Here’s A Tribe Called Quest performing “Scenario” live with the LOTS on the Arsenio Hall show back in 199something. This is one of the most classic of classic TV performances in hip-hop history. I remember watching this shit live and jumping around and doing that “high knee stepping” dance that they’re doing. (Sidebar: This move was all the rage in the early 90’s and would be ultimately perfected by Treach). This performance was pretty much ahead of it’s time, and Arsenio was the shit because he let hip-hop acts perform on his show when nobody else would give them the time of day…

Also, Check out Busta Rhymes doing his best Where’s Waldo impersonation.

…But evidentially they answer them. Weezy sits down with Katie Curic (also something gangsters obviously do) for an All Access Grammy Special, which will be airing before the Grammy show. This is a preview of the interview that is sure to rock the nation. Or not.

Regardless, I think Wayne is off his rocker, and I don’t think the mainstream world is ready for that. This will be interesting.

Here’s a free download of the new project between El Prez and Dale Danja called the Perfect Strangers EP. It features appears from FCC fam, including Convinced, Tunji, Chris Focus, Shawn Chrystopher, DNEZ & C-San, as well as the song the world is talking about, “Hammerman.”

HHO will be dropping an exclusive live performance of that song later today. So come back for your FCC fix.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM HERE.

Hip Hop Official is sponsoring the FCC Lift Off event featuring Convinced, El Prez, Chris Focus, and Inverse. It’s going to be off the hook, we’ll be there covering all the festivities. The event marks the official launch of the Fresh Coast Collective, the Mass Appeal 2009 Remix, and DJ Spintellect’s Terminator Mixtape, and El Prez and Dale Danja’s Perfect Strangers Ep. I’m telling you, too much to cram into one night, but we’re going to make it happen. And in case you don’t know, E-Dub has the rundown on the dress code. Yes, fools, wear a collar and leave the fitted at home.

Here’s a collabo gem that will appear on a project called “The Live & Direct Show” which is being put out by Stenge-O-Matic from the groups Anotha Level. Yes, THAT Anotha Level. The Live and Direct Show will also features T.I., Glasses Malone, Akon and many more. Check for that to drop Feb 19th.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon ft. Ghostface & Crooked I - “Yes Sir”

Q-Tip? Yes, Busta Rhymes? Yup. Raekwon? Fo Sho. Lil Wayne? Why the hell not. Q-Tip enlists some heavy hitters to remix one of my favorite joints on The Renaissance. This is a heat rock. I love when remixes make sense.

DOWNLOAD: Q-Tip ft. Busta Rhymes, Raekwon, and Lil Wayne - “Renaissance Rap” (Remix)

The Cypress Hill front man sits down with HHO to talk about breaking out on his own to drop his new (and first) solo album, Smoke N Mirrors. Damn, it’s crazy to me that B-Real has never dropped a solo joint until now. I’m looking forward to this one, been a Cypress an since day one. You can’t be from L.A. and not get down with Cypress. B-Real’s album hits stores Feb 24, 2009 on Duck Down Records. It promises to be very “uplifting.”

*I apologize in advance for the spotty audio. Something happened during the recording process and we lost the clean tracks. Please don’t hold it against us. Hip Hop Official always brings you that quality production.

We’ve all heard stories of rock stars having crazy demands when they perform: a bowl of all green M&Ms, warm ice, KFC, 40 blonde virgins. Well you can add Lil Wayne to the list of musicians who have an outlandish tour rider that lists off ridiculous request after ridiculous request. Who knows if he does this to fuck with promoters, or his head has gotten too big for his own good. Regardless, it’s entertaining. Here are some of his demands, as reported by The Smoking Gun, who got their hands on an actual copy of Weezy tour rider. It’s not so much that’s it weird shit, but outlandish requests that make it seem like his fame has gone to his Codeined up head. To see the entire document, go here. Here are some of the highlights:

-Half his of six-figure fee IN CASH BEFORE the show.

-Demands that he be lodged in the “Presidential Suite” of a “5 star hotel.” His room must be at least 1000 square feet, and the living room and bedroom have to be separated by a door.

-Promoters must also be prepared to provide a “chartered Lear JET” for Lil Wayne and his entourage.

-The performer’s dressing room needs to be “without oder” and stocked with two bottles of Hennessy cognac (”XO Only!!!”), 2 Liters of Grey Goose, 2 bottles of Patron Platinum. He also requires two bottles of Perrier-Jouet champagne, though his people need to brush up on the spelling of “Perrier.”

-As for security, Lil Wayne needs a two-vehicle police escort from the airport, and to and from the hotel and the concert venue.

-Four off-duty cops must accompany him during these travels (while most rappers seek to distance themselves from law enforcement, Lil Wayne describes this rider entry as a “MANDATORY REQUIREMENT!!!”).

- While touring overseas, Lil Wayne requires around-the-clock security provided by “FOUR (4) ARMED PERSONNEL.”

-He also has a specific sound set up that he requires. He wont just use the shit already installed in the club. If you don’t have what he wants, you need to buy it.

Murs has revealed the roster for the 2009 Paid Dues show in San Bernadino, California. It goes down March 28 a the Nos Events Center. Atmosphere will be headlining the event, and the independent monster Tech N9ne will be featured for the first time at a Guerilla Union event. Blu and Exile are also performing, which will sure to please a ton of cali heads. The rest of the lineup includes:

ATMOSPHERE, TECH N9NE, LIVING LEGENDS, BROTHER ALI, B-REAL, GROUCH & ELIGH, CAGE, BLU & EXILE, EYEDEA & ABILITIES, LMNO, DJ VAL THE VANDAL, VERBS AND THE BAYLIENS; and will be hosted by 2MEX.

Tonight at the Key Club in Los Angeles. HHO will be there to cover the event. Will you be?