The Hip Hop Report
Episode 19: Alicia Keys, Ray Lavender, Pras

Video Transcript:

HIP HOP REPORT
Episode 19: Alicia Keys, Ray Lavender, & Pras of the Fugees

Coming up on this episode of the Hip Hop Report…multi-talented superstar Alicia Keys readies for her up coming album “As I Am” and teams with Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry on a new film. Konvict Music unleashes sexy R&B newcomer Ray Lavender and Pras of the Fugees experiences homelessness on Skid Row. All that and more coming up next on the Hip Hop Report.

Singer, songwriter, musician and actress is just a few titles held by Ms. Alicia Keys. The multi-talented mega star made a huge impact in music when she dropped her 2001 debut “Songs In A Minor.” It sold over 235,000 copies within a week of its release and eventually went on to sell 11 million worldwide. Her second release didn’t do to shabby either in fact it debuted at #1 selling over 600k copies in its first week. Ms. Keys is getting ready to release her 3rd effort titled “As I Am” which some critics describe as having a rock and funk edge. John Mayer, Timbaland and John Legend are just a few of the artists touching down on it. Alicia tells us who she’s most excited about working with on her new album:

ALICIA KEYS: “…Linda Perry is the most interested in working with on this new album.…”

Alicia is also making her mark on the big screen. Her and rapper Common made their big acting debut in Smokin’ Aces and she just completed her role as Lynette in the romantic comedy, The Nanny Diaries and it don’t stop there, Academy Award winning actress and film producer Halle Berry tapped Alicia to play the lead role of biracial child prodigy Phillipa Schuyler, in a film called Compositions In Black and White. Ms Keys tells us more about it:

ALICIA KEYS: “…I’m going to working on the film COMPOSITIONS IN BLACK AND WHITE with Halley Berry….”

In addition to being an incredible talent, Alicia is involved in several humanitarian efforts including Keep A Child Alive, an organization that provides life saving AIDS medicines directly to children and families living with AIDS in Africa. Ms. Keys shares her opinion on artist responsibility:

VIDEO CLIP: ALICIA KEYS – “I think it’s a personal thing. But I do think as Artist from the beginning that’s what’s we’ve always been about kind of being the voice of the People. From Curtis Mayfield, Like Nina Simone, & Marvin Gaye These are the people that were the voice of what was happening around us. When every one else who work so hard everyday doesn’t’ have that platform. So I do think that is really important for us to stand for something. To say what’s going on and express our feelings and really have a vision where we want to take our communities cause we have so much more power that we really understand. And once we recognize the power we have in size to really change what every we want to change….

Look for Alicia’s forthcoming projects The Nanny Diaries in theatres Sept 2007 and her 3rd album “As I Am” in stores October 23rd 2007


R&B singer Ray Lavender is stirring up some controversy with his racy debut single “My Girls Gotta Girlfriend.” The Atlanta Georgia native says he’s been catchin’ some heat behind the new song.

RAY LAVENDER: “ I was inspired by 2 girls kissing for the song “MY GIRL GOTTA GIRLFRIEND”

Ray gives us a sample of “My Girl’s Gotta Girlfriend”

RAY LAVENDER: – “I just got off from work
its 1:30
I'm kinda hungry
plus i know my girl lonely
Goin back to my crib
its kinda early
Surprised my girl because i know she waitin'
I opened the front door
I hear moanin
Fa real somebody
I'm finna kill somebody
Then i get closer
i hear groanin
Bust in the door and see my girl wit a chick
Thats when i know that
[Chorus]
My girl gotta girlfriend
I just found out but its aight
Long as i can be wit her too
My girl gotta girlfriend
It really is not a problem
Cuz ima make it do what it do
Cuz havin 2 chicks is better than no chicks
I'd rather just join in
Keep my girl and keep the other one too
My girl gotta girlfriend
It really is not a problem [shawtyy]
Cuz ima make it do what it do…”


The sexy R&B newcomer, the first artist to sign with Akon’s Konvict Music label, admits he’s a ladies man and his forthcoming debut album “X-Rayted” which is described as “sexy R&B”, was executive produced by Akon. Ray tells us how he and the Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B star hooked up:

RAY LAVENDER: I met Akon right after my Dad died in 1996. It was like God took someone from and gave me someone else…..” We started messing then he went to jail then I joined a group but that Didn’t work out.”

Look for Ray Lavender’s “X-Rayted” due out this Fall.

(Video Clip - Scarface & 2pac: “Smile for me”)

Fugee’s member Pras recently completed a documentary called “Skid Row” where he lived as a homeless man for 9 days in Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Reportedly, LA has the largest stable homeless population in the country. The film was produced to bring awareness to homelessness and is available on Screen Media Films. In other Fugee news, Pras reports that although the hip hop trio recorded some pretty banging music in the latter part of 2006, chances of a reunion are dead. Lauryn has been estranged from the group for quite awhile and her recent behavior during her solo performances reportedly had fans demanding refunds. Lets keep hope alive!

That’s it for this episode of the Hip Hop Report – catch us back her for more news, more music and all things hip hop! Peace!


Email us at: hiphopreport@mspot.com

Alex Mejia
Editing and production
Audiomainframe.com

Felcia “The Poetess” Morris
Vocal and Content
Poetessmedia.com

Alfonso Amey
Animation & Prodcution
Animatedassassin.com