Update on ATL Rapper Dolla Murder

The lawyer for the alleged killer of Atlanta rapper Dolla said surveillance footage from the mall where Monday’s shooting occurred will prove his client’s innocence.

Los Angeles attorney Howard Price said Aubrey Berry, of Snellville, was acting in self-defense when he shot Dolla repeatedly with a 9 mm handgun.

“He believed [Dolla] was armed,” said Price, who alleges Berry was followed to the scene of the shooting by the victim. According to Los Angeles police, Dolla, born Roderick Anthony Burton II, was unarmed. Price insists it’s coincidental that the two men flew to the same city and ate at the same restaurant (P.F. Chang’s China Bistro) on the same date and time.

“He [Berry] was there [at P.F. Chang’s] first,” said Price, who has not yet seen the surveillance videos. Berry, a music promoter, was dining with associates when he encountered Dolla in the restaurant’s bathroom, the lawyer said.

There, “a threat was made” by the rapper, Price said. Berry’s associates told him he should leave because of Dolla’s affiliation with the Crips street gang, he said.

As his client waited for his car in the Beverly Center’s valet area, Dolla and his cousin, Wilbert Robinson, and another friend, Sidiq Abawi, confronted Berry, Price said.

“He [Berry] believed he was in danger,” the lawyer said.

Berry responded with a flurry of bullets, hitting Dolla multiple times in the back.

The shooting stems from an altercation roughly two weeks earlier at an Atlanta strip club, Platinum 21, Price said.

“Mr. Berry inadvertently bumped into a woman he didn’t know,” the lawyer said. The woman’s identity is unknown. “It was a stupid, silly incident that should’ve never escalated to this point.”

Dolla’s stepfather, George Viera, said the rapper was in Los Angeles planning a birthday party for his longtime girlfriend, Crystal Jackson. In a case full of alleged coincidences, here’s another: Jackson, Viera said, attends Clark Atlanta University. Berry recently graduated from Clark, according to a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney prosecuting the case.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Get Signed

A Dolla and A Dream

Another rapper loses his life. What goes on in the minds of people who commit these crimes? Are they punishing the victim? I don't think so...the victim is no longer here. Does anybody feel me on this?

Obama in Atlanta

I have been away for a few days but I'm back. This next post isn't really music related, but I wanted to help spread our president's message.

I Have The Recipe

When I hear a song for the first time, I ususally know right away if it's going to be a smash. Sometimes I'm wrong but 90% of the time I am correct. What let's me know a song is a hit...the song's ingredients. Check out this example. Take Ne-Yo's song "So Sick". It didn't sound like anything on the radio at that time. The production was different and the lyrics were unique. The song also appealed to women. Can't go wrong with that. I don't think Ne-Yo set out to create something similar to the millions of cookie cutter songs out there. He didn't fall into the "I want a song like Joe Smoe" mode that most artists give in to. I guess the point of this post is to say that the music industry lacks creativity as a whole. Who wants to buy music if every song sounds the same. I also think that many of the established and big artists in the game will fall off if they don't change their recipe. Ok, you sold millions in the past but if you become predictable, fans will stop buying your music. Eminem has a formula. Rick Ross has a formula. Ja Rule had a formula. I expected Eminem's new record, "We Made You". This song takes shots at people and is radio friendly, not to mention a funny video. He is following his normal formula. His next single will probably be something serious or dark like "Stan". If that works, ride it until the wheels fall off. But don't get stuck like Ja Rule...he can't put the wheels back on. I'm not saying anything is wrong with this but how long will the fans stick around. I feel that artists should mix it up a little. Lil Wayne is doing rock. The fans will check this out even if it's out of curiosity. Kanye's recent album was different. Most of 2Pac's albums were different than the previous one. Get the picture.

Listen to the Track Byatch!!!!

As of lately, I have read alot of articles in which individuals give their top 5 MCs of all time, their top 10 producers, etc. So I decided to do a list of my own. It's not the top anything but I have compiled a list of songs that may not be on anyone's top lists, but songs that I feel move me the most, songs that inspire me, and songs that you can ride to, smoke out to, and function as the perfect soundtrack to any house party or summertime cook out. Here we go.

Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
Too Short - Cocktails
Nas - If I Ruled the World
Luniz - Five On It
Fugees - Ready Or Not
Jay-Z - Can I Live
Outkast - Jazzy Belle Remix
Ghostface Killah - Fish
DMX - Slippin'
2Pac - Straight Ballin'
8 Ball & MJG - Space Age Pimpin
Juvenile - 400 Degreez
MC Eight - Straight Up Menace

Put these songs on a cd and I bet you won't hit fast forward once.

Three-Peat

There are so many music related sites on the internet that I stopped counting. You can sell your beats online, you can upload your music, and the list goes on and on. I am going to talk about three such sites that I actively visit the most.

1. PMP Worldwide (www.pmpworldwide.com)- This site allows you to post your beats and then you can submit your beats to upcoming projects for various artists. I submiited beats to Lil Scrappy, Diddy, and Playaz Circle to name a few. I have also been contacted by unsigned artists looking for production and contacted to submit to a couple of mixtapes. They also have a section for writers. The site is not free but its well worth the money in my opinion. There is a wealth of music industry information on the site.

2. Sonicbids (www.sonicbids.com) - This site helps you find gigs, submit music to music conferences and festivals, and enter different contests. You can sign up to be notified by email when a gig meets your predetermined criteria. This site is also not free but they do offer a free trial month.

3. Roc Battle (www.rocbattle.com) - This site was created by legendary producer Rockwilder. You can sell your beats and you can also battle your beats against other producers for money or bragging rights. The site offers a free account as well as a paid subscription. I have even purchased beats on this site. There are some really good producers here.