MTV News |
- Drake Had 'Greatest Freedom' Making <i>Take Care</i>
- Raekwon Scores <i>Unexpected Victory</i> With New Mixtape
- Beyonce And Jay-Z Baby Gets Love From Rihanna, Diddy
- Beyonce And Jay-Z's Baby 'Will Be Loved,' Fans Say
| Drake Had 'Greatest Freedom' Making <i>Take Care</i> Posted: 09 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST Producer Noah '40' Shebib tells MTV News in an exclusive interview that while working with the MC, 'We get to do what we want.'
One look at the production credits on Drake's 2010 debut, Thank Me Later, serves as a reminder to just how hot the Toronto MC was out of the gate. Guests like Jay-Z, T.I. and Alicia Keys lent their voices, while multiplatinum producers like Kanye West, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland offered their sonic expertise. The music world was truly Drake's oyster, but on his sophomore set, Take Care, Drizzy scaled things back in order to make a bigger impact. Instead of pooling together his resources and using his hitmaking influence, Drake went back to basics, choosing to record the entire album in Toronto with friend and engineer/producer Noah "40" Shebib, the studio wiz who helped Drake cook up his 2009 breakout tape, So Far Gone. "I can't sit there and tell you that anybody made any conscious decisions to the extent of, 'Oh, we're gonna make this feel of an album,' " 40 told MTV News in December from Take Care studios in Toronto. "We really just make records and cut music until someone says, 'That's it: You can't make any more music; you gotta stop.' " The result was a cohesive and emotional 18-track ride, with two bonus tracks for iTunes. The MC revealed to MTV News that the narrative that drives his latest LP was inspired by "Houstatlantavegas," a So Far Gone track produced by 40. "I really didn't start working with Drake production-wise until So Far Gone," Shebib said. "As far as Drake and music and the people around him, he really controls that, and he picks all those records, and my goal is to facilitate that." And facilitate he did. 40 either produced or co-produced 15 of the 20 total Take Care tracks. One song in particular, the Lil Wayne- and Andre 3000-assisted "The Real Her," started with a reverse piano loop that the beatsmith had given to Drake a year before they began working on the album. It might have seemed insignificant at the time, but Drake eventually came back with a song idea off of that one sample. "What ends up happening a lot of times with our records is that, because I can do a lot of things in the studio, whether it be play instruments or produce or edit or run Pro Tools or edit vocals, whatever the case may be, I help him get out his ideas," 40 said. "I think that's the goal of any good producer, is to make sure the artist is delivering what they want." With Cash Money/ Young Money's track record of success, Drake's label trusted in the rapper and producer's abilities, allowing them to create without looking over their shoulder. Safe to say, it all paid off when Take Care debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, pushing over 631,000 copies in its first week after it was released November 15. The album is now well-past platinum, on its way to 2 million records sold in just under three months. "We get to do what we want: We don't have to clear it with the A&Rs or anybody. We are our own A&Rs," Shebib explained. "And that's the greatest freedom you can possibly have in this business." Related Videos Related Photos |
| Raekwon Scores <i>Unexpected Victory</i> With New Mixtape Posted: 09 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST Wu-Tang Clan vet tells Mixtape Daily about the free digital download: 'Anything that I give y'all this time is gonna be unexpected.'
Mixtape Daily: Main Pick Headliner: Raekwon the Chef Representing: Staten Island, New York
Real Spit: Raekwon isn't ready to be boxed in just yet. The 18-year rap vet, who started with Wu-Tang Clan in 1993, first became known for his multi-syllabic, kung fu-inspired rap style, but has since evolved sonically. Who could forget the Chef's mafia-themed crime sagas on his 1995 classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ...? Last year, Rae took things back to the block on Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, and now he is looking to conquer the digital space with his latest mixtape, which he offered as a free download on New Year's Day. "This mixtape right here is called Unexpected Victory. I call it the Unexpected because it's unexpected on what I'm gonna give y'all, and on top of it, it's gonna be victorious," the Chef explained to Mixtape Daily. "I feel good. I feel like I can take a dive in something and be professional with it and really watch it grow, and that's what I wanted to do with this mixtape right here." The 17-track mix bangs from start to finish. Opening with a dramatic violin-laden instrumental, Rae launches into the slow-rolling, sophisticated "Just a Toast." Over the Mark Henry-produced gem, the Staten Island, New York, MC reminds listeners of his drug-laced street background as well as his prowess on the mic when he spits, "Powerful when giving coke out/ You know they call me Sugar Ray, the Chef, the G.O.A.T.'s out." "A Pinebox Story" is another gem. Rae, a master storyteller, lays a murder mystery atop a soulful 9th Wonder production. He's great alone, but there, Lex Diamonds recruits plenty of lyrical assassins. His new artist JD Era rides shotgun on a number of tracks, while Mobb Deep, Capone, Noreaga, Vado, L.E.P. Bogus Boys and Fred the Godson provide ample backup.
Busta Rhymes shows up on the lavishly laid "MTV Cribs." An ode to the good life, Rae and the Dungeon Dragon throw a nod to the classic MTV show while displaying their own brand of rich living. Raekwon's not-so-humble abode features a 360-degree spinning wall unit, a see-through refrigerator and a tub full of ice. Not to be outdone, Bussa Buss' castle boasts crystal chandeliers, an Alaskan polar bear rug and a casino in the basement, and a rare painting of Jean-Michel Basquiat feeding fruit to Madonna. Can't say we saw that one coming. "It's called Unexpected because anything that I give y'all this time is gonna be unexpected," Rae said. "It's gonna be like, 'Oh sh--, he jumped into a new world, he jumped into a new chamber.' " As if we've never heard him before. Joints to Check For » "This Sh-- Hard" - "It's this joint with L.E.P. Bogus Boys, they my n---as from Chicago that came through and represented on this track. It's called 'This Sh-- Hard.' " » "Luxury Rap" - "It's a smooth, smooth, slow-flow type of beat. I like to rhyme on all kinda beats. I like to really test my sword and challenge all different kinds of things." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. |
| Beyonce And Jay-Z Baby Gets Love From Rihanna, Diddy Posted: 07 Jan 2012 10:28 PM PST Gwyneth Paltrow, Young Jeezy and Solange also hit Twitter to congratulate Bey and Jay on their new addition.
Now that Beyoncé and Jay-Z have welcomed their first baby, daughter Blue Ivy, into the world, some of the couple's most famous friends and fans are sending the new parents love and congratulations on Twitter.
Bey's sister, Solange, took to Twitter to confirm that she was a new aunt but said not all reports surrounding the birth are factual. "The most beautiful girl in the world," Solange wrote. "Information that goes through the telephone, always gets delivered wrong." Jay's protégé and collaborator Rihanna also had some love for the new baby. "Welcome to the world princess Carter!" she tweeted, signing off: "Love Aunty Rih." One of B's besties, Gwyneth Paltrow, wrote, "Welcome to the world Blue! We love you already." The hip-hop community also celebrated the birth of Jay-Z's new addition. Fellow hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons tweeted, "congrats to my good friends Beyonce and Jay-Z." A few tweets later, he added, "today is the day the lord has made." "Congrats to jay and B! God Bless :) !" Diddy tweeted. "And many more!" Young Jeezy also shared his love for the twosome. "Congratulations to Jay-Z & Beyonce on baby Ivy Blue being born." (There has been some confusion about the order of the baby's first and middle names, with some outlets reporting it to be Ivy Blue instead of Blue Ivy.)
One of MTV's very own, "Jersey Shore" star Snooki, wanted to get in on the Beyoncé/Jay-Z baby party early Sunday. "Beyonce congrats on your baby gurl mama!!!!" she wrote. "So happy for you , you deserve it sexpot." Mama-to-be Kourtney Kardashian added, "Congratulations to Beyonce, the 2nd Princess of Pop (behind Britney) for her new baby girl Ivy Blue!" In the days leading up to the arrival, Beyoncé's pal Lady Gaga gushed about her mama skills. "Of course she is [going to be a good mom]," she said. "That's a tremendous understatement. She's the nicest female I've met in the industry. She's wonderful!" Share your congratulations for Beyoncé and Jay-Z on our Facebook page! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Beyonce And Jay-Z's Baby 'Will Be Loved,' Fans Say Posted: 07 Jan 2012 11:24 PM PST 'I have a cousin who's named Indigo, so Blue Ivy sounds pretty cool,' one NYC fan tells MTV News about the baby's name.
NEW YORK — After Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcomed their first baby, daughter Blue Ivy, into the world late Saturday, MTV News took to the streets of Jay's hometown to talk to the power couple's fans. "I'm very excited for Jay-Z and Beyoncé's baby," Becky Bristol told us. "I hope it's really healthy and beautiful."
Another set of new parents, Janese Brown and Randell Ferguson, had some words of wisdom for the twosome. "We have a child also. It's gonna be tough, but I know you guys got it; all that money, you got it," they said. "You know she's going to be in entertainment somehow — actress, music — it's gonna be something big." Even though the baby has already been given the name Blue Ivy (or Ivy Blue, according to other reports), Trevorlyn Gilford and Rocki Skeete had a new suggestion. "Congratulations, Bey and Jayonce — is that her new name? Jayonce?" the ladies laughed. "Sounds like a rock-star baby. We're loving it. That's cute. Shout-out to Brooklyn!" The baby's actual name also got rave reviews from sisters Clara and Lucy Harrison. "All the celebrities usually choose quite odd names for their children, but that's a really cool name. I really like it," they said. "She'll inherit some amazing musical talents." Lisa Warren applauded their slightly eccentric pick for a name. "I have a cousin who's named Indigo, so Blue Ivy sounds pretty cool. I think the kid is going to grow up to be loved," she said. "So hopefully she can do whatever she wants to do." In addition to fan reactions, many of the couple's famous friends and fans took to Twitter to send love and "congrats" to the family. Share your congratulations for Beyoncé and Jay-Z on our Facebook page! Related Videos Related Artists |
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