WHO KILLED FREDDIE GRAY?

In what is a perceived legal blow for prosecutors, the jury was hung and the judge declared a mistrial in the trial of Baltimore police officer William Porter in the case of Freddie Gray’s death after sustaining injuries while in custody.

Porter was charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office in the April 19 death of Gray, who died a week after his neck was broken during a ride in the back of a police van. Gray’s death and the subsequent unrest in Baltimore brought to the fore long simmering tensions in Baltimore and across the nation over socioeconomic disparity and the relationship between law enforcement and the minority communities they serve.

Prosecutors considered Porter’s case as key to help strengthening the case against van driver Caesar Goodson, Jr. It was also seen as a signal of how the trials of the other five officers could go.

The remaining trials are set for early next year. It is unclear how the mistrial will affect the prosecution’s approach on the other trials, if at all.

Jurors began deliberating on Monday afternoon.

There will be an administrative hearing on Thursday to determine a new court date. The judge gave Porter the option to appear tomorrow, and Porter declined.

“You’ve been diligent,” Williams told the jury, “thank you for your diligence.” Williams dismissed the jury saying he will have more information for them in a bit.

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was in court for the announcement, but she, like all parties in the case, is still under a gag order. The gag order extends until all six officers’ trials are complete.

Porter, the defense, and the prosecution all looked tense when the judge spoke to them privately before making the announcement to the court. Deputy State’s Attorney Janice Bledsoe could be seen shaking her head.

Over the past two days, the jury of four black women, three black men, three white women and two white men gave signals that they were locked in tense discussions. On Tuesday they told Judge Barry Williams that they were deadlocked and he sent them back to deliberate.

Earlier on Wednesday, the jurors asked for a transcript of witness testimony — a request the judge denied. Shortly after, jurors let the court know that they were hung.

The judge had previously said he wanted to be done with the trial by Dec. 17th and told the jurors to take as long as they needed to reach a verdict. The jurors weren’t sequestered and have been under order not to discuss the trial.

During trial arguments, prosecutors focused on what they said was Porter’s failure to take care of Gray while he was in custody by not getting him medical care or buckling his seatbelt.

Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow said Porter, 26, “criminally neglected his duty to keep Mr. Gray safe,” during arguments early in the trial.

The prosecution painted Porter, who grew up in the same neighborhood, as a young man who made good on his life and had an affable demeanor.

Porter, who took the stand in his defense, said Gray was “unable to give me a reason for a medical emergency” and that it was not his duty to seatbelt people who have been arrested in the van.

Porter faces a maximum penalty of about 25 years.

Officials in the city of Baltimore had been calling for peace as the city awaited a verdict.

Hours before the jury began its deliberations Monday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called for people to respect the jury’s decision.

“In the coming days, if some choose to demonstrate peacefully to express their opinion, that is their constitutional right,” the mayor said. “In the case of any disturbance in the city, we are prepared to respond. We will protect our neighborhoods, our businesses and the people of our city.”

Rawlings-Blake also announced the opening of an emergency operations center so authorities can coordinate any necessary response.

MALI'S HOTEL TAKEN OVER BY TERRORIST

Automatic weapons fire could be heard from outside the 190-room hotel in the city-centre, where security forces have set up a security cordon, an COHH journalist said.

Security sources said the gunmen were "jihadists" who had entered the hotel compound in a car that had diplomatic plates.

"It's all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor," one security source told COHH.

Malian soldiers, police and special forces were on the scene as a security perimeter was set up, along with members of the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping force in Mali and the French troops fighting jihadists in west Africa under Operation Barkhane.

The Rezidor Hotel Group, the US-based parent company of Radisson Blu, said two people were holding 170 people hostage.

The company said it was "aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees".

It added in a statement: "Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order offer any support possible to reinstate safety and security at the hotel."

- Attacks despite peace deal -The shooting at the Radisson follows a nearly 24-hour siege and hostage-taking at another hotel in August in the central Malian town of Sevare in which five UN workers were killed, along with four soldiers and four attackers.

Five people, including a French citizen and a Belgian, were also killed in an attack at a restaurant in Bamako in March in the first such incident in the capital.

Islamist groups have continued to wage attacks in Mali despite a June peace deal between former Tuareg rebels in the north of the country and rival pro-government armed groups.

Northern Mali fell in March-April 2012 to Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups long concentrated in the area before being ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013.

Despite the peace deal, large swathes of Mali remain beyond the control of government and foreign forces.

The website of the Radisson Blu in Bamako says it offers "upscale lodging close to many government offices and business sites", serving as "one of the city's most popular conference venues" with "a stunning 508-square-metre ballroom and meeting rooms".

Radisson Blu, an upscale brand of the Radisson hotel chain, has more than 230 luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. COHH

Boko Haram and ISIS are the deadliest terrorist organization in the world

                                                    Boko Haram and ISIS are the deadliest terrorist organization in the world research reveals.

According to the annual Global Terrorism Index, deaths caused by Boko Haram increased by 317% in 2014 to a total of 6,644, surpassing the 6,073 deaths that were attributed to ISIS in 2014.

The two organizations are responsible for 51% of deaths caused by terror worldwide, according to the report published by the New York City-based Institute for Economics and Peace.
                                                 
 According to the report, acts of terrorism remain highly concentrated in just five countries: Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria. In 2014, 78% of lives lost to terrorism were from those five countries.

Boko Haram and ISIS are the deadliest terrorist organization in the world research reveals.

According to the annual Global Terrorism Index, deaths caused by Boko Haram increased by 317% in 2014 to a total of 6,644, surpassing the 6,073 deaths that were attributed to ISIS in 2014.

The two organizations are responsible for 51% of deaths caused by terror worldwide, according to the report published by the New York City-based Institute for Economics and Peace.

According to the report, acts of terrorism remain highly concentrated in just five countries: Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria. In 2014, 78% of lives lost to terrorism were from those five countries.

“[Nigeria has] witnessed the largest increase in terrorist deaths ever recorded by any country, increasing by over 300% to 7,512 fatalities,” the report said. This figure includes deaths from all terrorist groups in the country, including Boko Haram.

The report was released on Wednesday, just days after ISIS terrorists bombed multiple locations in Paris killing 129 people.

Ex-Teacher to sell his kidney in Kano

An ex-teacher in Kano has announced on radio that he is willing to sell his own kidney so he can be able to feed his family.

Idris Bala decided to do this because he could no longer afford to feed his family or pay his house rent.

In an interview with Tribune, Bala, who lives in Naibawa quarters, said he used to ride a tricycle known as ‘Keke Napep’. According to him, the owner of the tricycle eventually collected it and sold it three months ago, also due to financial issues.

Since then, the ex primary school teacher has been trying to find a job.

‘Every morning, I trek to ‘Dangi Pharmacy’ to look for any type of job, but I go back home empty handed.

‘I am the shy type who cannot beg for money or go from one house to the other to ask for pittances.

He lamented that life has become so hard on him as he could no longer feed his family, pay rent or pay his children's school fees.

"I talk to myself that the only thing left for me is to offer one of my kidneys for sale.

“That was the reason I went to the state radio in Kano to market myself for any prospective buyer”, he declared.

How a Nigerian Teacher Fooled the British Media

News went viral yesterday that a Nigerian 'math genius' has solved a 156-year-old math problem thereby leading him to be awarded a prize money of about N200 million.

According to reports, Dr. Opeyemi Enoch of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, made history by providing proof for the old Riemann Hypothesis. The British media first reported this and the news was shared excitedly among Nigerians.

It has now been revealed that this news might have been untrue.

The Riemann Hypothesis, first proposed by German mathematician Bernhard Riemann in 1859, is one of seven Millennium problems presented by the Clay Mathematics Institute with a $1 million reward for solving each one.

According to Quartz Africa, the British media, including the BBC and the Daily Telegraph ran a story that Enoch won this award, but when contacted, US-based Clay Mathematics Institute, refused to confirm this story.

When Quartz Africa visit the institute's website to take a look at the status of the Millennium problems, only the Poincare Conjecture, solved by Grigoriy Perelman in 2003, is listed as solved. All the other six problems, including the Riemann Hypothesis, remain listed as unsolved.

Enoch, during an interview with BBC, revealed that he got the inspiration to take a chance on the problem when some of his students brought it to him with the hope of making $1 million “off the Internet.”

“Those my students trusted that the solution could come from me,” he said. He said he was motivated by their trust, “not because of the financial reward.”

It was reported that Enoch has web page where the proof of his solution to the  Riemann Hypothesis was published, but on a closer look, it was found that the proof was plagiarized

TWO MOST WANTED TERRORIST WERE ARRESTED BY THE ARMY AND POLICE

Nigerian Army troops of 101 Task Force Battalion, 7 Division Garrison, on Tuesday arrested yet another wanted Boko Haram terrorists leader, the spokesperson for the Army, Sani Usman, has said.

The suspect, who gave his name as Abubakar Sadiq, works as a guard to one Muhammad Daggash, and was arrested along Lagos Street Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Mr. Usman said a closer look at the suspect showed he was number 28 among suspected Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted by the Nigerian Army last month.

In a related development, the Nigeria Police, Borno State Command, arrested yet another suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Mohammed Usman, at Abuja Talakawa Ward of Maiduguri metropolis, on Tuesday.

The statement said the suspect also matched the photograph of suspect Number 40 on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 wanted suspected Boko Haraam terrorists.

It also said Mr. Usman was arrested after painstaking effort and tracking by the police.

“There is no doubt that the arrests of the suspected terrorists are important milestones which show the synergy of effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria among the security agencies and the public,” he said.

The statement added that the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, commended the vigilant troops and the Nigerian Police in particular, for their great efforts.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that as we move for the final onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists, there is the urgent need for all of us to be more vigilant and security conscious,” the statement said.

Nigerian Army Faces deadly battles that led many of them misssing

The Nigerian Army has confirmed COHH exclusive report on Boko Haram’s attack on Nigeria’s 157 Battalion attached to the Multi-National Joint Task Force in Baga, Borno State.

Citing a reliable military source, COHH reported that at least 105 soldiers including their commanding officer were feared missing after the attack on Wednesday.

“Gudunbali was attacked this morning and some weapons were captured from the battalion. Two officers and 105 soldiers are still missing,” our source said.

“They captured a T-72 tank from the unit and some artillery weapons were also captured. The commanding Officer of the battalion is yet to be seen but no one has been confirmed dead yet,” our source said.

We also reported that soldiers of the Multi-National Joint Task Force stationed at Baga, Borno State were also attacked in Geringiwa, about four kilometres away from the headquarters of MNJTF.

The spokesperson for the Nigeria Army, Sani Usman, a colonel, who had earlier said enquiries on the matter should be directed to officials of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, called our reporter after the story was published to confirm the incident.

“I want to confirm the incidence at Gudunbali but the details you provided were not correct, and Baga has never been attacked,” Mr. Usman said on telephone.

“The unit attacked is within the area of responsibility of the MNJTF and troops are now organising to counter the attack,” he said.

He said the Theatre Command of the 7 Division would provide the details of the attack during a press conference arranged later today in Maiduguri.

Mr. Usman however did not give any details to counter our account of the incident.

Krs.One Talks About Obama's Deception of The New World Order.

The Blastmaster KRS-One has been educating Hip-Hop and the masses for over 20 years. As he gears to release his latest project Survival Skills on September 15 with Duck Down front-man Buckshot, KRS spoke to Hip-Hop Wired exclusively about the controversial documentary The Obama Deception. In the film, KRS speaks on secret societies running the United States and the world as well as his views on the nation’s first African-American President. Receiving some flack for his outspoken views, KRS-One addresses the film and his real feelings about President Obama and it’s not exactly what you think. His philosophy never is but edutaining nonetheless.

“If they controlled it before, what makes you think they’re not controlling it now? The country was on the verge of revolution. They threw a Black man up, now we like this (complacent). They put a Black face on the New World Order and now we all happy. KRS ain’t buying it.” …KRS-One (The Obama Deception).

Question: KRS, you’ve never been one to hold your tongue but you feel that some misconceptions about - See more at: krs-one-breaks-down-the-new-world-order-the-obama-deception/#sthash.RLfMBjeL.dpufyou and your feelings about President Obama have been distorted. So do you support the film The Obama Deception where you raised some interesting questions on the government and The President?

KRS-One: I’m not in support of it but I am in support of everything I said. No doubt but when I did the interview it wasn’t supposed to be a movie. It wasn’t supposed to be what it is. I’m sensitive to the struggle. There’s a whole truth movement separate from Hip-Hop. There’s a whole 9-11 anti-war movement that needs me in that capacity so I don’t really beef with it too much and I allowed the movie to come out without lawsuits and all that type of stuff. But really, no. I’m not personally in support. I have my views on that.

Question: So were your words taken out of context and will you do your own documentary on The New World Order?

KRS-One: Maybe somebody should one day. We can do our own documentary even answering The Obama Deception but what I will say is that it’s just like when I was misquoted with 9-11 when The Daily News misquoted me saying that I said, “We cheered when 9/11 happened.” The Daily News then put me on blast saying that if Osama bin Laden was to buy an album, it would be KRS-One’s. And then everybody in America was like, “Aww, f@&k KRS.” But around the world, the Muslim community was busting shots, like, “Yeah, KRS.” And it was a misquote. So in colleges, even though certain Palestinians, Muslims, Arabs …come up to me. Not that they was with 9/11 but they understood what I was saying about the cheering of that system going down. That whole fake, that corruption finally falling. They and the world understood it and the same thing is with The Obama Deception as well.

I don’t really support the movie or how they tried to pull Obama out like that, I’m not in support of that. But Obama is on that sh%& too on another level. He is The President. F%@k all the dumb sh$%, he is the President and he has people that he must answer to that are not me and are not you and they don’t have our interest in mind. No government does in that sense. It’s about people power so in that instance I’m not ashamed of the message. I don’t disagree with the message of the movie but KRS is a little deeper than the movie projects.

“Everyone is pointing to Barrack right now, President Obama and saying, ‘You gotta get the economy together, you gotta get the economy together.’ When in fact the president has very little to do with the economy. It’s the Federal Reserve Chairman that at least sets the policy… that’s a privately owned company. The Federal Reserve Bank, they set the agenda.” …KRS-One (The Obama Deception)

Question: So how did you come to interview for The Obama Deception?

KRS-One: That was after a show. Somebody asked me a couple of questions and I gave them my heart and that was the end of it. Now to turn that into a movie and market it as my political view, that’s a little over the top but when you’re a revolutionary, sometimes you take one for the team and that’s what I’m doing right now. I believe more in that movement than what I’m saying. I don’t even care even if they had lied about me and said some sh&% that I didn’t say. I’m more interested in the fact that 9/11 is being covered up. Firefighters and police officers did run into those buildings and now New York City doesn’t want to pay their health expenses. I am concerned about that. I’m concerned about you putting up a new Freedom Tower in New York in the same place yet you not hiring New York City contractors to build that sh&%. I’m concerned about that sh&$ so yeah, KRS-One is a lil’ deeper than what the movie is about but nonetheless the movement itself I still support.

The people who put the movie out, Alex Jones, all of them…that’s my crew. Straight up. 9/11 Truth, all of that, we get down. All that sh%&, Conspiracy Theory all day. Judd, Maxwell, David, Ike, all of them. That’s my crew. We hang out, we talk. That’s what it is. But it’s best that the message went out. I’m glad the message went out because it’s better for a Black man to critique another Black man, I think, than any other race in that sense. America is not that grown up yet to have to have a White man critique Obama and have the country feel good about it. The reason why the Republicans even now can climb into Obama is because of The Obama Deception. Believe that.

Question: That’s true and no one is above criticism. And just because you disagree with someone and provoke thought doesn’t mean you’re hating on them. What made you question The President and his mission while the majority of the country was wrapped up in the Obama cloud?

KRS-One: The first week. Before anybody said anything that was critical about the presidency, you first heard KRS-One, simple and plain. We spoke the week he was inaugurated. The week that Obama was inaugurated was the week that the interview went up and nobody understood. My own community, African Americans was like, “F*&k KRS” because he said “F**k Obama.” And that’s what I had to endure. But then the White population, the Republicans, looked at that said you know what, “Brother got a point of view here.” We here at N.R.A. agree. We Christians over here, we agree. We Wal-mart, Target, all that sh#%, we agree with this Black man over here. And then you get the Republican Party like let’s now take a look at this and that. But first you need a credible Black man to first ask credible questions before anybody else can say anything. And I’m not the only one because my man Dr. Cornell West peeled into the President as well, nicely and respectively.

Question: You say respectively and nicely. Who went about it in some tyrannical manner?

KRS-One: Not on no ni**a sh&% like Jesse (Jackson) did who straight up called him a “NI**A.” They was on some old school “Ni**a Sh&%” like Jesse came straight out, “You a ni**a” and that’s it. We wasn’t on that, Cornell West wasn’t on that. That brother’s a scholar and he came right out with it and “lets not get so emotional over a Black president. We got to clean this country up.” This is from Cornell West so you got KRS on one side, Hip-Hop talking. And we’re saying, “Nah, Barrack is cool. He’s the man no doubt. We don’t disrespect that” but that could be the New World Order too, dawg. Don’t get so wrapped up thinking just cause John McCain lost, you now got something. Nahh man. Keep your eyes open.

Question: Definitely. And you’re not alone with those thinkings. Did you incorporate some of those thoughts with your new album Survival Skills with Buckshot?

KRS-One: A lot of young Whites, Blacks, Latinos, the young Asians and Native Americans, they agree. And that’s what makes the film important. Even though I think the film goes a little over the top, I mean it’s a conspiracy film so it goes over the top. But people agree so you match The Obama Deception with the Town Hall meetings that are happening all over the country right now and then you match that with Survival Skills the album with songs like “Think Of All The Things.” We’re talking about being a father to your child and what are you doing. KRS talks to the mothers and Buckshot talks to the fathers. We coming with cuts like this is what new Hip-Hop is. This is what it is and we’re a part of this debate. Don’t just look at this album as KRS and Buckshot did an album that represents their art. This album is being put out very timely when citizens are in governors’ and presidents’ faces. We got a cut called “On The Grind” with Mary J. Blige and play that as you’re watching CNN or FOX news because it’s all relevant and it all sinks in.

So I’m really proud of this project because this is what KRS-One’s career is really all about. Survival Skiils, the videos, the subject matter, the beats, the people on the album. This is what KRS-One needs right now. This is what Hip-Hop needs right now.

Buckshot: Politically this (album) is what the world needs. Kris didn’t say the word F-U-C-K but he said Mr. Sean Hannity (Conservative Fox News Host and tyrannical Obama hater) is not gonna like that. I personally would say F**k Mr. Sean Hannity. I don’t even like saying his name. I personally feel like throwing a tomato at my T.V. anytime my channel skips past it so he’ll be another political issue that’ll come up later on but that’s for another day.

Question: People are quick to tear down the youth movement in Hip-Hop and say that they don’t respect their elders and uplift the culture. Yet, you being The Teacha, you feel that they are as important and relevant as you are. You’ve even bigged up Soulja Boy and T-Pain so what do you want the youth to learn from you at this date and time?

KRS-One: When I did the quick little interview with Alex Jones, spoke my mind and sh&$ went up on the Internet, everybody was like, “Ohh sh&%, KRS is dissing Barrack.” And after I did like 20 interviews, I was like I’m not dissing Barrack, I’m dissing all motherf&%king presidents. First it was just an interview and then they made it into a movie. They took “my movie” and turned it into part of the movie The Obama Deception and put my views up there. And right away, they was like “KRS is dissing Obama.” And again I made it clear, I not dissing Obama. I could never diss Obama but all presidents are politicians and you know me with my conspiracy theories and the New World Order, I don’t see it the way everybody else sees it. So I spoke my mind but look at that. A lot of elders felt the way I felt but they were just scared to talk and now I spoke up, just spoke my mind. Because ain’t nobody kicking my a*s, ain’t nobody feeding my kids or paying my mortgage. So what ni**a, I’m bussing my guns. So I’m gone speak the way I speak and that’s that.

So I stepped up and I talked so now all of a sudden the young kids are like, “Oh Sh$^, who is that?” “Yo that’s that dude called KRS-One.” Their older brother and sisters… their mothers and fathers are telling them that, “Oh yeah, that’s KRS-One. That’s that dude, he don’t give a f*&k. He’ll tell you straight up and down what it really is. Or you can catch him over here. I mention all of that to say just because you’re an elder doesn’t mean that young people have to respect you. F@%k that. If you’re an elder, young people will work you harder for your respect today. You should be trying to get the respect of your children, not asking them to respect you. 

Redman Gets Real About Def Squad, Leaving Def Jam & Staying True To Self

Approaching this Friday’s release of Mudface, Redman’s media campaign rages on. The MC extraordinaire appeared on The Combat Jack Show with a one-hour interview that covers Red’s career with the questions so many want to know. Reggie Noble goes in, from his support of Fetty Wap, to the break-up days with Def Jam, to making a quarter-mill behind the turntables. This is a definitive conversation with a Hip-Hop giant.

The discussion begins with Redman speaking about his class of peers. Red reveals that he speaks regularly to The Game, Busta Rhymes, Keith Murray, and other artists that faithfully support each other’s direction. Explaining the balance this inner-circle gives him, the Def Squad MC said, “[I am not] trying to win by doing the new era music when you know you’re from the ’90s.” He continued, “A lot of artists try to implement some of the new wave into they situation. It works and [does not] work, because, sometimes the fans, they want originality. They want that artist that they grew up with. Like Redman, [the fans] couldn’t see me doing any Trap music—even though I’d air that shit out; I’d air anything out.” Of his overall demeanor, the Brick City native deduced, “I keep a level head from my circle, and my kids, and just making the right decision [to] keep the Redman brand going.” The father of four sons and one daughter later said, “I have survived this long with the method that I’m doing, so why to fix what ain’t broke?”

Related: So So Def…Redman Delivers One of The Best Cyphers in Years! (Video)

Combat Jack and A-King ask Redman about the tutelage of Erick Sermon, whom Redman performed with last month at the BET Hip Hop Awards Cyphers. “Even though we had our lil’ issues—everybody in the [Def Squad] had issues—I still respect [Erick Sermon] and love him to this day—for mentoring me, showin’ me the Funk 101, like a big brother to me. He was just like that big brother that watched over me and Keith [Murray],” said the MC who first appeared on 1990’s Business As Usual album by EPMD. “Even though he was busy, he still made sure we was alright, just like we made sure he was alright—we definitely ride for ‘Dub. But his legacy is here. Everyone respects Erick Sermon. Every body respects Erick Sermon. My thing is, Erick Sermon gots to get the fuck out more, and reach out more, and be more [communicative] with his circle, with his peers. His whole team know it, and he know it.” Red’ alleged that the EPMD co-founder’s shyness is his greatest setback. “He was the one who started that Atlanta shit…that nigga brought hope down there.” At last month’s BET Awards, Redman said Rick Ross recalled getting a ride from the airport to Sermon’s basement studio by the then-Def Jam star. Notably, Red’ joked that he had forgotten the affair. Interesting, Ross’ foe, 50 Cent, was another MC who had recorded with Sermon in Atlanta, Georgia. Funk Doc wishes E-Double would have better capitalized on his ear for budding musical talent. “As a person, he’s the dopest guy, the coolest guy, and the funniest guy; you’d love to be around him…I just wish he would take ownership [of it].”

Speaking about the early ’90s days with EPMD, Redman recalled working at a New Jersey Sizzler, before going on tour with Sermon and Parish Smith. He also says that his DJ abilities, knowledge of records, and MC style influenced EPMD records including“Rap Is Outta Control.” In turn, Red’ said he learned about the Funk from Erick, and developed a deeper vocal tone from PMD.

The EPMD discussion leads to Def Squad, and the aforementioned cypher. Of the major response to Redman, Erick Sermon, and Keith Murray’s cypher performance, the standout explained, “[The general public] forgot what Def Squad was about. Def Squad was about lyrics, beats, and rockin‘. When your ears are whored out to all this music that’s on the radio, [Def Squad] is like a breath of fresh air when you hear a dude spitting.” Notably, the Def Squad collective extends back 25 years, despite only releasing one album: 1998’s El Niño. “We just gave a good eargasm that night.” For Redman, the cypher response is a wake-up call to an industry who tends to overlook independent veterans. “We’re bangin’ out [musically]. We didn’t just get nice the night of the BET Cypher; we been nice. Y’all just now gettin’ up on is.”

That sense of being passed over prompted Combat Jack to note Redman’s lyrics in the cypher surrounding Def Jam Records. In solo and group work, Red’ released 10 albums with Russell Simmons’ label between 1992 and 2010. However, as ownership and staff changed, so did the Manhattan-based label’s treatment of one of its biggest homegrown stars. “Every couple of years we had a new CEO, new staff, new A&R people,” explained Redman of the guard following Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles in the mid-2000s. “When [the old regime] vacated the building, we got people up that was blind to the fact of the culture and the history of Def Jam.” Redman said that the new brass did not treat Method Man, LL Cool J, him and other onetime flagship acts the same. “It was so heavy and so noticeable…it felt real disrespectful.” In December, 2010, Def Jam released Redman’s Reggie, Ghostface Killah’s Apollo Kids, and Sheek Louch’s Donnie G: Don Gorilla almost effortlessly. The December releases are often called “tax write-offs” to fulfill contract obligations and post losses. The move was noticeable to an 18-year Def Jam veteran. “Me, Ghostface, Sheek Louch all [released] in the same month…with no promotion,” recalled Redman. “That was when me and my manager was like, ‘we out.'” The #118 debut on the Top 200 was the lowest of Redman’s solo career, the first time in his career he debuted below the Top 50.

Admitting that in the late 2000s, he and Method Man visited the Midtown offices once a year, even that act came with an air of disrespect. “When they started [nametagging] me and make me wait downstairs for a meeting, I was like, ‘Fuck this. I helped build this mothafucka. I ain’t waitin’ downstairs for nobody.’ Nah, they wasn’t gettin’ me with that. ‘Nah, y’all not makin’ me wait. This’ll be the last time y’all fuckers see me,’ and it was. I told ’em from the phone.” The artist who released four gold, and two platinum albums with Def Jam claimed free agency for the first time in three decades. “I immediately started making calls and gettin’ money. It was good.”

Red’ explained that with career independence comes a lifestyle shift. He jokes that he no longer uses car service. However, as he plans Muddy Waters 2 for 2016, with extensive sample clearances, Reggie Noble appears in good fiscal shape.

Discussing the Mudface producers including Rockwilder, Rick Ross and Stressmatic, Combat Jack brought up . Speaking briefly to that, Redman shouted, “We gotta have a [DJ] Premier beat, and Premier’s right here!” Pressed as to why Gang Starr and Def Squad have yet to make that connection, Red’ said, “Preemo be—I love Preemo, but damn it Preemo, we want our beat!”

The discussion of Redman’s association grows to him shouting out M.O.P., as well as the late Sean Price. “P was my nigga!,” said Redman. “We used to call each other just to hike on each other.” Publicly, Redman hoped that he could rap to unrecorded Sean Price lyrics. “Do they have any Sean Price lyrics?” Reggie Ossé asked Reggie Noble about what drew him to the Random Axe MC’s style. “Sean was just so genuine about the streets! He was so genuine about his mojo and confident in it. [On “Like You”] he said, ‘Wu-Tang ain’t nothin’ fuck wit’ / Boot Camp Clik ain’t nothin’ to Wu-Tang…‘ […] When me and Meth’ and first heard that, we was baffled—like he’d say that about hisown crew?” Redman also gave major respect to Sean’s Heltah Skeltah partner, Rockness Monstah.

 Fredro Starr Dismantles Keith Murray In Their Battle & They Nearly Come To Blows (Video)

Speaking of poking fun at one’s own crews, Redman was asked for his thoughts on Keith Murray’s battle against Fredro Starr last month. “That Rap battle was fuckin’ hilarious!,” said Red’, almost immediately. “First of all, I told him not to battle. Don’t nobody 40 need to be battlin'” Red’ added that the same opinion holds true for Fredro Starr, who he is a fan of. “They made their cornerstones.” He explained telling Keith, “Let these young guys do what they do, and just continue with your career.” Evaluating, Redman weighed in, “Fredro did a good job! […] Fredro came there to battle.” Despite working with Keith for nearly 25 years, the MC candidly declared, “I knew he’d get up there and show his ass.” Red’ added that he found the battle production hilarious, from Keith’s repeating lyrics to make sure they were heard to microphones falling apart to the referees dressed like NFL officials. Questioning the possibility of Keith—another Def Jam alum—losing status in a 20-plus year career, Redman clarified, “He kinda redeemed himself in the BET Cypher.

Combat Jack asks Redman if he would battle. “I’m not built for goin’ to find little details,” said the Gilla House founder of today’s Battle Rap tactics. “If we had to just go on skills, cool. But I’m not with all that.” However, Redman says that he declines all battling offers. At the possibility of a $3 million purse, the Newark, New Jersey veteran joked, “For $3 million, I’ll battle Jesus.”

The Garden State also elicits another interesting part of the discussion. Redman professed his support of Fetty Wap. “I try not to be biased. When we came in the game, we had the generation before us talkin’ too: ‘Who’s these guys with the fuckin’ Timberland boots, smokin’ blunts, [wearing] afros and shades?’ But we proved ourselves to be that era to be pivotal, of elevation—we elevated from the era before us. First of all, you’ve got to understand what [New] Jersey’s about. Jersey’s a state that was always overshadowed by you mothafuckas: New York.” He continued, “We was always fightin’ for that balance from y’all.” Redman said that even when he would run into the late Whitney Houston—who was quite a fan—there was a respect surrounding artists from NJ. “We support our own to continue that movement of shining […] Big up to Fetty Wap; he’s doin’ what the new generation do, and he’s staying relevant.”

Also in this hour-plus chat, Redman reveals that he does DJ dates regularly, but only overseas. He claims to have made $250,000 from doing the same thing that got his career started. Later on though, he dropped some severe wisdom: “The money comes second, but do it for the love.” Also in the discourse, Redman explains the love Damon Dash showed Red & Meth over the years, and gives a candid take on Meek Mill vs. Drake, and why Canada produces amazing Hip-Hop talent.

Going out in style, Combat Jack and A-King ask Redman for his “non-Hall Of Fame” Top 5 MCs. This excludes the usual suspects.

Just Blaze Gives Away His Early 2000s Drum Sounds…For Free Download

Between 2000 and 2005, producer Just Blaze made iconic songs with the likes of Jay Z, Fabolous, The Game and Freeway. The Patterson, New Jersey native DJ/producer worked closely with Roc-A-Fella Records, in addition to launching his own production company, F.O.B. Entertainment.

Although Just’s breakthrough sound is often associated with higher pitched vocal samples, the artist was also arranging drums in a way that helped Roc in particular establish a trademark feel. Several phases further into his career, J.B. has made a download of his drum samples available, for free.

Just promised fans that he would do this if Run The Jewels’ Meow The JewelsKickstarter campaign was met. El-P and Killer Mike have since achieved funding, so their collaborator and friend has now upheld his part of the promise.

BREAKING: Deadly explosion hits Yola; many feared killed.

An explosion suspected to be from an improvised Explosive Device, IED, has just occurred at a Motor Park in Yola, Adamawa State in Nigeria.

A witness, Mohammed Danasabe, told PREMIUM TIMES that the explosion was so loud it could be heard all over the city.

He said many people were killed, but could not give a figure.

“I am currently at the scene and we are helping to evacuate injured to the Hospital, there are many dead bodies all over the place,” he said.

The scene of the blast is close to the main vegetable market in the town and the explosion occurred as traders were closing for the day and rushing home, Mr. Dansabe said.

Yola has been hit by two deadly bomb attacks this year, with more than 50 people killed.

The last attack occurred in October.

INDIANA PASTOR'S WIFE SLAIN IN HOME ROBBERY

INDIANAPOLIS - Friends and family of Amanda Blackburn gathered at Resonate Church at a memorial Sunday evening.

Blackburn, a pastor's wife who was 13 weeks pregnant, was killed when a male suspect broke into their home. Her friends and family are encouraged to share short stories about how Amanda impacted their lives here.

Investigators believe home surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect after he burglarized a nearby home, police said.

Detectives are asking the public to help them identify the suspect. The video shows a black male, wearing a hoodie, with a medium to light-brown complexion, slim to medium build and between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-9, City police Capt. Craig Converse said.

"We know who killed her. At least we have a picture of him, but we don't know the name," he said.

Earlier in the day, Blackburn's husband, Pastor Davy Blackburn, announced that he will hold church services this Sunday.

On his Facebook page, Blackburn thanked the members of Resonate Church for their love and support and said there would be a special service remembering his wife on Sunday night.

"We are going to have church this Sunday, just like we always do. In addition to meeting together at our normal service times, we are going to focus on celebrating Amanda's life later Sunday afternoon. Please join me at Traders Point Christian Church at 5:00pm. We are going to worship, share the gospel through sharing Amanda's story, laugh together and cry together," he wrote.

The pastor also called on church members to bring their friends and neighbors to the service.

Her heart would be that you invite as many people as possible to this celebration service that do not know the Lord. Amanda's story has attracted national news. I know that Jesus is going to make good come from this, so in the event someone from the media tries to speak with you, simply respond by asking everyone to join us in prayer for my family. You can let them know that we have extremely heavy hearts and although we are hurting tremendously, we are still hoping and believing that great things are still yet to come," he wrote.

Amanda Blackburn, 28, was shot in the head during the attack Tuesday morning and died the next day. She was 13 weeks pregnant, and the child did not survive, family spokeswoman Suzanne Swift said. The Blackburns also have a 15-month-old son, who Converse said was upstairs in a crib at the time of the attack.

Investigators believe the suspect, whom neighbors also reported seeing walking in the area, may have seen Blackburn's husband, leave home about 6:10 a.m. Tuesday to go to a gym. That was shortly after the suspect allegedly burglarized a nearby house.

Davey Blackburn discovered his wounded wife when he returned home about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

At least three security cameras at other homes - including one inside the burglarized home - captured images of the suspect in what is a normally quiet neighborhood on the city's northwest side near the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Maj. Eric Hench said police planned to release an image of the suspect.

A neighbor heard possible gunshots between 6:45 a.m. and 6:55 a.m. Tuesday and home security video shows a dark SUV speeding from the neighborhood, Hench said. Because "sizeable" televisions and a laptop were taken from the burglarized house, he said investigators believe those items "were likely loaded into a vehicle," suggesting that others might have been involved.

But, Hench said, it's unclear if the SUV seen in video footage is connected to the crimes.

Hench also said the suspect had left evidence behind and issued a statement directed at that person.

"You're not as good as you think you are. You left behind evidence, we have found it and we will find you and we will not stop until we get you," he said.

Amanda and Davey Blackburn moved from South Carolina to found the independent Resonate Church in 2012. Both are children of pastors.

The Rev. Charles Harrison, the leader of a black ministers group called the Ten Point Coalition that works to fight crime in Indianapolis, urged the public Friday to come forward with any information on Amanda Blackburn's killing. He said residents need to overcome the "code of silence" that prevents some from approaching law enforcement with tips.