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Snoop Dogg Speaks On The Importance Of Voting
“Don’t talk about it; be about it"
Snoop Dogg Speaks On The Importance Of Voting
Snoop Dogg says “don’t talk about it; be about it.” The legendary MC has been campaigning, promoting to his fans the seriousness of getting out to the polls and voting.
In conjunction with Levis, the Dogg was at the fashion powerhouse’s store in Santa Monica, taking to the wheels of steel at a rally to promote voting and voter registration.
“It was for Levis and trying to get people out there and vote. It was working in conjunction,” Snoop who spun such records as Notorious B.I.G.’s “Going Back To Cali” and YG’s “F--k Donald Trump” said. “We always try to get good music in the air so people can understand everything is for the right reason. To have the great vibe of having music be the backdrop to the forefront which is voting, in conjunction with Levis, is the main mission. It’s all about fun and putting awareness in the air.”
Like Snoop, a slew of celebrities have been out in full force telling people how pivotal it is to vote in this mid term election. The largest faction of stars were in Tallahassee, FL at a rally for Florida Governor candidate Andrew Gillum. Diddy, Fat Joe, DJ Nasty, Tiffany Haddish, Monica and Fat Joe all came out to show support. A few days ago we saw Oprah Winfrey, Jermaine Dupri and Chris Tucker come together for Stacey Abrams, who is running for Governor of Atlanta.
“It’s crucial,” Snoop insisted of the polls. “I mean look at the president. We don’t want that kind of disaster on no more levels of the game. The only way we effect [change] is to put our voices together and vote. Make some noise and pull our followers together and everybody that’s with us together in support of the right reason and get the right people in office.”
Everyone will be tuned in tonight to see the election results.
Hype Williams Reveals Jay-Z Was Proposed As Tommy In Belly; Discusses Baby Oil Scenes, Scarface Missing The Cut And More For The 20th Anniv
Nas on Jay-Z at 2018 Complexcon.
The Hughes Brothers “stealing” Hype Williams vision for “Belly” to make “Menace II Society?”Jay-Z instead of DMX as the magnetic, yet erratic and gun toting anti-hero Tommy Buns? T-Boz being nervous about meeting her on screen husband Nas for the first time ever on set? “The God” and “The Dog” beefing while shooting in Queens? Oh and baby oil baby! Plenty of baby oil.
During last night's third annual ComplexCon in Long Beach, CA, Belly director Hype Williams, and stars Nas and T-Boz sat at a panel celebrating the 20th anniversary of the film. The trio addressed numerous urban legends regarding the filming of the legendary movie and revealed some never before heard gems about the production.
The concept of “Belly” had been formulating in Hype Williams’ mind for his entire life as a way to portray himself and his friends in their home borough of Queens. Williams, the self-proclaimed “nerd” of his crew, delivered his take on that reckless gangsters lifestyle, delivering subplots of betrayals, rivalries, a trip to the motherland and a political assassination plot. The story began actual formulation five years prior to its theatrical release by script co-writer Anthony Bodden, who was a friend of Williams since they were both pee-wee size.
“I got into a car accident in 1992,” Bodden told “King” magazine 10 years ago when the lauded publication was celebrating “Belly” reaching a decade birthday. “Hype, who I knew since kindergarten, came to my hospital room and told me: ‘once you get out of here, we’re going to start making movies.’”
Bodden began writing “Belly” in 1993, but was almost immediately hit with a disheartening blow in the form of the release of “Menace II Society.” Not only was Menace met with near universal praise, it delivered audiences the same type of raw, gritty look at the life of young black men from the neighborhood (in this case Watts) that Bodden and Williams hoped to capture.
“I got beat to the punch,” Williams said during the panel which was hosted by Damien Scott. “Everything I wanted to do, They did it. Everything I wanted to say, they said it... from a west coast perspective.”
Williams, who would soon ascend to the top of hip-hop hierarchy as one of the greatest video directors of the 90s (and possibly ever), discovered his power while crafting trailblazing visuals for the likes of Nas, Busta Rhymes, Puff Daddy and Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott.
Based on his new level of experience, Hype felt confident that he could bring his own look and feel to the big screen and would start with casting music stars instead of regular actors.
“It’s awesome to have people that are visionary; that are leaders and not followers,” T-Biz said of her director.
In the end, Nas was cast to star as Sincere and T-Boz as his better half Tionne.
“I hadn’t met my husband until I stood on set,” T-Boz told the crowd about why she was nervous regarding potential onscreen chemistry with Nas. “That was the first time we met [ever in life].”
Nas laughed and said he had no apprehension.
“Everybody liked each member [of TLC]. I was lit because I got to have T-Boz as my girl. I was on fire.”
Hype was under fire because of his casting of the film’s lead and show stealer DMX.
“It’s awesome to have people that are visionary; that are leaders and not followers,” T-Biz said of her director.
In the end, Nas was cast to star as Sincere and T-Boz as his better half Tionne.
“I hadn’t met my husband until I stood on set,” T-Boz told the crowd about why she was nervous regarding potential onscreen chemistry with Nas. “That was the first time we met [ever in life].”
Nas laughed and said he had no apprehension.
“Everybody liked each member [of TLC]. I was lit because I got to have T-Boz as my girl. I was on fire.”
Hype was under fire because of his casting of the film’s lead and show stealer DMX.
Nas on DMX at 2018 Complexcon.
“I was crucified a little bit,” Hype said.
At the time of casting in 1996, X was more known in the streets for being a stick up kid than as a rapper. Nas was already a multi-platinum superstar and contender to the King of Rap title. T-Boz was part of TLC, one of the biggest groups on the planet. Dark Man X? He just started rising on New York’s mixtape circuit. His close friend Irv Gotti “begged” Hype to let X be in the film. Williams, of course, had a relationship with Gotti, having directed some of his earliest videos for IG’s artists. Trusting Gotti’s word and his own hunch, Williams felt X’s energy and knew he was a fit not only for the movie, but that he was going to be in the forefront of a change in hip hop music, which was wavering from the shine and gloss and heading back to the mud.
“X’s records didn’t come out until movie was shot. No one understood hip-hop was gonna change until X changed it,” Williams said on the panel.
“At first he didn’t have a DMX, a lead guy for Tommy in the story,” Nas explained. “It’s like he wrote [the character specifically] for [DMX]. The character description is just like DMX before we even met DMX. It all weighed on who’s Tommy. I knew [X] from the underground scene. He was coming. He was coming for whoever was on top. You had to be in the know to really know.”
The rap legend from Queensbridge called the casting of DMX “genius.”
“From the gate I was with it.”
Nas also said it was nothing but camaraderie between him and his longtime friend and fellow MC on set, dismissing any notion of friction between the two.
As for X’s now-infamous off camera wildness, Hype smiles and said “Early DMX was even worse. But this is what genius was. No one [else] could have played [Tommy] much like Tupac in the ‘Juice’ movie.”
There was even some talk for Jay-Z to play Tommy if DMX didn’t get the part.
“Were it not to be DMX, Everybody pressed for it to be Hov,” Williams revealed.”
Nas blurted “who?” Saying he didn’t hear Hype’s revelation.
“He’s a real hustler, he comes from a real place,” the famed director elaborated. “We were working with Def Jam. It was logical for it to be him.”
Def Jam was the home to both Jay and X at the time.
One of the looks captured on the movie, which would be hard to imagine Jay agreeing to, was being doused in baby oil.
“Hype had this vision we was gonna be oily.” Nas said later with a grin. “Whatever he was on, I was with it.”
“One of the main things I used to study was a lot of fashion stuff from France. I wanted the light to reflect off Black skin in a certain way film,” Williams explained. “The way I knew to do it at the time was through makeup. That’s why [Nas] keeps going back to the ‘oily’ thing. Maybe why everybody goes to it. But in reality it was so the light worked the way we wanted to off the negative.”
It was amazing though,” Nas interjected. “I wasn’t thinking ‘f**k they’re gonna be uncomfortable and they’re gonna be greasy on film.’ I’m purely thinking aesthetic again.”
“Belly” was hampered with budget cut problems and during the filming, as well as script-changes. Nas and Hype went so far as taking a short sabbatical from filming to work on the screenplay in upstate, NY. That trip netted Nas a writing credit on the film.
“I slipped in a few things,” Nas said slyly when asked to give specifics about his contributions. “Can’t talk about that.”
After a few laughs, he added “nothing that important.”
Hype also dismissed the myth that Ghostface Killiah makes an uncredited appearance in “Belly,” though he did reveal that Scarface was originally supposed to play a role but it “didn’t pan out.”
Through it all, “Belly” went on to make money at the box office and, despite being panned by critics, has gained a cult following that has grown throughout the past 20 years. Me and T-Boz both agreed that the movie is a certified “hood classic.”
A whole new generation of fans may soon get to see “Belly” on the big screen. To commemorate the milestone of the anniversary, Williams and company are making a push to get the film back in theaters for a limited theatrical run and get Def Jam to reissue the soundtrack.
“I was crucified a little bit,” Hype said.
At the time of casting in 1996, X was more known in the streets for being a stick up kid than as a rapper. Nas was already a multi-platinum superstar and contender to the King of Rap title. T-Boz was part of TLC, one of the biggest groups on the planet. Dark Man X? He just started rising on New York’s mixtape circuit. His close friend Irv Gotti “begged” Hype to let X be in the film. Williams, of course, had a relationship with Gotti, having directed some of his earliest videos for IG’s artists. Trusting Gotti’s word and his own hunch, Williams felt X’s energy and knew he was a fit not only for the movie, but that he was going to be in the forefront of a change in hip hop music, which was wavering from the shine and gloss and heading back to the mud.
“X’s records didn’t come out until movie was shot. No one understood hip-hop was gonna change until X changed it,” Williams said on the panel.
“At first he didn’t have a DMX, a lead guy for Tommy in the story,” Nas explained. “It’s like he wrote [the character specifically] for [DMX]. The character description is just like DMX before we even met DMX. It all weighed on who’s Tommy. I knew [X] from the underground scene. He was coming. He was coming for whoever was on top. You had to be in the know to really know.”
The rap legend from Queensbridge called the casting of DMX “genius.”
“From the gate I was with it.”
Nas also said it was nothing but camaraderie between him and his longtime friend and fellow MC on set, dismissing any notion of friction between the two.
As for X’s now-infamous off camera wildness, Hype smiles and said “Early DMX was even worse. But this is what genius was. No one [else] could have played [Tommy] much like Tupac in the ‘Juice’ movie.”
There was even some talk for Jay-Z to play Tommy if DMX didn’t get the part.
“Were it not to be DMX, Everybody pressed for it to be Hov,” Williams revealed.”
Nas blurted “who?” Saying he didn’t hear Hype’s revelation.
“He’s a real hustler, he comes from a real place,” the famed director elaborated. “We were working with Def Jam. It was logical for it to be him.”
Def Jam was the home to both Jay and X at the time.
One of the looks captured on the movie, which would be hard to imagine Jay agreeing to, was being doused in baby oil.
“Hype had this vision we was gonna be oily.” Nas said later with a grin. “Whatever he was on, I was with it.”
“One of the main things I used to study was a lot of fashion stuff from France. I wanted the light to reflect off Black skin in a certain way film,” Williams explained. “The way I knew to do it at the time was through makeup. That’s why [Nas] keeps going back to the ‘oily’ thing. Maybe why everybody goes to it. But in reality it was so the light worked the way we wanted to off the negative.”
It was amazing though,” Nas interjected. “I wasn’t thinking ‘f**k they’re gonna be uncomfortable and they’re gonna be greasy on film.’ I’m purely thinking aesthetic again.”
“Belly” was hampered with budget cut problems and during the filming, as well as script-changes. Nas and Hype went so far as taking a short sabbatical from filming to work on the screenplay in upstate, NY. That trip netted Nas a writing credit on the film.
“I slipped in a few things,” Nas said slyly when asked to give specifics about his contributions. “Can’t talk about that.”
After a few laughs, he added “nothing that important.”
Hype also dismissed the myth that Ghostface Killiah makes an uncredited appearance in “Belly,” though he did reveal that Scarface was originally supposed to play a role but it “didn’t pan out.”
Through it all, “Belly” went on to make money at the box office and, despite being panned by critics, has gained a cult following that has grown throughout the past 20 years. Me and T-Boz both agreed that the movie is a certified “hood classic.”
A whole new generation of fans may soon get to see “Belly” on the big screen. To commemorate the milestone of the anniversary, Williams and company are making a push to get the film back in theaters for a limited theatrical run and get Def Jam to reissue the soundtrack.
Ready To Rock The Vote?
Tuesday is Election Day in the US, and celebs are joining in the effort to get out the vote in the 2018 midterms. When you think politics you might not think Lauren Jauregui, but with the help of MTV she breaks down how your vote tomorrow could effect the country for the next decade by explaining how redistricting works. Then she rewards you for your attention with a puppy.
Youth turnout rates for early voting are up 125% for this election, which is fabulous! But if you haven’t already cast your vote, take some time today to educate yourself on the candidates running in your area, and then make your voice heard at the polls tomorrow! Share your “I Voted” stickers with me on twitter, follow @parkeronslacker or tag me in your instagram posts!
Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery sings “This Is It”
Runaway June
Country artist Runaway June perform "Buy My Own Drinks" for Studio 102.5!
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson covers “Fly Me To The Moon” on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Walker McGuire
Walker McGuire perform “You Don’t Even Know” on the Audience Network
Pharrell, Anderson .Paak, Ty Dollar $ign, Rick Rubin, Lil Wayne And More Remember Mac Miller
“Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” was a truly spiritual, surreal and fun ride last night in Los Angeles, CA. Many of the artists who loved the late, great Mac Miller came to perform, not to just honor his memory but to support a great charity, The Mac Miller Circles Fund, which is dedicated to youth arts.
Ty Dolla $ign brought out his guitar, started his short set on the stage and ended up in the crowd providing one of the night's highlight. The long haired hit-maker played Mac-collab, “Cinderella.” Standing at the mic, playing the guitar, Dollar $ign serenaded the crowd:
“I been waiting' all night for this moment,” he sang. “I been waiting' all year for this moment./ I been picturing you takin' off your clothes for me./ I been literally curvin' all these hoes for you./ Daddy told you, better bring your ass home./ Cinderella better get your ass home./ Man I swear the parents just don't understand./ You ain't gotta be old to be a man.”
“I’m sure all my Mac fans are gonna appreciate this,” he told the crowd. “How many of y’all got that Kids?
Chevy Woods then came out for his part on “Paper Route” from the classic mixtape.
Ty Dolla took to the crowd, literally, afterward. He went into the seats performing “Blasé,” which he told the audience was a Mac favorite.
Earlier in the night, Domo Genesis came out for “Coming Back.” The unabashed MC spit his cutting rhymes on the record.
“It's a cold world baby, but I'm a cold n****,” he proclaimed. “Frostbite tryna take a chew of how I slither./ My presence give 'em chills, like an Antarctica winter
And I'm banging Inglewood till I'm getting caught with a splinter./ I'm having artists for dinner./ So many fall apart when I spark it's hard to remember.”
“I love my brother,” he told the spectators. “I hate it had to be under these circumstances but I want to celebrate his life.”
Action Bronson moseyed onstage extra slowly during his set, smoking. It was a very sobering moment as they let the music to Mac’s “Red Dot Music” play.
“Think I can see a f***ing halo, about to meet my maker,” Miller voice oozed through the speakers. “Brought a double cup of Drano, some soda for the flavor./ Uncontrollable behavior with some psychopathic tendencies./ Lonely as your neighbors with the bitches./ He got special needs./ Word to my denim fiends, I'm Kennedy on ecstasy./My flavor from the nature, need an acre for my recipe.”
“I said it must be the drugs that got us thinking crazy shit,” Bronson and the fans sang along on the chorus. “Groupie bitches wild enough to suck a baby's dick./ Cadillacs is getting whipped a hundred eighty fifth./ Just for that sizzle, Gore-Tex in case of drizzle.”
Throughout the night, videos played from portions of Mac’s life. They showed time he spent in LA, with building thoughts by Rick Rubin. There was a heartfelt tribute video where many of his friends gave stories and gems from their time with Miller. Pharrell Williams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Donald Glover, DJ Premier, Joey Badass, A$AP Ferg, and Karl Anthony Towns were among those who paid homage.
Anderson .Paak followed with his own live testimonial, telling how humble his friend was.
“Mac Miller never took himself too seriously,” he said. “He was one of the dopest out and not afraid to say ‘you’re dope too; come with me.” Paak then got on the drums and he sang his Miller collaboration.
“I can't keep on losing you, over complications” Paak smoothly crooned. “Gone too soon, wait! We was just hangin'./ I can't seem to hold onto, dang
The people that know me best./ The key that I won't forget, too soon./ I can't keep on losing you, you, you, you, you, you./ I can't keep on losing you, you, you, you, you, you.”
Wow. Those words resonated so loudly, penetrated so precisely. It still seems surreal that the young hip-hop great is no longer with us. Miller, born Maclcom McCormick, died just a few weeks ago on September 7 from a drug overdose. And while his family, friends and fans are still mourning, this Halloween night was a beautiful homegoing celebration. No sadness, just a celebration and remembrance of all the joy he brought. LiveXLive.com is honored to have been part of this unforgettable event.