R&B crooner D’Angelo has been absent from the spotlight for years, but he reappeared this weekend in police custody.
The Grammy winner, 36, was arrested Saturday around 2:30 a.m. after allegedly offering an undercover policewoman $40 for oral sex while driving through New York City’s West Village, according to the New York Post.
D’Angelo, born Michael Archer, spotted a woman he took to be a prostitute. He was arrested and charged with solicitation after asking the woman for sex, sources report. He had $12,000 stored in his Range Rover.
The arrest comes as he is recording his third studio album, the first since 2000’s platinum-selling Voodoo. It’s been a looooong time since the “Untitled” days. Who would have ever thought D’ANGELO would have to be soliciting sex?!
“Oh please, not another teen boy group,” I doubted to myself as I arrived on to the scene of where our interview would be taking place. I was sadly mistaken when I walked into the dull room that was suddenly lit up by five smooth talking gentleman. My initial reaction was, “do we really need you guys, you know another boy band, it’s 2010!” Each member kept steady eye contact and immediately answered my question, “of course,” they all said, one member continued “I think there is a void for it, a lot of our parents grew up on a lot of different groups as far as The Temptations, New Edition, Boyz II Men and that trend is missing right now, and I think the kids of this generation needs somebody like a New Edition to be the New Edition of this generation.” I was completely impressed by their answer and proceeded with the interview. They individually introduced their-selves to me, each in their own charming demeanor. I learned the names and ages of each member, Sincere 18, Choirboy 20, Lucky 18, Fashun 21, D-nyce 22, and was ready to have some fun!
Lathleen:What are your nationalities? Especially you (pointing at Sincere with the long wavy hair)
Sincere: Especially me? I’m whatever these ladies want me to be. What do you want me to be? (smiling)
Lathleen: I don’t know. You look Puerto Rican.
Sincere: Then I’ll be Puerto Rican (smiling).
Lathleen: Who inspires you guys?
Group: The Temptations, New Edition, Michael Jackson, Jay-z.
Lathleen: What seperates you guys from B2K, 112, DAY 26, what makes you different?
Choirboy: Well, Final Draft is a diverse group anyway, we have a rapper, the Hip Hop side of our group, we have a Pop and R&B edge, so that’s what makes us really different, there’s five of us, each of us have a role in the group. We have an emcee and two lead singers.
Final Draft with Juelz Santana
Lathleen: How long have you been singing and rapping?
Group: Final Draft has been together for four years.
Lathleen: So you guys opened for Ciara, what was that like?
D-Nyce: Oh! it was great looking at Ciara’s…. I mean….(LAUGHTER) nah it was a good show. It was a very new experience to see how the crowd embraced us, it was a wonderful show.
Lathleen: Do you like performing?
Group: We love it! Seeing the reaction that our music gives people. That’s what we love so much.
Final Draft with Russell Simmons
Lathleen: Whatprojects are you guys working on?
Group: The album, the album comes out April 13th, self-titled Final Draft……we also write and produce…. and also our video just came out on 106 and park.
Lathleen: What was that like seeing your video on 106 and park?
Group: It was a very surreal moment, seeing all the work that had to be done, the effort that the whole team put behind it, then to see the final product on tv for the whole world to see, it was a very proud moment.
Lathleen: Do you guys get compared to anybody?
Sincere: Yeah New Edition. Shout out to our management!
Lathleen: Anything else you want Hip Hop Weekly readers to know about you?
Group: Our video for our new single, our hot single, “Get At Cha” it just debuted on 106 and park as the new joint of the day, they can go and vote to get it on the countdown or they can text FIN TO 79922 or they can go to www.bet.com/106andpark select vote and select your boys Final Draft.
In the anxious crowd, we all talked amongst ourselves as we all awaited the arrival of Queens rapper Consequence otherwise known as Cons. Cons started making his mark in the industry in 1993 when he made an appearance on A Tribe Called Quest’s 1993 album Midnight Marauders. A decade later he released a popular mixtape Take ‘Em To The Cleaners, which was the spark that got into the ears of super producer Kanye West. After being featured on West’s first and second album, West signed Cons to his G.O.O.D Music label, despite the fact that it has been noticeable that Cons has been a major influence towards West’s style and music.
The confident Consquence finally arrived, immediately taking a seat next to Power 105.1’s Steph Lova for an exclusive interview. During the interview he introduced new music off his new mixtape Movies on Demand not to be confused with his new album Cons TV which he also played new music for. The rapper was so hyped about the new project that he immediately jumped out of his seat, rhyming along to each record that was played. “I’m gonna crack a n*gga ass this year,” Cons informed the crowd during the session. The new music blew the crowd away including myself. Cons also addressed the rumors of jealousy that he may have towards Kanye West’s success. “As long as I’m happy I’m successful,” he continued “Kanye West strongly influenced Drake, Kanye West strongly influenced Kid Cudi, but it’s love though, because that’s what music is suppose to do..one thing nobody can take away from Kanye is that Kanye is probably the hardest working man..that’s a tireless effort that you put forth.” Cons interacted with the crowd informing us to brace ourselves because he is ready to take the industry by storm with his new music, “you are only as good as the obstacles you overcome,” he said.
Catering to the streets and the mainstream entertainment scene with a balance to give them both what they want, Shreveport, Louisiana, Rapper, Producer and CEO of So Slimm Entertainment, S. Fresh is poised to make a major impact on the scene. The Grambling State University honors graduate has collaborated with some of the hottest rappers, Juvenille, Webbie and Jim Jones, to name a few. An opening act for great talents such as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and Plies, S. Fresh’s captivating lyrics coupled with his unique delivery has gained him respect and attention of the masses. S. Fresh’s 2009 lead single, “Ask Dem”, featuring Lil Boosie made quite a buzz within the online hip-hop community, leaving people to – well, ask about him.
Being consistent and keeping things balanced, the southern hip hop MC, is in it to win it in 2010. Expected to release his new single, “I’m On” along with the streets track, “Venom” featuring Rick Ross and “Boss Chick” featuring Lola Luv and Lloyd, the entrepreneur states, “I’m bringing something fresh to the game and I want people to feel my story”. S. Fresh will surpass people asking about him to people knowing about him in 2010.
*HHW/ DigiWaxx Exclusive: Behind The Scenes footage: S. Fresh feat. Lloyd and Lola Luv – Boss Chick
Since the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident, we haven’t been seeing much of Mr. West lately. However, it looks like he is slowly making his glorious return. Earlier this week, Kanye West launched his new fun filled blog which can be found at www.kanyewest.com. The exotic blog features everything from girlfriend Amber Rose to tribal african artwork. He also did an interesting post on the red shirt he wore for the “We Are the World” music video, a tribute to Michael Jackson.
The blog wasn’t the only new release. “Coldest Winter”, the music video, has arrived, a track off his latest album 808’s & Heartbreaks. The video was directed by Nabil Elderkin. “It’s pretty minimalistic. It’s slow and very visual. I just wanted to catch the vibe of the song and not get too literal,” he told MTV news. We hope to see a fifth studio album from the rapper this year.
While the paternity test has not confirmed whether Mathew Knowles is the father of his mistress, Alexsandra Wright’s recently born son, a judge has ordered Beyonce’s father to pay over $20,000 in support.
According to TMZ, Knowles was first ordered to pay $8,200 a month in child support, retroactive to February 1, and uninsured medical costs. At a hearing earlier this week, he was then asked to pay $20, 750 for the month of January !
Knowles maintains he is not the father but, sources say he gave Wright $10,000 last month to cover baby related items. Another hearing is slated to take place once the paternity results come in (after March 1).
Join us this Saturday at the Night Hotel (located at 132 W. 45TH STREET between 6th and 7th Aves). GoodGirlPR and Hip Hop Weekly present Secret Society. The cozy location will be filled with positive energy and ambitious industry professionals. Music by the fabulous Dj Nickiee, you must be confirmed to attend, so please RSVP at RSVP@GoodGirlPR.com
Inside Report from Haitian Performers Organizing and Delivering Support for their Native Land: Jimmy Rosemond, Wyclef’s Sister Melky Jean
Wyclef’s sister, Melky Jean, gives a first-hand account of conditions on the ground in her native country. Jimmy Rosemond , Redd Eyez and Black Da-da pour out their hearts in song. More in this issue!
Celebs Tell All About their Heartthrobs and Heartless Lovers! What Performer Got the Gifts of a Lifetime? Whose Boyfriend Gave her Gifts Away to Another Woman?
Editor-at-Large Cynthia Horner corners celebs and gets their heartfelt and heartbreaking most memorable Valentine’s Day memories! Read the juicy stories in the new issue of Hip Hop Weekly on newsstands now!
It’s been a hard year to say the least for Willie and the rest of the members of Day 26. From the ever so controversial removal of Qwanell ‘Que’ Mosley – to the departure of Day 26 from the Bad Boy roster to Atlantic Records. It’s hard to stay grounded in an ever so changing industry that can eat you alive. “For me, they came at me early, says Willie. When I first got into the game I realized that any kind of way they could have hit me, they did. You have to be built to have thick skin coming from a normal lifestyle to this type of environment. People are going to talk about you regardless, so you have to learn to brush it off.”
Willie took time out of his schedule to speak with Hip Hop Weekly about love, life and sex (tape, that is).
ON THE CONCEPT OF THE SEXTAPE – “I definitely didn’t step away from Day 26. We are getting ready to get back in the studio in a week and a half in Atlanta for our third studio album under Atlantic Records. I had a little time on my hands and I’ve been writing, just as long as singing. I figured this would be a way to showcase my writing. The ‘SexTape’ topic was before made the band and I had been moving in that direction in the first place. It all came together and it just happened to Valentine’s Day was the next holiday and the perfect time to drop.”
ON THE NUDE PHOTOS – “Somebody hacked into an old e-mail. This was a long time ago when we were first shooting the first Making the Band in Miami. You know how it is when you spend a lot of time away from my family. This was a way to keep us sane while we were apart. But, it was definitely not made for the world to see. I was like, Wow, people really did that. It hurt, but at the end of the day got to keep it moving.
ON JEREMIH – That’s my cousin. We have been working on a couple of things. Might just hold back and wait but we did a record together called “Last Call” that was serious. But then we realized that it didn’t go in the direction of where the mixtape was headed.
ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH DIDDY – Me and Diddy have a cool relationship. He checks in on us to find out where we are at mentally. I learned to watch from him while I’m working. I want to be clear that he doesn’t act like he’s a millionaire. He grinds like how I did when I didn’t have any money at all – Like he doesn’t have as much money as he really does. I’ve learned from the best. I’m looking forward to exploring different types of things. I’m a big entertainment type of dude. I’m looking forward to modeling and acting, as well as continuing to run the label. (Noivac Music Group – his son’s name spelled backwards)
ON THE COMPARISON TO TREY AND OTHER ARTISTS. “Trey is my homie. At the end of the day I don’t feel like it’s a comparison type of situation. I’m a big supporter of his music, but we are a different breed, not to be compared. Not in a bad way. Just two different lanes – I don’t see the comparison.
HIS MUSICAL INFLUENCES – Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Babyface (both as a writer and a vocalist).
MOST PLAYED IN HIS IPOD: R Kelly, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion, Jeremih, Jay Z, Kanye West.
HIS PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY – “I’m about to pop that SexTape in and get it cracking. ::Laughs:: Nah, but I have a big performance coming up on Monday. I really have got to get the performance together. I might just be a Walgreens type of dude this year. Get the flowers, card and candy and celebrate later in the week”
Willie’s mixtape entitled “SEX TAPE” will be available exclusively and for free on his website on Sunday, February 14, 2010.
