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Tag: Ruff Ryders

  • Angela Simmons Debuts as Spoken-Word Artist Angela Renee

    It seems the musical talent runs deep in the Simmons family! Angela Simmons, known for her various ventures, is stepping into a new artistic lane as a spoken-word artist named Angela Renee. She’s not just dipping her toes in; she’s making a splash with her debut track, “Run To,” featuring hip-hop veterans Jadakiss and singer Résa.

    Finding Her Voice with ‘Run To’

    Angela Renee wants her new music to resonate on a deeper level. She explained to MadameNoire that “Run To” is all about capturing a feeling, a vibration, and speaking directly to listeners – and herself. It’s a song born from the universal experience of pain and the struggle to confront it.

    “I feel like everybody has things that they mask, and they do stuff to not face things, right? We all have pain,” she shared. The track explores the crucial “aha moment” when one decides to nurture themselves and face their issues, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being over just the physical.

    Embracing a Musical Legacy

    Born into the iconic Simmons family, with her father being the legendary Rev Run of Run-DMC, music is undeniably in Angela’s DNA. Her new venture sees her partnering with the historic Ruff Ryders label, a move that feels like a natural progression for her to carve out her own unique musical space.

    She described Ruff Ryders as family, acknowledging the deep legacy they share. Angela Renee feels she’s stepping into a lane that hasn’t been fully explored yet, aiming to create something fresh and engaging for her audience. “I feel like the lane I’m stepping into hasn’t quite been done yet,” she noted.

    Navigating the Age of AI

    In today’s rapidly evolving music industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic. Angela Renee shared her perspective, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity. “There’s nothing above a creative, human individual,” she stated.

    While acknowledging AI’s presence and future role, she stressed the importance of protecting one’s individual creativity and legacy. “It’s not to say that you can’t do stuff with AI, but it’s how you do it. What makes it so unique, and what’s special, is that it’s the individual. It’s what’s coming from you,” she explained. Her focus is on authenticity and ensuring her brand remains protected.

    Atlanta Launch for a New Chapter

    To celebrate the release of “Run To,” Angela Renee hosted an event in Atlanta, a city renowned for its significant influence on music and culture. Despite being a proud New Yorker, she recognized the importance of launching her new chapter in a place that resonates with artistic energy, citing artists like Ludacris and T.I. as inspirations.

    “Atlanta is very important when it comes to creativity and music, like, energy,” she said. The choice to launch in Atlanta felt “all in alignment” with her vision.

    What do you think of Angela Simmons’ transition into spoken word as Angela Renee? Have you listened to “Run To” yet? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below!

  • DMX’s Uncle Claims Ruff Ryders Didn’t Fund Funeral

    Ray Copeland, the former manager and uncle of the late DMX, has spoken out about the alleged lack of financial support he received from various music industry figures while organizing the rapper’s funeral. In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Copeland detailed his experience reaching out to collaborators and associates, specifically calling out Swizz Beatz and Ruff Ryders.

    Allegations Against Swizz Beatz and Ruff Ryders

    Copeland stated, “When it was time to bury X, I was on the phone with everybody, Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz, Steve Rifkind, Def Jam. I told them what it was going to cost. Everybody said, ‘I ain’t got it.’ So I hung up the phone and said, ‘Forget it. I’ll put this together myself.’” Despite these initial rejections, Copeland managed to raise $150,000 for the funeral and memorial service held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with significant help from Germaine Miller and attorney Ron Sweeney.

    Copeland expressed gratitude towards Miller, who “put all the money up for the funeral – all $150,000.” He also credited Kanye West for covering “everything at the Barclays Center.” While Def Jam Records, DMX’s label at the time of his death, eventually donated $35,000, Copeland alleges the label misrepresented the gesture by claiming they paid for the entire funeral, which he states is untrue.

    Frustration Over Lack of Industry Support

    Copeland lamented the perceived lack of support from those who benefited financially from DMX’s success. “This man made us all millionaires,” he said, expressing frustration that he had to “fight to put this together with my family.” He considered holding a smaller, private service but was persuaded by family members that the public deserved a chance to say goodbye.

    Copeland noted that while many offered public praise, hashtags, and tributes online, there was silence when it came to actual financial support. He recalled DMX’s own wariness of the music industry, quoting the rapper: “He always said, ‘I ain’t got no friends in the industry.’ And he was right. When he passed, it showed.”

    What are your thoughts on the alleged lack of support for DMX’s funeral from some in the music industry? Share your perspective in the comments below.

  • Eve on Suge Knight Romance & Interscope Fallout

    Eve, the rap icon known for her fiery lyrics and distinctive style, is sharing some candid moments from her career in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?”. She’s opening up about a brief but impactful romance with music mogul Suge Knight that caused quite a stir, particularly affecting her relationship with Interscope Records.

    A Bold Move and a Strategic Alliance

    The story dates back to August 2001, when Eve was co-hosting the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. Upon learning that Suge Knight, the formidable figure behind Death Row Records, was in attendance, Eve decided to make a move. Despite her bodyguard’s reservations, she approached Knight, expressing her desire to meet him.

    This encounter led to a dinner date where Knight reportedly promised to support Eve through her frustrations with Interscope and her working relationship with Dr. Dre. At the time, Eve had released two albums and was unhappy with the direction of her career. Aligning with Knight, Dre’s former boss, felt like a strategic move for Eve, a way to gain leverage or perhaps even a sense of ‘sweet revenge’.

    Interscope Tensions and a Relationship’s End

    Eve recounts that Knight’s subsequent visit to Interscope on her behalf didn’t sit well with label executive Jimmy Iovine. She believes this incident directly impacted the reception and creation of her third album, suggesting Iovine took out his anger on her project. The situation became complicated, and the brief romance eventually fizzled out.

    The intervention of Ruff Ryders’ Dee and Waah Dean played a significant role in ending the connection. They reportedly disapproved of Eve’s association with Suge Knight. When Eve decided to end things, Suge was surprisingly understanding, even admitting he would have given her similar advice. While Suge Knight hasn’t publicly commented on Eve’s account, his history suggests he might eventually weigh in.

    What do you think about Eve’s experience with Suge Knight and its impact on her career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!