JumpinJack AJ

The posts are on brand. I don't think I want to see him go back to the same level as he was once doing, as I found it impossible to keep up with everything, but I do think using it correctly until his next big project will be ideal.

It's good to see him out, like he's not trying to stay in seclusion. I also like Will Packer chiming in. There will always be the petty type who are going to hold some kind of grudge against him, but I think the tide is turning and a lot of people are realizing that this is just something that happened.

It's kind of sad. An adult with a successful stooping this low. Plus, there's this: https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72476/title.the-game-eminem-daughter-hailie-bikini-photos#

What are your thoughts. I think the beat is dope, but that's about it. This whole thing seems forced to get some attention. 10 minutes is definitely over the top and unnecessary. I've never listened to a diss track where I didn't react to a single lyric. None of them sting. In fact, the Eminem references I could pick out make this sound more like a love letter to him. I also think dissing him because he's white is very 1999. I'm curious what others think.

I thought it was just a choice. I wasn't thinking it was tied to any movie projects. I kind of doubt that it's tied to Deadshot. With DC films being re-worked, possibly wiped clean, I don't think we'll see any more Suicide Squad projects, at least not the same one he was involved in.

The track listing is out. It's two CDs. I haven't followed Eminem too closely over the years, but I'm pretty sure half of these weren't actual hits. It seems like he could have picked songs from this line up and created a single disc collection that would have been stronger. https://hypebeast.com/2022/8/eminem-curtain-call-2-tracklist-50-cent-beyonce-dr-dre Eminem Unveils 'Curtain Call 2' Tracklist Featuring Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyoncé and More Dropping August 5. TEXT BY Sophie Caraan Eminem has unveiled the official tracklist of his upcoming project, Curtain Call 2. The 34-track greatest hits collection is set to include several of his No. 1 hits including “Love The Way You Lie” and “The Monster” featuring Rihanna, and “Crack a Bottle” with 50 Cent and Dr Dre, along with more recent releases such as “Godzilla” featuring the late Juice WRLD. Fans can also look forward to Em’s unreleased 50 Cent collab titled “Is This Love (‘09),” which is supposedly produced by Dr. Dre. Curtain Call 2 will mark the rapper’s second greatest hits project, with the first Curtain Call becoming the first hip-hop record to spend a full decade on the Billboard 200. Take a look at the full tracklist below. Curtain Call 2 drops August 5.

I'm not sure how to take this. My thoughts are that Chris Rock has lost all respect for Will, and therefore doesn't think it's worth talking to him, or doesn't care that it would give Will some sort of closure. It could also be that doing so might put him in a position to discuss the joke he made.

CHRIS ROCK REPORTEDLY IS “FINE” AND “DOESN’T NEED TO TALK” TO WILL SMITH SHAWN GRANT AUGUST 2, 2022 In his apology video, Will Smith revealed that representatives for Chris Rock said the famed comedian was not ready to speak to him. In an update, PEOPLE magazine reveals that Rock feels he never needs to speak to Smith about the matter. “Chris doesn’t need to talk. This is clearly something that bothers Will more than Chris,” a source stated. “Will needs to deal with his issues. Chris is fine.” A second source added, “The fact that he is making jokes about it already is a good thing. That means he is assessing it. But the stress of the slap and the aftermath has not taken over his life. Quite the opposite.” On Friday, Will Smith released a video on social media apologizing formally to Chris Rock for the Oscars slap and also answering some pressing questions from fans. While in Atlanta at The Fox Theatre hours later, Chris Rock didn’t directly mention the video but did make a comparison joke between Will Smith and Suge Knight. “Everybody is trying to be a ****ing victim,” Rock said, according to PEOPLE. “If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith … I went to work the next day, I got kids.” He added, “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.” In the video, Smith apologized to Rock and his family members. He would go on to apologize to other winners during the night. Smith also stated he reached out to Chris Rock’s team, who responded, “he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out.” https://thesource.com/2022/08/02/chris-rock-reportedly-is-fine-and-doesnt-need-to-talk-to-will-smith/

He handled it well. He was genuine and remorseful. His charisma and spark was absent, which was probably appropriate. There may be more to say about this, but if he's ready, he should do something to remind people why they love(d) him.

Thank God for Will.I.Am. I roll my eyes because all the "hip-hop" groups on Facebook celebrate the same rappers. It's also 2Pac, Biggie, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Snoop, Ice Cube, Eminem etc. There's nothing wrong with them...and I like their music, but the mainstream is so simple minded with such a narrow taste. I like hearing someone praising artists that don't rely on violence/drugs/sex subject matter and explicit lyrics.

https://thesource.com/2022/07/27/will-i-am-says-that-biggie-and-2pacs-music-doesnt-speak-to-my-spirit-reveals-what-artists-he-listens-to/ WILL.I.AM SAYS THAT BIGGIE AND 2PAC’S MUSIC DOESN’T “SPEAK TO MY SPIRIT,” REVEALS WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRED HIM DYLAN KEMP JULY 27, 2022 While 2Pac and Biggie are referred to as two of the greatest, if not the greatest rappers of all time, there is a group of people who might have liked their music, but not as much as others. Will.i.am is in that group of people. In a recent interview with Hip Hop Confessions, the Black Eyed Peas co-founder said that 2Pac and Biggies type of music “doesn’t speak to my spirit.” “Like when people say 2Pac and Biggie, I’m such a Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul head that I don’t like 2Pac and Biggie,” the 47-year-old explained. “That kind of music doesn’t speak to my spirit. I like Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One, I like—if it’s like, 2Pac or Biggie? It’s KRS-One. Why those two?” Will.i.am added that 2Pac and Big spoke to the projects whereas De La Soul and ATCQ was his escape from the projects. “I hold Eric B. and Rakim like that. 2Pac’s dope—don’t get me wrong,” he said. “It’s not like I don’t think he’s dope. It spoke to the projects. My escape is De La/Tribe out the projects.” Will.i.am added,“It took me out the projects physically, as far as being able to reach my dreams, that was my path out. … It kept me safe while I was in the projects,” he said. “Had I loved 2Pac and Biggie while I was in the projects, I probably would have been stuck in the projects still.” You can check out his full comments below.

I didn't find out about this song until a couple years ago and I'm pretty sure we never talked about it on the board. In 2009, Tiye Phoenix put out her album "Half Woman, Half Amazin'". I got the album recently and it's excellent. The song "Master Plan" is produced, mixed, and co-written by Jeff.

I do think popping up at one of Jeff's shows would be a good idea. That way he's in a position where he's supporting someone instead of making it about himself. Jeff is the one person who has been entirely in his corner when it comes to the press. I feel like that kind of crowd would be in his corner the most, too. Footage of it would get around, making it a special low key moment. From the start I've been saying music is the healthiest playing field for him right now.

Emcee Dynas put out his album The Apartment through BBE back in 2009. If you love the other albums BBE put out in the 2000's, you'll love this one. I feel like this one went under the radar on this board, so I wanted to share the two songs he did with Jeff. Jeff is credited for producing, recording, mixing, and co-writing "The Future" (which he also scratches on) and "It's My Turn".

I love the energy. This got a proper video treatment.

Big Ted, I disagree with a lot of what you said. His writing style, rhyme schemes, etc are all second to none. When a lot of artists were making irrelevant music that was just a carbon copy of what the other artists were doing, he was forging his own path. He's not one of my favorite artists, but he did a lot that changed music. There are plenty of songs he created that are amazing lyrically or based on their subject matter. There's also plenty that are unlistenable, but he's one of Hip-Hop's biggest and smartest fans and that spills into the music. Not to mention he also produces and has his own label that has actually furthered other artists' careers. Eminem says it's hard to see himself rhyming after 50, which he nearly is, so maybe this is (one of) his final project(s). He deserves to cap his career off with it, but I don't know how many actual hits he's had since the last greatest hits complication. I'm diggin' the new song he did with Snoop that'll be on it.

I'm a little curious about this. My interest in his music has been on a steady decline over the past 20 years, especially after 2005. The industry has changed so much since then. Hit songs in recent years are mostly disposable as if they were never hits. The production on his projects since 2005 definitely isn't on the level that he was prior to that. I'm not crazy about the album cover either. If you're going to do a sequel, I feel like the art work should have some sort of nod to the previous album cover. This might be just what he needs to get his music back in the eyes of the mainstream, though.

Eminem reveals album cover & release date for ‘Curtain Call 2’ by Timothy Mwachia Eminem’s ‘Curtain Call 2’ drops next month Eminem teased the sequel to his monster compilation album Curtain Call: The Greatest Hits last month, and now he discloses its artwork & release date. In a press release revealed on Monday (July 11), Em shared the cover and a release date of August 5 for the album. The project will be released through Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records. The Detroit rapper hinted at the album when he dropped the Snoop Dogg-assisted single, ‘’ From the D 2 the LBC,’’ last month. The record premiered on June 23 at Ape Fest, the Bored Ape NFT event at NFT.NYC and is the lead single for the forthcoming project. The album will feature Slim Shady’s music released since the first installment dropped in 2005, and songs will be lifted from his projects from ‘’Relapse forward, including side-projects, guest appearances, film soundtrack songs, and of course selections from his solo albums.’’ Along with the standard version, there will be limited edition box set and a limited quantity of autographed vinyl available on Eminem’s website. Curtain Call: The Greatest Hits was released in December 2005 and included Em’s biggest jams like “The Way I Am,” “My Name Is,” “Guilty Conscience” and “Without Me.” In 2017, it became the longest-running rap album on Billboard 200. https://dailyrapfacts.com/42163/eminem-reveals-album-cover-release-date-for-curtain-call-2/?fbclid=IwAR3vGDv7FHQQFRFPrGUinACOvpqLHm41TsH43RWFH8Udu7gEVoKzn6-rc3w

First and foremost, he needs to do what is right for him. I don't think this silence is a PR move, so I think what's he's doing is good. As I get older, I feel like my awareness that the pubic is generally simple minded becomes more and more apparent. There's going to be those people who can only make some snide, uncreative joke about what went down because they enjoy the downfall of others. For others, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I don't think he needs to work with the media or attend events when he comes back. I don't care to see him on a red carpet or having an interview with some news personality. Joining people of privilege in Hollywood just isn't attractive to me. I think what he needs to do, when he's ready, is come back with some quality, artsy, impactful content that addresses the event and lets people in on his life a bit. Maybe it's a song. Maybe it's spoken word. Maybe it's a social media project that isn't simply about getting attention and likes. I don't think film is the way to go right now. Will means a lot to lots of people in different ways. Who am I to say how people should process it? At the same time, I'm thinking "get over it". He did something crappy, Far less worse than the stuff other people in pop culture have done. We're coming up on four months, y'all. For me, personally, I put on the music from time to time and it's a huge reminder that what went down is a flawed drop in an ocean of greatness.

Martin Lawrence Says Oscar Slap Won’t Impact Him And Will Smith Making A New Bad Boys Film By: Kershaw St. JawnsonCategory: NewsJuly 9, 2022 Martin Lawrence has confirmed that “Bad Boys 4” is still in the works after production was halted due to Will Smith assaulting Chris Rock. Comedian and box office titan Martin Lawrence says that the now notorious Will Smith slap at the Oscars will not stop the two from starring in the highly anticipated “Bad Boys 4” movie. Says “With Dr. Dre Or Without Dr. Dre, I Was Gonna Be Great.” Martin also said the franchise had been one of the most pivotal associations of his life. While thinking about the 1995 movie that started it all, he said, “It was big.” “For us to come together and prove that we can deliver, and we can pull people into the box office – that two Black stars, two sitcom stars, could make money at the box office [was huge]… I didn’t go to college, so I felt TV was my college years,” Martin Lawrence said in Ebony magazine’s July issue. “I felt with movies, I had graduated; it was just different.” But what is not different is his relationship with his friend and co-star, Will Smith. Will Smith has been ridiculed over the last few months after striking comedian Chris Rock during the live broadcast of the Academy Awards, the first to be produced by a Black man, Will Packer. Pre-production on “Bad Boys 4” was halted indefinitely after Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock. AllHipHop.com covered the backlash, noting that since the incident, Will Smith has retreated in a chance to heal from whatever prompted him to lash out at the host. Still, Martin Lawrence has his boy’s back, saying there will be another “Bad Boys” film. Ebony quoted the comedian confirming, “We got one more at least.” The “Bad Boys” franchise of movies is big business. “Bad Boys” made $141 million worldwide at the box office when it was released in 1995. The sequel, “Bad Boys II,” earned $242 million when released in July of 2003. And the third installment, “Bad Boys For Life,” raked in almost $430 million in global ticket sales. https://allhiphop.com/news/martin-lawrence-says-oscar-slap-wont-impact-him-and-will-smith-making-a-new-bad-boys-film/?fbclid=IwAR0NpljX-wQaG5KIRJ7JcrZAial5Z5UoerHyf-CtK-V-xGnK82htjRtIcwk

https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lauryn-hill-wyclef-jean-fugees-essence-festival-1235110297/?fbclid=IwAR3zpm1iubB8F0fKZSQmH7K9UyVxvcD2p6Mq6NT2Q9LQgsyBRlFIeMlUsoI Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean Reunite to Perform Fugees Classics at 2022 Essence Festival The team-up follows the cancellation of the Fugees' 25th anniversary tour earlier this year. By Mitchell Peters 07/3/2022 Lauryn Hill performs at Global Citizen Live at Pier 17 on Sept. 22, 2021 in New York City.Johnny Nunez/WireImage Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean joined forces to perform a handful of Fugees classics at the 2022 Essence Festival. The surprise reunion occurred during Wyclef’s unannounced set at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome on Friday (July 1). Midway through his performance, Hill stepped out for a solo rendition of “Killing Me Softly” before being joined by her Fugees bandmate on “How Many Mics,” “Fu-Gee-La” and “Ready or Not.” The Fugees, including bandmate Pras, last performed together during a surprise pop-up concert in New York as part of a Global Citizen event in September 2021. The brief show marked the group’s first show since 2006. The beloved hip-hop trio had planned on embarking on a 12-date international reunion tour this year to celebrate the anniversary of their landmark 1996 album, The Score, but the trek was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We anticipate and understand disappointment but our anniversary tour will not be able to happen. The continued Covid pandemic has made touring conditions difficult, and we want to make sure we keep our fans and ourselves healthy and safe,” the Fugees said in a statement. “An idea sparked to honor and celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Score but we see now it may not currently be our time for revisiting this past work.” The Score, the Fugees’ second and final studio album, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and scored hits with “Killing Me Softly,” “Fu-Gee-La” and “Ready or Not.” The collection also won the Grammy for best rap album and another for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals for “Killing.” After splitting in 1998, the Fugees reunited in 2004 for Dave Chappelle’s Block Party concert film, came back together the next year for a 12-minute medley to open the 2005 BET Awards and played their final show in Feb. 2006 at a free gig for fans in Los Angeles. Watch a portion of Hill and Wyclef’s Essence Festival reunion here.

MICHAEL JACKSON ONCE TURNED DOWN A 2PAC COLLAB BECAUSE OF LOYALTY TO BIGGIE SMALLS DYLAN KEMP JUNE 29, 2022 Quincy Jones III, the son of legendary producer Quincy Jones, revealed on BET’s oral history of The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, that Michael Jackson was supposed to feature on the album, but declined due to his relationship with Biggie Smalls. The oral history was published earlier this month to coincide with what would have been Shakur’s 51st birthday. In the article, Quincy Jones III, also known as QD3, recalled that he had set up a meeting at Neverland Ranch to talk to Michael about featuring on 2Pac’s song, “Thug Passion,” which featured a sample from Jackson’s 1983 song “Human Nature.” Michael said he couldn’t do the song because he “liked Biggie.“ So I set up a meeting at Neverland. I go up there and told Michael about it. And do you know what Micheal said? He liked Biggie.” MJ and Biggie Smalls had collaborated the year before on the song “This Time Around.” “Thug Passion” ended up not being on The Don Killuminati, but would go on to be released on the 2000 Death Row compilation album, Too Gangsta For Radio. Elsewhere, QD3 talked about 2Pac’s process when it came to making music. “‘Pac would take all my beats including the ones I would never play for people,” QD3 said. “I learned a lesson that you gotta be spontaneous more and he taught me how to just think and just do it. ‘Pac would get irritated when you sat there and fiddled with sounds almost like you were disrespecting his time a little bit.” He added: “I would say he was manic. There would be moments that called for quiet voice and candles and all that and he would be screaming and smoking Newports. He was on fire with this manic push. He was always pushing. You could tell he wasn’t comfortable in some way and there was something that was making him uncomfortable.” https://thesource.com/2022/06/29/michael-jackson-once-turned-down-a-2pac-collab-because-of-loyalty-to-biggie-smalls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michael-jackson-once-turned-down-a-2pac-collab-because-of-loyalty-to-biggie-smalls

Yeah, I think it's appropriate that the BET award was given to him, but that he didn't attend and that it hasn't gotten much attention. Going back to Jeff's interview, I think he helps put things in perspective. I feel like he's the only one in Will's circle who's really doing the work while Will is laying low.

I remember watching this live. I think I taped it on a VHS, which is somewhere at my parents' house.

https://shadowandact.com/tyler-perry-says-he-wasnt-comforting-will-smith-after-oscars-slap-but-was-rather-de-escalating Photo Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Tyler Perry Says He Wasn't 'Comforting' Will Smith After Oscars Slap, But Was Rather 'De-Escalating' Shadow and Act Staff June 13, 2022 Tyler Perry opened up about speaking with Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. He was asked about the situation by Gayle King during a Q&A at the Tribeca Festival, as Deadline reports. “There is a difference between comforting and de-escalating,” Perry said when the slap came up. King asked if Smith would continue to be the namesake of a soundstage at Tyler Perry Studios. “My only problem with is this. If I talk about it, then it [will be] overshadowing everything else we talked about. That will be the headline for sure," Smith told King. “I was there, close up,” he added. I left early to go and check on Chris because it was wrong in no uncertain terms and I made sure I said that to Will.” Speak of Smith’s perspective, Perry said the actor “was devastated.” “He couldn’t believe what happened,” Perry continued. “He couldn’t believe he did it. And I’m looking at this man, in his eyes going, ‘What are you doing? This is your night… And to get all this way to winning an Oscar. It was one of the crowning moments of his career that he wanted so desperately.” He also said it is a moment of reflection for Smith. “I think he is very much in reflection of trying to figure out what happened,” he said, also bringing up what he talked about from his childhood in his recent memoir. “I know that feeling…. And if that trauma is not dealt with right away as you get older, it will show up in the most inappropriate and horrible times.” As he's friends with Smith and Rock, he called the situation "very difficult." Perry said Rock “was a pure champion the way he handled it,” but that “something happened that was extremely painful for [Smith] as well. It’s no excuse, he was completely wrong, but something triggered. That was so out of everything he is. I feel very uncomfortable. I don’t feel it is my story to tell.” Smith resigned from the Academy before they levied a 10-year ban against him. “I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct,” his statement read in part. “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate. Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.” Before this, he also posted a statement on social media.