In the second part of my interview with Steve Rifkind, the SRC founder recounts the time when he signed the Wu Tang Clan.

He was with E. Swift (Tha Alkaholiks) when RZA brought “Protect Your Neck” for them to hear.

An hour later, RZA brings the whole clan to the spot and they perform “Protect Your Neck”. While they are performing, a random intern (who I’ll call the phantom intern) runs into the room saying “that’s that shit!”. Steve Rifkind only saw that intern on that day and never again. But that guy ultimately influenced Rifkind’s decision to sign the Wu.

We speak about his relationship with Diddy. He revealed that Rifkind introduced Diddy to Clive Davis’ bosses

I also ask Steve about his first run-in with Tupac Shakur. Steve Rifkind revealed that Pac stayed at his house in L.A. because Steve’s label were doing the promotion for Interscope at the time (before Death Row). Steve and Tupac used to smoke together at the office.

And finally Steve tells me the time when he broke his nose playing basketball and while on the way to the hospital, he was told to listen to 3 Akon records, which he loved and decided he had to sign him.

Steve Rifkind Interview Part 2

PART 1 - STEVE RIFKIND TRIED TO SIGN JAY-Z, THROW CHAIR OUT OF WINDOW OVER WU TANG RECORD, HANDCUFFED OUT OF BUILDING.

Tags: Akon, Biggie, Bloody Nose, Clive Davis, Diddy, Jay-Z, Tupac

Papoose does a Obituary for some of the people that passed last year.

Papoose - Obituary 2009

Thanks to ddotomen

Tags: 2009, audio, Freestyle, Music, Obituary, papoose, Tupac

Cant wait to listen to this. The other day on the train home, I was listening to the episode where Rosenberg tells the story of the security guard who called a dude “yo purple faggot”.

Oh boy Oh boy, new Juan Epstein with the one and only Snoop Dogg… This guy talks about a lot of dope shit. From Nas and Tupac to Dogg Pound and Biggie… Also had a special guest phone call from Tiger Woods. A classic Juan Ep… Holla Black.

Snoop Dogg Interview On Juan Epstein

Thanks to Cipha Sounds & Peter Rosenberg

Tags: Biggie, Cipha Sounds, Hip-Hop, Music, Nas, Peter Rosenberg, Snoop Dogg Interview On Juan Epstein, Tupac

Hip Hop is no longer a culture, its now a religion. Millions across the global listen to Hip Hop music every single day. The music has inspired us from the the way we talk to the way we dress.

Nokia Music and The Hip Hop Chronicle UK would like to use this opportunity to get involved with the Hip Hop community to compile a list of these Hip Hop albums and to feature them on the Nokia Music Store.

One lucky reader will win 50 music tracks from the Nokia Music store.

The albums dont have to be in any particular order.

We just want to know….

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE HIP HOP ALBUMS OF ALL TIME???

Leave you’re answers in the comment box below.

http://www.comeswithmusic.com/ 

Things to note:

The Nokia Music Store is only available in 21 countries and so winners will need to be living in one of these countries.

Tags: albums, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Hip-Hop, Ice Cube, Jay-Z, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Low End Theory, Music, Music Store, Nokia, Paid In Full, Public Enemy, Rakim, Rap, Snoop Dogg, Tribe Called Quest, Tupac

I thought Tupac already has a twitter account.

In related Wale news, he sold 28k units in his first week.

Tags: Hip-Hop, Music, Rap, Tupac, Video, Wale, Wale On How Tupac Would Have Used Twitter (Video)

As any professional photographer, photo editor, graphic designer or writer can attest, a lot of great images and words never make it past the edit rounds of a magazine. There’s just not enough room for everything. Even with the seemingly limitless possibilities and content populating the World Wide Web, there remain scores of visionary moments, enlightening tales and grin-worthy anecdotes that never reach you, the consumer. It’s the way things are.

But it doesn’t have to be the way things will be. Respect is about bringing you what would otherwise be left on the cutting room floor, boxed up in a studio or collecting digital dust on a hard drive. Why? Because we believe beauty is worth seeing.

With this inaugural issue, we bring you rare frames from nine photographers whose work has helped shape not only your visions of hip-hop’s icons, but hip-hop’s view of itself. And, even with this, we’ve had to leave out moving and engaging stories, pristine and iconic shots. There are photographers whose work couldn’t make this issue, just as there are those whom we’ve recently lost— namely Shawn Mortensen, whose most enduring image may very well be the definitive snapshot of Tupac Shakur, in a straitjacket; and the great Irving Penn, who, while not a hip-hop photographer, undoubtedly inspired every lensman in this issue.

Despite our limitations, we believe we’ve done something that’s worthy of your respect and that of the photographers who graciously granted us access to their archives, their memories and some of the secrets behind their techniques. While they all work in the same medium, they’re a varied bunch with unique idiosyncrasies that move through their particular creative waves and empower this issue with fascinating contrast. The incomparable Phil Knott isn’t big on taking photos where eyes are prominent; Barron Claiborne’s stirring, nigh-surrealist shots are almost always all about the eyes. Danny Clinch’s superb take on reality relishes in the candid, unscripted moments; Anthony Mandler’s panoramic imagination leads him to create elaborate fantasy settings that juxtapose subjects with uncommon settings.

What all of the masters in this volume do have in common is a humbling respect for each other and for their subjects. And if there is a single thread throughout their work, it’s a mission to capture the bold and the bewitching, no matter how sublime, and translate it into something you can hold in your hands to open up worlds within yourself.

In that way, they are like the creative staff of this magazine, working to create something you will cherish, something you can respect. This is an offering. We hope you find it worthy.

kris ex, Editor

Thanks to Respect Magazine via RR 

Tags: 2pac, Hip-Hop, Jay-Z, Jay-Z & Tupac Shakur On First Issue Of Respect Maga, Music, News, Photograph, Pictures, Rap, Rap Radar, respect, Tupac

http://www.hardknock.tv Devi Dev talks Tupac (2Pac) with Quincy Jones, Quincy Jones III (QD3), Tyrese Gibson, Andrew Young, Jeff Johnson and John Hope Bryant at 5MK (www.5millionkids.org/) launch event. This is Part 1 and We are just getting started! Tune in next week for more on this round table where the legendary panel talks, Lil Wayne, Re-Defining the meaning of Success and why we keep dumbing ourselves down, among other topics.

Tags: Hip-Hop, Music, QD3, QD3 & Tyrese Talk Tupac (Video), Quincy Jones, Qunicy Jones, Rap, Tupac, Video

Shouts to Lovesoul

Tags: 2pac, Interview, LoveSoul, Mopreme Shakur, Mopreme Shakur Interview With Lovesoul TV (Video), Music, Shakur, Tupac, Video