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Some influential figures are upset with how the 2010 VH1 'Hip Hop Honors' is shaping up.
This year, the Dirty South is the focus of the annual awards show featuring So So Def Records founder Jermaine Dupri, Rap-A-Lot Records founder James "J Prince" Smith, Luther "Luke" Campbell and 2 Live Crew. No Limit Records Founder Master P and Atlanta-based production company Organized Noize are all being recognized
However, in recent days, VH1 has gotten some backlash from some of the South's most recognizable rap figures.
Luke Campbell feels disrespected with the decision to honor only his work as a member of 2 Live Crew.He told Vibe.com, "They try to link me with a group and not see me as a businessman, [but] Luke Records was the first independent black-owned record company owned by a rapper. "
The Miami native, who made history for fighting against music censorship all the way to the Supreme Court, continued, "We were the first to distribute our own product, the first to have an independent R&B group go platinum with H-Town. ...I told them the other day, 'Just go f**k yourself.'"
Scarface, who was nominated but declined the offer to be one of this year's honorees, voiced his disdain.
"I don't wanna be classified as just Dirty South. ...I'm hip-hop, man. I'm not going because I feel slighted," the Texas MC told Ozone magazine.
Face, who performed as part of the Def Jam tribute at last year's show, said that he feels like the decision to honor artists from below the Mason Dixon was "just a pacifier." He added,"For an East Coast-based show to call themselves showing some f**king love by making a Southern watered-down version of what the show is supposed to be or what hip-hop really is, man, I feel f**ked up about that s**t."
Still, today's biggest-name Southern rappers are confirmed to participate in next month's award program.
Bone Crusher, Bun B, Chamillionaire, Dem Franchize Boyz, DJ Drama, DJ Khaled, Flo Rida, Gucci Mane, Juvenile, Lil Jon, Missy Elliott, Murphy Lee, Mystikal, Nelly, Paul Wall, Pitbull, Plies, Rick Ross, Slim Thug, T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Trina and the Ying Yang Twins will take the Hammerstein Ballroom stage to pay homage to the honorees.
VH1 reality television stars Terrell Owens, Chilli of 'What Chilli Wants,' and 'Dancing With the Stars' finalist and NFL player Chad Ochocinco, whose upcoming VH1 dating series airs this summer, have all signed on to present. Joining them will be David Banner, Donald Glover, Eddie Griffin, Kelly Rowland, Ken Jeong, Kid Rock and Taraji P. Henson. 'The Office' actor Craig Robinson will host the show.
Regardless of who plans to show up, this year's 'Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South' will be filmed at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on June 3 and air on June 7 at 9 p.m. ET.
Black Music Notes May 11
5/11/10: Ronald Isley
Not one to prolong a return to the forefront of music, R&B legend Ronald Isley is set to hit the road for his highly anticipated 'Celebration Tour.' Isley's comeback tour, which kicked off last weekend in Atlantic City, finds the 'Summer Breeze' crooner gracing the stage across 10 dates including Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage Cruise. In addition to shows, Isley is also back in the studio recording his upcoming as-yet-untitled album to be released via Island Def Jam. Isley's 'The Celebration Tour' wraps up on July 18 in San Dimas, California.
5/11/10: Leona Lewis/Christina Aguilera
Despite solidifying herself as a multi-platinum recording artist over the past few years, Leona Lewis has yet to touch US soil as a performer. That's until now. This summer, Lewis will join pop superstar Christina Aguilera for her first ever U.S. tour -- beginning July 15 in Connecticut. The Live Nation-produced show will find the two song birds performing in front of audiences across 20 cities through Aug. 19. Tickets go on sale beginning May 21.
5/7/10: Bow Wow
When it comes to relationships Bow Wow appears to be well versed with the opposite sex. Hence, his involvement in Ozone magazine's sixth annual 'Sex Issue.' The popular underground rap glossy tapped the pint sized MC to talk about purchasing sex. "Paying for sex is cheating," he declared. "You get no respect from me if you do that. But if it's your girl and you've established that she's your woman and she holds you down, that's a different thing. You trick off on your woman because you want to make sure she's lookin' fly, but other than that, the closest thing I'll ever get to trickin' is throwing ones at the strip club. Don't ask me to pay your phone bill or nothin' like that unless you're my woman."
5/7/10: The Roots/Wu-Tang Clan
Although their collective effort 'Wu-Massacre' seemed to go unnoticed in March, Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface, Method Man and Raekwon are determined to hit the stage next month as part of the third annual Roots Picnic. Billboard reports that The Roots will back the Staten Island natives during their June 5 set. Other scheduled acts include the Clipse, Mayer Hawthorne, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Roots among others.
5/7/10: Janet Jackson
With her current single 'Nothing' currently making its rounds across media platforms, one would think Janet Jackson is hard at work on her next opus. Apparently not, despite previous reports. "I can tell you that she's not working on an album," Jackson's ex-boyfirend Jermaine Dupri revealed to Vibe. "We just did the one song 'Nothing' for the 'Why Did I Get Married Too?' Last time I heard she really didn't want to do an album. She wanted to just do singles every once in a while. She's looked at the marketplace – albums are not really doing what they usually do when you put all this budget out there. Janet is just trying to figure out her landscape."
5/7/10: Gucci Mane
Good news for Gucci Mane fans! The incarcerated rapper (real name Radric Davis) is on his way home. After serving six of his 12 month sentence behind bars -- stemming from a probation violation -- Gucci is set for release from Atlanta's Fulton County jail on May 12, according to various reports. Gucci is also booked to perform at New York City's Hot 97 Summer Jam on June 6.
5/4/10: Ne-Yo
In support of Mother's Day this Sunday, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and The Compound Foundation has announced plans to host the 3rd Annual Celebration of Mothers. The event, which is being dubbed "Sunday Brunch at the Opera," will be held at a private location in Georgia from 2pm-5pm, highlighting wellness and self-care with the help of sponsors, Carol's Daughter and Design Essentials product line. R&B crooner Raheem DeVaughn is also on tap to perform at the annual festive.
4/30/10: Beyonce/Victoria Beckham
It appears Beyonce is ditching one of her favorite clothing lines on tour for a British designer. According to London's Mirror newspaper, the 'Single Ladies' singer is interested in Victoria Beckham designing her future tour wardrobe instead of her favored House of Deréon line. "Beyoncé is a big fan of Victoria's work, and was given a couple of samples from the new collection – including some sunglasses which she has been wearing at any given opportunity, a source told the tabloid. "Victoria was flattered and has agreed, in principle, to suggest some designs... This collaboration could be the start of something big."
4/30/10: Rick Ross/Diddy
Having Diddy within your circle of friends can offer a wealth of experience for many rappers. Hence, Rick Ross' decision to appoint the charismatic mogul as his new manager. "The experience and the knowledge that Diddy possesses is priceless," Ross told 'MTV News' on the set of his new video 'Super High.' "The relationships that he's accumulated over the last 20 years is priceless for a young artist such as myself. We developed a mutual friendship. We just stayed in contact. I was calling him for advice anyway." Rick Ross' album 'Teflon Don' hits stores June 29.
4/30/10: N.E.R.D.
The ever so evolving rock-funk group N.E.R.D. are back on the music scene again with their forthcoming album, 'Nothing.' As expected, the Neptunes helmed project is influenced by the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, as Chad Hugo explains. "We just wanted to explore something different, something visual," Hugo told Rolling Stone. "Peaceful, sexual, other stuff synonymous with the era." Fans can get peaceful, sexual, and other stuff once 'Nothing' hits stores on June 15.
Comments: (8)
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By: ADMR on 5/20/2010 6:39PM
SEE...
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By: john johnson on 5/20/2010 10:50PM
what a frikin joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cornball south rappers all across the board. sareface is the best thing to happen to the south. luke isn't a rapper by any strech of the imagination, but he turned bull$hit into gold by pimpin out the game through explicitness and sex.don't like it, but no one thought of it before him.
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By: d-bo on 5/21/2010 11:37AM
so,john,what have u done for hip-hop lately,ever.While all those other rappers u like were bending over the desk of their record co., luke owned his own company.while they were making videos in rented mansions and bentleys,luke's pockets were really fat.wake up and shut up,fool!
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By: Shaye on 5/21/2010 12:31AM
ehh. This show IS gonna suck. well hell, has OutKast been awarded yet? i think they're the best in Southern Rap!
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By: jason c on 5/21/2010 7:31AM
humility will get you further than any acknowledgement of being the first to " ". That's how small it is what Luke said about being the first to do this that and that. nothing really special about exploitation of sex, even if you are the first to do it and take censorship to the Supreme Court; the culture is still under scrutiny to this day. The show is going to suck anyway because it's aimed towards one particular area.
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By: stonedog23 on 5/21/2010 9:41AM
If you are gonna honor hip hop from the South, why not go all the way back and include people like MC Shy D. He may have been the first southern rapper I ever heard. But I do think that Luke and Scarface are being rather childish. Luke, someone is willing to "honor" your booty shaking music that has no redeeming qualities and you are talking sh*t about it? Damn! I do think they should honor great artists and not an area.
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By: Jones on 5/31/2010 9:04PM
Luke is upset because he is not being recognized outside of his group...but he made hits with the group...and the first black owned record label by a rapper is great, but I think it's the music that's being honored...correct?
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By: Jones on 5/31/2010 9:07PM
MC Shy D...
He had a hit called "I'm Not a Star"...that brings back memories...I remember seeing him in Miami for the Sun Festival it was great...I wonder what happened to him...
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