In a recent interview on MTV’s “Rapfix” with veejay Sway Calloway, the legendary Houston MC Scarface revealed quite abit about his new project “Rooted” slated to be released this coming summer.

The project features collaborations with the likes of Jadakiss, Akon, Cee-Lo, John legend and more. The masterpiece will also include production from the likes of Nottz, Jake One,Kardiak but according to Face mostly Ervin “EP” Pope.

On the candid interview, Scarface revealed that he would be would also be working on a possible duet album with longtime collaborator and friend Beanie Sigel “Mac and Brad” (they have been saying this since 99).

During an  interview with Hot 97.5 below, Roc Nation’s J Cole confirmed that he and Cali hopeful Kendrick Lamar will be collaborating on a joint project.

The projects comes as no surprise as the pair have hinted at the notion on several occasions and it is finally here. Kendrick who is yet to release his debut album will add great value of this project which is already 4 songs underway.  According to Cole who feels that the move will be appreciated once the world fully embraces Kendrick’s artistry the album will be one to remembered as a classic.

For more of that interview check the video below!

After a long hiatus from the mixtape game the G-Unit general and pioneer of the mixtape movement speaks on his latest collaboration with DJ Drama.

50 sat down with thisis50.com comedian Jack Thriller to speak on various factors surrounding the new release as well as his features including the likes of 2 Chains, Jeremih, Kidd Kidd and more.

With an over-abundance of mediocre rap artists who find easier ways to get their music heard on a large scale, every now and then there will be that one distinctive voice that always catches us off-guard and soon after we think to ourselves…”Hmph, that was kinda hot, who’s that?”.

Young Vinchi has that special ingredient that puts him in a position to possibly be the next ‘it’ factor. The young artist combines his young energy with everything from having a little fun on the mic to spitting some real, heart-felt rhymes. Let’s take an even closer look at the beginning of a very special dream that has come true for this new phenom.

1. Young Vinchi… first off, lets start with your stage name, how did you come up with that?
Inspired by Leonardo DA Vinci creativity, intellect and his ability to observe things before his time. With my music & creativity, I felt the name best fit me, so I just added the H and made it my own “VINCHI”.

2. How and when did you get into the rap game?
Well, since my high school dayz “2007″ I started perusing my music and I really took it seriously in 2009 when my son Albert Neysmith the 3rd was born. Whatever I had to do like showcases, studio sessions, meetings I was on it.

3. Big Pun, KRS-One, Fat Joe…those are just a few of the many legends to come out of the BX. Do you feel any pressure on your shoulders to live up to their names?
I don’t feel know pressure on my shoulder for what they done but I do respect them for what they done to change music and pave the way for artist such as myself.

4. Who are some of the artists that have influenced you?
Snoop Dogg, Lost Boyz, Busta Rhymes, Big Pun, Biggie Smalls, Will Smith & Jay-Z just to name a few.

5. What about your personal life… I’m sure all the young honeys out there want to know if you have a special someone in your life.
Nah I’m currently single right Now, I haven’t found that special someone yet.

6. There’s a lot of frustration coming from adamant music fans about the quality of music that’s coming out right. If you could change anything about the mainstream music we hear everyday, what would you change?
I would change the people who controls what’s being played because there are so many talented artist such as myself that wants to be heard & I have quality music.

7. We’ve heard some of your tracks and I must say, we are impressed! Who are some of the producers you’ve worked with? Canada’s Own J Staffz, The Traveler from the Bronx & The Emoticons. Im currently working with a couple more Dope Producers so look to hear some new Heat in the near future.

8. Finish this statement… “If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably…”
…be a Teacher

9. What can we expect from you in the upcoming year? Albums, mixtapes, etc… all the above. We just Released the Getcha Hands Up Video and now working on my 2nd Video for my song My Style next. I’m gonna continue to put my best foot forward and give all my fans great music and entertainment.

10. In one word, how would you describe your style of music?
Memorable

Beanie Sigel, former member of the once-famed Rocafella Records all-star line-up recently revealed that he is once again focused and ready to make a run for the gold. The Philly native opened up about his new record deal with EMI, which was orchestrated by Chris Schwartz. This is a big move for Beans, who has been reluctant to lock himself in with any label since the dismantling of Rocafella. The man we used to know as the Broad Street Bully has humbled himself down in order to fully take advantage of the situation at hand. He even gave mention to his future aspirations for working with his brethren of State Property. Hopefully this time around the Philadelphia crew will capitalize off the joining forces for one common cause.

In a recent interview with ‘thisis50′, Prodigy drops a few gems on everything from rumors of him being ‘soft’ and he even reveals some facts about Mobb Deep’s Beef with the Legendary 2Pac.

Michael Antoniou, photographer, launches his first solo exhibition at “Open the Gate” in London, UK based on a series of photographs from Kenya, East Africa. Four brilliant live acts, musicians and friends he has worked with over the years are seen here supporting Michael’s work on this launch night which took place on Thursday the 24th of November and the exhibition will run until the 4th of January 2012. An online version of the exhibition went live on the day of the launch, available to view here: www.michaelantoniou.co.uk/Blog

There’s no denying the obvious…if you ever get the opportunity to check out JAG’s music, you will hear something that will make you recognize that this dude’s flow is on a much higher level than most. We recently caught up with JAG to get to know a little bit about the man behind the music. With a new mixtape, titled, ‘The Art of Freestyle (Crown Me Edition)’, slated to drop in a few days, JAG prepares his inevitable takeover.

1. First of all I must take a second to let you know how much we appreciate this opportunity. Please introduce yourself to the fans and let them know who you are.

JAG “Chubby Jag Larsiny Family PDub (P.W.I.D.) Whats hat’nin.”

2. For those who don’t know, your flow may deceive some of those that may not have heard of you, many people tend to think you are from the East Coast, where exactly are you from?

JAG “South Central Los Angeles”

3. HHABC have been loyal fans of you for quite some time now, everyone who listens to you seem to spark an interest in you. One question that always seems to pop-up is how did you and Cassidy hook up?

JAG “A friend of mind ran into him and put a word in.”

4. Up until the emergence of artists like Meek Mill, Jay Electronica, J Cole, and Wale, hip hop was really suffering in terms of quality, where do you see the rap game going in the next 5-10 years?

JAG “I see it coming back around to real rap and the newer are starting to rap again.”

5. You’ve been a beast on the underground circuit, killing every beat from Dr Dre’s ‘Kush’ to Diddy’s ‘Love You No More’, is there any chance of you dropping an official album for the mainstream audience?

JAG “Of course, I been putting out these mixtapes, so that my fans can grow with me as a artist. But the album is coming for sure.”

6. As you’ve probably already heard, your style of rap may sound to be heavily influenced by East Coast hip hop, who are some of the artists past or present that have influenced your music?

JAG “Snoop, Pac, Big, Jay-z, & Jada”

7. In your opinion, who would you name as the top 5 rappers of all time…dead or alive?

JAG “Big, Pac, Jay-z, & Eminem”

8. If you could change anything about the music game, what would that be?

JAG “Politics… It would probably be more better rappers if it wasn’t for Politics”

9. Coming from California, you probably have some sort of respect for the legendary Dr Dre. Do you think we will ever get a chance to hear the infamous ‘Detox’ album?

JAG “I hope so. We been waiting for it for a long time. I think its gonna change history.”

10. Tell us a little about your upcoming project, ‘Art of the Freestyle (Crown Me Edition)…

JAG “This one I did for the real hip hop fans.”

11. What else should expect from you in the upcoming months? Do you have any other major projects in the works?

JAG “I’m always working. I’m all over Cassidy Apply Pressure 3 mixtape that’s coming out and we also have a Larsiny Family album in the works and my very own Bret Hart Experience 2.”

12. If you could describe your music in one word, what would that be?

JAG “Pure”

Special thanks to DJ Far for creating this opportunity for this interview.

Most of us go to work everyday with a cup of coffee in our hands and our heads down. That’s the life of the average person who chooses a job or career and make due the best they can. But when it comes to Mr. Barak Amen, that may not be the case. His job is to laugh at people and make them laugh at him. Sounds nice right? Hear it from the man himself. Barak is an up-and-coming comedian/entrepreneur who doesn’t take life for granted but he certainly isn’t afraid to put his many talents to good use.

1. First of all, we’d like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to chop it up with you. Now getting started, introduce yourself to the fans and let them know who you are.

No thank you for the opportunity to be apart of what you have here I appreciate the love. My name is Barak Amen I am the C.E.O of my own Enterprise. Barak Amen Enterprises Inc., Which I also have Purple Kisss Ent., Purple Kisss Full Service Salon and Barbershop and I am also a comedian. So the best part about what I do is I get to book, host, promote, and perform at all my events and ventures and get checks for each position.

2. With a name like that, I’m sure you hear all sorts of jokes and references to the President. Is that your birth name or solely a stage moniker?

Yes Barak Amen is my real name. I know with a name like that you expect me to have a chain of gas stations or some ish, but you see I look black with gold teeth and tattoos and it’s throwin you off. Im actually Black and Jewish. I was born in Melrose Ft Lauderdale and the landlord was Jewish and my mom couldn’t pay the rent a couple of months so she did what she had to do… dont judge US..

3. When you speak, there’s a noticeably thick southern accent, where exactly are you from?

Yea I have a heavy Southern accent like i said I’m from Ft Lauderdale U.S.A the bottom of the map… I’m southern please dont call it country.

4. How long have you been doing stand-up and how did you get started?

I’ve been doing stand up for about 3 years. I have always been the class clown even growing up people have always said I’m extra funny i should give it a try. So me and my wife was on a cruise for my b-day and they had this open mic competition, so she said I should try it and I did, and won. I hit ‘em with 3 hot min. Its short and sweet like a prison rape.

5. So do you see yourself doing this 10 years from now or do you have other aspirations (acting, producing, etc).

I actually like to compare myself to Diddy, Puffy, P Diddy, Swag. Whoever he is this week. But ‘ am more of a business man 1st and a performer 2nd. So i see myself owning way more ish and having financial freedom. I’m trying to build more than just a brand, I’m trying to build an empire so that when my daughter grows up she can see what to expect out of life and the men in hers

6. Are there any comedians that may have had an influence on your career or your style of comedy?

I would say that guys like the greats Robin Harris, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphie, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart not in that order but jus to name a few have for sure shown me that my image is the best tactic to throw you off guard ’cause people think I’m gon’ rap or I’m super gangster.

7. Who would you include in your top 5 greatest comedians of all-time?

Once again I would have to say Robin Harris, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphie, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart are the greats but the real doin the ground work comedians like Roy Woods Jr., Ricky Smiley, Eddi Griffin, Dave Chappelle, Ced the Entertainer. Those are the guys that let me know I can make it no matter where I come from or how hood I may come across. Funny is Funny no matter who you are.

8. What kind of music are you bumping in your ride these days? Any Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber (lol)?

If I’m not bumpin my artist Lady Whit… the first Female rap artist of Purple Kisss Ent., it’s the homegirl Khalea with her hit single “I know”. You can YouTube Khalea and see for yourself she that fire. I got the homie Asiah Dio new EP “Face Time” in the cd player rite now check him out. I try to show love to local talent, because even the big names had to start somewhere and I feel like why not here with us.

9. Any new shows or comedy tours you want the fans to check out?

I am planning a tour of the East coast at least by the start of the winter. hit me up with how I can come to your city and crack ribs out there. You can youtube some of my stuff just enter Barak Amen in the search bar. also be sure to check out my websites www.barakamen.com and www.purplekisss.com I designed myself so I’m proud of em.

10. In one word, how would you describe your style of comedy?

In one word I would drescribe my style of comedy as “Crack”. I hit the stage with that D-boy comedy. Real ish you can relate to if you grew up in the worst part of the crack epidemic or just know some real N!99@$. and when I get off stage your gonna have a Barak addiction you wanna know where can you get some more.

Orchestrating a new hip hop renaissance would seem impossible to most but for one person in particular, that task would be nothing but all in a day’s work. With the recent release of his new mixtape, ‘Don’t Try This At Home’, Noggz shares a few things about his personal life as well as his plans for the furure as an MC.

1. First of all, thank you for taking the time to chop it up with us. This interview was probably long overdue, but for the audience who may not be familiar with you and your music, please introduce yourself.

The pleasure is mine… My name is Noggz, I am a Nairobi Kenyan born, Atlanta based artist/entrepreneur & the world is just now seeing a fraction of what I have in store for ‘em.

2. HHABC has always supported your music and we’ve noticed you giving shout outs to Atlanta as well as Nairobi. Where are you originally from?

Much appreciated, I love you guys & what you stand for. I am from the great city of Nairobi, Kenya. The Pride of East Africa.

3. Ok… so that explains that ‘Nairobi’ hat that we see in your videos. Coming from another country, we assume that your vision of America was something like you see on tv or heard on the radio. How different are those images you had compared to being here and actually seeing the reality?

Life in America is… real hahaha.

Nothing can prepare an immigrant for the reality that sets upon when you set foot on American soil, but we have thick skin so…

4. So was your voyage to the States based completely on starting a music career or did you have other plans in mind?

Quite honestly it definitely was, but a college education was the basis of my “extended visit”.

5. It seems like there are a lot of carbon copy artists out there with no subject matter in their lyrics and talent seems to be scarce nowadays. How do you try to separate yourself from others that came before you and your peers as well?

You can’t fake real music, and there is only one me, and I am one unique muthafucka. As far as the carbon copy artist, well, put it like this not every restaurant can serve gourmet we do need the fast food alternatives.

6. If you had the opportunity to change the game, how would you do that? And with that question, we’re speaking in terms of the industry, radio, videos, and every entity considered a part of hip hop.

I wouldn’t try to change the game I would more so adapt, I believe only God controls my destiny and the industry is just a vessel. I am 11 years into this & I honestly feel like the best is yet to come. In other words it shouldn’t matter.

7. Since you’ve been in the U.S., have you revisited your country? And if so, was there any temptation to stay home and forget about coming back to the U.S.?

Not yet and the thought crosses my mind only about every 10 seconds a minute, I miss home a great deal. I do plan to make my first trip back home in the next couple of weeks. I can’t believe its been 10 years though, wow!

8. Is there any chance of you collaborating with any established or up-and-coming artists?

That’s really all I care for, up and coming indy talent out there doing it major. I have a couple joints in the can with artists from all over the globe. I am Mr. International baby! Hahaha!

9. Speaking of other artists, there has to be more African rappers out there that are making noise and worth listening to. America is shut off from other cultures in that aspect. Besides Akon and K’naan, who should we pay attention to?

Hell yeah, you got my lil Brother BLAYZE DEVILLE out there in South Africa, Ms. Funana (Sierra Leon), EDNA (Nigeria), one of my all time favorites Mercy Myra and a few other people that you should watch out for.

10. Tell us a little about your influences and who you listened to back in the day.

I am a music head to the core, from Michael Jackson, Snoop, Pac, BIG, Big L, Def Squad. Primarily hip-hop but I appreciate a lot.

One of my homegirls got me bumping this soft rock shit, they are some lyrical mofos now, don’t sleep on ‘em.

11. After watching your videos and listening to your music, HHABC has watched you grow significantly as an artist (Note: ‘Nothing Like Hip Hop Music, ‘No Haters’, & ‘Niaje Mbuyu’ are among our faves!) What’s next on the agenda for Noggz? The streets are buzzing now, what can we expect from you in the near future?

Quite honestly my plan as an artist is to put other artists on, I have always wanted to do so. As far as music it is just a fraction of my grand plan, when I reveal the rest of it, I think they (the haters) will surely fall sick. Ewwww.

12. One more thing… if you could describe your music in one word, what would that be?

Real