Kanye Speaks on the Flashing Lights Videos

Via Hiphopdx.com

Just in case there was any confusion, Kanye West wants fans to know that the only version of the “Flashing Lights” video that he wanted released was the one he released himself.
“I shot [three] vids for “Flashing Lights” [‘cause] I ain't like the first [two],” Kanye typed on his blog. “No rant's here just an explanation of why y’all getting those other vids [right] now that I ain't approve and why I ain't finna post neither on my blog. So I hope whoever leaked them got the shine they was looking [for] ‘cause that's all they'll get now.”
Two other videos for the song leaked earlier this week. The first leak shows a woman’s dual life of glamor and instability, while the second tells a supernatural murder mystery. Published reports said that the last video to leak was actually the first video that was shot, while the previous leak was the second version filmed.
In the blog, Kanye said that he enlisted Sam Speigal—brother of Spike Jonze, director of the released video—to remix “Flashing Lights” so that that the music would match the latter video. Speigal also co-orchestrated the music on the Glow In The Dark Tour.

Lil Wayne Explains His Mixtape DJ Diss

Via Hiphopdx.com

After Lil’ Wayne torched the mixtape scene with scathing comments in an interview with Foundation Magazine [click to read], the entire mixtape scene was up in arms. Even the legendary DJ Doo Wop decided to get in on the mix and fire back at Weezy F Baby [click to read]. Late last night, Lil Wayne called in to DJ Drama’s Shade 45 Sirius Satellite Radio show to explain his position to the world.
“First off I ain’t mean to disrespect no deejays, no mixtape deejays, whatever kind of deejay you is, there was no kind of disrespect,” Wayne said on the air. “Especially given the fact that me and Drama, me and [DJ] Khaled and me and my homeboy Raj Smooth from New Orleans, we all get it in and do the mixtape thing. So given that fact, I think things were blew out of proportion."
Many may know that Wayne has been a fixture in the mixtape scene and recorded some of his most popular work with the likes of DJ Drama, Smoov and DJ Khaled. So who exactly was Wayne coming after with those sentiments?
“This Empire nigga, I don’t fuck with him. For all deejays I just want you to know that [the diss] was meant for that Empire nigga. I don’t fuck the Empire nigga. The nigga put a CD out on me every month and I couldn’t tell you how none of them niggas look in person,” Weezy said in regard to Worldwide Legacy’s brand of mixtapes. There is a popular series produced by The Empire titled The Drought Is Over which has been making its rounds in mixtape circles for some time.
Weezy still stands by what he said and made sure that he wanted those upset with him over the statements to feel the same way they did even after Wayne appeared on Drama’s show.
“Whoever got soft feelings and whoever took what I said and wants to feel some kind of way, I want you to know, please don’t feel different after you hear me on this right here,” Wayne said as his tone changed. “I want you to still feel [like saying] ‘fuck that nigga’ cause when you see me in the streets I want it to be that because I’m going to bite your fucking face off.”
Wayne also sent a special shout out DJ Keyz and DJ Pratt who put out the Wayne’s World series.
“If you made the Wayne’s World Vol 1-7 then your mama’s a bitch! And if you the Empire nigga, I hope you die twice tomorrow!”
But after it was all said and done, Weezy spread love to people like Drama, Kahled, Tony Neal of the Core DJs and others.
“But for the other mixtape deejays I love you. No homo. I wouldn’t be shit without you.”
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Lil Wayne never learns. He's not a good rapper. He's basic. And he's gay. No one kisses a full grown man on the mouth and calls him Daddy and still says he's straight.

Flashing Lights Videos 1, 2, and 3

I'm not entirely sure what Mr. West was thinking making 3 different versions to one song...but he sure did a great job. But, according to him the 2nd and 3rd versions were leaked and not supposed to be seen. I think he should have kept the third, but that's my personal opinion. And just so you guys don't have to look around, the lyrics and all three videos are posted here. Enjoy.


Version 1 (official version)


Version 2

Version 3

Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights

She don't believe in shootin' stars,
but she believe in shoes & cars
Wood floors in the new apartment,
couture from the store's department
You more like L'eau de Stardee shit,
I'm more of the, trips to Florida
Order the h'orderves, views of the Water
Straight from the page of your favorite author
nd the weather so breezy,man why can't life always be this easy
She in the mirror dancing so sleazy,
I get a call like where are you Yeezy
Try to hit you with a 'Oeur de Whopee'
Till I get flashed by the paparazzi
Damn, these nigga's got me,
I hate these nigga's more than the Nazis

As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
What do I know?
Flashing lights, lights
What do I know?
Flashing lights, lights

I know it's been a while,Sweetheart,
we hard-ly talk, I was doing my thing
I know I was foul bay-bay,
a-bay late-ly you been all on my brain,
And if somebody would've told me a month ago
Fronting though, yo I wouldn't wanna know
If somebody would've told me a year ago
it'd go, get this difficult
Feeling like Katrina with no fema
Like Martin with no Gina
Like a flight with no visa
First class with the seat back I still see ya
In my past, you on the other side of the glass
Of my memory's museum,I'm just saying,
Hey Mona Lisa,come home you know you can't Rome without Caesar

As I recall, I know you love to show off
But I never thought that you would take it this far
What do I know?
Flashing lights, lights
What do I know?
Flashing lights, lights
As you recall, you know I love to show off
But you never thought that I would take it this far
What do you know?
Flashing lights, lights
What do you know?
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
Flashing lights, lights
[Fade out]Lights, lights, lights, lights...

One Of 50 Cent's Houses Burns Down

Via allhiphop.com

It has been confirmed that 50 Cent’s ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins and two of her children, including 50 Cent's son, were among those injured in an early morning fire this morning (May 30).

The $1.4 million dollar mansion in Dix Hills, Long Island, was burned to the ground around 5:00 am this morning, just days after a confrontation between Tompkins and 50 Cent.

Six people, including Tompkins and 50 Cent’s ten-year-old son Marquise were taken to Huntington Hospital, where they were treated for complications from smoke inhalation and released.

A firefighter was also injured and treated for an eye injury.

According to the Associated Press, Dix Hills Fire Chief Larry Feld has deemed the blaze suspicious, because of the intensity of the fire, which lasted for almost 45 minutes.

The pair are currently involved in a court battle over the mansion, as 50 Cent is attempting to evict the woman from the residence.

Tompkins claims that 50 Cent bought the mansion for her, a claim the rapper, born Curtis Jackson, disputed in court.

"To have her living there with her boyfriend and several other people is inappropriate," 50 Cent said. "She's in the house with people I'm not responsible to pay housing for."

On Monday (May 26), the pair were involved in a violent confrontation inside of Tompkins’ Manhattan attorney’s office.
Tompkins' lawyer, Paul Catsandonis said an "extremely dangerous incident" took place inside of his office but did not elaborate.
50 Cent was not in New York at the time the house burned down and is currently on location in Louisiana filming a new motion picture.

“Curtis Jackson expressed deep concern over this fire at his property,” a representative said in a statement. "He is extremely thankful that everyone including his son, Marquise, escaped the burning house safely. He is confident that authorities will be conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and is eager to review their findings."

TMZ.com obtained exclusive footage of 50 Cent and Shaniqua Tompkins arguing on the street on Monday, just days before the house burned down.

Tompkins said she heard an intruder around 4:00 am, just before the inferno erupted and burned the mansion to the ground.

The dispute over the mansion will be heard again in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on June 10.

GLACIER Artist Versatai: Album Details and Interview

Our very own Versatai who has been making a name on the underground circuit is close to completing his first solo album, The Evolution of Communication. The release date is scheduled for August 1st, but may change due to feature artists needing to finish their part. I have asked for an interview and he agreed to give me one. Here's how it went:

Rara Avis: So who all is going to be featured on this album?
Versatai: The Saurus, Phathom, Marvwon, Sick for Brains, XI of the North Starz, Atlaz, Venom, EyeDrop, JLR, A.D.D., Quality, yourself (Rara Avis), Nero, LoLo, and The Cleanest.

Rara Avis: How long have you been working on the album?
Versatai: Honestly, about two or three months. Not that long at all.

Rara Avis: So how did you manage to start working on this album that soon and still get all those names? Some of them are pretty big on the underground circuit.
Versatai:I've always believed in promotion, and working as hard as possible to create a quality product. I've had ideas for my own solo album for quite awhile, so once I decided to actually sit down to do it, I knew getting some more recognizable names on the album would be a plus. So I contacted a few artists with whom I felt would contribute a great sound to my album. Some of them required money to put a verse down with me, so I put together some cash and made sure to get the artists I desired.

Rara Avis: But The Saurus did a verse for free right?
Versatai:He ended up charging me just because I took too long to get everything around to get to him. I wasnt sure what song I wanted him on, and was waiting for JLR to get his studio together...you know, that sorta thing.

Rara Avis: Either way, it's still a plus getting him on the track right?
Versatai: Yeah. He's one of my idols. It's weird that his internet fame has gotten him to the point he is, and that he's never put out a real album, but I just love the way he flows, his wordplays, etc. So it's a huge plus to have a beast like that on the album.

Rara Avis: So how long have you been rapping?
Versatai: In a musical sense, since I was 18, but I've been writing poetry since I was 10. I wrote verses in hip hop form starting at 16, but I never put them to beats til I hit 18 or so.

Rara Avis:And how old are you now?
Versatai: I will be 24 in August

Rara Avis: So, in such a short time, you've managed to elevate yourself to a status that makes well known rap battles want to be on a track with you. How did you do it?
Versatai: Hard work and perseverance. I have really evolved my rhymes over the years, and now feel confident about the fact that I can hang with a good number of very talented artists. I've practically immersed myself in music the last 2 years, trying to learn different styles, wordplays, and flow schemes of many of the highest talented artists. I just strive to be half the rapper they are, or even to be on their level one day, and there's no way to even think about getting there without extreme dedication.

Rara Avis: Is there anything else you would like to say before we end this interview?
Versatai: The Evolution of Communication is just that; an evolution of my hip hop communication skills, among other things. We as a culture have taken communicating as second nature, and reduced it to a strictly technological level. This album is my way of trying to shock society, or my listeners, into realizing the error of our ways, and to try to think outside the box more often. It's tentatively set to release August 1st, although that is subject to change. I am just one man, but if I can invoke change in just one other human being, well then I've evolved someone's thought process, and that's half the battle.

Rara Avis: Well, I'm sure it'll be a great album once it's finished from what I've heard. But I think this will end our interview.
Versatai: Thank you very much, and I look forward to an album review in the future.

Well There you have it, an interview and details on the album with Tha Mercurial One himself. Sure to be a great album from a very talented artist. More details later.

T.I could be getting reality show on MTV

Via hiphopdx.com
According to Variety, rapper T.I. (real name Clifford Harris Jr) is in talks with MTV to have his own reality TV show. MTV will follow the Grammy Award-winning rapper as he continues to work on his new album Paper Trail, performs his mandatory 1,000 hours of community service and prepares for his one-year prison sentence-- punishment for being caught in possession of an arsenal of unregistered guns last October just before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Awards.

MTV has already reportedly ordered eight episodes of the series, which is being produced by Ish Entertainment and co-executive produced by T.I.

Ish Entertainment's Michael Hirschorn told Variety."We began the conversations in the middle of deliberations over what would happen to him. The original idea for the show had him staging a series of interventions in each episode with people in danger. But when we visited him under house arrest, it felt much bigger and more powerful than we anticipated."

T.I.'s highly anticipated new album Paper Trail is due in stores in August.

The MTV reality show featuring T.I. is scheduled for 2009.