EPMD Album Drops Tuesday

I'm so mad at all of the rappers from the late 80's/early 90's trying to make comebacks. I mean, it would be different if they were like LL or Too Short and had been in the game continuously since they started, but when you've been dead for a cool minute... dude... it's reaaaaaal hard to resurrect yourself back to your old status.

Anyways, Eric and Parrish Makin Dollas~E.P.M.D. are back and ready to drop their new album come Tuesday December 9th. It's been almost a decade since EPMD dropped their last album. But the semi iconic duo have been back in the lab puttin in major work and doing shows across the country.

The new album, "We Mean Business", is a follow up to their 1999 album "Out Of Business", which was billed as their final studio album. So let me get this right... first their was "Strictly Business", then "Out of Business", and now "We Mean Business"??? Wow... can the titles be anymore whack?

The rapper's may have predicted the record's ultimate fate because it was their only album that didn't go gold. This time around, with the game changing in terms of record sales, member Parrish Smith says they are taking matters into their own hands.

"Now that we're in a new era and the game is changed, we realize that it's different from when we handed in a CD to our first label to being at Def Jam," Smith said. "Erick, and I created our own vehicle to be able to drop this album. That's how we came with the title We Mean Business, because we do."

Guest artist that will be appearing on the new album include: KRS-One, Raekwon, Havoc, Teddy Riley, Method Man, Devin The Dude, 9th Wonder, Keith Murray and Redman. The first single is going to be "Putin' In Work" featuring Raekwon. Despite being officially released on December 9, fans can pre order their copy of We Mean Business HERE.

The Fat Boys Return?

Well I'll be John Brown!!!! To quote the originators of the song, The Fat Boys Are BACK!!!!

Legendary '80s rap group The Fat Boys have returned, after over 15 years apart. Although member Buffy passed away in 1995, other founding members Prince Markie Dee and Kool Rock-Ski announced in a press release, posted at MVRemix, that they have reunion underway.

“I’m weighing in at 185 these days, people are encouraged and motivated to see a slim and trim Fat Boy,” said Kool Rock-Ski.

The group would not confirm an exact date of release or title, they did say that a reality show may be in the works. The last Fat Boys album was 1991's Mack Daddy, after a career that spawned hits such as "Fat Boys," "Can You Feel It," and "Wipeout."

Labelle Is Back!

It's been widely reported that Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash all formerly of the 70's group "Labelle" were going to get back together one more time... and, much to my surprise, those reports have turned out correct.

Labelle is back in the building ladies and germs and they can be found in all of their feathered, bedazzled and synthetic hair-wearing glory on the cover of their new album, Back to Now. I'm not sure who's idea it was to get all featured up for this cover, but it wasn't a smart move! How much ya'll bet somebody uses this album cover as Halloween inspiration?

The CD hits stores on October 21st, and if the first single, "Rollout," is any indication these classics may have another one on their hands. Ya'll... this is one of those songs you'll hear in the juke joint around the corner from your auntie Betty's house! But I actually like it. The reggae-tinged track has a lil bounce to it that makes you wanna electric slide! And yes, they jumped on the Auto-Tune train too! But I ain't made at them. They gotta get in where they fit in these days!

Wyclef Jean co-wrote/co-produced the song and contributes some vocals to the track as well. Other contributors to the new album include Lenny Kravitz and Gamble and Huff... whoever that is!

Listen to “Roll Out” now:

Theeeeey're Baaaack~ En Vogue

I guess those rumors a few months ago are now becoming reality. The ladies of En Vogue are back at it! This time, with all of the original members, Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, and... I always forget this last chicks name... Maxine Jones.

For those of you who have followed the quartet through the years, you would know that En Vogue has won more MTV Video Music Awards (7) than any other female group in MTV history. They've sold more than 20 million albums and singles worldwide, and they're the 18th most successful act of the 1990's. Seems like all those accomplishments and success would have kept them together. But we all know that most of the time, it only tears groups apart. Someone is always trying to out shine everyone else because they believe that they are the sole reason for the group being as successful as it is, yadda yadda yadda!

Cindy, Terry, and Maxine, have always been a part of the group, but not Dawn. If you recall, Ms. Dawn was given the boot from the group in 1997. She tried her hand with the group formed by Tony! Toni! Tone! member Raphael Sadiiq, Lucy Pearl, but was booted from that group as well.

Seems that Dawn and her husband Dre Allen were at one point in time last year, trying to get a reality show about them being poor and sleeping on the streets. Obviously that didn't pan out because Dre took to his myspace page and let Ms. Dawn have it:

"You got kicked out of En Vogue & they didn’t even want to FACE you because you are the most DIFFICULT person in the world to deal with! They left you sitting at a photo shoot for the last album & didn’t tell you where they were at shooting the EV3 cover without you…remember that??? Raphael Saadiq kicked you out of Lucy Pearl because your attitude jeapordized an operation he worked HARD to get off the ground…and HE didn’t even face you…you found out you got kicked out on the RADIO!! Ask yourself why Dawn…because…you’re a phony, nagging, complaining, two faced, spoiled rotten B*TCH!!!!! We haven’t even STARTED talking about your deal with Dr. Dre! What happened there Dawn? He BOOTED you before you even started because he saw your mouth a mile away! You dug this grave for yourself"

He even continued to say that even though she told him that she had slept with 17 dudes in the past month from swinger sites, he gave her the benefit of the doubt and stayed. Damn. If I was the other three ladies, I don't know if I'd want to deal with that drama again! I mean, chick does have a powerful voice, but is it really worth the headache? Either way, I wish them the best of luck with it all! Trying to bring sexy back at damn near 60 ain't easy! I kid! I kid!

SOURCE

Maxwell Announces First Tour In Six Years

Maxwell is finally giving us what we've all been waiting for; Another round of his magnificent voice. After teasing us at this years BET Awards with his rendention of Al Greens "Simply Beautiful", the 35-year-old neo-soul singer, whose smooth voice and good looks have melted fans since the '90s, announced his first tour in six years.

The U.S. tour starts out in Boston, MA on October 8, and goes on to cities such as New York City, and Los Angeles a Thursday press release. The live dates will be a "pre-party tour celebration" for the singer's upcoming trilogy album "Black Summers' Night," according to the release.

Maxwell's last album, 2001's seductively funky "Now," followed on the heels of 1998's "Embrya." It has been 12 years since his 1996 hit debut "Urban Hang Suite" cemented his status as an R&B sex symbol.

As you all know, Maxwell cut off his wild and out of control mane, and I miss it because it was so sexy on him, but I love the new look!

Tour Dates

• Oct 8 Boston- Opera House
• Oct 9 New York- Radio City Music Hall
• Oct 10 Wallingford- Chevrolet Theatre
• Oct 12 Toronto- Massey Theatre
• Oct 14 Cincinnati- The Taft Theatre
• Oct 15 St. Louis- Fox Theatre
• Oct 17 Indianapolis- Murat Theater
• Oct 18 Chicago- Chicago Theater
• Oct 19 Detroit- Fox Theatre
• Oct 21 Minneapolis- Orpheum Theater
• Oct 22 Omaha- Music Hall
• Oct 23 Kansas City- Uptown Theatre
• Oct 25 Denver- Paramount Theatre
• Oct 28 Oakland- Paramount Theatre
• Oct 31 Las Vegas- Pearl
• Nov 1 Los Angeles- Shrine Auditorium
• Nov 6 Houston- Verizon Theatre
• Nov 8 Dallas- Majestic Theatre
• Nov 10 Birmingham- BJCC Hall
• Nov 11 Memphis- Orpheum Theater
• Nov 12 Atlanta- Civic Center
• Nov 14 Greensboro- Coliseum Theatre
• Nov 15 Richmond- Landmark Theatre
• Nov 17 Washington DC- Constitution Hall
• Nov 21 Philadephia- Susquehanna Center

Michael Jackson Could Be A Vegas Lounge Act

Michael Jackson might be coming back to the states as a Vegas act. The "King of Pop" is in talks with the group that just bought his loan on his Neverland Ranch in California. The Colony Capital Group, which is a private equity group, is trying to give Mike options to help settle his $23 million debt which includes a possible long-term engagement as the resident performer of a Vegas casino or nightclub. Colony Capital is based out of L.A. , but they own the Las Vegas Hilton and they are shareholders in the Station Casinos chain. There is nothing carved in stone yet in regards to this option, but don't rule it out. If Mike is smart, this would be a great move for his career. People all across the board are fascinated by Michael Jackson and I'm sure his shows would sell out every night. I, for one, would love to see one. I hope he goes for it. I mean, what does he have to lose? I'm just sayin!