Sadly only for Americans who have a subscription to Hulu.com streaming service. Click here for more info.

His name says it all; standing at well over six feet tall and with the intimidating muscular build of a linebacker, Big Shug’s physical presence alone is enough to command attention. His voice, a hoarse rumble effective for delivering both fearsome threats or smooth crooning as his alter-ego Shugie Diamonds, is one of rap’s most instantly recognizable. As both a solo artist and founding member of Gang Starr, his name has consistently shown up in album credits alongside hip-hop’s elite for over 20 years.

But despite that, Shug has never courted the spotlight. As countless other rappers, and even Gang Starr themselves, fell by the wayside, he has persevered through fans’ evolving tastes and a changing record industry by staying true to the ideals – integrity, respect for the streets and love of music – that have fueled his career. Nowhere is that more apparent than on I.M. 4-EVA.

Stitching together the various parts of his career into one, this album, true to its title, is a comprehensive look at who Big Shug is, where he came from and where he is going. With his bruising flow over classic DJ Premier produced cuts bringing back nostalgic 90s memories, he pays tribute to the fans who have stuck with him since the beginning. I.M. 4-Eva – Shug’s fourth solo album and his first since 2008’s Other Side of the Game – marks the next chapter in his ongoing maturation as an artist. The album reunites Shug with old friends like M.O.P., Fat Joe and Premier, while also connecting with a new generation of hip-hop fans via collaborations with Reks, Termanology, Singapore Kane and Slaine.

In addition to the 17 all new studio cuts Brick Records has presented a timeless package; a hard back, 36 page book chronicling the true history of Gang Starr as told by Big Shug, plus anecdotes from his 20+ year career, rare never before seen vintage photos and more. Through his words and his music, Big Shug truly shows here why he is 4-EVA.

Tracklist:

1. Still Here (Prod. By A Kid Called Quest)
2. Hardbody (Feat. Fat Joe & M.O.P.) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
3. Spit Six (Prod. by DJ Premier)
4. For The Real (Feat. Termanology, Slaine, Singapore Kane & Reks) (Prod. by Fizzy Womack)
5. Blue Collar (Prod. by DJ Premier)
6. Ass Mouth (Skit)
7. I.M. 4-Eva (Feat. Singapore Kane)
8. Big Fly Homie (Prod. By A Kid Called Quest)
9. No More (Feat. Trumayne)
10. War In The Club (Prod. by Lee Bannon)
11. We Miss You (Prod. by DJ Premier)
12. My Kids
13. I’ll Be Here
14. Sixteen Go
15. New Era
16. True Love
17. Basically (Prod. by Fizzy Womack)

Release date: July 24, 2012

Support the Gang Starr Foundation, fresh album incl hardcover case book! I only know about the physical CD version, no word on vinyl or digital.

Go to 7:20.

It looks official now, after not airing for weeks Sirius XM/Hip Hop Nation deletes DJ Premier’s Live From HeadQCourterz Show from their weekly program. It’s a sad day for us, they took down the big and legendary ambassador of underground hip hop from the radio waves.

While DJ Premier already gave comments about the situation last week on his Twitter account we could only understood that there are contract issues with Hip Hop Nation that needs to be straighten out. But now Hip Hop Nation deleted the DJ from their site and program.

Does this mean we can forget about the Premo exclusives after years and years of dedication? Lets hope for the best!

The crew

You can listen to old Live From HeadQCourterz shows here.

DX: I have to ask this follow-up: Did you ever regret at all suing over the “Shut ‘Em Down” [vocal] sample in “Ten Crack Commandments”? ‘Cause I know DJ Premier was seriously pissed at you for years after that.

Chuck D: Me and [DJ Premier] is cool. Matter fact, that was an issue before I even knew Preemo was a part of the thing.

Remember, Bad Boy [Records] was going around saying how much money they had and this and that, and I had songwriters who are connected to me who were basically saying, “Well, the song that they’re using, Chuck what’s up?” And the fact is that the crack commandments were something that I was like okay … I don’t agree with it, but … it’s a master use, whatever. But songwriters want their piece. And they, [the song’s producers, The Imperial Grand Ministers Of Funk], said, “Well, if they’re going around and flaunting and falutin about how much they got … then what’s up with our rights to the song?” And I’m like, “Okay, alright you guys.” So, I mean, this is not no kids game, this is real shit.

Taking [my] voice to me is a defamation of character, but really the songwriters pushed the issue as saying, “Alright, that’s part of our song too and we helped write that, so where’s our royalties? Who handles that?”

DX: So this was more business really than a personal issue?

Chuck D: Well, my thing is I don’t go after anybody. But in that particular case, which was coming from Bad Boy, which was BMG, which was who sued me on another end – it was like one of those things. So it really had nothing to do with Biggie. Nothing. It had nothing to do with Premier. And at the end of the day, it was Def Jam and Bad Boy, it was BMG and Universal. It was really one of those … it was just stupid.

But at the same time, I told Puffy, I said, “You know, you guys, when it comes down to me give me a heads-up. Don’t be doing something [when] you know where I am and you know where I come from. How you gonna just go and do some shit like that and not talk to me?” And from that point on, it was cool. That’s when you seen [Diddy remake] “Public Enemy No. 1.” And he called me [about that] when I was in the middle of Guitar Center or whatever and said, “Yo, I just wanna know if it’s cool?”

So, that was the biggest thing … talk to me. And, kids only look at the lawsuit. They’re kids, what do they know? They scream and holler about anything, but at the end of the day it was a settlement between Universal and BMG, Bad Boy and Def Jam. It had nothing to really do with me.

Those guys are all in bed with each other, but nobody asks that question.

DX: Well let me ask that question –

Chuck D: For the longest Puffy was mad at Russell [Simmons]. [Laughs] So I’m like, “Look, I ain’t in the middle of all that. Just make sure you call me before you do anything regarding me if you gonna go in that direction. Simple as that.” It’s simple. And it’s been cool ever since.

And me and Premo’s been fine ever since, but you know … initially Premo had nothing to do with it. Not with me. I’m like, “Okay, you tied with this by default,” but … I don’t know.

DX: I think he just took it as maybe a personal slight [since he produced the track].

Chuck D: Yeah, because he was tied up with that whole Bad Boy operation, and so when it came down to him actually receiving his royalty for the song they wanna tie him up. So I’m like, “Yo, man, forget all that. Let’s deal with each other as people.”

People have the understanding now, [but] at that time people were sticking their noses all up in the corporations booty.

DX: At that time, you mean, what, last week? [Laughs]

Chuck D: No, especially back [in the ‘90s]. As much money as they was paying people, and people flaunting and throwing money at the camera, it was like the majors had a dominant hold on people’s … everything. And I was rebelling against that structure. Hard. I was like, “Man, fuck BMG. Fuck Sony. And fuck Universal too.” I was going after them hard. And still to this day.

source

We heard this story a lot from Premo’s side, now (detailed) Chuck D. Don’t worry, Premo and Chuck are cool now!

When it comes to a “Natural”, Biggie fits the description 100%. My time with him always came with a laugh and then another and then another even when he was dealing with a good or bad situation in which i have witnessed both.

I remember one day my partner GURU was arrested on Fulton Ave in Brooklyn late night while he was with Biggie and a few members of Junior Mafia while he was leaning on his Jaguar over an accidental fraud on his credit card, making him the guilty party of his own card without any proof.

The police officer said that one of us could watch his car and park it for him so that it would not get impounded.
When they took Guru in, Biggie offered to watch his car while i went to the precinct to find out if he posted bail. BIG got in the drivers seat and just sat there staring at the dashboard as if he was lost and i asked him if there’s anything wrong. He said “Nah I’m aight. i just don’t know how to drive a car, but i wanted to see how it feels to sit behind the wheel of a Jag”.

We all laughed and one of the members of Junior Mafia moved the car and gave me the keys to give back to GURU.
Back at the precinct, the officer ran full check on Guru’s identity and he was free & clear of any wrongdoing and was released.

One of the most memorable days of great history amongst two great icons, fathers and human beings my life has ever come across… -DJ Premier

source

R.I.P. Christopher George Latore “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997)

Hell yes! May 27th is the date, Caterbury Park in Shakopee, MN is the place. Tickets go on sale this Saturday with a $41 price tag.

www.soundsetfestival.com

(this is an old video)

Wassup Russian fans… DJ Premier is going back to visit Moscow one more time. You can see him live performing at the Russian Urban Music Awards on March 24th at Stadium Ruma. Busta Rhymes is performing the day after!

For more info go here, for tickets, go here.

Informations:

DJ Premier/Bumpy Knuckles KoleXXXion Release Party
Date: March 26, 2012
Location: Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street, New York, NY)
Hosted By: Flavor Flav and Sway of MTV
Music by: Kid Capri
Performing Live: DJ Premier and Bumpy Knuckles
Also Performing: M.O.P., Heather B, Big Shug and O.C.
Plus Special Invited Guests

$40 VIP Tickets:
Get a limited edition VIP pass to this one time special event. The VIP pass entitles you to a meet and greet autograph session with DJ Premier and Bumpy Knuckles before the show, a copy of their new album KoleXXXion and a ticket to this historic event. You can buy them here.