HIP HOP HONORS

Every year VH1 celebrates the vision, innovation and groove power of the seminal artists who helped make hip hop such a strong cultural force around the world. Our Annual Hip Hop Honors show airs on Monday, October 6 at 10 pm ET. Tracy Morgan hosts the show.

Purchase tickets to the official "VH1 Hip Hop Honors" screening and after party on October 2.

2008 Honorees are

Slick Rick
Too Short
De La Soul
Cypress Hill
Naughty by Nature

JERMAINE DUPRI AT IT AGAIN

Welcome to TAG Records. We're changing the game with this new label, so I suggest you join the movement. We're giving artists an incredible platform that no other label can offer. Most importantly, we're offering new artists the chance to have their music heard on an unprecedented level. TAG Records is making history with this one and if you're fresh enough, you can do the same. To get the latest news on TAG Records as well as hear my thoughts on the hustle and the music industry, visit my page Tag Records.

Jermaine Dupri knows a little about making history. As a producer and songwriter, the Atlanta-based music mogul has discovered and developed some of the best-selling artists of all time. When he’s not making his mark in hip-hop and R&B, JD always looking to expand his empire whether it be with his restaurant, his book or more recently TAG Records.

REALLY??

THE BRITISH INVASION

HEADED BACK TO LA

SLID OUT OF LA ON THE LATE NIGHT TO FULFILL A REQUEST FROM CONGRESS WOMAN MAXINE WATERS. HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN WASHINGTON DC EARLY THIS AM.
THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER WAS JAMMED PACKED TODAY FULL OF YOUNG, BLACK, EDUCATED KIDS EAGER TO LISTEN AND LEARN FROM ALL THE PANELISTS INVOLVED.

THIS MARKS MY THIRD YEAR PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS HERE IN DC.

THERE WERE 3 OTHERS PANELISTS ASIDE FROM MYSELF HELPING MRS. MAXINE WATERS WITH HER MESSAGE AND MISSION.

THE MESSAGE
HOW AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINERS CAN IMPACT and EMPOWER their community, locally, and globally.

WE ALL WERE INTRODUCED AND GIVEN TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT COULD ACTUALLY LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION UPON ALL OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

HERE'S WHAT I SAID
"What do 3 out of 4 Americans on welfare have in common with

85% of percent of unwed mothers

and with 68% of those arrested in the US annually?

They are all ILLITERATE

In this decade, only 68% of students who enter the 9th grade will GRADUATE high school

and ONE-FIFTH of those high school graduate won't be able to READ their diploma.

I am speaking about the epidemic of ILLITERACY."

I WENT ON TO SAY A BIT MORE THAT, I BELIEVE IN MY SPIRIT, I LEFT THEM ALL WITH SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

CHARLES HAMILTON & JOE BUDDIN

MY GOODNESS, I LOVE IT. MY COUSIN IS AT AGAIN. BUSTING THEM MICS. THE ULTIMATE FREESTYLE FROM CHARLES HAMILTON & JOE BUDDEN!!!

LISA RAYE'S CELEBRATION

LAST NIGHT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!! WE ALL ATTENDED LISA RAYE'S 41ST BIRTHDAY WHICH SHE OPENLY SAID SHE WAS CELEBRATING. THE NIGHT WAS FILLED WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FANS SHOWING NOT ONLY LOVE FOR LISA RAYE'S BIRTHDAY BUT ALSO SHOWING SUPPORT FOR HER FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. THERE WILL BE 3 OTHER PARTYS HELD NATIONWIDE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IKE IN TURKS & CAICOS.

TEDDY RILEY, QUEEN PEN, PAULA J. PARKER AND FONZEWORTH WERE AMONGST THE CELEBRITY GUEST LIST. SPIN ON THE TURNTABLES AND ME ON THE MIC.

LIFE- WHAT'S THE MEANING?

I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT OVER AND OVER....WHAT IS THE MEANING TO LIFE? SPECIFICALLY MINE. WHAT AM I HERE FOR? AM I NEARLY DONE WITH WHAT I'M MEANT TO DO OR HAVE I JUST CRACKED THE CEMENT?
I HEARD THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU FEEL AT OPTIMUM LEVEL IS WHEN YOUR SOUL IS CONNECTING WITH IT'S PURPOSE. IF THIS IS THE CASE I MUST BE MEANT TO HELP. HELPING OTHERS BRINGS ME THE GREATEST JOY.
PERHAPS LIFE IS WORTH LIVING WHEN LIFE IS USED TO HELP OTHERS LIVE........

ALMOST SEPTEMBER

CELEBRATION

ALMOST SEPTEMBER

THE FEMALE MC

WHAT'S HAPPENED? WHAT'S WRONG? HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STATE OF HIP HOP AS IT RELATES TO WOMEN? WHY AREN'T ANY FEMALE MCS BEING RELEASED BY MAJOR RECORD LABELS? SO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEMALE MC. SO MANY PUBLICATIONS ARE DECIDING TO NOW SPEAK ON SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN BREWING FOR MANY YEARS NOW. HAS THE FEMALE MC MORPHED INTO SOMETHING WE CAN NO LONGER RECOGNIZE AS HIP HOP? OR SHOULD I SAY AT LEAST I CAN'T RECOGNIZE THEM AS MCS.
RECORD LABELS HAVE CHOSEN TO INVEST THEIR MONIES IN HIP HOP PRODUCERS AND POP FEMALES WHO ALL IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER FAVOR THE MELODIC SOUNDS OF MISSY ELLIOTT. THEY LOOK GOOD, THEY SOUND GOOD BUT THEY'RE HARDLY WHAT I WOULD RECOGNIZE AS FEMALE MCS NOR WOULD THEY WANT THAT TITLE SEEING AS THOUGH THE FEMALE MC BARELY GETS ANY ATTENTION ON A MUSIC FRONT THESE DAYS. I'M SURE THEY'RE QUITE HAPPY WITH THE POP APPEAL THEY ATTRACT MATTER OF FACT THAT'S WHAT MOST OF US AS FEMALE MCS HAVE BEEN BANKING ON.
IF SOMEONE ASKED ME.....LOL.... I'D SAY THE FEMALE MC HAS BEEN BORN OUT OF MALE CAMPS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. THIS TIME IS NO DIFFERENT EXCEPT THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME MEN IN THE GAME THAT GET BEHIND A WOMAN AND PUSH. HE NEEDS TO BE HAPPY WITH HER POINT OF VIEW FROM THE GET GO AND NOT BE ON A MISSION TO MOLD HER TO HIS LIKING. LET HER BE!!! WITH HER JUST BEING, TRUTH WILL BE TOLD AND SHE WILL GAIN FANS FROM BEING GENUINE. SHE HAS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS TO TRULY FEEL CONNECTED TO THE MUSIC AND LYRICS AND THEN SHE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE AUDIENCE ENGAGED.
LADIES WHO ROCK THE MIC!!!!! KICK IT!!!

LISA RAYE RAISES FUNDS FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS

Join LisaRaye and Celebrity Friends

… As She Dedicates Her Birthday Celebration to
Raise Funds For The Citizens of Turks
& Caicos

That Are Victims of Hurricane Ike
September 23, 2008
Where: The Area 643 N. La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood. 9PM

Confirmed Celebrities include: Wendy Raquel Robinson, John Sally, Sanaa
Lathan, Elise Neal, Stacy Dash, Brandy, Malik Yoba, Kenya Moore, Alex
Thomas, Tamela Jones,
Kim Whitley, Judge Matthis and more.

Speak Of My Legacy

Seems like not long ago I stepped on to a stage in Brooklyn, NY to rock my first joint, "I Cram to Understand U". I was 16 years old and I was ready for the world. I remember before signing with a major label we were very independent. I traveled all over the eastern shore with Audio Two (Top Billin') to promote our singles to a new generation of hip hop lovers.

Since those early days I have been around the globe many times over and have had the opportunity to meet many groups of interesting people and extremely beautiful individuals. Along the way I have learned valuable lessons that are priceless and no I wouldn't change a thing. The experience is one that still brings me joy, enlightenment and excitement.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

SLICK RICK HONORED

Finally Slick Rick earns his place in the world of VH1 Hip-Hop Honors this October 2008. He has given us so very much as artist throughout the years so it seems only right that we pay homage to the man who made us jam.

Ricky Walters born January 14 1965, better known by Slick Rick, MC Ricky D and Rick the Ruler, is a British mc, song writer and actor. Originally from London, England he moved with his family to the Bronx in 1975 where he met Dana Dane, later forming a hip hop duo as Kangol Crew. Rick's characteristic eye-patch was acquired after being blinded in the right eye by broken glass as an infant. He is best known for a series of rap recordings during the 1980s, including "Children's Story" and "La Di Da Di", B-side of Doug E. Fresh single "The Show" (1985).

Seen here is Slick Rick and his lovely wife Mandy.

almostseptember