MUSIC REVIEWS ON GHFREESTYLE.COM

Papoose Questions Chris Lighty's Suicide On "Obituary 2012" Track

January 6, 2013

Papoose doesn't believe that Chris Lighty took his own life.

Earlier today, Papoose dropped a track, "Obituary 2012," which mourns many of the lost lives in the music industry from last year.

The song includes remembrances of singer Whitney Houston and "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius. The song also mentions Chris Lighty, head of Violator Management, who reportedly committed suicide last year.

In the song, Papoose reveals that doesn't believe that Lighty's cause of death was suicide:

"Chris Lighty, Hip Hop shed a tear / He gave birth to so many careers / Born May 8th, '68, in the Bronx, used to carry records for Red Alert, he was smart / Started Violator, made it better / He helped me with my career, we took a million dollar deal together / The cause of his death? They say suicide / But anybody who knows Chris sees through the lies."

Pap joins 50 Cent in his speculation, as Fif reportedly hired investigators to look into Chris Lighty's death. Lighty's family has also made known their skepticism.

CNN Calls Nas Hip Hop's "Finest MC"

January 6, 2013

The Cable News Network Explains why it thinks Nas is the GOAT.

Many media outlets have thrown their hat into the "who is the greatest emcee?" ring, but now CNN can be added to the list.

In a recent piece, CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin writes that Nas is the "greatest lyricist of all time," and in fact intervie...

Big Boi To Appear Alongside Andre 3000 On New Version Of Frank Ocean's "Pink Matter" & T.I.'s "Sorry"

January 3, 2013

UPDATE: Big Boi and Andre 3000 will reunite on a pair of songs.

Big Boi is set to reunite with Andre 3000 on an updated version of Frank Ocean's "Pink Matter."

Earlier this summer, Sir Lucious Leftfoot took to Twitter to state that he was originally slated to appear on the son...

Juelz Santana "God Will'n" Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date

January 3, 2013

UPDATE #2: Juelz Santana eyes an early 2013 release for his upcoming mixtape.

While fans wait on Juelz Santana's Born to Lose, Built to Win, the New York emcee's first proper album since 2005's What the Game's Been Missing!, they can take solace in the fact that the rapper has two mixtapes coming up.

The previously-announced Reagan Era mixtape is no longer Reagan Era, as the project has been renamed God ...

Lil Wayne Gets "Baked" Tattooed On His Forehead

January 3, 2013

Lil Wayne honors Baker Skateboards by getting its logo tatted on his face.

Lil Wayne has been steadily covering his body with tattoos over the years, most recently ringing in the New Year by getting some ink on his face.

In a photo posted on Lil Wayne HQ (via MissInfo), Weezy...

Ar-Ab Comments On Meek Mill vs. Cassidy, Says Meek Was "Telling The Truth" On "Repo"

January 3, 2013

Ar-Ab says there's no need to involve himself in the battle between Meek Mill and Cassidy.

Roughly a week after Meek Mill fired back at Cassidy with a diss record of his own, titled “Repo,” a former associate of Cassidy’s has come forward to speak on the song. On “Repo,” Meek Mill references Philly rapper Ar-Ab with this particular line: “And your goons ain't riding witcha, they all mad/Cause you ain't never put no food up in AR abs.”

While i...

Cassidy Says He Used To Help Meek Mill Write Raps

January 3, 2013

Cassidy reflects on his recent issues with fellow Philadelphian Meek Mill.

Cassidy and Meek Mill ended 2012 with diss tracks after the former dropped "Me, Myself & iPhone" and latter responded with "Repo."

Now, Cassidy says that his on-wax beef with the Maybach Music Group rap...

A$AP Rocky Calls Rapper-Owned Clothing Lines "Corny"

January 3, 2013

A$AP Rocky discusses his hatred for rapper-owned clothing lines and why fashion should be left to the professionals.

Even though he's is well known for wearing and name-dropping high-end fashion labels, don't expect A$AP Rocky to create his own clothing company anytime soon. No...

Judge Denies Prosecutors' Request To Place Chief Keef In Jail

January 3, 2013

Chief Keef is off the hook for his alleged probation violation - for now.

Cook County Juvenile Court Judge Carl Anthony Walker ruled today (January 2) that Chief Keef could remain free in light of allegations that the rapper violated his probation by moving to a new home.

The C...

Ab-Soul & JMSN Announce Collaborative Project "Unit 6"

January 3, 2013

TDE's Ab-Soul has teamed up with JMSN to collaborate on a project, "Unit 6."

Although 2013 just got underway, TDE is already making the news with information regarding Ab-Soul's next project. The Black Hippy member is reportedly working on his next release with singer/songwriter and producer JMSN. Their collaborative effort, Unit 6, is expected later this year.

The news came about from JMSN himself, sayi...

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 12/30/2012

January 3, 2013

T.I. keeps a hold on the chart, while Kendrick Lamar sees a spike in sales for his major label debut "good kid, m.A.A.d city."

After making a strong debut with his latest album Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head, T.I. holds on to the top five behind label mate Bruno Mars' Unorthodo...

Common To Release An EP, Album & Mixtape In 2013

January 3, 2013

Common plans to drop a trio of projects this year.

To promote his upcoming movie Luv, Common stopped by "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" and revealed that he's got a busy 2013 in the works. When asked about his upcoming music projects, the Chi-town native said that he plans to drop an EP to accompany the film by the end of January, followed by his first-ever mixtape in April and then an album in Septe...

Timbaland Joins 50 Cent & SMS Audio As Investor Partner

January 3, 2013

Timbaland goes into business with 50 Cent for his headphone and accessories company.

Timbaland has joined 50 Cent and SMS Audio as an investor partner in the company.

According to Business Wire (via HHNM), Timbo will also serve as a member of the company's board of directors. Additionally, he will have "substantial involvement in the design and audio engineering process for new SMS Audio products."

�...

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Thrift Shop" Certified Platinum

January 3, 2013

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis get their first platinum plaque.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' breakout single "Thrift Shop" has been certified platinum, according to RR.

The upbeat anthem marks the first platinum plaque for the Seattle, Washington pair. The duo has been on the independent grind for years, most recently releasing their joint studio debut The Heist that debuted at No. 2 with 78,000 copies sold b...

Juelz Santana "God Will'n" Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date

January 3, 2013

UPDATE #2: Juelz Santana eyes an early 2013 release for his upcoming mixtape.

While fans wait on Juelz Santana's Born to Lose, Built to Win, the New York emcee's first proper album since 2005's What the Game's Been Missing!, they can take solace in the fact that the rapper has two mixtapes coming up.

The previously-announced Reagan Era mixtape is no longer Reagan Era, as the project has been renamed God ...