You can’t knock the hustle. Grand Hustle’s own B.o.B has been hard at work on a series of projects including his third album, a rock EP, and the Hustle Gang compilation. Rap-Up TV caught up with Bobby Ray during a rare moment outside the studio to give us an update on his musical endeavors.
His rock EP is in the works and will reflect his diverse influences. “When I drop it, everyone’s gonna have an eargasm,” said B.o.B, who’s in no rush to release it. “It’s really how I fell in love with rock music, from indie to alternative to classic rock to even some forms of country music.”
Another project he’s excited about is the Hustle Gang compilation, which is producing explosive results. “We dropping torpedos, missiles, atomic bombs,” he said. “There’s no pressure and there’s no expectation for what it should be. It’s just a bunch of dope artists coming together and doing what we naturally do.”
But his first order of business is his third album, which is nearing completion. “This project is a lot more effortless than anything because I’ve really shown the full spectrum of what I can do musically, so now I’m just having fun with it. I’m 24 years old, so I’m partying.”
From “Jersey Shore” to G-Unit. 50 Cent has taken DJ Pauly D under his wing, signing him to his G-Note record label. Rap-Up TV caught up with the MTV reality star on set of the video for his debut single “Back to Love” featuring Jay Sean.
“Working with 50 and being signed to G-Note is one of the most amazing things that ever happened in my life,” said Pauly. “50’s a great guy, very hands-on in everything that he does. He’s very smart.”
The hip-hop mogul also shared some valuable advice with Pauly. “50 told me when you sign that record deal, that’s when you start to work. That’s when the work begins. It’s almost like kindergarten all over again.”
Being signed to 50 has its perks. Pauly has been one of the first to hear some of his boss’ upcoming album Immortal. “I heard a lot of 50’s new stuff and it’s bangin’! You’re gonna like it.”
50’s not the only rapper Pauly hopes to collaborate with. He also revealed his wish list, which includes Drake and Lil Wayne.
The King of the South headed west to shoot the video for “Memories Back Then” in L.A. last week. Rap-Up TV was on set with T.I., Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B, and Hustle Gang singer-songwriter Kris Stephens as they filmed scenes downtown, by the beach, and in the hills with director Phillyflyboy.
Kendrick pulled up to the 6th Street Bridge for the first shot of the day. “It’s a great feeling to have T.I.’s support,” he told Rap-Up TV. “I’ve been listening to him since day one. I consider him amongst the elite still to this day, along with Jay-Z and Nas and people I looked up to coming up. For him to actually acknowledge my talents is a great feeling.”
B.o.B linked up with his Hustle Gang boss Tip at the Santa Monica Pier for their sunny scenes. “It’s just something about a beach and a coastline that really makes you reflect,” he said.
The song, which was recorded for Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, originally sampled Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” “I rocked out as soon as I heard it. It felt relevant, it felt urgent,” said Tip. “However, I was not able to work out a clearance… I didn’t want to waste the opportunity because it was such a great performance and meaningful message from myself and B.o.B and Kendrick.”
While the track didn’t make Trouble Man, it may appear on B.o.B’s next album or the upcoming Hustle Gang compilation.
Just hours before being crowned MTV’s “Hottest MC in the Game,” Rap-Up TV caught up with Kendrick Lamar on the Los Angeles set of T.I.’s video for “Memories Back Then.” Compton’s new king discussed future collaborations with Drake, sharing the stage with 50 Cent in New York, remixing Emeli Sandé, and his next album.
While he hasn’t chosen a follow-up single to “Poetic Justice” just yet, he favors “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” “I really do like ‘Kill My Vibe,’ but who knows,” said K-Dot of the good kid, m.A.A.d city cut.
After their work on “Poetic Justice,” he hopes to collaborate more with Drake. “God willing, for sure. Drake is a good dude, great artist. When you put two good artists in the studio, their chemistry always meshes properly with the right energy, the right personality, and the right vibe.”
Earlier this month, Kendrick performed two back-to-back sold-out shows in New York and brought out A$AP Rocky and 50 Cent. “It was a great moment. Fif a fool too. So entertaining, so I had fun. I had a lot of fun,” laughed Kendrick.
He explained his decision to jump on the remix to British sensation Emeli Sandé’s single “Next to Me.” “I’m really big on songs that I like. I never was really big on who’s really doing it,” said Kendrick. “I like the song and she reached out. She’s a great artist, great vocalist, and it’s a great song, so I just had to do it.”
He has ideas for his sophomore album, but hasn’t hit the studio yet. Next up, he will embark on a college tour and later hit the road on the “good kid, m.A.A.d city” tour.
T.I. is not done promoting Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head, but he’s already nearing completion on the sequel, Trouble Man: He Who Wears the Crown.
“The record is 60 to 70 percent done already,” said Tip on set of the video for “Memories Back Then” featuring Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B, and Kris Stephens. “I’ma do about five to six more records just to put the ribbon on top and we’ll be ready to rock.”
Before he drops the album, he plans to shoot a video for Trouble Man’s next single “Hello” with CeeLo Green followed by “Guns and Roses” and “Hallelujah.”
Also in the works is the first-ever Hustle Gang compilation, for which “Memories” may be the first single. “We have so many records for the Hustle Gang project,” Tip told Rap-Up TV.
You can expect to hear contributions from the whole gang including B.o.B, Iggy Azalea, Trae Tha Truth, Young Dro, and Travi$ Scott.
Kanye West has been very vocal about his position on MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game” list. But he’s not the only one with an opinion. Kendrick Lamar is speaking out on the controversial top 10 rankings.
“It’s very important for hip-hop,” the Compton MC told Rap-Up TV on set of T.I.’s video for “Memories Back Then.” “I love that they have debates like that. We need that. It’s competitive. Even though we doing these collaborations and stuff like that and we cool, at the same time, this is still rap. It’s still competitive and I’m trying to compete with everybody to be the best.”
He embraces the debate. “When people feel like they need to make their comments, I feel that’s needed,” said K-Dot. “You’re supposed to feel like you’re the best ’cause if you don’t, you gon’ get stepped on ’cause it’s a jungle out there.”
He agreed that Kanye, who ranked at #7, deserved a higher spot. “It’s Kanye. He’s been putting in work for years.”
Find out if Kendrick takes the top spot when the full list is revealed later today.
Mindless Behavior may not be old enough for strip clubs and dollar bills, but the teen sensations still had some fun with Rihanna’s hit single “Pour It Up.”
During a visit to the Converse flagship store in Santa Monica, Prodigy, Roc Royal, Ray Ray, and Princeton broke into an impromptu performance of RiRi’s club anthem, with Prodigy changing the lyrics “strip clubs and dollar bills” to the more age-appropriate “snapbacks and dollar bills.”
Ray Ray used to have a crush on Nicki Minaj, but he’s moved on to the Barbados beauty. “She’s gorgeous,” he gushed, while Princeton marveled at her plethora of No. 1 records.
“You know what Rihanna has, she has hits,” he added. “She’s super talented.”
Mindless Behavior’s sophomore album All Around the World is due March 12 followed by their documentary Mindless Behavior: All Around the World on March 15.
The Roc was in the building when Bridget Kelly stopped by our Hollywood studio to perform for Rap-Up Sessions. Signed to Roc Nation, the New York songstress has already played arenas across the world on tour with Jay-Z and released her 2011 EP Every Girl featuring the Frank Ocean-penned “Thinking About Forever.”
While overlooking the Sunset Strip, Bridget put her raw talent on display with a three-song acoustic set. Backed by a guitarist, she stripped down her single “Special Delivery” and the Ne-Yo-penned “In the Morning,” for which Meek Mill can be heard on the remix. She also delivered a soulful cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody.”
Bridget is readying her full-length debut for release later this year and has recently opened for Mary J. Blige and Brandy. Watch her stellar set below.
