And then it happened; it was RELEASED….and, dare I say, I liked it. I can’t, nor will I try, to convince you this is the best remix of ‘08. However, the All-Star line up did entice me (Flashback to Craig Mack’s, “Flava In Ya Remix”). Regardless of how much I like the song, I still can’t stand the original version. Sorry Busta! Anyway, enjoy this Thanksgiving treat while I head upstairs to devour everything and anything that comes within arms length.

Busta Rhymes ft. Diddy, Ron Browz, Swizz Beatz, T-Pain, Akon and Lil Wayne- Arab Money |Rmx|

Like it, Love it or Leave it???

Sincerely

Low “After dinner I will start my quest for what the hell the chorus means” Key

As November 4th gets closer, hip hop’s voice gets LOUDER. T-Pain snagged MJB, Akon and Diddy for a new track titled, “Change”. An ode to changing the scope of things around our country, Diddy, Pain, ‘Kon and MJB give their own hopeful views on how and what they want changed in today’s society. I CAN NOT stress the importance of November 4th and wha this means to us as a people, let alone our country.

“Change” derives from T-Pain’s, Thr33 Ringz album, which just happen to leak this morning. And since Jive already slapped on me the wrist for leaking “Karaoke”, I won’t be releasing anything else from the project. However, I’m sure they won’t mind me posting this lil diddy; I mean, it is for a good cause, lol!

T-Pain ft. Diddy, Akon & MJB- Change 

Like It, Love It, Or Leave It??????

Sincerely

Low “Nov.4th, Nov.4th, Nov.4th…………NOVEMBER 4TH” Key 

I remember during my excursion out to Las Vegas for Nelly’s Brass Knuckles Celebrity Weekend, the St. Lunatic sort of hinted at a super collaborative effort involving himself, Akon, T-Pain and Pharrell. Though he didn’t spit out enough information to cause any kind of commotion, he did, however, reveal the project was in the early stages of production. Said Nelly five months prior, “I feel like we don’t have that mark yet. I don’t no is showing that longevity. I like groups like BBD. I love to have fun, so right now it’s just some ideas we’re tossing around”

Fast forward to this past weekend in Atlanta, GA. Nelly, again, the bearer of exclusive details, decided to spill even more beans about the super group, but this time, reveals a fourth member, T-Pain. “I know me, Akon, Pain and Pharrell are talking about doing a group project. We have a host of thing we’re trying to do; possibly a 2009 BBD type of thing, so we’ll what that do”. Meanwhile, Skateboard P (Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes) played coy when asked about the project and its participants, “Those are all my boys,” Pharrell clarified. “I’m kind of the only one who adheres to the oath of secrecy” 

Could the four of them pull off the project without sounding corny? I mean, I know it’s the age of the “collaboration”, but is the industry ready for a Nelly/T-Pain/Akon/Pharrell Lp?? First single status would probably be monumental on some type of level, but an entire project, ehhhhhhh, I don’t know.

Anyway, enough of my banter, here’s the question, How excited are you about a super group with Nelly, T-Pain, Akon and Pharrell??? If so, why? If not, why???

Sincerely

Low “A 2009 BBD???” Key

Since I was called in to for an interview with the Konvict, as a journalist, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask him about the track and the flack it’s received. So, without further ado, here’s Akon’s PERSONAL response to the sensitive topic….

Akon responds to “I’m So Paid” controversy

Alright, Akon spoke his piece, what are YOUR thoughts??????

Sincerely

Low “Maaaaaaaaan listen, I’M COMING FOR THE DOUGH” Key

Sean Kingston creates new contest for producers! Jamaican sensation, Sean Kingston, who’s tackled international superstardom by the horns, has now taken his “Beautiful Girls” smash hit and revamped it with a Bollywood twist. “BollyWood Girls” which tackles the same theme as, “Beautiful,” highlights anything and everything “Bollywood.” After completing the track, Kingston established a contest on DesiHits.com where four producers from around the world submit their own remix production of “Bollywood Girls” and battled for fans online vote.

Says Kingston about the contest,

“I remade my song, “Beautiful Girls” into “Bollywood Girls” and incorporated a lot of the people from Bollywood because it’s a fun and big record. So what we’re doing is having a contest for different producers around the world giving them the opportunity make a remix to the song and some exposure. I just thought it would be something cool, refreshing and different to get involved with, you know what I’m saying? There’s a huge pick up out in Bollywood and I’m one of the first artist to do stuff with them, so I’m trying to open a lot of doors . Akon is also doing a lot of stuff out there as well. But I just felt like doing a remix to the song and seeing which producers could come up with the best remix would be dope.”

Not only will Kingston hand pick the winners himself, but he’s also considered the idea of working with the winning production team. “Definitely, man! Since I have my own label, Time Is Money Entertainment/Warner Brothers they get to come on my label and do tracks with my artists. Who knows, maybe one day, I’ll let them meet one of my big producers,” Kingston revealed.

For more information on the contest, slide over here……...RIGHT NOW!

The winner from the contest will be announced tomorrow, right here on SOUND OFF!

Sincerely

Low “I swear I should’ve stayed in production….I was pretty goood” Key

Stadium Entertainment will also release True To The Game, a compilation which is scheduled for an October 21 release. The set, which will also include the track, “Beam Me Up”, will sport appearances from Kanye West, Chingy, Akon, Talib Kweli, Young Cash, Yung Joc and others. Gary Katz, Camille Barbone, and Jerome Mas, all veterans in the music industry, founded the full service entertainment company in 2006 in hopes of constructing a new paradigm in the music business. Katz said of the company, “We’ve created a new business model where the artists, their music and worthy charities can come together to participate in projects that have a profound impact on the lives of others.”

A portion of the proceeds from True To The Game will benefit the fundraising initiatives of the Kansas City-based Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Sincerely

Low “Nappppppppppy BOOOOOOOOOOOY” Key 

Is Plies hip hop’s next fibber? HipHopDx thinks so.

What in the world is going on this year? First, Akon hit us with the SERIOUS pumpfake about his prior convictions, then Mr. Richard Ross issued a fib about his previous employment affairs (and got his CARD pulled)…NOW, Mr. Certified Goon himself, Plies, is at the center of HipHopDX’s attempt at blowing his thuggery cover.

If you’re familiar with Plies’s catalogue, then you’re aware of his “GOONISH” vernacular and how often it’s used. Though the investigation isn’t exactly closed, HHDX did pull some interesting facts from Plies’s previous law entanglements. Check out what they found….

“The FDLE’s criminal record for Plies shows that the self-described “goon affiliated, ex drug dealer” who’s “resume solid, street cred bigger” has been arrested just twice within his home state of Florida during his adult life, with both arrests taking place two years ago. The 32-year-old was arrested for the first time at the age of 29 on April 12, 2006 for the misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence.

The latter of his two adult arrests came during a well-publicized shooting at a Gainesville, Florida nightclub after a Plies performance on July 2, 2006. According to reports, members of the rapper’s entourage, including his older brother, Ronell “Big Gates” Lavatte, pulled out guns and fired in the club after Plies, who’s performance was running long, became angry when his microphone was cut off so that Lil Boosie could begin to perform.”

Read the rest here……

Is there a particular reason why these “thugged out rappers” are issuing these false life styles? I mean, is it that EASY to fool the consumer into believing they were dodging bullets at the tender age of 7??? What do you make of this foolery???? Chime in, NOW!!!

Sincerely

Low “One more lie, and I’m hitting the booth to record my debut, “It Doesn’t Take Much To Be A Thug Rapper” Key

When celebrating a one year anniversary, it’s a must that you deliver the best celebration known to mankind, or at least the closets you can possibly get. Usually when I attend R&B Live over at Spotlight in Times Square, it’s basically a networking schmooze fest, but last night…ahhhh man, last night was more like a Caribbean festival, Summer Jam and a visit to your favorite club on it’s best night all rolled into one package.

Despite it feeling like the El Azizia desert (do your research) inside and out, that didn’t stop the industry’s most elite from showing their faces at R&B Live’s one year anniversary celebration. Knowing how ignorant and absurd the line can get, I diddy bopped to the venue insanely early solidifying my position in a line that usually wraps all the way around 49^th St. Of course the usual “I’m on the list” hounds were in full effect (people just LOVE to look important lol), but since I was already confirmed on the press list, I just waited patiently until it was time.

When it was time for press to make their entrance, I hopped out of line accompanied by the generic sucking of the teeth and “who the HELL is he looks” of course, and headed inside. The venue wasn’t set up yet, so I took a flick just to show you guys how incredibly packed it gets. I went to the penthouse with some other media reps and patiently waited for the Kon Muzik Family (they headlined the event) to arrive. Surprisingly, Neyo was the first to show up. Grabbed a couple quotes from him and he went on his merry way. Kardinal Offishal, Rock City, Ray L, Colby O’Donis, Red Café and Akon soon followed.

After I snagged my content, I dipped downstairs to the first floor to catch the opening of the of the show. Like always, the VIP pit was a ZOO. I walked down the steps embracing the unreasonable wave of heat while checking my surroundings. I posted up at the end of the steps for a minute just to see who was in attendance and also to see who was getting turned away from the VIP area. Just to be a smart ass, I took a stroll through the VIP Pit just because I saw somebody give me this funny look as if I didn’t belong. Approached the guerilla size security guard, showed my wristband and stepped right in. Oh, the person who gave me that funny stare was still on the other side of the velvet rope lol.

I walked through quickly observing who was at what table. Ty-Ty (Jay’s right hand man) was sitting near Neyo and Ebro (Hot 97’s PD), while Lorrie Ann Gibson was sitting next to some brown skinned honey dip. Lil Kim walked in right before I entered and of course everyone was pulling for her attention. Animals! My homey, Lexxi, spotted me from her table and introduced me to Chris Rock’s brother, Tony Rock (scroll down). I made my way to the bar and posted up for the rest of the night GASPING for oxygen lol.

Colby opened the show with an acoustic version of his single “What You Got”. Judging by Akon’s early appearance, I could tell this show was going to be different from the previous R&B Live performances. Ray-L hit the stage next and grabbed the attention of each sexy lady with a couple of his infectious R&B tunes. Rock City, who I COMPLETELY underestimated, tore that stage to PIECES. Like, to PIECES! The Virgin Island brother showed everyone why they’re one of the most talked about new groups in hip hop right now. “Hip Hop Props”….all I have to say is WOW!

Earlier when Akon appeared onstage, he informed the crowd that tonight he was turning R&B Live into a club, and good lord did he! Red Café hit the stage bringing out Nina Sky for their collaborative effort, “Things You Do”. After him and Akon did several numbers together, he broke out NYC’s current anthem, “Paper Touchin”. Again, the crowd erupted in a celebratory fury chanting “I don’t know what your money like, but a nigga like me got paper”. I was sort of hoping he let Fab, Fat Joe and Kiss come out for the remix, but they were nowhere to be found. Kardinal Offishal knocked out his performance with the energy of 15 hype men (“Dangerous” is the best song to sing to a female standing next to you).

Akon closed out the show in great fashion by bringing the Konvict Muzik Family onstage for a collaborative group celebration. I have a new found respect and love for The Konvict Family. They love their craft and it shows, IMMENSELY. Big shouts to Eric Nick and Shanti Das for brining R&B back to the forefront. Each and every industry employee will be forever in debt to you both. Congratulations on your one year anniversary.

Low “Happy Anniversary R&B Live” Key 

Before the Vip Pit turned into “The Industry Zoo”…

Neyo stopped by…. 

2 Gunz up for Kardinal Offishall… 

Toure and Young Berg pose for the flashing lights….. 

Colby O’ Donis gets his shine on at R&B Live 

Ray L poses for BET SoundOff camera…. 

Red Cafe hit the red carpet for R&B Live

 Akon also hit the red carpet….

Red Cafe, Eric Nicks, Akon and Shanti Das cheese it up for the camera’s  

Even Michelle Williams came out to support!  

Tony Rock (brother to Chris Rock) on the cool out at R&B Live.

Colby cues the DJ….. 

Ray-L serenades a young lady in the front row!

Rock City before tearing the stage to pieces….. 

Rock City literally tearing the stage to pieces……. 

The R&B Live crowd showing their appreciation for Rock City.

Akon and the rest of the Konvict Muzik Family take to the stage… 

Even Lil Kim hit the stage with the Konvict Family.

The VIP Pit aka “The Industry Zoo”….

Ahhhh, she so gorgeous! Oh, sorry back to business. I’m not a huge fan of this song, but these remixes are keeping me entertained so I can deal with it for now. Weezy Weez and Mr. Locked up decided to add their “Bye Bye” thoughts to this track and of course Mr. B.E.T. You Haven’t Heard This aka LowKey just couldn’t hold onto it for himself, so here you go!

Mariah Carey ft. Lil Wayne & Akon- Bye Bye (Remix) 

You know the drill boys and girls….

Like it, Love it or Leave it?????

Wheeeew, got myself a BUSY day ahead of me. R&B Live post, Karina Pasian post, and another Las Vegas post! I swear, there’s just not enough hours in the day!

Sincerely

Low “You’re lucky I LOVE what I do lol” Key  

 After waking up to one of the worst hangovers EVER, I managed to get my self together and head down to the press conference. Ahhh, I swear I’ll never down two bottles of Saparro beer, a STRONG LIT, 3 other beers and a shot of patron (whad up cuzzo?!?) in the same night ever again! Me and TGeezy made it to the press conference suite (it actually belonged to Carmello Anthony) and met up with the big homey, Shake from HipHopDx and 2DopeBoyz.Com.

Sylvia Rhone (President of Universal Motown) came in shortly after us accompanied by a small mut that had the notion I would feed it every time I sat my plate down. Still suffering from my enormous hangover, I attempted to scarf down a turkey sandwich wrap, but it only worsened my stomach’s condition, so I proceeded to drink some H20, which surprisingly did the trick.

After filing into a separate room, the press conference began with a brief, but celebratory introduction from Sylvia. Nelly and JD appeared from the opposite side of the room, and by the look on Nelly’s face he was feeling the SAME exact way I was. Since I did a thorough Q&A with the homey 2 weeks prior, everything he was explaining had already been answered during our meeting, but it was still interesting to hear him revisit some of the topics we discussed.

JD talked shortly about collaborating with the St. Lunatic and how it’s always a pleasure working with him. Towards the end of the press conference, Akon, who was  hurting as well, came into discuss their collaboration, “Body On Me” featuring Ashanti, which happens to be Nelly’s second single. While Akon was answering a couple of questions, he mentioned that him, Nelly and Pharrell were thinking of putting together a group project, but as of right now, it’s just a couple of ideas they’re tossing back and fourth. 

For most of the information that was discussed during the press conference, check out my EXTENSIVE Q&A session with the Derrty Ent. general right here…

Sincerely

Low “If you play hard, be prepared to work hard” Key

Nelly speaks candidly about working with both, Jermaine Dupri and Akon 

Jermaine Dupri and Nelly take a minute to catch a couple flashing lights.

Nelly and Akon share a chuckle during the press conference