SIGT HIP HOP STOP W/ RON GRANT | Lil Wayne’s House Raided, Eminem Invests in Rap Genius, Puffy’s New Album, “Chiraq” Trailer, Tupac Biopic In Production, Adidas Honors Jam Master Jay

by Ron Grant • November 6, 2015

Seems like many of Hip Hop’s legends and heavyweights were having their say this week. Or at least making their way back into the news feed after some long layoffs. Here’s to the week that was in Hip Hop music. Check out some of early November’s biggest stories.

LIL WAYNE’S HO– USE RAIDED BY THE FEDS

And here we are, yet again: more financial troubles for Lil Wayne. Not only is his Miami house on the market, but earlier this week, Feds raided his spot seizing a reported $30 million worth of art and other valuables. This apparently is to settle payment to a private jet company that Wayne apparently refused to pay for the lease of a jet. Sadly, we’ve come to expect this type of news from Wayne over the last few years. Let this be a lesson, kids: stay within your financial lane!

EMINEM INVESTS IN GENIUS WEBSITE

On the flip side, we have one Marshall Mathers doing everything in his power to make sure his reach goes beyond just the mic. In a story appearing on Billboard.com, Em joins artists like Pharrell and Nas as an investor in Genius, the famous music and lyric annotation website formerly known as Rap Genius. He’s also going to form an exclusive partnership with Genius and will allow the site to act as the official lyrics engine for Eminem.com and all Shady Records properties. So that’s satellite radio and now online content that Em is gaining control of. Wonder what’s next: Eminem’s own version of iTunes, Spotify or Tidal? Might not be as far off base as we think. Until then, here’s some Shady Cypher goodness for you:

PUFFY DROPS MMM FREE ALBUM, PREPS FOR NO WAY OUT 2

So apparently, the second half of 2015 is Free Album Mania in the Hip Hop world. The latest artist to dole out a surprise free project? None other than P. Diddy/Puff Daddy/Puffy himself. The new album is titled MMM and is streaming all over the net right now. Diddy has billed it as the precursor to his possible final album, No Way Out 2. The album features Jadakiss, Travi$ Scott, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Kim, Pusha T and Big Sean, among others. If this really will be the start of Diddy’s swan song to his music career, you know he’ll go out big. He doesn’t know how to do it any other way. Stream MMM below.

SPIKE LEE’S CHIRAQ TRAILER DEBUTS

Everyone has their opinions on the violence that plagues the fair city of Chicago. And now, legendary movie director Spike Lee gives his own artistic take with Chiraq, his new film hitting theaters December 4. The trailer debuted this week. And the film will feature a star-studded cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Basset and Nick Cannon. If you haven’t checked it out, here’s a glimpse of the official trailer.

TUPAC BIOPIC PRODUCTION BEGINS IN GEORGIA

Even with the success of Straight Outta Compton and the news of many more Hip Hop biographies in the pipeline, none may be more anticipated than this one. The biopic of Tupac Shakur has been marred with controversy and misinformation. But it looks like certain forces are allowing it to see the light of day. Reports are that the film of the Hip Hop legend and martyr’s life, now entitled All Eyez On Me, will start production in Georgia next month. Notice apparently came from the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment website that casting would be happening soon. You heard it right: we might be a few steps closer to seeing the life of one of Hip Hop’s true rebels on the big screen, and soon.

ADIDAS HONORS JAM MASTER JAY WITH A NEW SNEAKER

Jam Master Jay was part of arguably one of the most important Hip Hop groups of all time in Run-D.M.C. Sadly, the life of the legendary producer and DJ was cut short when he was gunned down in Queens, N.Y. in 2002. The case remains unsolved. Now, shoe company Adidas will honor Jay’s legacy and memory with the new “Superstar” sneaker. The shoe will be release January 21, 2016, which would have been Jay’s 51t birthday. With the loss of Jay and all the he and Run-D.M.C. did to revive the brand of Adidas in the 1980s, it’s truly a fitting tribute.