent No More.”“I was waiting for someone to come along and make me happy,” she says. “At some point, a friend said, ‘Why do you need someone to marry you to be happy? Marry yourself.’”

The concept is unconventional, but not unheard of. New Age websites such as Encouraging Priestess share ideas on how to perform secular, self-marriage ceremonies. And “Glee’s” own Sue Sylvester famously sported her red tracksuit to marry herself in 2010.

Still, when Schweigert first mentioned the idea a year ago, she was discouraged by several female friends who thought it was weird. Disheartened, she put the idea on hold.Months passed and Schweigert found herself lamenting the loss of a relationship. Once again, she says, the idea of her own wedding re-surfaced.“It was just one of those things where you get an idea, and you know you just have to do it,” she says.

Schweigert’s 11-year-old son also didn’t like the idea.“Initially his response was to put his hand on my shoulder. He said, ‘I love you, but I’m embarrassed for you right now and I’m not coming,’ ” she says.

In time, her son came around and even got involved in wedding plans. He was there for her one-sided nuptials.The majority of her friends have been more enthusiastic. Two friends baked cakes, another friend officiated and many others presented readings.

“I was discerning about who I shared it with,” she says. “Most people were very accepting and cool, because they love me and they know I’m odd by nature.”Schweigert’s parents are “very in-the-box” people who live in Enderlin, N.D., she says. But they were “silently supportive” and presented her with a special album of photos for her big day.

Nadine’s mom, Charlotte Schweigert, says a self-marriage ceremony fit her daughter perfectly. “She always did her own thing. That was Nadine,” she says. “Everything in this younger generation – nothing surprises me anymore.”

Charlotte and Darrel Schweigert had never heard of this type of ceremony but attended to support their daughter.“We just sort of watched and wanted to know what it was all about,” Charlotte says. “That’s all that counts, as long as she’s happy.”

Now, with her wedding day behind her, Schweigert did what most newlyweds do: She’s honeymooning, having left for New Orleans on Thursday.“I’m just a unique, awesome person who doesn’t fit anyone’s mold or ideal, and I hope you’re OK with that,” she says. “And if you’re not, that’s OK, too.”

Photo: Pastor Caught Bathing Another Man's Wife Naked In Ghana

A Pastor who is said to be a specialist on "sanctification and anointing", was over week caught bathing another man's wife with anointing oil. The Pastor is said to be a Ghanaian.

Female members of the church have been trooping in to see their Pastor for special anointing after church services. But suspecting members lay ambush by hiding close-by to catch their pastor bathing one of their members wife, full naked!

I don't know what to make of this development, since the woman is an adult and probably knows what she was getting into. Your thoughts are welcome.

SAD: Man Tragically Stabbed To Death At His Engagement Party In New York

This is so sad: A Staten Island man was brutally stabbed for defending his brothers at his own engagement party yesterday. His fianceé tried to administer mouth to mouth to save his life but tragically, the man died at Staten Island University Hospital South.

A Staten Island man was knifed to death at his engagement party early yesterday when two of his brothers went outside to urinate against the wall of a restaurant — sparking the deadly melee.

Antonio Lacertosa, 27, was stabbed in the torso with a butcher knife.

“This guy stabbed me! Call an ambulance!” he said.

His fiancée desperately administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a valiant attempt to save the life of her love as he lay bleeding profusely outside Espana Restaurant, a source said.

But Bridgette Schneider, 24, couldn’t revive her would-be husband — and his friends couldn’t stanch his wound with a pile of restaurant linens they held to his ribs.

“They kept soaking through over and over,” said a witness.

Lacertosa, who had seven siblings, died at Staten Island University Hospital South.

“They were truly in love, and were eager to embark on their journey together,” Schneider’s sister, Rebecca, told The Post. “They loved each other to no end.”

Lacertosa’s sister, Jeanine Caruvana, said he proposed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting last fall.

“As soon as the lights went on, he gave her the ring,” Caruvana said, fighting back tears.

Schneider, Lacertosa, his brothers and their friends hit up the Annadale eatery about midnight for drinks after a more formal gathering.

As the party rolled on, restaurant managers ousted a pair of Lacertosa’s brothers in a dispute, said sources.

They retaliated by wizzing on the eatery’s exterior just before 2 a.m., police and sources said.

The restaurant manager and an associate spotted the peeing pair. “This is my place. What’s going on?” the manager yelled, according to a witness.

That’s when all hell broke loose.

A fight ensued, and the rest of the group spilled outside to help.

By then, the manager’s associate had allegedly pulled knives from the kitchen, sources said. “He’s got knives!” someone yelled out.

But Antonio apparently didn’t hear the warning, a witness said.

He ran into the fracas to help his brothers.

Moments later, the burly bricklayer was seen stumbling out to the front of the eatery, clutching his side. He seemed to finger the manager’s associate as his attacker before collapsing on the sidewalk.

The alleged stabber fled and was still at large last night.

The manager, who was not believed to have wielded the knife, turned himself in to police for questioning, sources said. It was unclear if he would be charged. He was identified as Ridi Zeneli according to a published report.

Lacertosa and Schneider had joined family and friends to mark their joyous engagement Friday with a party at Ariana’s, a Charleston catering hall.

The pair planned to wed after eight years of dating. They were planning a destination wedding and had been house hunting.

“Last night, him and my sister glowed,” said Rebecca Schneider.

She said her sister was sleeping in Antonio’s bed last night to still be close to him.

“A few hours ago we were celebrating the happiest time of her life. She was overjoyed. Now, she’s overwrought, inconsolable — there is no talking to her now,” a source said.

The victim had been helping his mother pay the mortgage since his father died in 2009.

“He was the breadwinner for my mother,” said Caruvana.

Joseph Lacertosa, 31, wept, calling his younger brother “a big teddy bear.”

“He’s a great guy, lighthearted,” said Joseph, a Marine. “I sent him a text at 1:57 a.m. and I just said: ‘Thanks, we had a great time,’ ” Joseph said. “I never got a text back. Then a friend called and said: ‘[Antonio]’s been stabbed.’

Papoose Discusses The Release Of "Nacirema Dream," Illuminati Symbols In The Media

Exclusive: The patiently-waiting Brooklyn veteran points to this year's Super Bowl halftime show as evidence on how bad things have gotten, and says that the core of "Nacirema Dream" is still there.

To a degree, it feels like Papoose went from Bed Stuy to Hollywood and back again. The one-time lyrical phenomenon snatched Hip Hop’s attention with his classic exhibition, “Alphabetical Slaughter” and pimped that wave to all sorts of independent accolades and a reportedly million dollar deal with Jive Records by the mid 2000s. Then, when the deal no longer felt ideal, Pap backed out, ejecting himself from a constraint-laced major label machine, landing again in the creative comfort of independence. It’s the type of ebb and flow that can cripple a career, let alone confidence. But rather than take a hiatus, Papoose kept doing what he does best: churning out mixtapes.

With the release of his much ballyhooed commercial debut, Nacirema Dream finally approaching, HipHopDX spoke with Papoose about his thoughts on the evolution of New York City Hip Hop, the twists and turns of his career, Illuminati symbols in the media, the state of the Nation Of Gods And Earths, and what still surprises him about Hip Hop.

Papoose Breaks Down An Evolution In New York City Hip Hop

HipHopDX: As an emcee, when you think about New York City Hip Hop, what comes to your mind first?

Papoose: When I think of New York City Hip Hop as an emcee, I think of lyricism. I think of saying something innovating. I think of being different. I think of trendsetters, not followers. I think of enlightening. Not just speaking about the problem, but giving a solution to it - which I do through my music. I think of [The Notorious B.I.G.]. I think of Nas, [Kool G Rap], [Big Daddy Kane]. I just of think of greatness.

DX: Do you think New York City Hip Hop still represents innovation and lyricism?

Papoose: Sure it does. I think that’s the reason New York is not in the position that it’s supposed to be; that’s the reason why New York isn’t really on top of the game. Most of the success that’s coming out of the city is leaning on a southern artist or is through an artist that’s from the South. I can’t really knock that and I commend those artists from the South that are pulling artists out of New York and putting them on because the big artists from New York City wasn’t doing it. Back in the days, when there was a new artist coming out, the artists that were established did records with them. It was important for them to give the new artists a shot. I think that the last couple of successful artists out of New York, they didn’t do that, and that’s what kind of fucked the city up. Artists from the South started taking over, getting on top, and eventually they started coming to New York and pulling out artists from New York. And right now, that’s the only way that artists is really going mainstream. To be honest, an artist hasn’t come out of New York - I’m talking about straight up on his own two [feet] - in a long time. It hasn’t happened in a long time.

This is part of the reason why I’m really content with my album, [Nacirema Dream]. When you hear it, you feel New York City in the music. It don’t feel like a South record. I’m not knocking nobody because everybody’s gotta eat how they gotta eat. But at the same time, if we want to talk about Hip Hop and the essence of this music, New York is New York.

DX: You had a very lengthy independent career first, then went through a major bidding war in the middle of the last decade. What were those negotiations really like? What was it like sitting at a table with Jive Records and other major labels last decade when New York City Hip Hop was going through such drastic changes and artists weren’t putting each other, as you just mentioned?

Papoose: It was a good feeling. It was a great feeling to finally see my hard work pay off. I finally got that record deal at Jive [Records]. For me, I don’t get nothing easy. You’ve gotta understand something, an artist like myself that really does this - because some dudes are quick to say, “I’m not a rapper, I’ma gangster” - feels ashamed to be in this industry when we see things like that, but we wanna be there at the same time. That’s just an excuse to cover up for a lack of talent when dudes say that. I grew up in [Bedford Stuyvesant], Brooklyn. I came up hard. At the end of the day, Hip Hop is in my heart. I don’t have to equate the two and try to downplay one with the other.

Just to answer your question, I finally got that deal and it was a good feeling. I think the popularity of certain artists is based on politics. Every 10 to 15 years, an artist comes along that really has the talent to do this. Everybody else, they’re just doing it just because. If you really analyze it, they hate on lyricists. They hate on people who can really do this because, if an artist like Papoose makes it - and I can name a couple other guys - these guys won’t exist no more. It’s over. That’s why you see a barriers put in front of me. That’s why my project gets held back and I get hated on in some situations. People make it harder for me, but they can’t stop me because Hip Hop is in my blood. I’m always gonna produce that music as long as my lungs produce air. I’m always gonna spit that lyrical content. They’ll make every type of excuse [to explain] why a lyricist can’t be successful. But they don’t understand that we’re versatile and can adapt to any environment. Just don’t be fooled by the glitz and glamour all the time. A lot of that is driven by politics.

Papoose Updates Fans On Nacirema Dream

DX: I think about Nacirema Dream in the same context that I thought about Saigon’s Greatest Story Never Told: a highly buzzed about artist with a highly anticipated project that’s delayed much longer than seems fair to the fans. When Saigon finally was able to release Greatest Story Never Told, he kept the title. You’ve been talking about Nacirema Dream for five years. Did you ever think about changing the title?

Papoose: Hell no. I’ll change the title for my second album. But this isn’t just an album for me. This is my life story. This is how I grew up in this country. The title of my album is Nacirema Dream. “Nacirema” is the word “American” spelled backwards. Some people get up to go to work. Some people hustle. People come from all different corners of the Earth, risk their life getting here in search of that American dream. My struggle growing up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, being successful in the music industry, and going through all the trials and tribulations I went through in my life - Nacirema Dream is a reflection of that. I can’t change my face when I look in the mirror. I can’t change my album title. This isn’t just an album title for entertainment. This is real! It won’t be changed. It’s definitely going to come out under that title.

But at the same time, what people fail to realize is through my mixtapes I reap all the benefits from all these dudes that was on major labels from day one. I was touring over seas - Amsterdam, London, Sweden, Russia. I did the whole of Canada. I toured through the [United States]. I reaped these benefits just putting out my mixtapes. To be honest with you, at that time, I didn’t really want to release the album because it was beneficial for me. There were a lot of different reasons why it didn’t come out. But at the same time, when it was time for it to come out, a lot of trickery and bullshit was put into the game. But I’ve got one of the hottest records in New York City right now. It started out at #8 on HOT97’s “Top 8 At 8.” It came in at #4 last night. It’s called [“Like That.”] I’m emotional. I’m independent. I’m doing everything on my own. We’re gonna be successful. We’re gonna deliver the album this year.

DX: Congratulations on that. I noticed the information to download “Like That” is on your voicemail, too. Twenty-seven mixtapes over eight years is a lot. And even though your mainstream light has shifted from where it was in the middle of the last decade, it’s not like you stopped rhyming. It’s not like you retired. Did it ever feel like your back was against the wall? I don’t believe a lot of artists would be able to push through those type of stalemates the way you did.

Papoose: Like I told you before, I would do music regardless because Hip Hop is in my blood. I would do it without lights, camera, action. I would do it in the street. Regardless of what the industry is doing or saying, I’m still gonna make music and get it to the people. That’s very important. That’s why I’m always consistent. My fans keep me going. I get contacted all the time [by people saying,] “Yo, I love what you’re doing. You’re library helped me come out of prison. It kept me alive.” Especially the jails, the penal system. I get a lot of responses from there. When I’m walking the street and someone tells me that my music helped them, that’s what keeps me going, man.

DX: How many different iterations have you gone through with Nacirema Dream? For example, in 2007 you did an interview with Prefixmag and mentioned that you had DJ Premier, D/R Period, Pharrell, and Kanye West on production. Is that still consistent?

Papoose: The time frame and the wait added on to this being a great album. Basically, a couple of things had to be changed, but it’s a body of work. The heart and the major organs are still the same. There’s just a couple things on the outskirts that I had to change around here and there. But the core of the album is still the same, because, like I told you it’s a reflection of my life. I can’t change that. A few different things did happen in my life since then, so you’re going to hear even more of that on the album. I think the wait just added on to it. I’ve been working on this album my entire life. When people started hearing me in 2007; that fury that they were hearing, that was a body of work. [People will say] “Where’s the album? Where’s the album?” I dropped over 1,000 songs. What’s the format y’all want? CD? Cassette? Now the shit is digital, so it’s not even the same anymore. They want the album so they can possess it but they’re fucking downloading everything, so what are y’all really telling me? I just keep working because I enjoy the hate.

People are blinded by a lot of different things. There’s a lot of different things going on in Hip Hop with all the stuff they’re putting in videos. You have some of these guys that are saying, “Yo, the Illuminati ain’t real,” but they don’t have an understanding of it. They need to understand the definition of “Illuminati.” Once they understand it, then they need to take a look at some of the things their favorite artists are putting into these videos. What message are they sending to the people? You look at the [recent] Super Bowl [halftime show] and it’s all crazy, man.

Papoose Explains His Belief Of The Illuminati And Its Symbols

DX: KRS-One makes an interesting point in The Obama Deception. He says, it’s not who has the most money or the most power that wins the struggle. It’s the person who can endure the most and still continue. When you described your music’s impact and the feedback you receive from people going through the system, it makes sense because endurance and resilience are at the core of your music. Now you’re career has actually become a testament to those principles.

Papoose: Definitely, man. Definitely. And you know, just to be honest with you - and it’s not a race thing, because I don’t hate nobody. I hate evil. But growing up, when I looked into the back of the dictionary, man, and I looked at all of the Presidents, there was not one Black President. So me as a person, I refuse to say anything negative about [President Barack] Obama. Regardless to what lies they put out there, I was taught as a child that you would see a black President when pigs fly. My grandmother and our ancestors never lived to see that. They went to their grave thinking that they would never see a Black President and I think people today take that for granted. Sometimes when we want something, we praise it. But once it’s in our possession, we begin to downplay it and talk negative about it. I don’t like that. Me personally, I refuse to say something negative about that because I think it’s a blessing. I’m happy to be alive to see what that man accomplished.

On another scale, I think that media is one of the biggest outlets for evil. When you look at the Super Bowl [halftime performance]; when you look at Madonna with horns on her head, what type of message is that? I’m just curious about the message. I would like to know. I would like to ask, “Yo, what made you wear that?” They’re representing that whole Roman empire and all of that. And when you look at the Illuminati, it represents illumination to the people. Evil carries the light. Things like the Statue Of Liberty - they use popular people to send their messages out. That’s the whole definition of “Illuminati.” I don’t know if people know that. So, they will always find somebody that people believe in and people praise to send they messages out. These are things you’ve got to look at. Somebody like Whitney Houston who wasn’t with none of that. If you look at all of her videos and listen to her music, you never heard none of those type of messages. So she ends up having a mysterious death. We don’t know what happened yet, so we can’t say what really happened. It pauses the brain sometimes when you look at the consistency of it. Michael Jackson died from a suspicion of using drugs. Whitney Houston [died] with drugs in the vicinity. So you look at the consistency of that, and you look at some of the things Mike put out. He spoke out against the industry at times and against evil. [He said], “All I want to say is they don’t really care about us.” If you look at that video, he filmed it in jail. There’s different things you’ve got to look at before you speak on certain situation. But that’s what I’ve got a problem with: the evil and some of the things they’re depicting out there.

DX: You find clever ways to comment on these things lyrically. Your “Shot Caller Remix” relates [Muammar] Gadhafi being pegged as a terrorist while giving millions of dollars to the Nation Of Islam which helps black people in America. You make references to political ironies and inconsistencies, as you see them, regularly. I think that connects with people who have a lot of questions and/or a lot of skepticism.

Papoose: Yeah, because people wonder. Entertainment is geared towards a younger crowd. The majority of music, it’s the kids that are really in to it. In Hip Hop, you don’t see an old school rapper come out and do the Super Bowl. They had another large performance when Madonna came out with Britney Spears and she kissed her on the mouth. Not too long after that, Britney just lost it. She went crazy after that. And now, here we go again a couple years later and she comes out with another young artist: Nicki Minaj. Madonna’s wearing horns on her head. I just want to know. If it’s not nothing. If it’s just costume and just a performance, what is the concept? What is the message that you’re sending? When I say something, there’s a message to it.

DX: You’ve been running with the slogan “Thugication” for a long time. Let’s refresh the meaning of that for our readers. What do you mean specifically by “Thugication?”

Papoose: Growing up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, I lost a lot of my people to the penitentiary system, a lot of my people to the grave yard. Knowing the law and knowing the technicality could be the difference between you doing five or ten years and you coming home. Everybody in prison is not guilty. Some people are really innocent. We have situations with guys doing 20, 25 years and now with technology and DNA, they’re finding these guys innocent. But if they had known the law back then, they might have been able to avoid that. Remy [Ma], for example, me losing a lot of my people to the penitentiary system, I started writing the “Law Library.” Through the “Law Library” saga, it breaks down the law to you. I started out with grand jury proceedings, warrant for arrests, different levels of the law. It’s not telling you to go out there and commit crimes, but if you find yourself in one of those situations, go into the “Law Library” and learn the law. Listening to the song can potentially help you regain your freedom. So when I say “Thugication” I’m basically representing the educated thug. Not saying go out there and be a thug. But if you are, or you do find yourself in one of those situations, be educated. Know your history. Have knowledge of self and where you came from so you can know where you’re going. That’s where “Thugication” came from and that’s what it’s about.

DX: I don’t think Hip Hop would be what it is today without the impact of Clarence 13X and how his messages shaped the perspective of some of the illest emcees ever. But now 5 Percenter ideology doesn’t seem as pervasive throughout Hip Hop. I got a chance to check out Show and Prove last year up in Harlem for the first time, and it felt like a beautiful display of unity. You quote the mathematics on a regular basis. What’s the state of 5 Percenters as you see it? What’s changed within the faith since the '70s, '80s, and '90s?

Papoose: You had some people that was in it for different reasons. But once it’s embedded in your heart it’s always going to remain there. You said it yourself, when you went to Show and Prove, you saw unity. It’s about knowing your history, having knowledge of self, knowing where you came from, and knowing the opposition on this planet. It’s very important. I think you said it better than I can myself: unity. Unifying the mind, unifying people, unifying freedom, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, culture/freedom, power, refinement, equality, god, build, destroy, born. Unifying everything and maintaining it. I think the state of it is very powerful. I don’t think it will ever die. You had a couple savages who was in it for reasons representing different things. The foundation of it is strong.

DX: You mentioned Remy Ma a moment ago while explaining “Thugication.” How is Remy doing? How are her spirits?

Papoose: [Remy Ma's] spirits are great. She went to college and accomplished a lot while there. She’s basically making a positive out of a negative situation. Remy’s a rebel. She doesn’t deserve to be where she’s at. I was in her life when the incident took place. I witnessed it day by day, and I know for a fact that she don’t deserve to be where she’s at. If somebody takes something from you, are you gonna sit there and allow that person to do that? If I’m standing next to you right now and I put my hand in your pocket, does that justify what I did if you react? Not to say that Remy is guilty. I’m just making an example. It’s a known fact that somebody took something from her and that was that initial act that caused that whole situation. She’s a rebel. She doesn’t deserve it. She’s a mother and she don’t deserve to be there. That’s one of the reasons why I stood by her side from day one. I refuse to be anywhere else.

But to answer your question, she’s doing well. Her time is getting short. She’s got four years left. She’s going in for another appeal this year. We’re waiting for it now. If it goes right, she can be home as early as this year. If not, she only has two years left. I feel sorry for artists. She’s had a lot of time to think of lyrics and ideas. The concepts she’s coming with: dangerous.

DX: That’s scary. She’s always been dangerous. That was our favorite thing about Remy Ma.

Papoose: [Laughs] Yeah! She’s dangerous, my brother.

DX: I interviewed Nitty Scott MC in 2011. She’s a new artist with a rising profile out of NYC. She has a song that I believe is called “Alphabet Soup” where she’s playing off the letters of the alphabet. She probably just turned 21-years old, if that. In that interview she describes how to keep people from interrupting her while she was working on that song, she told them, “Excuse me, I’m writing my ‘Alphabetical Slaughter.’” She’s still young. Your “Alphabetical Slaughter” debuted in 1998. You literally have people who have been listening and checking for you since they were elementary schoolers. You have fans that grew up on Papoose...

Papoose: [Laughs] I ain’t gonna lie, I get that too and I’m like, “Damn!” That shit makes me feel old sometimes. [Laughs] Yo, I get a lot of praise, man. The support, the love, the admiration never stops. It’s never ending. You don’t understand the love that I get from the record every day of my life. It’s crazy. The reaction is crazy. I can’t wait to drop my album so people can hear part two where I run through it backwards. If you look at my video to “I’m Like That,” you’ll see a preview at the end of the video.

DX: Do you have any regrets? Are there any miscalculations that you feel you’ve made?

Papoose: You know, they say you’re not supposed to have any regrets. But sometimes you do. When I first came into the game, I was coming out of the hood and I had somewhat of a negative mentality. I’m a lot more mature now. But my mentality back then was if you disrespect me, there’s a problem. Not to say that that was my regret. What I regret is, when I looked at the music industry, I thought it was real. I thought it was all real. I was kind of warned that you can’t be like that in here. This is not real. If you do this, they’re gonna black ball you or hate on you. It’s a couple situations that I reacted to in a negative way that I would’ve handled a little differently if I was using my head. Thinking that the industry was real, when it’s really a fake place, man. I regret thinking that the music industry was real. I regret that.

DX: Rule 4080..

DX: You have fans that have been fans for a decade now. You mentioned that Hip Hop has taken you all over the world, even without a major release. You’ve remained principled, even down to the title of your debut album, Nacirema Dream. With everything that you’ve experienced and everything you’ve witnessed, what still surprises you about Hip Hop?

Papoose: When somebody that can’t rap becomes successful. It shocks me every time. I’m like, “What in the fuck?” I grew up being excited over a hot line or a metaphor. A dope concept was so valuable to me at that time. I valued it. I’d play it so much that it made my blood rush. It gave me goosebumps when I heard an emcee say something on the mic. That’s what I looked forward to, that, “Oh, did you hear what he said,” feeling. That shit was like a big deal at one time. That’s really what it’s about. But the people that lack talent, they like to blind the public and make you think that it’s about how much money you got; how many cars you got; how much jewelry you got; how many records you sold; what record label you on? Hip Hop is not about that. With Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Biggie - we didn’t care how many records they sold. Shit, they’re lyrics were hot! I ain’t gonna call these dudes names out, but I can point them out. [I can point out when they first started pointing out] Soundscans. That messed the game up because they took the audiences attention and focus off of what Hip Hop is really about and put it on something totally different. So when people started looking at Soundscan, people stopped looking at talent and lyricism and that’s when all the less talented motherfuckers snuck in with the bullshit. When people were looking the other way, they snuck in through the back door and flooded the gates with that shit. So, to answer your question, that’s what surprises me about that shit! Every time I see a motherfucker who can’t rap be successful, I’m shocked! It never fails.

Davido Blowing Money Fast Spends N2million on chain

Asa Asika is Davido's manager and according to him, the 19yr old fast rising singer, who's currently touring, It really seems nothing can be too expensive for these guys, not when they are in their hit period.

Drake Files Official Response To "Marvin's Room" Lawsuit

Drake counters a lawsuit claiming that he owes a woman money for use of her voice on "Marvin's Room."

According to an exclusive story by The Hollywood Reporter, a woman claiming to be Drake’s ex-girlfriend and the inspiration for “Marvin’s Room” is suing the YMCMB rapper for co-writing royalties on the song.

Ericka Lee, who is credited in the liner notes of “Marvin’s Room” as a vocalist under the name “Syren Lyric Muse,” believes she is entitled to a larger share of the song’s royalties. Lee filed her initial claim in July of 2011, and was met by a counterclaim from Cash Money/Universal Records roughly six weeks later. According to Lee’s suit, she believes her “contribution is highly significant to the overall work.”

“Drake allegedly agreed to work with Lee on ‘Marvin’s Room’ and split the proceeds,” writes Eriq Gardner of The Hollywood Reporter. “Lee says she was asked to record the song’s ‘hook’ as well as the opening monologue that would serve as the thematic framework for a song about Drake’s yearning for an ex-girlfriend and how his fame interfered with his love life.”

Lee also claims she was offered a $50,000 payment along with 4-5% of the song’s royalties after threatening Drake with legal action prior to filing her lawsuit. “Marvin’s Room” peaked at the number 21 spot on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 singles chart.

UPDATE: (February 3), a spokesperson for Drake told The Los Angeles Times' "Pop & Hiss" column that there is no merit to Erick Lee's claims. "This claim is entirely without merit and our client has not engaged in any wrongful conduct. Ericka Lee consented to the use of her voice in the song 'Marvin’s Room' prior to its release. Lee asked only for the credit she received as 'Syren Lyric Muse,' and she did not ask for any compensation," said the Drake camp yesterday. "It was only after she retained a lawyer that there was a demand for payment. Drake tried for months to resolve the matter amicably, and he now looks forward to being vindicated in court."

A history of the "Marvin's Room" inspiration and controversy can be read at "Pop & Hiss."
According to 3m360, Drake has filed an official response to Ericka Lee's lawsuit that claims he owes her compensation for use of her voice on "Marvin's Room." In the filing, Drizzy says he never promised to pay her any money, and that "she consented to the use of her voice in the song 'Marvin’s Room' for no compensation." He also denied having a romantic relationship with Lee, and denis threatening her for filing her initial complaint. A judge is yet to rule on the matter.

French Show Promoter Losses N15M To Fake P-Square’s Manager

As you read this story, a French show promoter is biting his fingers and regretting. Reason? He was swindled off $100, 000 USD (N15 million) by a fake P-Square's manager.

According to sources, the road to 'magahood' began late last year when the French promoter, eager to bring the singing sensation to France had gone to, of all places, Facebook and Twitter to launch a search for P-Square.

His search led him to phony Facebook and Twitter IDs purportedly belonging to the manager of the twins in France. Sources say the ID belonged to an Igbo guy, who claimed he had acquired the franchise to manage P-Square in France for two years.

While we are not sure whether it was 'juju' or sheer brain he used, what we are sure of is that the Frenchman, believing he was talking with the right person transferred a whopping $100, 000 USD into the account of the fake P-Square's manager.

However, it soon dawned on him that he had been swindled after the fake P-Square's manager stopped taking his calls and so he raised the alarm but it was too late, the account into which the money was wired had been cleaned out and the fake manager had popped into the blue.
Reacting to the story, an ex-PMAN president, who did not want his name in print, had lamented thus: "This is tragic! The fault lies with the artistes who wouldn't join a union. If there is a real union, things like this would not happen because the union would be the first port of call for any show promoter from any part of the world wanting to do business with Nigerian artistes.

"This kind of stuff happens all the time. It has happened to D'banj and a number of other artistes and I believe it's their fault."

Meanwhile, we hear that the French show promoter is leaving no stone unturned in fishing out the culprit and is currently making efforts to reach out to security agencies in the country.
Off the Stage will keep you posted as events unfold.

Panic as Bomb Found In Ikeja LGA Office

ikeja area of Lagos was, Wednesday, thrown into panic following report of the discovery of substance suspected to a bomb, in one of the offices in Ikeja Local Government.

Staff and those who came for different transactions, rushed out of the building with some car owners abandoning their vehicles as they fled for dear life.

A multiple auto crash was also averted as motorists including commercial motorcyclists plying the route hurriedly made u-turn.

Traders were not left out as some of them managed to lock up their shops and vacated the area.

Report said the combustive substance was planted and connected to an air conditioner behind the councils’ doctor’s office. It was reportedly discovered by one of the staff who was at the verge of putting on the air conditioner.

Unconfirmed reports said bomb experts who arrived the scene later stated that the substance would have exploded if the air conditioner was put on.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakubu Alkali, who was having a security meeting with his senior officers at the time of the incident, reportedly drafted some policemen to the scene.

Policemen from the Bomb Disposal Unit who promptly arrived the local government, directed that all vehicles be removed from the premises as they went about their search for the combustive substance which they later discovered.

The Council Secretary who gave his name as Hon. Ayodele told Vanguard that the policemen from bomb squad promised to take the substance to the laboratory to ascertain whether it was an explosive or not.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Jinadu, who was also at the scene, told journalists that the substance was not an explosive . But he did not state what exactly it was.

Jinadu disclosed that prior to the bomb scare, policemen from Bomb Disposal Unit had gone on awareness campaign on bombs round many institutions in the state.

However, despite assurances by the police that the substance was not bomb, none of the local government staff dared to go inside as they all stayed out of the area for fear of another explosive material. As at the time of going to press, story of the bomb scare had spread all over the city heightening earlier fears that the dreaded Boko Haram group may have finally focused attention in Lagos.

It would be recalled that in the past weeks, rumors of threats by the group to bomb the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has been on the air with security agents assuring that there was no truth in it

Male Inmate Succesfully Sneak Into women's Cell Block For Sex

A correction officer said he spotted a Maine inmate crawling in the county jail’s corridors after apparently sneaking to the women’s block for a romantic meetup on March 10.

Arien L’Italien, 23, of Biddeford, slipped from his maximum-security Cumberland County Jail unit by finagling with the lock around 11:50 p.m., according to a statement from the county sheriff’s department. After freeing himself from the cell, he moseyed over to Karla Wilson’s place in the pen.

L’Italien and Wilson
While in her quarters, the two had sex. The guard saw L’Italien as he tried to crawl back to his cell at 12:50 a.m.

Watchmen check prisoners’ cells every 15 minutes, but L’Italien arranged his bunk to make it look like someone was tucked in, My Fox Boston reported.

The lovers evidently arranged their rendezvous by communicating through the jail’s ventilation system, according to the sheriff’s office.