Bye bye Livid!

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In a surprising move, Lil Daggers have parted ways with our good friends over at Livid Records, America's friendliest indie label. Although some might argue that Livid does not have the means to support the Daggers to the next step of indie superstardom, some will say that they were a good, homegrown match for each other.

Here's a message from Livid Records' boss, Chuck Livid.

Me? I don't give three shits if the following occurs: a) Livid retains the rights to repress their debut 7" and b) whenever the Daggers make it big, they bring along some label-mates along for tour support. Got to make that sweet merch money!

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myspace.com

Innocent?

​We here at County Grind don't usually get involved with people's personal business. That is, unless it involves us somehow. And, these days, if something involves LeBron James, it involves us; because the Dolphins suck, and if the Heat don't take over the world, we're all going to just shit ourselves and throw a big fit. So when Taylor Swift announced that she'd be coming down to the BankAtlantic Center next year on June 2 and 3 as part of her massive world tour, we figured we'd better take a look at things and make sure it's not going to be threatening our beloved Miami Heat in any way. What we found has us very worried.

There seems to be a connection between Miss Swift and our main man LeBron.

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via MTV News

​Last Thursday, controversial reggae star Buju Banton (aka Mark Anthony Myrie) was busted for trying to buy nearly 15 7 kilos of cocaine from an undercover DEA informant. Myrie is as notorious for unapologetic, anti-gay lyrics as he is for his wine-worthy music, but according to the AP he could be looking at nearly 20 years in jail for this latest offense.

According to MTV, the shady dealings took place in the Tampa area at various chi-chi restaurants such as Applebee's and La Tropicana de Havana, but Banton was in Miami when the alleged purchase and subsuquent arrests of his associates went down. Officers nabbed Buju in the 305. He's yet to face a judge, but news outlets are already having a ball repurposing his song title, "Boom, Bye, Bye," so we shall join them on the low road. Boom, bye, bye, Banton. Clink.

Photo via Billionaire Boys Club

​It wasn't too long ago that N.E.R.D performed like at the somewhat dysfunctional Future Classic Festival. But that didn't stop them from giving Miami a weekend full of alt hip-hop (arguably N.E.R.D are the original hipster-hoppers).

But this past weekend's performances, both at the W South Beach and Kia Soul Collective event at Awarehouse, feature a special surprise -- the introduction of a fourth new member to the group, Rhea. Last time an eccentric hip-hop group took in a fourth female member, we ended up with Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas, and, well, they've given us such vomit-inducing hits like "My Humps" and "Boom Boom Pow." Rhea also reminds us looks-wise of a poor man's version of M.I.A.

Anyway, if you weren't there (we weren't), Pharrell and Co. were gracious enough to post images from both their performances via their Billionaire Boys Club blog. Check out the photos of the W South Beach and Awarehouse.

Also, there Herald's music blog (see we can show some love to our local daily) has a nifty review and set list from the Awarehouse show.

Check out this video of The Boss losing his balance at a recent performance in Manheim, Germany.

Ouch! Rick Ross, our hearts go out to you, man. Hope that you are ok and that you can represent Miami throughout the world (he is currently on tour in Europe and Asia).

​In non-Miami related musical news, the very famous guitarist Buckethead has posted a wonderful tribute song to the memory of Michael Jackson.  Since I only really ever read music news on this blog, I hadn't really heard anything about MJ. An extensive Google search turned up nothing.  If anybody has heard anything about him being sick or dying recently, please forward that information to me.

Last week, some unknown goons ran up on Brisco in a barber shop and got the Opa-Locka goon for some cash, his watch, chain, Lemon Head charm, and Range Rover. Now he's turned his drama into a song and recorded the track, "Revenge," with a complete mixtape of the same name coming out later this week. Bris rides on his enemies a la 'Pac, growling about 21 gun salutes, all out warfare, and eye for an eye, admits the robbers caught him slippin', and applies truly defiant delivery when talking about the guys who "set [him] up to lay [him] down." In the second verse, he promises that he "got enough dough to put hits on all yall" and, well, you'll have to listen to the song to see what he says next.. Ruh roh.

This video is NSFW if you don't want your colleagues thinking that you like to watch chihuahuas show off their stripper movies. Caution: this vid includes a red speedo, bird chest, and more tongue action than a Coldstone Creamery sees all year.

Die Stinkin'

I don't really know who the James's are but I DO know that Die Stinkin' is one of my favourite South Florida bands of all times.  I love their classic tracks like "Beer," "Blood on the Sheets," "Baby I Love Dope," and their version of "Again and Again." And they pick awesome covers like "Sooprise Package for Mr. Mineo."  

Here are some inside tips:
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Which bearded Hip Hop guy was Adam Samberg inspired by for this latest parody? Hmm.

Clue: Unlike the guy in the vid, the C.O. on the rapper's resume really doesn't stand for "Corporate Oaf."  

While the regular people were in the WMC trenches rolling ballz, Bad Boy artist/sometime pop kitten/maybe or maybe not Diddy's current jumpoff Cassie was at chic Collins shop The Webster's Femme Fatale DJ Series picking up some gear from Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga and YSL. 

Flo Rida, Carol City's muscle-bound rapper and supporter of Floridians wearing "boots with the furrr," is apparently not so hot on appearing on tracks with guys who (allegedly) beat their pop star girlfriend. The (alleged) song is called "Sweat" and though it's been bubbling on the 'net for a few weeks now, Mr. Rida won't be releasing it as his next single. He (allegedly) told Contact Music: "I recorded a great song with Chris. But I won't be releasing it now because of what's going on with him and Rihanna. It could have been my next No1." Dammit Chris, now we'll never know what kind of weather-inappropriate footwear to rock this summer.

Listen to the song here.


Update: Flo told USmagazine.com - not us, never us - that C. Breezy's legal issues have nothing to do with his reason for deciding not to release "Sweat." Even though the quote mentioned Rihanna specifically he says, "I think someone must have got it twisted."

Yeah, you.

"The thing was, we have deadlines to meet and between his business [ed. He means Brown's court dates, not the bitchbeating.] and my business [ed. He means the rapping.], things were -- we had to turn an album, so I had to really get everything together."

Uh huh. Oh really?

"It's not just that record, there were other records that couldn't make the album that I wanted to make the album as well..."

Which other records? "Smoke Dat" featuring Ice Phelps? Or "Money Aint a Thng 2009" featuring B. Madoff? 

"...but that was the process -- this was way before me ever hearing anything about [Brown allegedly beating Rihanna]. This was way before, at least a month. I had been done with this record."

He said he been done with it. For a month. OK?

Forgive us Miami. For the past few days, a Rick Ross/50 Cent war of the words has been all over the internets and we're just getting around to reporting on it. Blame it on the fact that a headline containing "Curtis Jackson" and "beef" made us think that it was 2001, Dubya was back in office, and well, it kind of sent us into a "8 more years of this?!" tailspin. We're chill now though, because this 50-brand beef is with Rick Ross, and it's fresh.

Apparently, Fitty is a little hot that the Bawss mentioned his recent baby mama fire-ama situation in "Mafia Music," an over 4-minute hookless diatribe on which Rick comes with lyrical guns blazing. No chorus and no mercy. At the 3:05 mark, Ross says: "I love to pay ya bills, can't wait to pay ya rent/ Curtis Jackson baby mama, I ain't looking for a cent/ Burn the house down/ You gotta buy another/ Don't forget the gas can, jealous, stupid muthafucker."

Curtis no likey that shit.

And the man who has basically made a career out of rap beef - with Ja Rule in '03, The Game in '05, and Kanye in '07 - took to the internets to air out his frustration with his '09 victim. Not only did 50 create the requisite response, titled "Officer Ricky" and a cute lil' cartoon titled "Locked Up" which stars a bearded character with the same name, he also hit Youtube with a video in which he called DJ Khaled "a faggot" and told Ross "I'm deciding to fuck your life up. Rick Ross I'm gonna fuck your life up - for fun."

How sweet.

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Finally, the movie on Notorious B.I.G. hits theaters today and it seems that the anticipation for the film's release is running high. Notorious actors have been hitting the talk show circuit, Lil' Kim is up in arms about how she was portrayed, Diddy is being all dramatic on YouTube, and people are just excited to get a peek in to the life of a legend.

Big was undoubtedly one of the best to ever grab the mic and whether that type of hip-hop is dead or not, his gargantuan presence can still be felt. Just last week someone asked me the oft-heard-over-a-bong question: Biggie or Pac? It's been nearly twelve years since his premature death -- and still no charges filed against his murderer -- and he's still relevant. The soundtrack has remastered classics like the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony assisted "Notorious Thugs," "Hypnotize," and "Warning;" and new joints like the (confusing) Jay-Z and Santogold "Brooklyn We Go Hard" and some previously unreleased Biggie tracks. It's a helluva compilation and definitely worth a listen. We predict nostalgia kicking in around 30 seconds into track two.

Click here for the trailer and a word from the director of the film. Album track listing after the jump.

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So it's now official that R&B singer Erykah Badu is carrying her third child. During a recent concert in Texas, the Dallas-born chanteuse announced that she is in fact pregnant again...and it looks like the father is Jay Electronica pictured above.

Back in June, Erykah took some slack when the rumors first started to surface, mainly because it meant she'd be having a third child by a third man. Even though it's true, I thought those early disses were tremendous low blows. Her first two children were fathered by Andre 3000 of OutKast fame and the D.O.C. from N.W.A. respectively. Now her and rapper Jay Electronica are expecting.

To me, that's the most intriguing part--the fact that they're all rappers. Anyway, she always picks cool names for her kids: her son is named Seven, her daughter is named Puma, so it's anyone's guess what she'll come up with this time.

Anyway's here's my favorite Erykah Badu video. Now that I think about it, if the baby is a girl, the name Honey would work just fine.

--Jonathan Cunningham

I'm labeling this post as Bossip because thus far, news of a new Kanye album is still a rumor. But according to various retailers (Amazon and Target.com specifically) who must be trying to drum up anticipation for the holiday shopping sprees already, rapper Kanye West may have a new album in stores before Christmas.

Yesterday, both companies posted details about the new Kanye album, tentatively titled, 808s and Heartbreak, on their websites which has created lots of interest on the Internet already. The first single from the album is called "Love Lockdown" and it seemss like Kanye might have created an entire album around heartache.
To hear a lo-fi version of the track, click here. I can't believe Kanye gave into the vocoder craze btw!

The full details about Kanye's new LP and a possible release date haven't been confirmed yet by Def Jam, but now that the news is out, expect to hear more on this very soon in a official capacity.

My guess is, Kanye wants to crank out a new album by the end of the year to be in contention for another Grammy! He finally won Best Hip-Hop album last year at the Grammy's and I'm thinking he's doing this to give Lil Wayne some serious competition. As more info comes out, we'll keep you posted.

--Jonathan Cunningham

It looks like Miami's favorite bachelor is trading in his players card for a wedding ring.
According to a story in People magazine, as of this week, former 2 Live Crew frontman Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell married his 27-year-old sweetheart, Kristin Thompson and the couple are currently celebrating their honeymoon.

The two tied the knot in Dallas and long-time friend Doug E. Fresh even DJ'd the party. Surprisingly, the couple also flew out Miami-soul singer Betty Wright to sing at the wedding and there were a host of celebrity guests on hand. Of course, all of this coincides with the start of Luke's new reality TV show, Luke's Parental Advisory, which airs August 4th on VH1. What great timing!

--Jonathan Cunningham

So there's been a local rumor existing for quite some time that famous Miami rapper Rick Ross used to work as a correctional officer before he started in the music industry. It's something I never spent too much time thinking about, but also never doubted either. A man's gotta eat, and if that's what was paying the bills at the time, so be it, right?
Wrong.
Apparently, Ross claims he never worked as a screw and has emphatically denied knowing anything about it. Whenever the rumor is brought up, Ross shoots it down. He raps about coming up in the streets and moving tons of weight as a drug dealer, so maybe he's got an image to protect and doesn't want to admit that he used to be an officer of the law.
Check out this video below with an official denial. And a cursory diss of fellow Miami rapper Trick Daddy thrown in for good measure.

The problem is, recently a photo surfaced that begs to differ with Ross' denial. Somebody is trying to get the word out that Ross is phony and leaked this image yesterday that, if it's true, shows the man born as William Roberts sporting his old uniform.

Ross has already issued a statement deny the validity of the photo.

“My life is 100% real," he said. "These online hackers putting a picture of my face when I was a teenager in high school on other peoples’ body. If this s**t was real don’t you think they would have more specifics, like dates and everything? I’m in the entertainment business and a lot of people who like to hate because I’m on top of my game. Like I said before my life is 100% real. I live by this die by this. Fake pictures are created by the fake, meant to entertain the fake.”

It really does look just like him though. But it's hard to say for sure. Nobody is real in hip-hop anymore, so nothing surprises me.

--Jonathan Cunningham

Yesterday evening, 99 Jamz's K. Foxx and numerous hip-hop blogs announced that Lil' Wayne had finally gone Hollywood and checked himself into rehab for drug addiction. The news wasn't that hard to believe after Wayne's admitted dependence on cocaine and syrup, and since a Styrofoam cup full of sizzurp seems to be welded to his hand at all times.

But a call to a reputable Cash Money source asking whether Weezy was in a rehab facility in Boca gave us a firm "Hell nah."

So it looks like we can look forward to more lines such as "I'm a prisoner locked up behind Xanax bars" and "and if my dealer don't have no more, then I feel like dying" for now."
If anything changes with the story, we'll keep you updated.

--Raina McLeod

I won't give much credit to the guy holding the video camera.
As a head's up, whoever captured this footage is moving around so much that you might get a headache.
But hang in there
If you're into the spectacle of 50 touring Africa...then watch the whole thing.
It's really Africa...Angola to be exact. It's really 50 Cent. And the crowd really is eating it all up. Go 50.

For the sweet spot: At 1:39 a guy with balls of steel jumps on stage and snatches 50's chain from around his neck. Go Fan. He takes off running (for his life), and a stunned 50 Cent, with a rep to maintain, goes after him like a real G. It's mayhem from then on...but when an American rapper shows up in Africa with (most likely) conflict diamonds around his neck and wrist...this is exactly what should happen.
--Frank Talk