ATLiens Outkast was literally in the house as celebrities and actors alike showed up for the screening of USA Network’s Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G..

On February 20th as Big Boi hosted a private advanced screening in Atlanta, held at the mansion of retired NBA baller Theo Ratliff, other attendees at the intimate showing included singer/actor Luke James, Porsha Williams of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Upfront Entertainment’s Devyne Stephens, singer Alexis Branch and Praise 102.5 Radio personality K.D. Bowe.

Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. premieres on the USA Network features veteran actor Bokeem Woodbine while newcomers Marcc Rose and Wavyy Jonez make their intros portraying Tupac and Biggie.

UNSOLVED — “Pilot” — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: James Minchin III/USA Network)

Fresh off of playing Johnny Gill last year in The New Edition Story, Luke James also stars in the series as Sean “Diddy” Combs. The 10-episode scripted true-crime limited series chronicles the dual investigations of Detective Greg Kading (Josh Duhamel) and Detective Russell Poole (Jimmi Simpson) and revisits the controversial murders of the Hip-Hop icons.

As for what to expect, here’s an excerpt from NY Times‘ review:

“So the most conspicuous aspect of “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.,” a lightly fictionalized 10-part limited series on USA that has its premiere on Tuesday, is its certainty. Here is a show that offers answers, a ticktock of the various investigations into the killings that have resulted in no arrests but not, if “Unsolved” is to be believed, in no answers. The series is inspired by “Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations,” a book by Greg Kading, who led a task force investigating the shootings in the late 2000s. (There is an accompanying documentary as well.) In that book, Mr. Kading lays out his theories about who pulled the triggers, and why.”

Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. EST on the USA Network.

Check out some of the photos and video of the Atlanta premiere below (All photos below by Marcus Ingram/USA Network).

A post shared by Big Boi (@therealbigboi) on Feb 20, 2018 at 5:43pm PST

Words by Michael Harris

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The post Outkast Spotted at the Atlanta Screening of ‘Unsolved’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Beatnick and K-Salaam drop Movin’ It. Photo Courtesy of: Meccahnism Consulting

We’ve got a banger on our hands! From the crew that brought you the sounds behind Lauryn Hill’s live show and the first production team in history to score music for the Olympics, comes the Mass Appeal premiere of “Movin It” featuring Midwest legend Tech N9NE & his Strange Music artist, Wrekonize.

Beatnick, K-Salaam, Tech N9ne and Wrekonize built 2003-2005 neo-soul and hip nostalgia back with their latest “Movin It” track.

No lies!! 

Man it legitimately sounds like a combination of Outkast’s Bomb’s Over Baghdad coupled with the feel of Talib Kweli’s Just To Get By! 

According to a press release sent over to RESPECT Magazine, the first single off the upcoming album The Bluest Flame, finds Tech and Wrek skating over the high octane track that combines Trap with Rock and R&B, accompany that with some bangin drums and a unique musical style that is both innovative and vintage at the same time.

Adding words to the stellar production are the likes of Talib Kweli, Bun-B, Blu, Joell Ortiz and more. The scene has officially been for the kind of hip-hop and real music that the game has been missing.

“We make all of our beats from scratch,”  K-Salaam, tells RESPECT Magazine.

He added:

“We design our own sounds, our own drums, we come up with new chord progressions. We don’t need to sample, but people are already sampling us.”

The Bluest Flame drops August 25^th worldwide. Worth noting, the duo is also releasing their Reggae EP “Give Love” w/ Junior Reid on the same day.

While you’re a it, go ahead and follow these gentlemen on all social media and content providing platforms: 

Twitter – Beatnick & K-Salaam
YouTube – Beatnick & K-Salaam
Website – Beatnick & K-Salaam
Facebook – Beatnick & K-Salaam

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The post Scoop B Selects: Beatnick, K-Salaam, Tech N9NE & Wrekonize Drop “Movin It” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Back in April, five-year-old Abriya Ellison was shot by an unknown shooter while playing in her bouncy castle. Although Ellison survived the tragic incident, it left her paralyzed from the waist down. Once hearing of the Georgia native’s story, Big Boi began to reach out to Ellison and her family.

Image via Twitter/LoriAWilson

Abriya was gifted with a bulldog puppy that will be trained to be her service dog, courtesy of Big Boi’s Pitfall Kennels.

WSB Atlanta asked what she’d name her new puppy enthusiastically shouting, “King!”

The Atlanta news outlet also mentions Big Boi and his brother James will cover the animal’s vet care. Meanwhile, Patton will pay Ellison’s GoFundMe needs while also giving her a handicapped-accessible bathroom.

Despite what happened to her, the rapper took note of Abriya’s positive spirit and energy in an on-camera interview with WSB Atlanta.“She’s been through a lot and to see how strong she is now, that was just like ‘Oh my goodness.’ She’s definitely inspiring and it just touched our heart, so we’re just trying to do what we can do to help.”

Check out video of the interview here.

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From Snoop Doggy Dog, to Grandmaster Flash, we’re hopping in a time machine as we go through Hip-Hop’s 25 Most Memorable Album Covers.

25. Juvenile, 400 Degreez (1998)

From the diamonds and flames, to the Z in “Degreez” being a dollar sign…There’s just something about the WordArt feel of this album that keeps fans coming back.

24. Wale, Attention Deficit (2009)

The obvious shoutout to a digital world reigns as the focal point for this album cover. A strong, yet simple message burns through the vibrant cool colors, and captures your attention immediately.

23. De La Soul, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

You’ve probably seen these flowers before, or maybe even these 3 talented young men. Fun fact, rap group De La Soul actually hates this album cover. They felt that everyone would be associating them with flowers, peace, the whole hippie movement, when that wasn’t them at all!

22. Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak (2008)

The minimalism in this cover is the beauty of it all. Kanye was hurting, simple as that!

21. 2Pac, Me Against The World (1995)

This album shook the charts, and you couldn’t go anywhere in 1995 without seeing it. 2Pac rocked the world right before his unfortunate passing, and sold hundreds of thousands copies of the album.

20. Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. (1984)

Run-D.M.C.; Pioneers, legends, superstars. This classic cover had to make the list!

19. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Firstly, it’s Lauryn Hill etched into a school desk. This album taught everyone a couple of things. No further explanation needed.

18. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Doggystyle (1993)

From the dogcatcher in the back to the Snoop Dogg lookalike on top of the dog house, this album cover is full of style, steeze, and comedy!

17. Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full (1987)

Money. Harlem was all about money. Eric B. and Rakim made it clear that they had it, and there was never any problem getting it! The Dapper Dan Gucci sweatsuits, the huge rope chains… The aesthetic of it all represents a very transitional era in the development of Hip-Hop music.

16. Ice Cube, Death Certificate (1991)

Ice Cube next to Uncle Sam’s corpse. No further explaining to do.

17. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

Missy Elliott has always held more swag than most artists in the music industry, remaining humble and subtly stunting on everyone! This cover embodies exactly who she is; chilling for the moment… but don’t forget that she’s fly.

18. Wu-tang Clan, Enter the Wu-tang: 36 Chambers (1993)

This album cover is actually kind of wild. Firstly, no face, no case. Secondly, does the guy in the front have a finger gun? This album cover is great for its immense mystery.

17. Jay-Z, The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z wearing a Rocawear jean jacket smoking a cigar. He won.

16. A Tribe Called Quest, Midnight Marauders (1993)

The various facial expressions in the background, the bulging eyes… What do we look at first?! This album cover is great because it leaves so much space for interpretation, the colors on the cover represent so many things, and everyone would formulate their own meaning.

15. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

We need to take over the White House… and keep it. Bring our culture, our families, our music… make it OUR country. Simply put.

14. Kanye West, The College Dropout (2004)

We all know the bear. This bear costume (that Kanye FOUND, by the way) looks like any college student during the longest finals week ever: TIRED. The album cover is warm, relatable, and not complex; perfect in a sense.

13. Grandmaster Flash, The Source (1986)

Do we start off with the fly guy with this legs crossed, or old boy with the red leather hat to match his shoes? This album cover embodies the true start of Hip-Hop. B-boys, spitting bars in New York City’s uptown train station, even down the pager on homeboy’s hip!

12. Snoop Doggy Dogg, The Doggfather (1996)

The Godfather is a critically acclaimed cult classic, and Snoop Dogg actually might’ve done something, by simply switching 2 letters! This was Snoop’s final album on Death Row Records under his name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, and he was owning the game. The West coast made no moves without you hearing about Snoop, rightfully making him the Doggfather.

11. NWA, Straight Out of Compton (1988)

One of the most controversial groups, with one of the most rebellious albums of all time. These young men all banded together and shook the West coast with words that everyone in Compton couldn’t bring themselves to say.

10. The Fugees, The Score (1996)

Firstly, Lauryn Hill AND Wyclef Jean on ONE album cover… That’s art. The beauty lies in the minimal yet intense typography, and the 3 beautiful black faces.

9. Nas, Illmatic (1994)

This kid is too cute. Too cute for the cover, and too cute for the hood he reigns from. Nas showed that everyone was suffering and surviving, even the young.

8. Master P, The Ghettos Tryin To Kill Me! (1994)

The lace bra hanging from Master P’s name, the Boosie fade, my man creeping in the window “Cell Therapy” style… The lo-fi quality wraps it all together, you feel like you’re watching a movie, and you’ve barely even looked at the cover.

7. DMX, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)

This album cover is bloody and gory, in every sense. Its beauty lies in the naive state of such a “Ruff” guy, and almost goes to show that the black man is one of the most sensitive species.

6. Redman, Dare Iz a Darkside (1994)

Redman is stuck buried in this Children of the Corn looking field, and its freaking me out. I love it.

5. Outkast, Stankonia (2000)

This album cover is great for 3 reasons: One, Andre 3000 was having an amazing hair day. Two, so was Big Boi. Thirdly, it calls out the entire country, so subtly, being a black and white world. We all knew… But did we really know?

4. Gang Starr, Daily Operation (1992)

Gang Starr is really giving off intellectual and successful vibes, and who doesn’t love that? “The goal is money, and this is how we get it. Don’t ask no questions, I thought this through.” Guys from the hood are smart too!

3. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Return of the 36 Chambers (1995)

Have you seen the O.D.B tv special, where he took America into the food stamp office in Brooklyn, and got his money right? This man never cared, was never too embarrassed to live his life and let whoever wanted to look come and see. Hoping his unbothered soul is resting in peace.

2. The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die (1994)

Foreshadowing? This was Biggie’s debut album, and just as his career was being born, he was ready to die. Sadly, he would pass away 2 years after its release. But in those 2 short years, he conquered the world. He started off on top, and he achieved what he needed to; he was truly ready to die.

1. Geto Boys, We Can’t Be Stopped (1991)

This man… Is in a hospital bed. The rap trio is standing in a hospital, posed for an ALBUM COVER. Who was stopping the Geto Boys? NOTHING! They literally cannot be stopped, no matter the circumstance. This cover is full of hustle and desire to reach success, and has to be respected as THE most memorable. Who’s forgetting this?

Do you have any albums you think should’ve been on this list? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Atlanta rapper, Nick Grant, came through recently to give fans a short film for his new singles “Get Up” featuring Watch The Duck, and “The Sing Along” featuring Ricco Barrino.

For the past year or so, Nick Grant has been quickly, and efficiently climbing the latter of success within Atlanta’s Hip-Hop scene. Grant first created waves with his freestyle on Sway In The Morning, when he caught the attention of veteran ATLien, Jeezy. Soon after, Grant’s debut mixtape ’88, circulated around the industry, which ultimately led to a new deal with Epic Records in less than a year.

Grant is continuing to make the right moves, and just recently released a short film, comprised of two music videos for both “Get Up” and “The Sing Along” (see below). The short film was directed by Bryan Barber, the man behind the camera on Outkast’s cinematic debut, Idlewild, and produced by Organized Noise Productions, who has also worked closely with Outkast throughout their career. This collaboration is not only significant because Grant is a huge fan of Andre 3000, but also because their faith in the young man reaffirms his stardom potential.

While Grant continues to climb the latter of Atlanta’s Hip-Hop scene, his singles continue to climb the charts. To no surprise, “The Sing Along” reached Tidal’s top 10 Hip-Hop tracks within its first week.

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Have you heard the speculations? According to Gucci Mane and his huge comeback season, he has released a video of him saying he has done a record for OutKast. Mind Blow. Take a moment to consider the monumental occasion if this is true.

Though Andre 3000 or Big Boi have neither confirmed or denied Guwop’s claims, the silence is a killer. Guwop is clearly one who boasts, but lying? Nah, I don’t see that in his character. One can understand the reason to keep something so huge under wraps, fans and ATLiens everywhere would have a field day. Twitter has already taken notice, eventually it will make the daily news.

Does anyone remember in 2013 when there were speculations that the duo was returning after the hit, “Pink Matter” by Frank Ocean? These were all speculations and assumptions of course, until Andre 3000 shut them down. Frank clearly was just stirring the pot, Gucci on the other hand may be a more reliable source. Especially since Andre hasn’t spoken up (yet)!

On the other hand, nobody really is responsible to step up and announce a “reunion”, since they never broke up in the first place. We all have seen Andre and Big Boi make records on their own. But maybe it was just a break?

Moving forward, we all just have to keep our peep game strong. You never know what’s going to happen in the music industry today considering many artists are fan’s of the pop up album including, Drake, Beyoncé, and the most recent Frank Ocean.

Regardless of the potential reunion, or the single track gucci has made us aware of, it will be much anticipated and appreciated.

OutKast forever!

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Just sixteen years ago, a rapper from St. Louis, Missouri named Nelly released his debut studio album, Country Grammar, on Universal Records. Country Grammar scored chart topping singles like “E.I.”, “Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t),” and “Ride wit Me.” With Country Grammar earning triple platinum status just three months after its release date and surpassing seven times platinum certification in 2002, this was just the beginning of Nelly’s mainstream success.

The rapper who is credited for putting Midwest Rap on the map and introducing the world to the St. Lunatics, was presented with a diamond plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) at the Musician On Call charity event. The event took place on Monday, July 25 in Philadelphia, PA where Nelly was the headline performer. Musicians on Call is a non-profit organization that presents live and recorded music to bedside patients in healthcare facilities. Nelly was just the right choice for the cause being that he lost his sister Jackie to Leukemia back in 2005.

Country Grammar has become the eighth studio rap album to reach 10,000,000 in sales. Asides from Nelly, the only rappers to reach diamond status in hip-hop history are:

1. Tupac– All Eyez On Me (1996) and Greatest Hits (1998)
2. Eminem– The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002)
3. The Notorious B.I.G.- Life After Death (1997)
4. Outkast– Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
5. MC Hammer– Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)

Team @RIAA surprises @Nelly_Mo with Diamond Album Award at last night's @musiciansoncall benefit! #CountryGrammar!💎 pic.twitter.com/FKb9pU5mYs

— RIAA (@RIAA) July 26, 2016

With nineteen RIAA certified platinum and gold albums and singles (not including features), it is safe to say that being awarded the diamond plaque is one of Nelly’s greatest music achievements to date.

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