Trick Daddy Provides his Top 10 Most Influential Miami Artists

Miami, FL – The acclaimed Mayor of Miami has been a predominant figure in Miami Hip-Hop for quite some time now. Trick Daddy made his name during the late 90’s when Luke’s booty music era was about to fade away slowly, the music that Miami is still known for originating. The city that never sleeps needed a more diverse lyrical artist that could represent Miami on a higher platform, to be put amongst those already emerging from the South. T Double D knew exactly what to bring to masses as he spoke on poverty and the love he had for his city. Now after a short hiatus, Trick is back like he never left and ready to bring his homegrown southern music back to the world, this time as a CEO of his own imprint.

As MTV News continues their Miami week showcasing a city that is practically one of America’s party central, they visited the Mayor of Miami to touch base with him on his Top 10 artists that inspired his music.

This was his official Top 10 listing as told to MTV included with comments:

Luke and the 2 Live Crew

Influential Record: ‘Move Somethin’’

“Luke is the godfather. He introduced the country to the music that we had cultivated in Miami. They captured the whole Miami feel, everything it represents — beautiful women and an opulent lifestyle.”

Uncle Al and the Sugar Hill DJs

Influential Record: ‘They broke everything!’

“Al represented the underground radio movement. He made the music say what he wanted it to say. Al stayed ‘hood, lived in the ‘hood and kept the tradition of the bass bins [big wooden speaker with tweeters] and the street jams.”

Le Juan Love

Influential Record: ‘Everybody Say Yeah’

“He was a young dude at the time — he was hot. He was the shit. He never came out on the pretty-boy tip. He was always ‘hood. The kids loved him and the grown folks loved him.”

J.T. Money & the Poison Clan

Influential Record: ‘Dance All Night’

“They were the first group from Miami that everybody rapped. Everyone had skills. They talked from the street hustler’s perspective. J.T. was also one of the first to talk about the tension between the tourists and the locals. He talked about the smash-and-grab crime wave that was an epidemic at the time.”

Slip-N-Slide All Stars

Influential Record: ‘Take It to the House’ and ‘Shut Up’

“These were the first people I considered family outside of my real kin. Everyone was very talented. A time machine could have had all of us together and on the same page. With them, I’ve seen a lot, together we did a lot. Brawls, bras and Parle Thursdays — that sums up the time we spent together.”

Pitbull

Influential Record: ‘Go Girl’

“Pit is the realist Chico (Cuban) I’ve ever met in my life. He’s also the first to successfully introduce bilingual rapping. I have no other words to describe him. He’s the realist I’ve seen in my life.”

Prince Raheim & Crazy Legs 59

Influential Record: ‘Lose My Money (Honey)’

“They epitomized the Miami bass sound. They helped shape that movement. A lot of their music was booty music. It was crazy in the clubs when their music came on.”

Clay D

Influential Record: ‘Pull It All the Way Down’

“Clay is the original black, greasy and grill’d typical Miami dude. His music was disrespectful and full of bass.”

Half Pint

Influential Record: ‘Stomp and Grind’

“Half Pint was also one of the pioneers of the Miami bass/club sound. Because he was also a DJ, he understood how to rock a party.”

Trick Daddy’s eighth studio album is in the process of complete and should be released sometime within the 4th quarter of this year. He recently signed a new management deal with Miami heavyweight mogul and the CEO of Poe Boy Music, the infamous E-Class, and now with his own imprint on the rise called Dunk Ryders Records, the future looks quite prosperous for Trick. His new album is entitled ‘Finally Famous: Born a Thug, Die Thug,’ an autobiography with the same name will be released around the same time bracket as the album.

On the real, that was quite an impressive list of old school and some new school artists. It just goes to show that this thug was born and raised in the city that he will always call home. He has been an icon in Miami music for quite some time and with every album release there is guaranteed anticipation. Trick Daddy is respected by many artists in the game today as he paved the way for many of them and has a plethora of dedicated fans. To be quite honest, what would Miami be without Trick Daddy Dollars?

Young Jeezy Set to Headline Annual Atlanta Birthday Bash

Atlanta, GA – At last year’s ATL B-Day Bash, Young Jeezy set the stage ablaze as he bought on Kanye West and Usher to celebrate alongside of him, but then again Jeezy has always been known for his guest feature surprises. This year, Atlanta radio station 107.9 flocked to the Trapstar once again for another spectacular event for this 14th annual event, this time as the main headliner to carry out the show for the year.

Included on the performance roster this year will be: Rick Ross, Plies, Pleasure P, Gucci Mane, Trey Songz, Young Dro, Yung LA, OJ da Juiceman, Jeremih, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson, F.L.Y., Lil Will, and Hurricane Chris. But knowing Jeezy, there might be more included in that tremendous roster. With the way that the bill is looking, it seems as though as ATL will be looking at another prosperous Birthday celebration with all the trimmings.

These were his comments after last year’s incredible performance. With a confident and enthused tone, he stated the names he invited to the show to celebrate for his city:

“I gave you a show, [at the] Birthday Bash two years ago, I brought out Jay-Z. Shout-outs to Hov. It’s about topping it. Making people step their game up. Relationships is everything. When you really know people, you tell them, ‘Come through, we got Birthday Bash. Be there,’ and they there? To me, that means everything. This year I called out Dream, Kanye, Usher, Blood Raw, I’m from Atlanta, so they pretty much see you every day. They know you gonna come out, but when you bring those special people out, it just gives it that extra umph. Me, personally, I take pride in Birthday Bash. Birthday Bash 13 was mine, by the way.

Shout-out to Kanye, he flew all the way in. I had to throw him a private jet courtesy of Young.”

Atlanta B-Day Bash has been set to take place on June 20 at the Phillips Arena. Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for a review of the show.

It’s really messed up that TIP can’t be there this year to celebrate this year’s ATL birthday. On the real though, the roster looks quite promising as many talented artists are listed all except one, you know who I’m referring to. Let’s just keep it like that. As for now, I got to catch a plane to the A in the upcoming days.

R&B Superstar Usher Files for Divorce

0Atlanta, GA – Sometime last week, rumors and speculation hit the net that Usher was considering or discussed splitting from his wife whom he has two children with, Usher Raymond V and Nayiyd Ely Raymond. It seems as though those rumors were finally proven true, after nearly two years of marriage, the R&B superstar has apparently filed for divorce from Tameka Foster-Raymond.

According to The Associated Press, divorce papers were filed in an Atlanta Superior Court sometime over the course of the passing week, however, it a reason for the split has yet to be stated. Sources close to the two have stated that the relationship between the pair have been estranged for some time now as they haven’t even occupied the same house. Usher has been living in Nevada for some odd mouths working on new album entitled ‘Monster’ with heavyweight producer Jermaine Dupri. Photos of Dupri and Usher partying in Las Vegas have recently surfaced on the net showcasing Usher having a good time, while Tameka has been out of the picture.

The marriage between the two has been met with controversy since before the pair was to be married. Rumors circulated rapidly that Usher’s mother disapproved of the relationship even the marriage, hence the delay in the ceremony during that time. It was also insinuated and assumptions that Tameka tried controlling Usher, especially with the dismissal of Usher’s mother from her management position. His mother was later rehired the next year. The pair later denied all these accusations.

During an appearance on MTV’s TRL sometime in May of 2008, Usher fired back at the gossip and rumors about his relationship.

These were his blatant comments to the media and naysayers:

“My wife is not 40 years old. I love her to death and I’m a black, strong man in America standing up for my people — as a man to my wife, to my son, to my family, I’m making a stand that a lot of us should make. I coulda been like any other man who has a child and live with that woman and continue to just play the game. … I’m trying to do it the right way. This is the way you’re supposed to do it! Pay attention, fellas.”

And right before the host was to enter another segment, Usher interrupted adding this:

“And my wife had nothing to do with me firing my mother — nothing like that, that’s trash. I hear y’all talking crazy out there; she’s a beautiful black woman. Stop. Stop talking. And I love her. Stop it.”

At press time, Usher nor any of his representatives have commented on the divorce between the singer and the stylist. His sixth studio album entitled ‘Monster’ has been set for a late 2009 release.

I guess Usher is eating those words now. Besides I knew that relationship wouldn’t last long anyway, she looked like a damn gold digger, I mean let’s be real she already had three kids from somebody else. Either way, ‘Here I Stand’ was a great album, hopefully ‘Monster’ will come heavier with more of the Usher we are use to.