Rap Radar

Now that Jay and Kanye’s “Otis” has been released, Billboard reached out to Otis Redding’s daughter, Karla Redding-Andrews to discuss how the sample was cleared and her views of the song.

When did you first hear about “Otis”?
We first heard about the song in early July, end of June. Concord Music Group has the masters and Bill Belmont and Michele Smith from Concord brought it to us. There was a back and forth about whether the name of the song would be “Otis” or “Otis Redding.” And we just wanted to make sure lyrics and references in the song worked with the legacy of my father. To have two current, legendary artists use the legendary music of Otis Redding-we were quite honored.

Late June to now — that’s a pretty quick turnaround, isn’t it?
It was pretty fast and all came together really quick. With these talented musicians they have so many songs. It’s not until it comes time to pull together a project and they know what songs are going to be on the album that they look to get all the clearances before the song leaks. They brought it to us first and we really appreciate that respect.

Did you ever meet with Jay-Z or West during the process?
No, we never met with them. It all went through the record companies. That’s the nature of the business and it’s probably better that way. [If we met with them], we would probably bring more personal considerations into it. But this is a wonderful opportunity. We really like the song and the swagger elements that are in the song. It speaks to the star that Otis was in his day.

i recorded this song B4 vickileekx and never put it out. its a unfinished demo. R.I.P A.M.Y.

In the wake of Amy Winehouse’s death, M.I.A. tells a story of a friend who was in trouble with drugs and alcohol. Yesterday, the 27- year-old singer was found dead in her London home.

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Jay and Kanye’s instrumental continues to make its rounds and next up, the Virginia MC, Skillz takes his turn for his latest freestyle.

Featuring various clips of the great ‘Pac, The Outlawz keeps his memory alive with the visual aid to their tribute track. Their official last album, Perfect Timing happens September 13.

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Before Rakim and Nas commanded the stage at Paul’s #PR40 last night, EPMD warmed things up. In between the Green Eyed Bandit’s gripes, the brothers from Brentwood performed “You’re A Customer” amongst other hits. Earlier Craig G and Dane Dane did their one-two thang. Great camera work Dark Nyte.

Flanked by the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, hometown hero Nas hit the stage and performed a few classics for Paul Rosenberg’s #PR40. Peep Dark NYte‘s footage of “N.Y. State Of Mind” and “The World Is Yours”. EPMD up next.

As previously mentioned, Rakim was one of the surprise guests last night at Paul Rosenberg’s #PR40 Birthday Bash. In this clip, he performs “Eric B. Is President”, “Microphone Fiend”, and “Follow The Leader.”

Britney Spears’ The Femme Fatale tour stopped at the American Airlines Arena in Miami last night and during Nicki’s performance, she brought out Sean Kingston to perform their collabo, “Letting Go (Dutty Love)”. This was his first time back on stage since his jet ski accident. Welcome back, kid.

It seems as if Jay-Z has more freestyles than ‘Pac had on lock stash. Here’s another one he recorded back in 1995 with Power 105.1′s DJ Self. Young Hov, for real.

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This past week, Noreaga took it back to his second home, to perform at QB Park. Up top is some footage of him rocking some classics from his discography. After the jump, video of Funk Flex on the 1s & 2s.

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