B.o.B AKA BOBBY RAY INTERVIEW JUNE 2009

"My love for music will never go away even if I take a year off to act I would not stop doing music. I just can’t stop"

In June 2009 I caught up with B.o.B aka Bobby Ray as he toured with Asher Roth and Kid Cudi on “The Great Hangover” tour at the House of Blues.

INTRO: So how did you end up on the tour?

B.o.B: I ended up on the tour because it seemed like the most logical thing to do. My affiliation with Kid Cudi and Asher Roth. We are on the cover of XXL Magazine for the “Freshman Issue”. I am real cool with Asher. We really didn’t have anything to do this summer. We didn’t have any tours lines up so it just seemed like the most productive, proficient, and proactive thing to do, so here we go.

INTRO: You are very different from other rappers. You are an artist not a rapper. How did you become an artist?

B.o.B: (laughs) I became an artist basically from circumstances and what I have been thru. Basically I became an artist thru life. The type of inspiration that you receive from this industry you can make it negative or positive energy but I always wanted to do it. When I was a kid I used to play and write songs on the piano and sing. I didn’t know what The hell I was doing but finally after all these years I finally got it right. I play the guitar on my set. Whenever I can I bring my whole band and my back up singers. I have my back up singers on tour with me right now. I try to keep it as musical as possible. Its really a growth process. Growing into being a musician and a musical artist and you really have to learn the music. You can’t imitate it. It has to come from the soul
and when it doesn’t it just looks like you are trying to be something.

INTRO: Do you find that more artists are more appreciative of you because you are opening doors for the type of music that they want to create.

B.o.B: Definitely. I definitely feel that a lot of artists are fans and its kind of humbling. A lot of artists can take that and respond to it with a cocky type of perspective. Its really humbling because you realize that the influence you have to be able to inspire millions of people to or correction I don’t know how many people. You never know but to inspire people in general whether its just one person or a billion you inspire them to do more than what the norm is. If It wasn’t for artists that inspired me like Gnarls Barkley, Andre 3000, Mos Def, and other artists that grew out the norm and said “fuck it I’ma do what I want to do” I would not have that audacity to do something.

INTRO: what happen at the ESPY Awards. What was the experience like?

B.o.B: ESPY Awards (laughs). Samuel Jackson said whassup . It seemed like he was paying attention to the performance. The ESPY was crazy because there is a lot of preparation that goes into producing these shows. I did the BET Awards for two years but I didn’t realize that there was so much money in sports. The hotels were branded ESPY. The hotel decals said ESPY. They gave out gift bags with hundreds of dollars worth of gifts. Its just crazy how much they put into it but the overall experience was great. I got a lot of priceless exposure.

INTRO: I know that you have been doing this for awhile but where do you see yourself in the next two years?

B.o.B: I see myself in a movie. I see my self winning a Grammy or a couple of Grammies if GOD desires.

INTRO: Do you do any acting?

B.o.B: Yeah videos require acting but I want to really act. My passion for my music is greater than my passion for acting. I want to see how deeper I can go with my music before I aspire to do something more. My love for music will never go away even if I take a year off to act I would not stop doing music. I just can’t stop.

INTRO: What artists would you like to work with that you haven’t yet?

B.o.B: Seth Gold, M.I.A, Janelle Monet. Its a lot of female artists that but its because they are very unique and very bold. I feel like the feminine energy in this day and age is really balancing out. For so long its been a man’s world or perceived to be a man’s world for such a long time. Like James Brown said “This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without the touch of a woman or a girl”. I feel that because this feminine energy is balancing out on this planet a lot of female artists are aspiring to be something greater than just a sexual image or sex symbol. Its nothing wrong with that because we are sexual beings but when everything gets the same it gets monotonous. I want to do a track with Cee-Lo. I don’t want to do it where we email tracks to each other. I would rather get in the studio with you or not do anything at all. Its more organic when you actually there with that person.

INTRO: So I understand that you are going to be working on tracks later.

B.o.B: Yeah me an Asher are talking about doing a mixtape together. He has a studio on his bus so I am going to roll with him and kick it on his bus. We are just going to have some fun. Even though this is my job you still have to keep that balance between work and play so you don’t go stale. You know what I mean?

INTRO: I don’t know what you mean?

B.o.B: You know what I mean!

INTRO: I don’t know what you mean. I work all the time.

B.o.B: You gotta have fun sometime. You deserve it.

Aerosmith To Give Free Concert

Aerosmith will be performing a free concert in Maui for the concert goers who brought a class action suit against the band when they cancelled a show for a bigger show in Chicago two years ago. The case stated that ticket holders were reported to have between $500,00 to $3 million out-of-pocket expenses including travel fees, handling charges and other expenses had been taken into account. "Everyone who bought a ticket to the original concert will receive a free ticket, and all out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed regardless of the amount," said Brandee Faria.

OGPR SNAGS GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCTION TEAM J.U.S.T.I.C.E. LEAGUE -

CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO GO

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. LEAGUE'S MYSPACE PAGE

We rarely work with producers; maybe it's just us, but the media doesn't seem to care much unless they have a hit song "RIGHT NOW!" Fortunately, that is never an issue with Grammy-winning production team, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, who consistently stay on the charts. The list of critically acclaimed singles these guys have produced goes on and on but, since "RIGHT NOW!" is what seems to matter, we can talk about Rick Ross' current single, Magnificent ft. John Legend, currently on the R&R Urban airplay charts at #24 (up from #35) and Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart at #29 (up from #42).

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League seem to have a special chemistry when it comes to Rick Ross. Fans of Ross' last album, Trilla, will recall the critically acclaimed tracks for Maybach Music ft. Jay Z, Luxury Tax ft. Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy & Young Jeezy and Billionaire; all produced by the guys. Other stand-out's from 2008 include 2 tracks on Young Jeezy's album, The Recession (Word Play, Done It All), B.G.'s smash single, I Hustle and the nationwide smash hit single, She Got It ft. T-Pain & Tay Dizm, which went platinum in ringtone sales.

Hailing from Tampa, Florida; Rook, Colione, and Kenny, are three individuals from three totally different walks of life; coming together to place their footprints in the sands in hopes of one day being mentioned among likes of today's and yesterday's "musical greats." The individual members themselves, who were once all soloists, came together and formed the group; each bringing with them different elements which, in the end result, provides for their unique and complimentary sound. Colione, the southerner of the group, loves hard drums, infectious melodies, and synth-laden beats that give the group the edge that's needed to deliver that dirty south sound. Rook, on the other hand, brings an east coast swagger and influence on the group with dusty samples, a classic drum break approach to making music, and a blend of vinyl driven ear-popping drums, along with a meticulous approach to recording vocals. Lastly, there's Kenny, the musical tie that binds the group together; being a master of sax, keys, and woodwind instruments, his ability to fuse his talents with the production style of the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, makes for a clean, edgy, warm and masterful sound. Their individual strengths serve as a testament to the diversity of the music they create, which ranges from all types of Hip Hop, new and old styles of R&B, to Rock N Roll and more.

In October of 2004, the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League did the unattainable for a newly formed team of musicians/producers; thanks to the ear of industry veteran and at the time new-hire to the company, Chris Hicks, they acquired a lucrative publishing deal with one of the biggest music publishers in the world - Warner Chappell Music Publishing. Both impressing and confounding their peers alike, they were able to accomplish all of this without even a song on the radio or any published works in their catalog at that time! Their sound speaks for itself and once you listen, you will instantly recognize they have that gift and deliver great music for fans of all genres to enjoy.

Adding to the various platinum, multi-platinum and gold plaques under their collective belts, the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League received a Grammy for their work on the 2006 R&B Album of the Year, The Breakthrough by Mary J. Blige.

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League has had the privilege to work with, or be a part of projects for some of today's more established and elite artists such as: Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, The Game, Rick Ross, Jay-Z and Ludacris to name a few. The League is constantly in the studio, working not only with today's heavyweights, but also with tomorrow's future stars, continuously pushing themselves to keep providing the music their known for, while simultaneously trying to raise the production bar. In 2009, they continue to blaze the trails they've started and forwarn you to be on the lookout for the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, as the group guarantees to keep putting MUSIC into today's "Music".

Look out for J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League at the upcoming ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo 09 in Los Angeles, April 23rd - 25th, where the guys are featured panelists and available for all Los Angeles media opportunities.

http://www.myspace.com/officialjustice

Thousands of Rihanna Supporters in New York and Long Island Expected to Shred Chris Brown CDs and Posters for Pre-Valentines Day Bash.

JOIN RIHANNA'S SIDE OR IF YOU'RE UNLUCKY IN LOVE! THEN SHRED YOUR EX RIGHT BEFORE VALENTINE’S DAY IN NATIONWIDE PROTEST!!!

New York is having a “Shred Your Ex” party the day before Valentines Day. Radio Station WBLI has invited members of Rihanna's Fan Club and other fans across the nation to join the pop star's side along with others who are “unlucky in love.”

According to Nancy Cambino, the station's operations manager, “Valentine's Day should stand for love so we find it fitting to make the Friday the 13th right before Valentine’s Day a day for revenge for those who were unlucky in love. Whether you're a Rihanna fan or not, we can all empathize with being with someone who caused love to go wrong.”

Statistically 40 percent of America will be alone on Valentines Day. Divorce rate is at an all-time high in the last few years, and radio station BLI wants to bring America together for a common cause.

WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
10:30am

WHERE: THE BLI STUDIOS
555 SUNRISE HIGHWAY
WEST BABYLON, NY

Rhianna Friends, supporters, fans and those who were unlucky in love will be invited to come to the BLI Studios in New York on Friday, the 13th with photos, letters or other mementos from ex-lovers to shred in the wood chipper!

Contact: King Communications

TJ Scott 646-896-1128

The Saga Continues with Chris Brown and Rihanna....

The saga continues with Chris Brown and Rihanna.

RadarOnline reports:
A source inside Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has confirmed exclusively to RadarOnline.com that pop star Rihanna was in fact treated there for injuries…

“It was some time after 12PM PST [Sunday] and I had been waiting in the ER department corridor when Rihanna was brought through the back entrance on a gurney, flanked by two LAPD officers. It was impossible to know it was her at first because when they wheeled her past me, she had the hood on her fuchsia-colored sweatshirt tightly drawn round her face and she was wearing big brown sunglasses. They took her into room 14 which was opposite me. It had a six-foot glass door but the nurses drew a privacy curtain around it.”

More after the jump….

“I knew the person was famous because of all the attention she was being given by security and medical staff. However, they didn’t draw the curtain all the time and I was finally able to make out that the woman they had brought in was Rihanna. She was lying in bed. While the two police officers waited outside, Rihanna was seen by the doctor. When he left, a plain clothes officer in a mismatched suit went in.I figured he was a detective because I saw the handcuffs in his belt. He stayed in there for about an hour.”
“When he left, Rihanna’s two female assistants went in to see her and a private security guard stood outside. The police officers were given room 10 to use which was close to Rihanna’s. “Rihanna was clearly very upset by what had happened and I could hear her screaming. Rihanna was trying to get her point across about something, she sounded like she was crying as she tried to get to put her point across.“
“Her staff was also very shaken by what had happened. Later on I saw one of the assistants crying into the shoulder of the security guard.
And lastly…

Miss Info has also reported that "Wrigley" has suspended the Doublemint campaign.

NEW NEWS: ILLSEED/AllHipHop has reported:
"Chris and Rihanna actually broke up a few days ago, but the reps from each side wanted them to pretend to be together. This would be a win/win in the media and publicity department. They kept it civil for the pre-Grammy Parties and all the meet and greets. Here is where the meeting and greeting may have gone wrong.

According to my slimies, Chris met some girl and he commences to kick game to the girl. He allegedly gets her number and kicks it with the chick’s team. Now, according to rumor, these chicks were told to follow him to a party of some sort. I’m gathering Ri Ri was right there when this took place and she was NOT pleased to see this go down. Well, they go at it verbally – back and forth. Nobody knows if the alleged attack took place at this time or later. The Lambo with Chris and RiRi supposedly pulls over and things spill out on the side of the road. My source said, “All hell broke loose” at this point.

Meanwhile, the girls following are still there in their car. Now, I said this once and I’ll say it again. This is all speculation from sources that claim to know. Here we go. Rihanna gets out of the car visibly bruised up, but takes her rage to the girl that Chris was kicking it to. Well, at some point, somebody catches Rihanna in the EYE. My source honestly couldn’t tell me if it was Chris or somebody else like the girl. Nevertheless, this goes back to my rumor where Rihanna likely has a BLACK EYE (read here for that).

This is the alleged story, y’all from a source so close…I can’t even say any more. "

Chris Brown Arrested for felony assulat against Rihanna

Rumor has it that R&B singer Chris Brown has been turned himself in on charges of felony assault against girlfriend Rihanna. The alleged incident reportedly happened around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, when the R&B singer and a woman were in a vehicle in L.A. when they became involved in an argument, according to a police statement. After stopping his car, Brown and the woman got out and the argument escalated. The woman suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker, according to police. The LAPD received a 911 call reporting the disturbance.When officers arrived they found the victim, but Brown had already left the scene, the statement reads.The LAPD is conducting an investigation into the incident. It was originally reported that the pair were in a car accident. Rihanna's publicist even issued a statement that Rihanna was "well" and wanted to thank her fans for their

support.

Alicia Keys and Yamaha Announce New Partnership

Legendary R&B Artist Performs Impromptu Concert at Winter NAMM 2009 and Announces Partnership with Yamaha to Produce 'Alicia's Keys'

International, multi-platinum R&B sensation Alicia Keys and the world's largest musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha, announced a new partnership to distribute piano-inspired sounds and future products. One of the sounds was introduced on Jan. 17, 2009 for an intimate gathering of press and dealers in the Yamaha booth at the Winter NAMM music product industry trade show in Anaheim, Calif.

The project was an intense collaboration between the 11-time Grammy Award winning Yamaha artist, her Grammy Award winning engineer Ann Mincielli, and renowned plug-in designer Thomas Hansen Scarbee, who all worked hand in hand to digitally reproduce the exact sound of Alicia's prized Yamaha C3 Neo grand piano. Keys' hope is to have her sounds available at a very affordable price within the next three months, so that young musicians from all backgrounds will be able to play her signature sound.

"I wanted to create a sound that is just magnificent and that would inspire me to play," said Keys. "It was an idea that was born during the creation of my last album As I Am, which was recorded at my own studio, The Oven Studios, in New York City. While we were there recording this album we were able to create a really warm and beautiful sound using my Yamaha C3 Neo, and we decided that we wanted to capture that sound and make it something that I can take with me everywhere.

"I believe it is really important to have access to a great sounding piano, and I hope this new virtual piano will inspire others and help them to hone their craft in a way like never before, regardless of their economic situation."

Keys unveiled the new sound for the crowd through a Yamaha DGT2A piano. She played three songs, including "If I Ain't Got You," "Fallin," "How Come You Don't Call Me," and finished by playing "Sure Looks Good To Me" on Yamaha's newly-launched AvantGrand, a hybrid piano that will be available later this year.

"During our five year history with Alicia, Yamaha has been honored to meet the challenges set forth by this groundbreaking performer, including customizing two purple Yamaha pianos for her videos for 'Karma' and 'No One'," commented Chris Gero, vice president of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. "Today, we're proud to announce this new partnership with her, and we will be diligently working together to make this project a success and fulfill Alicia's vision of inspiring future musicians."

Those who were unable to attend NAMM can watch the press conference on www.yamaha.com/namm as a live webcast courtesy of NewTek using TriCaster, their portable live production system.

Singer/songwriter/actress Keys has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since the release of her first studio album Songs in A Minor in 2001. With 11 Grammy Awards (and three more current nominations), 17 Billboard Music Awards, 5 American Music Awards, and a recent fourth consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, it's no wonder she was recently inducted into the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists List.

For more information on Yamaha artists or the extensive Yamaha product catalog, please visit www.yamaha.com or www.ycaa.com.

BRAND NEW STREET SMASH RICK ROSS "MAFIA MUSIC" STOP BEEFIN RADIO TOP TEN (LIL SCOOTY, GORILLA ZOE, DJ CLUE, SEAN KINGSTON, BOBBY VALENTINO, SAWTY LO,

STOP BEEFIN RADIO

Episode: RICK ROSS "MAFIA MUSIC" // STREET SMASH

LIL SCOOTY ft YOUNG TRUE & G.B. DA FLY BOI

GORILLA ZOE ft LIL WAYNE & JIM JONES - LOST REMIX

DJ CLUE ft RHEA & JADAKISS - CHOREOGRAPHER

Sean Kingston ft Lil Wayne - Im At War

Bobby Valentino - Beep Beep Remix featuring Ludacris, Lil' Kim, Lil' Wayne & Yung Joc

Shawty Lo ft. Scragg Lee - Roll The Dice

THE GAME ft ANTHONY HAMILTON - HUSTLERS DREAM

YOUNG JOC ft YOUNG RALPH & GUCCI MAN - POSTED AT THE STORE

JAZIME SULLIVAN - LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS

1 HUNDRED ENT (DRO MAN - HELL OF A GUY) FINAL VERSION

Female rap artist and domestic violence survivor, Queen Pen will hold a press conference to advocate for battered women and children in light of rece

Who: Lynise Walker, aka Queen Pen - Female rapper, domestic violence survivor, and battered women & children advocate.

What: The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services has issued a report that lists 58% of female homicide victims in 2007 were at the hands of domestic violence. Queen Pen will speak as a voice for advocacy and as a woman who has triumphed over abuse. She will share her story publicly for the first time and give hope to other victims with the support of city leaders, including New York Senator Eric Adams.

When: Friday, January 16th, Press Session begins at 4pm

Where: Denim Lounge - 1223 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11216

Attending Supporters: New York Senator Eric Adams, Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, City Councilwoman Latisha James, Former New York Knicks Player & Activist John Starks, Pershia from The White Rapper show, Nefu Da Don and Hip Hop Performer Lil Mama