Let their promo pics tell it, Pretty Ricky as a collective, is soft.

You imagine their music to be the stale, overly produced mess that R&B has succumbed to in this not so artistic industry. Surprisingly, Pretty Ricky’s every day appearance and/or perceived promotional rep, doesn’t do their music or maturity justice. Their third and newest album, the self-titled Pretty Ricky, shows that, despite their over the top appearance, they’re as dedicated to putting out good music as they are to solidifying an eternal bond with their fans.

Though the day is overcast, cool and rainy, the guys are unexpectedly upbeat. Bearing the innocence of a fourteen year old boy, Spectacular looks up and announces, “I’m tired.” He then sighs before popping up from his chair to grab some food to join the others at a display tailor made just for them.

Given his recent decision to eliminate red meat from his diet, Diamond “Baby Blue” Smith makes his way from the chow line first, effectively prompting a domino effect, beginning with the newest member of the group, Emmanuel “Lingerie” Deanda. Corey “Slick’em” Mathis, easily the most visible with his bright gold teeth and long, flowing dreads, is next. Then, as if it were a predetermined move on all their parts, Spectacular joins the circle, his mood focused, friendly and charming.

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HOME OF THE BRAVE

It’s a good two months prior to the release for his eighth solo album, Category F5 and Carl “Twista” Mitchell is doing what he does best: making music. He is not, however, in some dolled up studio all the way West in Hollywood. Nor is he in one of the million music factory’s of New York, or even Atlanta. He’s at the Crib – literally.

Truth be told, Twista is one of two people that can operate under such conditions. The other happens to be one of music’s most genius talents, despite his controversial ties to underage women. Regardless, either of them has done much to blaze a trail for their successors and put the city of Chicago on the map in the process.

“Me and R. Kelly can do what we do from the Crib (Chicago),” Twista allows from the basement of his Chicago home. “We’re homebodies. We like to stay at home.”

With good reason, Twista can do him from his nest simply because the city of Chicago has accepted and even owned his success. Whether they’ve followed him from the past or currently stand at attention for his Twitter updates, he has a base that looks for him and to him, when others from the same streets don’t have the same luxury.

“Chicago got a whole lot of talent here,” he begins, pausing for emphasis. “As far as on the industry standpoint, we just don’t have it as much as other people have it. When you look at the top artists in the City, everybody moved except for me.”

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RECIPROCAL REWARDS

Words: N. Ali Early

While putting his platinum touch on Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’ a year ago, DJ Quik observed an atmosphere that reminded him of a time when the West could do no wrong. Everybody was hungry and virtually unknown. Together, The Lady of Rage, RBX, Dat Nigga Daz, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre spent weeks in the studio, their vision blurred from writing day and night – their stomachs growling from certain hunger. But it was their appetite to succeed that made The Chronic a classic album. It was their greed for success that catapulted Dre from super producer to unadulterated genius.

And it was there all over again. Right before his eyes, Quik saw the same type of unbridled fury unfolding in front of him – like magic. The music was on point, as was the energy and all that was left, was for someone to make the suggestion.

“Snoop set it up like an old school studio session,” Quik discloses, commending his longtime rap cohort for his own genius. “He made the energy the same way it was back then. He triggered it.”

‘It’ eventually materialized in the form of Blaqkout, an insane combination of arguably the West’s best lyricist and producer for a full-length album collaboration.

“Snoop just started being really sharp,” Quik continues. “He just started planting seeds. He planted a seed in us about potentially doing a record and he pretty much let Kurupt know it was in his best interest to stay here and not hit the road.”

A devout Dogg Pound Gangsta, Kurupt is known to travel with Snoop Dogg every year regardless of what may be available to him beyond Snoop’s interests. Ironically, it’s that loyalty and dedication that convinced Big Snoop that he and Quik would kreate a masterpiece together.

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STILL BREAKIN’ NEWS
Words: N. Ali Early

Fuck what you heard. E-40 is classic. He’s donkey ropes, black & red pumas and a Le Coq Sportif sweatsuit. Emmanuel Khan’s with the snakeskin rims, or better yet, 14k Gazelle’s, tinted to shield the sun, but inviting enough to lure the prissiest around the way girl. The boy got game. EA Sports, Nintendo Wii, Xbox? They’d be nothing without Intellivision, Coleco and yes, Atari 2600. Yeah, classic… that classic shit. That’s E-40.

But nostalgia would be nothing without the present. Without the ability to align outstanding parallels, memories would literally be nonexistent. That is the sole reason why E-40, The Ambassador of the Bay, continues to evolve. While the new booties attempt to work their way in on the ringtone rap circus that has attempted to overwhelm hip hop with mindless music and new age cooning, 40 H2O opts to repackage an already proven brand.

It’s the reason why, after an eventful night at the third annual Hip Hop Awards, he’s the center of attention at the Warner Brothers Suite in Midtown Atlanta’s W Hotel. For hours it seems fans, colleagues and fellow rappers, all anticipate his arrival. A steady stream of people, including WB execs, models and runners, come and go, then do it all over again. By 3:30 AM it feels like he just might skip the damn thing. The most obvious reason is… well, it’s damn near 4 AM. The other, is he’s reportedly blowed (that means upset) about his seating arrangements earlier that night. Considering only a year ago he was the official emcee for what was undoubtedly the breakout show of its three year existence, it makes perfect sense. A reliable source indicates that he’s so ‘upset’ he just might skip his own Landy Cognac sponsored suite and call it a night/morning.

But that ain’t 40. He just isn’t the type to let his public down. (continue reading…)

Free At Last
Words: N. Ali Early

A fresh conversation with R&B crooner Joe is hauntingly reminiscent of Dre Ellis’ character in the 2002 blockbuster film Brown Sugar. Like Joe, Ellis ultimately found himself at his wits end with the industry and its villainous ways and sought to do something about it. Both see the evil within and seek to escape it through their own ambition, their own will and most importantly, their own minds. While he’s remained busy over the years as a talented producer and singer, the seven time Grammy nominated wunderkind is indeed rejuvenated over discovering the wonderful world of individual enterprise. (continue reading…)