T.I. OPENS UP ABOUT HIS DRUG HABIT IN NEW ‘VIBE’ ISSUE

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T.I is featured on the cover of the December/January edition of VIBE magazine. In the issue the rapper discusses how he developed his addiction to prescription drugs and how he related to Eminem who once suffered from similar problems. Read the details below:

I’ve heard you mention how the good that you’ve done is easily forgotten. Do you feel that you’ve been treated unfairly?
If I place my value in the way humans treat me, then maybe. But they’re human, man―they can’t help themselves. They do that to people they know personally. So how can I expect them to treat me, only knowing me through television? They did that to Jesus. They did that to Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali. They did it to every great person you could possibly think of. When it was all good, they was with them. When things got bad, then they was against them.

But in this case things didn’t “get bad.” It’s something you did.
Let me just say this: [he sits up on the couch] If you look at a guy who came up, no pops in the house, moms on welfare, food stamps; started selling dope when he was 12, 13 years old, came up handling guns, being in shoot-outs; started going to jail when he was 15. In all of this chaos and this mischief and lawlessness, the person who was just in jail for machine guns and silencers turns his life around. And now you want to crucify him ―for what? Three pills. I mean, of course it’s wrong and unacceptable and inexcusable. No problem. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s rather petty.

It’s rather petty to hold someone’s feet to the fire for something so small when they have overcame things that were so big. All that could have been going wrong―if I was riding with more guns, or if I had gotten into a shoot-out and killed somebody, then I could see that. But just think about it. I’ve gotten it down to this much.

How did you get a drug habit?
I had a lot of work done to my teeth. Oral surgery, extractions, six, seven, eight root canals. Between January to February. As soon as I got out, I had a lot of stuff done. In the joint, you eat shit that is unhealthy for you. I had fillings that fell out and stuff that had to get dealt with. Of course for the pain they gave me oxycontin and hydrocodone. And, mind you, on October 13, 2007, I had cut off everything―weed, alcohol.

Then I get these pills and I start taking them for the pain at first. And then I’m like, Wait―this shit makes me feel good. And it’s legal. After the pain went away, I kept taking it. I had like five, six prescriptions. So I had, like 80 pills. Everybody else might have a drink or smoke a blunt, I took a pain pill. Times when I had 18-, 20-hour days, I’d take a pain pill. And eventually I developed―I guess―the beginning stages of dependence.

Have you talked to Eminem about addiction?
Sure. We got a record together, and we talked a lot. I asked him how he knew he was an addict. Basically if you put yourself in harm’s way… if you risk that, you’ve got to assume that there is something fundamentally wrong with your thought process. {Source}

Jay-Z on the Michael Eric Dyson Show

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Jay-Z gave an hour long interview on “The Michael Eric Dyson” Show Thursday and talked his drug dealing past, misogyny in Hip-Hop,  childhood in Marcy projects and even offered advice to some of his listeners missing a father-figure.  Take a listen:

 

 

T.I. RELEASES STATEMENT!!!

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Read T.I’s Open Letter Below:

“This experience is truly a pain I have never felt before and that’s saying a lot for a n*gga who’s been down locked up as many times as I have. I see this as a real ass whoopin’. The kind you don’t just go back outside to play afterwards. You take ya ass to bed and don’t come out of your room until it’s time to go to school.

I don’ t know what effect this will have on my life moving forward but I’m certainly sick and mother f*cking tired of going to jail, juve, prison, the pen, correctional facilities or whatever else you want to call it. I’d have been better off doing a 5-10 year bid one time than going in time and time again for days, weeks and months for the last 15 years of my life.

Even though it’s been a long road, I’m still standing, barely but nevertheless still standing. At one time I thought my motivation for continuing was for my fans, my partna Philant, my pops, my grandmama, even for the haters or the people I let down. But nah… I got to do this shit for me!!! I’ll be God damned if I’ve come all this way and made it through so much hell to let it go down like this! F*ck that! If an hour in the dark is worth a second in the sun then pass me my mother f*ckin’ shades cause I’m ready to cash my darkest hours in…ASAP!!!

A lot of folks had fathers or father figures in the house to raise them into manhood. I’m not trying to make any excuses for my situation but my father was a hustler that lived in New York. My uncle was a local big time dope boy turned 10 year federal inmate.

My mother and grandparents did the best they could but I found my manhood in the trap and in prison systems. But I found it. And nan one of mine will ever have to feel the cold tight grip of a handcuff or grace the presence of a jail cell if I can help it.

Over my dead body!

So if you can’t respect that you ain’t rocking with my movement then Fuck you dog! I know a bunch of mother f*ckers who are…..

– Love KING”


Beyonce on the Set of “Good Morning America”

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Superstar Beyonce is snapped participating in an upcoming interview with Nightline anchor Cynthia McFadden, set to broadcast this coming Monday (November 22nd). During the interview, the singer addresses her highly reported pregnancy speculation, her successfully expanding career, and of course her brand new DVD ‘I Am… World Tour’, which she had a hand in directing.

On that same monday, the fierce one will be hosting the launch party for Lorraine Schwartz’s ‘2bHappy’ jewelry collection in NYC. Then later in the week, ABC will broadcast a 90-minute special of the tour on Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 25th). It’s definetely going to be Beyonce mayhem next week!

Heinenken Red-Soul Inspire Hits New York City

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The Heineken Red- Soul Inspire show hit New York City this past weekend. J. Cole amongst other guests and performers were at the event,  including Nas, Cee-Lo, & Pete Rock 

Book Release: Jay-Z “Decoded”

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Educator and orator Cornel West and Jay-Z attend “Decoded” book release at New York Public Library – Celeste Bartos Forum on Monday, November 15 in New York City. His new book is IN STORES NOW.

EGOcentric

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Dre Black was determined to have his own band to play his discography of music that he has been creating for over nine years. He started his own fashion consulting/branding company, “Everything Gold:EGO” in 2007, and has worked with various organizations, radio personalities, and local entrepreneurs in establishing his brand. On a conquest to promote his music he wanted a band name that will not only promote his music but the company brand as a whole. EGOcentric was created taking the call letters from “Everything Gold,” and adding the Centric part to give it that edge.
Dre Black was born in Washington, DC to Charlotte and Granville Bell.  He graduated from the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Fashion Institute of Technology and Marymount University.  Dre started out singing in the church choir, he began to lead songs and his passion for song took over from there.  He has performed all over the DC Metropolitan area, as well as in New York and Atlanta. He brings a certain energy and vibe to the stage and has a humbling presence about himself.  He was featured in the DVD “Get Familiar,” with skateboarder Darren Harper, performed at WPGC’s “For Sisters Only” convention, and several of his original recordings have been featured on the top radio stations in Washington, DC.  He is also an entrepreneur, establishing his “Everything Gold (EGO) LLC brand in April 2009. “Everything Gold” is a production and image consulting company that partners with other artists, producers, and designers.  Dre’s passion for songwriting, music, dance, fashion, literary media, and social issues will open up many doors in an ever growing entertainment industry.  However; his drive and determination to succeed will elevate him to maintstream successs.


Craig Green was born in South Georgia, and raised all over. A veteran of numerous bands, he’s played Blues in Portland, Punk in Gainesville, Fla., Classic rock in Northern Virginia, and now Soul in D.C. A musical nomad, Craig has been looking to scratch the groovy itch that gets a dance floor shaking, while playing songs that get the head bone itching. His last gig took him all over the DC metro area playing bars and weddings, and any gig that let him groove on a stage for all the beautiful peoples. A fan of all music, the only style he has yet to get behind is Opera — “There’s not enough dancing in that, sorry man, I can’t go for it.” –


Talented, motivated, and creative are just a few of the adjectives used to describe Jasmine Buchanan! With music as her first love, Jasmine has always been a member of her church and school choir. As a little girl, she always dreamed of being a famous singer. As time progressed she did not abandon her dream, but decided working with music in a different capacity might serve as the better option. With a Bachelors of Art in Public Relations, and her current enrollment at Trinity University (Washington, DC) working on her Master’s in Business Administration, Mrs. Buchanan hopes to one day own her on Entertainment Public Relations Firm. Still working with music, but also utilizing her other God given talents. Mrs. Buchanan was born Jasmine Ferguson to Willie and Mary Ferguson on December 28,1987 in Washington, D.C and has been singing a sweet tune ever since!
A native of Baltimore, MD, Joel V. Holmes, Jr. began his musical journey on the kitchen floor – his instrument of choice: pots and pans. By the time young Joel reached the tender age of four years old, his parents found it wise to get him a real set of drums. Though Joel engaged himself in numerous other extra curricular activities, participating in band and playing drums in church was a steadfast desire for him. As a musical student of Ms. Betty McLeod at West Baltimore Middle School and Mr. Alvin Wallace at Baltimore City College High School, a rapidly rising Joel began to obtain the discipline and drive necessary to pursue a career in music. Upon earning a Bachelors degree  in Music Education from Howard University in 2009, Mr. Holmes began to further solidify his dream of a career in music. He continues to dig deeply as he teaches elementary school music in Washington, DC. To date, Holmes has performed and recorded internationally with various ensembles and artists. Through music, he aims to inspire others – as so many have inspired him.
Gerard Bingham hails from Greenbelt, MD.  He brings years of experience with a dynamic sound to the band.  Gerard’s rhythmic impulses can be heard through his use of congas, chimes, and other instruments of the percussion family.
Phree White began singing at an early age in a very traditional location: Church. Her vocal career started at the age of 7 when she formed a singing and songwriting group with three other girls from her church and began performing every Sunday. The group disbanded, but Phree retained her love of singing and performing. Always musically inclined, Phree not only used her voice as an instrument but began playing the violin at the age of 6, the piano at the age of 10 and the saxophone at the age of 11. “My mother always knew where I was in the house when I was growing up, because there was always something playing around me. The radio, an instrument, me…” After graduating high school, Phree moved to Washington DC to pursue a degree at Howard University. While there she continued to work on fine tuning her vocal abilities while showcasing her skills at local open mics and competitions and through collaborations with other local artistis. Phree had the good fortune of meeting Dre Black in 2008 and was approached about joining the Egocentrics in 2009. Together with the rest of the band, she is dedicated to expounding on the soul-rock genre and taking over the world. She has a huge Ego – EGOCentrics that is.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE ABOUT EGOcentric