Biggie Initially Refused To Do “Big Poppa,” Nashiem Myrik Recalls

Nashiem Myrik, a member of Diddy’s Bad Boy production team, The Hitmen, says that The Notorious B.I.G. initially didn’t like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” from his debut album, Ready To Die. The two singles went on to be among the most iconic songs from the late legendary discography. Myrik recalled the making of the tracks and Biggie’s hesitancy to do them during the premiere of Angie Martinez’s Iconic Records visual podcast series.

“Big didn’t want to do certain songs, like ‘Big Poppa.’ He didn’t like that record. ‘Juicy?’ He didn’t like that record [either],” he said on the show. “He [just] didn’t want to do them records, but Puff knew he needed singles, and those were them.”

The Notorious B.I.G. At The Billboard Music Awards

American rapper Notorious BIG (born Christopher Wallace) attends the 1995 Billboard Music Awards, New York, New York, December 6, 1995. (Photo by Larry Busacca/WireImage)

When Biggie “refused to do it,” Diddy suggested giving the beat, which Myrick created with Chucky Thompson, to the Lost Boyz. Eventually, Myrick says he was able to get the beat back and traded it for the beat that would be used in the Lost Boyz’s “Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz” from their album, Legal Drug Money.

For Iconic Records, Martinez interviewed 25 subjects over the course of five days to not only discuss his final album, Life After Death, but also the career and legacy of the late rapper. Guests for the series include Lil Cease, Fat Joe, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Too $hort, and more. “I’ve pivoted in my career. At this point, I want to do things that I’m truly passionate about… Things that I want to leave on the table,” Martinez told Billboard in April. “Celebrating B.I.G. and 25 years of this album in a different way was exciting. That’s because some of the people we talked to weren’t the traditional people we see or hear from and who had different types of viewpoints on him.” Iconic Records is available on the WMX Hip Hop channel on The Roku Channel. Check out the latest episode below.

Nashiem Myrik On “Iconic Records”

[Via]

Teyana Taylor Reflects On Signing With Pharrell At 15

Teyana Taylor recently reflected on her experiences from signing with Pharrell Williams at just 15 years old during an interview with Angie Martinez. She inked a deal with the legendary producer’s Star Trak Entertainment imprint in the 2000s. Taylor explained that, without her father in her life, Pharrell began to fill the role.

“No matter how I felt when I was younger, like, none of these doors would’ve ever opened if it wasn’t for P. With him, it’s why I hold him on such a high pedestal. Because I didn’t have a dad, you know what I’m saying? He enjoyed me bragging about him– you know like calling him dad because it was something that he wanted,” Taylor explained.

Teyana Taylor With Pharrell In 2008

(EXCLUSIVE, Premium Rates Apply) BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 05: Pharrell and Teyana Taylor watch the playback on the set for the video shoot for “Google Me, Baby” on February 5, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage)

She continued: “Also, knowing him as well as I know him, it wasn’t a thing that you did on purpose. You didn’t purposely not protect me. It might’ve been a thing where you– you know, he’s so gentle and letting everybody push him out the way. And I guess for me, that 15-year-old, that girl just needed you to fight a little harder. You know what I’m saying? Needed you to maybe push even if you didn’t have the strength to. I just needed you to push for me more.”

When The Shade Room shared the clip from the interview, fans were surprised at how candid Taylor’s answers were. “Wow, that’s deep. Sound like a private conversation is needed between the two,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Feeling unprotected is a real thing every black woman goes through in her life, irregardless of who it may be at the hands of. With no shade towards anyone, of course. I understand this was all music business stuff but still, we be wanting to feel like someone has our back and they just never do.”

Elsewhere in Taylor’s interview with Martinez, the two discussed Taylor’s newest film, A Thousand And One, which just premiered in NYC. They also spoke about her relationship with God, working with Kanye West, and more.

Teyana Taylor Discusses Pharrell With Angie Martinez

[Via]

The Debut Season Of ‘Iconic Records’ Will Dive Deep Into The Notorious B.I.G.’s Classic Album ‘Life After Death’

The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 album Life After Death, which was released just days after he was murdered, is an iconic piece of hip-hop history. Now, to coincide with the ongoing celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary this year, Warner Music Group’s WMX has announced the debut season of visual podcast series Iconic Records will focus on the landmark Biggie Smalls album.

The eight-episode run of the show, hosted by Radio Hall Of Fame member Angie Martinez, will premiere on April 29 at 8 p.m. ET, on the new WMX Hip-Hop channel on The Roku Channel (channel 1137). Further episodes will debut every Saturday after that. It will also be available on Biggie’s YouTube channel and on major audio podcast platforms starting May 1. Guests appearing over the course of the season will include Fat Joe, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Too Short, Lil Cease, and surprise guests yet to be revealed.

Martinez said in a statement, “Biggie was, and still is, one of the most important artists of our lifetime and Life After Death is a masterpiece! To collaborate with WMX on this series has been an incredible experience. It’s especially meaningful as we also pay homage to 50 years of hip-hop and how it’s changed the course of history.”

Ben Blank — WMX president, media & creative content — also noted, “We’re excited to be able to share stories about the albums that have shaped entire generations so profoundly – beginning with Biggie’s Life After Death. The launch of Iconic Records embraces the huge appetite and need for unique content tailored for genre-specific audiences. WMX lives at a crossroads where artists, content, and experiences converge to reach music fans where they are, and this exciting series is the first of many forums in which we will continue to tell the stories about the art that shapes and inspires our culture.”

Wayne Barrow, Biggie’s manager, added, “The Notorious B.I.G. is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. His work has been examined and reviewed before, but this series provides new stories and firsthand accounts by the people that were there. It’s something special.”

Check out the Iconic Records trailer above.

The Notorious B.I.G. is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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City Girls’ JT Gets Candid About Her Early $20K Scamming Career, Lil Uzi Vert & More On Angie Martinez’s “IRL” Podcast

City Girls' JT

JT was interviewed on Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast and shared how she was inspired to start a $20K scam hustle prior to forming the City Girls. She also spoke about her relationship with Lil Uzi and more. Recently, JT (born Jatavia Johnson) of the City Girls was the latest guest on Angie Martinez’s IRL podcast. […]

The post City Girls’ JT Gets Candid About Her Early $20K Scamming Career, Lil Uzi Vert & More On Angie Martinez’s “IRL” Podcast appeared first on SOHH.com.

JT Boasts About Romance With Lil Uzi Vert: “He’s So Inspiring”

They’ve been hit with rumors that their relationship was struggling, but all is well between Lil Uzi Vert and JT. The pair has been going strong for some time, and although there have been moments when people suspected their romance ended, the couple always returns stronger than ever. In an interview with Angie Martinez, JT opened up about her relationship and boasted about her boyfriend.

“He’s a great man,” said the City Girls star. “No matter how the internet tries to paint Uzi. Uzi is a great man!” Martinez jumped in to pay the Philadelphia rapper praises, and JT couldn’t stop bragging about how good of a person he was. “He’s so inspiring. He go to work every night, he at work right now!”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: (L-R) Lil Uzi Vert and JT attend the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET)
Read More: JT Claims She Would Ride For Lil Uzi Vert If He Gets 10 Years Behind Bars

JT joked that she would be asleep while Uzi’s grinding out in the studio. “I’m sleep all the time! But, I’m so fortunate and lucky to have somebody like him because he’s so inspiring,” she said. “No matter what he’s going through, he’s going to work. And when I see him in his bag, I be like, ‘I gotta get my bag because this n*gga is in his bag, and he’s not giving up. He’s coming back swinging every time.”

When they’re not paying one another compliments in interviews, you can find Uzi and JT showing their love online. Celebratory moments like anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays often come with luxury gifts. The couple has given one another cars, cash, and clothes—proving that the price tag doesn’t matter in true love. Martinez noted that it must be “so nice” for Uzi to hear JT share such kind words about him.

Read More: JT Addresses Lil Uzi Vert Breakup Rumors 

Jt quipped, “He don’t hear that every day.” The ladies laughed as JT added, “He hears it, majority.” When Angie said Uzi also showed his affections publicly, JT replied that “he’s actually kinda shy.” The Florida rapper also shared that Uzi’s “straight-faced” demeanor can be seen as “mean,” but in reality, he feels like he’s being put on the spot.

“We’re just two young artists in a house, trying to figure each other out,” JT said elsewhere. Uzi reassures her that his love for her is genuine and goes beyond industry accomplishments. Check out the clip of the interview above.

[WATCH] Taraji P. Henson: ‘I Haven’t Been Purely Happy In A Long Time’

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Taraji P. Henson has been opening up about her journey with mental health. The legendary actress spoke with Angie Martinez about putting in the work needed to reach her level of desired happiness.

Henson recently appeared on Angie Martinez’s “In Real Life” podcast where she discussed her current state of happiness. When asked by Martinez “how happy are you, ” Taraji P. Henson replied:

“I don’t know to be quite honest.”As she held back tears, I thought I was happy but the things that I thought – Imma get emotional [and] I don’t want to.“The things that I thought was making me happy, they don’t cut it anymore and so I’m in a place where ‘what does that look like? and I’m kind of spinning and to be quite honest with you Angie, I haven’t been happy like purely happy in a long time.“I haven’t.” Henson then added that she’s aware her current mental status is “just a wake-up call.”

The 52-year-old then shared that she hopes to find her happiness on a solo trip to Bali. 
She said: “I’m about to go to Bali for a month by myself. It’s my own spiritual journey. I gotta find my happiness and it’s not in my friends, it’s not in my momma, it’s not in – you know, it’s me, it’s me and this is the work I gotta do.”
Watch the interview below.

The post [WATCH] Taraji P. Henson: ‘I Haven’t Been Purely Happy In A Long Time’ appeared first on The Source.

Kim Kardashian Says She Protects Her Children From Any Negative Conversations About Ye

Kim Kardashian Says She Protects Her Children From Any Negative Conversations About Ye

Kim Kardashian is opening up on a variety of subjects with Angie Martinez. As a guest on Martinez’s IRL Podcast, Kardashian spoke about co-parenting with her ex-husband, Ye, amidst rolling headlines about his numerous controversies.

“I’ve managed to…I’m holding on by a thread,” Kardashian said. “I know I’m so close to that not happening, but while it’s still that way, I will protect that to the end of the Earth as long as I can.”

Kardashian stated she keeps the talk of the outside world, in regards to Ye, away from her children. She also puts aside personal issues the two have to meet her children’s needs.

“If we’re riding to school and they want to listen to their dad’s music, no matter what we’re going through, no matter what is happening in the world, I have to have that smile on my face and blast his music and sing along with my kids and act like nothing’s wrong,” Kardashian said.

She added, “As soon as I drop them off, I can have a good cry.”

The post Kim Kardashian Says She Protects Her Children From Any Negative Conversations About Ye appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Mike Tyson Says He Offered Remy Ma A Car To Spend The Night With Him

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In one of the most interesting story sessions on Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson, Fat Joe speaks on his friendship with the boxing legend and includes an untold story that will forever go down in Hip Hop history. With famed radio personality Angie Martinez on the side observing the validity of these stories firsthand, Tyson lets Fat Joe tell the story of Tyson inviting him and Remy Ma to his home…and answers the door totally naked.

Joe adds to the comedy of the story, “I’m only worried about him. He takes me a tour of the house, I’m not lying to you. Every room I walked in there was a chick in every room, in every f***ing room. I’m like what the f***, I’m like this guy lives a f***ing life. He offered us some f***ing 500 bands.” 

Tyson admits to trying to lure the Terror Squad’s newest signee with one of his luxury cars, but the “Lean Back” rapstress clearly declined the champ’s offer.

The post [WATCH] Mike Tyson Says He Offered Remy Ma A Car To Spend The Night With Him appeared first on The Source.