International-HipHop.com

East Baltimore-based rapper, Caddy Da Don is still fuming at the article he read a few year s ago. The Hip-Hop journalist implied that the only notable thing coming out of Maryland is the Blue Crab- and that’s seasonal. It was a narrow overview, besides, East Baltimore is worlds away from tourist-friendly Fells Point where seafood restaurants are in abundance. The burgeoning Hip-Hop scene in Maryland, is a few miles beyond the glittering harbor. According to Caddy, anyone looking for real rap has to venture to the innermost parts of East Baltimore. It’s on these broken down blocks where rough-and-tumble street life is described by those who’ve actually lived it. The desolate alleyways, abandoned buildings and crowded corners, tell a story that the nation hasn’t heard- until now.
Baltimore is a tough city, full of skeptics. Still, in 2005, Caddy Da Don made quite an impression, debuting as a new artist around the city, while shunning the ‘rapper’ title. “I didn’t really like a lot of rappers. I thought they were fake. I was really out here getting it in, so I used to take offense to people faking like they were doing what I was doing.” Caddy’s signature is his authenticity. He boasted endless street tales and as a result, Baltimore embraced him wholeheartedly. The following year, Caddy released Fixed Fight Vol. 1 – his first mixtape. “I didn’t even know how to count bars or put songs together,” says Caddy. “I used to just freestyle and freestyle whole mixtapes and everybody loved it.” Months later, he was found guilty of money laundering. “I actually learned how to write and put songs together while I was away.”
While serving his time, Caddy drew up a business plan, kept his skills sharp, and studied Hip-Hop publications intently. He also followed countdown shows like 106th and Park, to keep his ideas current. With all of his research he found that the lack of artists from Baltimore was a glaring fact. “I wasn’t seeing anybody representing my city, so it made me really wanna step up and take this thing to another level…” Caddy pauses thoughtfully, “I had my peers telling me, ‘You gotta take a chance, leave the streets alone and take this music seriously.’”
Caddy served two-and-a-half years before being released as the result of a successful appeal. As soon as he hit the streets, he put his plan in motion, closing out his Fixed Fight trilogy with Volumes 2 and 2.5. Caddy had already been opening shows for Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and Lil’ Wayne before his sentence. Once he was released, he signed on to do even more shows, and committed himself to hours of studio time. On January 11th, 2011, Caddy Da Don dropped his fourth street album, Day of the Don. Six years after his reluctant start in rap, he seems to have found his stride. “I’m more of a motivational speaker. I don’t really like the term ‘rapper,’ ‘cause I motivate a lot of people in my town and in other cities to do something different other than trapping all day, and tearing the interstate up.” Caddy says, “I’m sure there are other options. That’s why I feel like I’m a motivational speaker because a lot of dudes in my town are starting to rap and never knew nothing but the street.”
This year, Caddy and Monarch Entertainment are preparing his official debut album which he says is nearly complete and includes features from Memphis trap star Yo Gotti and Philly sensation Meek Mill. His fifth mixtape, Powder, Meth, Blow will set the stage before the LP’s release. At some point in the future, Caddy Da Don may be able to take a break, but as of now, it’s not in his itinerary. “Now that I’m free, I’m trying to make our mark in the industry and have Baltimore respected on a national level, that is my goal and I will obtain that. That is my mission… Baltimore has a story to tell and it’s pretty much being narrated by me.”

Isaiah Selby better known as Zeek P was born in Manassas Virginia, a small town outside Washington D.C that was hit with a sudden influx of hispanic gangs and drugs. Due to the area Isaiah and his family moved to Dale City/Woodbridge (703) Virginia and was brought up for some time while he was still just a child. Isaiah stayed with his father and mother and brother but he lived in a very dysfunctional home full of drugs, neglect and violence. His father was an alcoholic and his mother a crack addict. He and his brother would rap jsut to clown around. One time when his mother went out to get high, Isaiah left Virginia with his dad to Chester, PA and then settled in Wilmington, Delaware. Isaiah now lived in the hood (inner city) so he had to adapt to the changes. After spending some time in the streets Isaiah transitioned to rap since football and track wouldnt work out. He started rapping on the block and built a local name for himself “Zeek Pablo at around the age of 15 under the influence of Meek Mill, Kanye West and 50 Cent”. Since he was right in the tri-state area, Isaiah would travel up to Philadelphia with his father majority of the time where he really fell in love with music. People built hype around his name and this landed him his first street battle with one of the “hottest spitters” in DE. Isaiah lost and people teased him but this made him want to take rap much more seriously. He knew the haters only hated because they really loved him so he wanted his haters to hate (love) him even more! Eventually Zeek came much harder in the streets by recording music and shooting videos and found that he is in an artist, not a rapper! He then changed his name to “Zeek Picasso” or “Zeek P”. After his father recently passed away and his mother went to prison, Zeek went hard all the way. he started hooking up with big producers like Sap Da Beatman and dropped his first single “Gotem” which is killing the airwaves in Philly off the upcoming deput mixtape “Mista Magma which is dropping on September 21st” Isaiah is very enthusiastic but very serious about his craft and has a story to tell in his music since he been through so much in his life. Zeek performed at Club Gees and multilple house parties trying to build a name for himself. He is having his deput performance today 8/11/11 at Club Indulj in Washington D.C. The 18 year old prodigy reps “VA to PA” (Virginia and Philly) but plans on carrying VA on his back because he says “There really arent any heavy spitters carrying that state, so I guess Imma do it!”

Dr. Dre was on hand to celebrate the achievements of his fellow West Coast trailblazer Snoop Dogg at the 2011 BMI Urban Awards. After the teleprompter malfunctioned, Dre pulled out a paper and read the remainder of his speech honoring his longtime friend and collaborator. A humbled Snoop accepted the BMI Urban Icon Award to a standing room at the Pantages Theater, acknowledging his wife Shante Broadus (“I always put you through hell, I’ma get that shit right though”) and hip-hop’s new generation including Drake (“You’s a bad motherf**ker, man”).He also pledged to help Dre finish Detox. “Ya’ll ain’t gotta wait too much longer,” said Tha Doggfather. “The Dogg is in the building. We gonna get this shit right.” Following the presentation, Snoop joined Bootsy Collins, Game, Kurupt, Warren G, Daz Dillinger, The Lady of Rage, and Charlie Wilson to perform his classic “Who Am I (What’s My Name).”

Q: Pj. What is good man we go back a few years to the Baltimore days but its nice to see you were able to move onto greener pastures so to speak, how is Vegas treating you?

Vegas has been great to me! There’s always non-stop action and people coming to visit all the time.

Q: Since relocating to Vegas has that help grow your business since its filled with tourist and just a great place where people spend money. Have you noticed a increase or decrease in sales since relocating your brand Diamond and Stars Clothing to Vegas?

I haven’t really seen how the shirts are selling in JUST the Vegas area since the line Just launched this summer. I have met people from all over the united states and the world and have become friends with alot of them along my journey.

Q: Some people would say its a tough time to launch a clothing company with the economic times, how would you respond to the critics that say now is not a good-time to launch a brand? What are some of the benefits of launching your company Diamond and Stars Clothing company in this down economy?

I’d say its too late for that, i already launched the company. Every one needs clothes and my shirts provide excellent fashion at affordable prices. All the “big name” companies I think charge too much and are also hurting because people don’t want to pay the higher prices, so this gives Diamonds and Stars an opportunity to flourish and get our name out there in a down economy.

Q: How would you describe the style of Diamonds and Stars Clothing and where does the inspiration behind the designs and brand come from?

I would describe my shirts as high quality for the club or daytime. The inspiration came from living in Vegas and seeing so many over priced shirts that had NO style. I am from the east coast and like the flavor of the shirts that I buy out here. I save my money to come back to Baltimore and buy shirts . I wanted to start a website that people can go to that they could purchase shirts no matter where you live.

Q: Why should someone buy a Diamonds and Stars shirt? What makes you different than the average t-shirt company?

If you want to stand out and be noticed, I have bold statements in hot colors with a little bling, not (over done.) and I would say that what makes me different is the price, I want people to look hot while still not breaking there bank

Q: How many different shirts are in your collection?
For summer 2011 there are 10 different shirts with 55 different varieties of shirts for men and women

Q: Where can someone purchase a Diamond and Stars Clothing?
www.diamondsandstars.net

Q: Where can everyone keep up to date on the latest Diamonds and Stars Clothing www.diamondsandstars.net
or www.facebook.com/diamondsandstars

The Outlawz, former affiliates to the late rapper Tupac Shakur, are confirming long-standing rumors that they smoked the ashes of their fallen leader. Current members E.D.I. Mean, Young Noble and Hussein Fatal claim that they cut marijuana with ??Pac??s remains and smoked it during a beach memorial. Yes, it??s definitely true. Think it was the night of his Had a little memorial for him with his mom and his family and sh*t. We had hit the beach, threw [in] a lot of shit he liked at the beach. Some weed, some chicken wings, he loved orange soda, all that kind of sh*t,â? said Young Noble. â??â??Pac loved that kind of sh*t, so we were giving him our own farewell and that night, I forgot which one of us came up with it. Had his ashes and sh*t. We twisted up some of that great granddaddy California kush and mixed the big homie with it. Flowing through our system, you heard? I came up with that sh*t, said E.D.I. Mean. If you listen to Black Jesus, he said, Last wishes, n***as smoke my ashes.?? That was a request that he had. Now, how serious he was about it? We took it serious.

Beyoncé next to Britney and Lady Gaga next to Lil Wayne? Only at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards! Music’s biggest stars will be at arm’s length from one another at the 28th annual event. MTV Buzzworthy gives us a sneak peek at where your faves will be seated during the big show. The back of Nicki Minaj’s colorful hair will be facing Tony Bennett, who is bound to catch a contact high sitting in front of Wiz Khalifa. Britney and Beyoncé score the best seats in the house (along with the “Jersey Shore” cast), Chris Brown grabs a seat behind Weezy, and 11-member collective Odd Future will have to fight over the few seats they’ve been allotted (sorry guys). MTV’s Jim Cantiello tours the seating arrangements at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre. See which stars will be rubbing elbows come Sunday.

Deiondra Sanders the Daughter of Hall Of Fame Player Deion Sanders’ uncensored nude pics that were leaked on the internet today. She must have really pissed off her Ex.

MyFoxPhoenix state the following.
MESA, Ariz. – The rapper known as DMX was arrested on Wednesday by Department of Public Safety officers on the U.S. 60 westbound at Power Road. The 40-year-old whose real name is Earl Simmons, was caught on radar at 102 miles per hour in a Chrysler 300. There was another vehicle following him and both were stopped. A check showed Simmons’ license was revoked. He was cited for criminal speed, driving on a suspended and revoked license and reckless driving. Simmons’ passenger was the registered owner of the Chrysler.