It’s fitting that Detroit singer/songwriter/producer Bei Maejor is playing the piano as Rap-Up.com enters the room. Judging by his prolific discography, the 24-year-old, born Brandon Green, is rarely away from an instrument or machine, having already etched out a prodigious career dating back to 2003.
In addition to his own mixtapes, which include volumes 1 and 2 of his popular Upside Down series, the Grammy-nominated artist has worked with everyone from Trey Songz and Keri Hilson to Soulja Boy and Wiz Khalifa. Maejor boosted his profile with the release of his J. Cole-assisted single “Trouble” earlier this year. Now, the versatile hitmaker is focusing on his RCA Records debut, scheduled for release next year.
Rap-Up.com spoke with the rising star about his early days, the definition of “upscale music,” his most surprising collaboration, and how his music has literally saved lives...

Three-time GRAMMY winner Ludacris, GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco and GRAMMY-winning duo Sugarland have been added to the lineup for "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night." Previously announced performers are country artist Jason Aldean and five-time GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, and two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J is once again set to host the one-hour special on Nov. 30 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.  is set to host the one-hour special on Nov. 30 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. The show, which will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees, will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 10–11 p.m. ET/PT.
The concert special marks the fourth time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Last year's airing of the nominations special led to increased ratings in all key demographics for the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast earlier this year, delivering the show's best ratings in all key measures in more than a decade.

Young Money rapper Tyga and Chris Brown changed the mixtape game with the success of the Grammy nominated single 'Deuces,' but now the young rapper is hoping to take the solo crown.
As one of the many buzzed about artists on YM's growing roster, the 21-year-old is just as anxious as his fans when it comes to unleashing his debut. "I think everybody has been waiting for that. I think it's about time," Tyga tells the BoomBox."I've been on a lot of big songs for other artists; it's my time to shine."
This summer marks the first time that the Los Angeles native will set out on a headlining show, for BET's '106 & Park' Closer to My Dreams tour, July 7, and plans on giving fans a more grown-up side on his sophomore album.
"It's real mature," Tyga reveals of his forthcoming LP. "I would say it's just more relaxed but at the same time it's still real rap music. I would say good music, period. I'm not an R&B singer but I wouldn't consider myself just a regular hip-hop rapper. It's just good music and it's something we can all relate to -- situations, different moods."
Working under Lil Wayne and Bryan "Birdman" Williams, Tyga couldn't help but soak up some of the secrets to success in an industry packed with a bevy of fleeting acts rather than focusing on longevity. "You gotta do it for yourself, you gotta make it so that people want you. A manager, a record label... they can't do none of that. You got to just make music and put it out and do shows, and be original."
Props to TheBoombox.com (07.08.11)

Over 10,000 people are calling on the Black Eyed Peas to end their support for a Spanish television show show that animal rights activists say abuses a chimpanzee.
Thousands of animal lovers signed a petition which was started by FAADA, an animal protection group based in Spain.
The group is accusing Spanish TV show Involución of animal abuse for exploiting a chimpanzee named “Darwin,” who acts out competitions with contestants on the show.
The petition, which can be found on Change.org, is being circulated internationally and is calling on the Black Eyed Peas to end their sponsorship of the show, since they are longtime supporters of PETA.
According to the petition, the chimpanzee is forced to perform through unnatural and abusive training methods.
“Chimpanzees used in the entertainment industry lead miserable lives,” said Stephanie Feldstein, Animals Editor for Change.org. “Fundación FAADA is giving Noah and other exploited chimpanzees like him a voice. Thousands of activists have joined them in asking the Black Eyed Peas to use their celebrity to help stop chimpanzee suffering.”
Props to AllHipHop.com (07.08.11)

Who runs the charts? This week it was all about Beyoncé, whose latest album 4 arrives in the top spot on the Billboard 200.
The fourth solo effort from the pop superstar enters at No. 1 with 310,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. 4 becomes Beyoncé’s fourth solo No. 1, making her the third act following Britney Spears and DMX to see their first four studio albums debut atop the Billboard 200.
The album, which includes the singles “Run the World (Girls) and “Best Thing I Never Had,” also claims the third-largest sales week of the year following Lady Gaga’s Born This Way (1.1 million) and Adele’s 21 (351,000).
4 is No. 1 throughout the world, including the U.K. where it sold 89,000 units in the first week, giving her her second No. 1 album in the country.
Despite the respectable numbers, the project is the lowest opening week of Beyoncé’s career. 2008’s I Am … Sasha Fierce entered with 482,000, B’Day bowed with 541,000 in 2006, and her debut Dangerously in Love arrived in 2003 with 317,000.
Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, Big Sean enters at No. 3 with 87,000 copies of his G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam debut Finally Famous.
Props to Rap-Up.com (07.07.11)

Bow Wow has revealed news he is now a father. The 24-year-old rapper-turned-film star opened up about his child in a letter to fans, which he posted on his official website.
The 'Madea's Big Happy Family' actor expressed the joy felt over finally being able to share the news with his loyal supporters. "...God gave me the illest gift of my life," Bow Wow wrote. "No lambo, no blk card nuffn ammounts to my lil girl. I waited so long to tell yall the truth because i was nervous on how yall would look at me. Yall know everyone makes a big deal out of everything i do. I wanted to be 1st n let yall know the real [sic]."
Over the past three years, Bow Wow battled inner demons, even contemplating suicide, which he detailed in the letter. "I felt like as a kid i did everything and saw everything too fast which spoiled my adult years [sic]," he revealed. But once his daughter was born, who he refers to as "Shai Shai," his perspective on life changed dramatically.
Bow Wow went on to admit he changes diapers ("Aint as bad as i thought hahaha") and spoke on the drama surrounding his relationship with Shai Shai's mother ("The bs that comes with having a baby momma is expected").
The Young Money/Cash Money member closed out the letter he penned by thanking his fans, which he hoped would continue to support him.
Props to TheBoombox.com (07.07.11)

Eminem has yet another accomplishment to add to the record books. The Detroit rapper has become the first artist ever to sell one million digital copies of an album in the U.S.
Recovery, the best-selling album of 2010, moves past the one million digital mark this week. The record-breaking feat comes only weeks after Em debuted at No. 1 with Hell: The Sequel, his collaborative EP with Royce Da 5’9”. This is the first time in the last five years an artist has landed two No. 1 albums within a one-year period.
“Recovery selling one million digital albums is an incredible achievement by an incredible artist,” stated Interscope Records’ Vice Chairman Steve Berman. “I have had the pleasure of working with Eminem throughout the course of his career, and I’m delighted to be a part of yet another milestone on his amazing journey.”
Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenberg also applauded his client. “We are thrilled to congratulate Eminem on the history-making digital sales success of Recovery,” said Rosenberg. “Over the years we’ve made a concerted effort to engage Em’s online fan base so this achievement is especially rewarding. Eminem made an amazing album with Recovery and the fans responded in record numbers.”
Props to Rap-Up.com (07.06.11)

Just weeks after a New York based inmate allegedly confessed to robbing Tupac Shakur in 1994, a man named Clayton Hill has reportedly come forward to confess who allegedly murdered The Notorious B.I.G. and speaks on his own involvement.
On June 8, former Nation of Islam member, Hill, contacted HipHopDX and confessed to being handed a semi-automatic handgun that was allegedly used in the shooting of B.I.G. on March, 1997.
According to a reported email exchange between Hills, 41, and HipHopDX, via CorrLinks, in mid-May 1997 Western Regional Minister from the Nation of Islam, Tony Muhammad, with the approval of Supreme Captain of the Southern Region, Abdul Sharrieff Muhammad, via Account Executive Brother Melvin Muhammad, ordered Hill to pick up Dawoud Muhammad from the Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Atlanta. Dawoud's name was kept from Hill till Dawoud introduced himself as such when meeting.
"[Dawoud Muhammad] stated to me that he was on the run for the murder [of The Notorious B.I.G.]," Hill told HipHopDx. "He disclosed that he was the shooter of The Notorious B.I.G. because he [Dawoud] was a former Blood gang member and was paid to do so."
Props to Billboard.com (07.06.11)

Over the weekend Alabama rapper and DX Next alum Yelawolf took to his Twitter account to express his frustration over the leak of “Gangster Of Love,” the first single off of his upcoming album RadioActive.
“Hey to who ever leaked Gangster of Love ... I BET ON YOURE cock sucking mother You won't show you're face round HERE !!! Say somethin? The difference between me and you is that I'll sit in jail .. Punk bitch Internet goons .. Wait till RadioActive drops .. GameOver,” said the rapper yesterday (July 3) on Twitter.
Just weeks ago Yelawolf revealed in a video with 3LittleDigs.com that the song, which features Atlanta rapper CyHi The Prynce, would be RadioActive’s first single.
The rapper may have even hinted at possibly leaving the social networking site because of the melee surrounding the “Gangster Of Love” leak.
“Good night twitter. Un follow me and tell you're friends I suck .. I don't give a fuck anymore .. I'm officially off line .. Love – Michael,” said Yelawolf. “To my fans ..the wolfpack I love you ALL .. And I'll stay in touch with you on yelawolf.com RadioActive drops September 27th .. Hallerrr.”
RadioActive will be released on Tuesday, September 27.
Props to HipHopDX.com (07.05.11)

"So the last shall be first, and the first, last."
So goes the passage from the book of Matthew in the King James Bible. But scripture wasn't on the mind of Island Def Jam/G.O.O.D. Music rapper Big Sean when he wrote "My Last," the lead single from his debut album, "Finally Famous," which was released June 28 as the first project to appear under G.O.O.D.'s new label deal with Island Def Jam. In fact, initially, Big Sean couldn't have been less interested in the track.
"At first, I didn't even want to do the song," the Detroit rapper born Sean Anderson, 23, says of "My Last," which was produced by legendary Chicago producer and mentor NO I.D (Jay-Z, Drake, Common, Lauryn Hill), who also handled the bulk of the production for the album. "[NO I.D.] said, 'Do you want to be a mixtape rapper forever, or do you want to make a song that people can really live to?' "
Sean chose the latter, securing Chris Brown for a chorus originally sung by Sean himself. Since then, "My Last" has taken on a life of its own. The track, which is No. 4 after 19 weeks on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, helped fuel excitement for "Finally Famous" and landed Sean his first appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The premise of "My Last" -- of living every moment like it is, in fact, your last-is a fitting introduction to an album that Big Sean fans have been waiting for since he signed with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label in late 2007. West, who serves as an executive producer on "Finally Famous," met Sean in 2005 when Sean ambushed him at a Detroit radio station to deliver an impromptu performance."
Props to Billboard.com (07.05.11)

World famous rappers Lil Wayne and Eminem have made the Guinness World Records, the company announced today (June 30th), to coincide with Social Media Day.
According to Guinness, Lil Wayne's Facebook page has the Most "Likes" on a Facebook Item.
The rapper's fans posted 668,198 comments, in response to a post made on February 15, 2011, challenging the previous record set by Oreo cookies.
Lil Wayne's fans took the award away from the iconic cookie brand by posting over a half-a-million comments, in less than 24 hours.
Eminem's official page is in the Top 5 pages on Facebook, with 42.5 million "Likes," alongside major brands like Facebook's own page, YouTube.com, Zynga and pop artist, Lady Gaga.
While these records were impressive Guinness world records is community manager Dan Barrett said that more records would be broken over the next five years.
"There's still a world of possibility in the social media space for new records as services emerge and existing ones increase their penetration," Barrett told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "There are a few landmark figures which will surely be passed in the next few years, who will be the first Twitter user to amass 100 million followers? Which Facebook page will be the first to reach 100 million likes? Whoever it is, you can be sure that Guinness World Records will be there to recognise all of these milestone achievements."
To check out more records, http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com.
Props to AllHipHop.com (07.04.11)

Planking is sweeping the nation and even some familiar faces are getting in on the action. The strange phenomenon involves lying face down in a public place and posting photos on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. For the perfect plank, make sure your body is straight, hands are by your sides, and toes are pointing to the ground.
Some of our favorite celebrity plankers include Joe Budden, who planked several times including once in the arm of a tractor; LeToya Luckett, who planked on a rock; Lloyd, who attempted to plank while getting a tattoo; and Usher’s two sons planking on a piano. But “Look at Me Now” producer Diplo may have the best plank yet while riding an elephant in Cambodia.
Check out more planking from Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Diggy Simmons, Game, Big Boi, Miguel, Big Sean, Bun B, Nick Cannon, and others.
Streetz Personalities Planking: Sadie | Will 2.0 | Marcel
Props to Rap-Up.com (07.04.11)

J. Cole has no plans of disappointing fans with his debut album, 'Cole World: The Sideline Story.' Despite the heavy anticipation for the release, Roc Nation's resident North Carolina MC is confident that he has put together a solid effort.
"I'm excited," Cole told the BoomBox of the impending LP, which is said to feature production from the likes of No I.D. and Danja. "It's just a new way of rapping, like soul ... playing cool. I'm trying to make that popular."
After several pushbacks, Cole officially announced the album title last month via his Twitter page. He also released his first single, 'Work Out,' a sample of Kanye West's 'New Workout Plan,' which was originally taken from the Paul Abdul song 'Straight Up.'
With a stamp of approval from Jay-Z, who announced Cole as the first signee to his Roc Nation imprint, the 26-year-old explained that he feels no pressure when it comes to living up to other people's expectations. "I can toot my own horn when I say that I have something special."
'Cole World: The Sideline Story,' hits stores Sept. 27.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.29.11)

Six weeks after the murder of Cali Swag District’s M-Bone, police are still looking for a suspect and continue to hit roadblocks. According to Time Magazine, investigators are having trouble locating the gunman who fatally shot M-Bone as witnesses have been reluctant to cooperate.
“When witnesses don't want to come out and talk, that's a challenge," said Lieutenant Oscar Serrano of the Inglewood Police Department. "It's proven to be a challenge in these types of shootings, and it's a challenge right now."
Following his untimely death, locals in Inglewood, California explained that the gunman might have been jealous of his success and that M-Bone recently feuded with someone on the internet.
"It's something that's been brought to the attention of detectives, and they're looking into whether it's important to the investigation," adds Serrano.
M-Bone was parked outside of Airport Liquors on Sunday, May 15th, making a stop on his way to a nearby studio. The gunman pulled up next to his car and fatally shot him twice in the head.
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.29.11)

A settlement has been reached in yet another Black Eyed Peas copyright lawsuit. Cleveland DJ Orrin Lynn Tolliver, Jr., has successfully sued for his share of the royalties from the improper sampling of his 1982 rap song, 'I Need a Freak,' which was improperly used on Black Eyed Peas' 2005 smash single, 'My Humps.'
The song was recorded by Tolliver and his concept band Sexual Harassment while at friend and collaborator James McCants' Heat Records recording studio. It was registered by McCants with performing rights organization BMI, crediting Tolliver as songwriter under the pseudonym David Payton, for which Tolliver was entitled to 75 percent of the song's royalties.
Unbeknownst to Tolliver, McCants then negotiated with Montage Records to release Sexual Harassment's 1983 album, 'I Need a Freak,' which sold 100,000 copies. When 'I Need a Freak' was covered by Too Short on Priority Records' 'In Tha Beginning... There Was Rap' compilation in 2000, Tolliver sent McCants a cease-and-desist order, but his former friend denied issuing the label a license for the usage of the composition.
McCants continued to deny involvement in the licensing of the song for various compilations over the next five years, but when Tolliver recognized his song as the key sample on 'My Humps' in 2005, he finally filed suit for copyright infringement.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.28.11)

Serving as one of four judges on the hit NBC singing competition “The Voice” has gotten Grammy-Award winner Cee-Lo Green a lot of attention lately.
So much so that he has had to drop out as an opening act for Rihanna’s “Loud” tour, which also features Roc Nation recording artist J. Cole.
Cee-Lo has announced that he would not be able to hit the road for the remainder of summer tour due to scheduling conflicts with the second season of “The Voice,” a book he plans to write, as well as two new albums that he plans to record.
These include the highly anticipated Goodie Mob reunion project and the third Gnarls Barkley album.
He announced that he did not want his schedule to affect his performances on the tour had he stayed on as an opener.
A spokesperson for Cee-Lo said: "He always puts 100 percent into his work and with the requirements and time commitment to 'The Voice,' on top of heading back into the recording studio and an upcoming book. He feels that he wouldn't give his fans the show that they deserve."
Cee-Lo Green’s The Lady Killer is in stores now and “The Voice” currently airs on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on NBC.
Props to AllHipHop.com (06.28.11)

Sean “Diddy” Combs has received many accolades over his illustrious career, but he marked a career milestone when he was honored by his peers with the Founders Award at ASCAP’s 24th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Friday (June 24). A buff Dr. Dre made a rare public appearance to present the Bad Boy mogul with the award.
“I had a chance to experience his hustle myself and believe me it’s no joke,” said the West Coast veteran. “I’ve been motivated by this man’s hustle.”
Drake was also on hand to recognize producers Boi-1da and Noah “40″ Shebib as Songwriters of the Year. “I just want to let you know that I love you both and I’m super proud of you, and I’m honored to honor you this evening,” he told the hitmakers.
Others who turned out to celebrate the evening’s honorees included Ne-Yo, LeToya Luckett, Melody Thornton, Too $hort, and Dirty Money’s Dawn and Kalenna. Pusha T joined Miguel for the remix to “Sure Thing,” songwriter Andrea Martin performed Melanie Fiona’s “It Kills Me,” which she penned, and gospel duo Mary Mary received the ASCAP Golden Note Award.
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.27.11)

Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music has inked an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with Island Def Jam Music Group. The first release under the terms of the new agreement is Big Sean’s Finally Famous, cementing the Detroit, Michigan up-and-comer as G.O.O.D. Music’s flagship artist.
"G.O.O.D. Music is an exciting new chapter in the long and successful association of Kanye West and Island Def Jam," said Barry Weiss, Chairman and COO of Universal Motown Republic Group and IDJMG. "As a recording artist and a producer over the past eight years, there is no one who has made a greater impression on the game than Kanye.  We look forward to working closely with the new and established artists that he will be bringing to G.O.O.D. Music, which is already off to an impressive start with Big Sean."
Previously, G.O.O.D. Music was described as a “family and like a production company." Last year, GLC told HipHopDX that “you get a distribution deal and if you’re a G.O.O.D Music artist, then you come out on G.O.O.D Music and the distribution deal.”
Kanye will continue to serve as a core recording artist on Def Jam Records. “Kanye's genius has been proven time and time again on records and onstage," said Steve Bartels, President and COO of IDJMG. "He not only pours it out for himself, but he has made the difference with his presence on innumerable projects with other artists who are indebted to him.  Kanye is an integral core member of the IDJ family, and G.O.O.D. Music continues his unselfish tradition of bringing along great new artists to the forefront."
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.27.11)

After conquering the Hot 100 chart with his first US single "Written in the Stars" - peaking No. 12 in May - Tinie Tempah debuts at No. 85 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with "Till I'm Gone."
"Till I'm Gone," featuring Wiz Khalifa, has racked up 1.1 million listener impressions to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The UK rapper's debut was seen coming from miles away. His album "Disc-Overy" debuted and peaked at No. 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart last month. "Disc-Overy" has been No. 3 on Rap Albums since making it's debut on the chart on June 11.
There's no doubt that Wiz Khalifa's feature on "Till I'm Gone" was the cherry on top. Wiz has two Top 10's in his back pocket: "Black and Yellow" and "Roll Up." "Black and Yellow" peaked on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 6 in February and "Roll Up" peaked at No. 7 in April. "Till I'm Gone" is Wiz's seventh charting title, six of which debuted on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this year.
Tinie Tempah has seen success beyond the US charts. "Written in the Stars" peaked at No. 5 on the European Hot 100 on Oct, 2010. In March, "Disc-Overy" peaked at No. 6 on the United Kingdom Albums chart.
Props to Billboard.com (06.24.11)

Since his 1993 debut with Doggystyle, Snoop Dogg has released eleven studio albums and dedicated almost 20 years to the entertainment industry. Now, the Long Beach, California native will be honored for his hard work with a BMI Icon award at the upcoming BMI Urban Awards on August 26th.
During an all-star musical tribute, several artists will perform renditions of Snoop’s biggest hits, from “Gin and Juice” to “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” Past honorees have included James Brown, Little Richard, The Jacksons, Willie Nelson, George Clinton and the Bee Gees.“As Snoop Dogg approaches his 20th year in the entertainment industry, he remains a visionary MC with sharp instinct and velvet delivery,” BMI wrote in a statement. “He is a fiercely imaginative songwriter, capable of cutting rhymes and wry wordplay.”
To date, Snoop has already picked up 12 BMI Awards for his numerous hits. The annual awards ceremony will be held at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California.
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.24.11)

Missy Elliott has revealed that she's been suffering with Grave's disease  -- an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid -- as of 2008.
Missy reportedly shared details of the diagnosis with People Magazine, saying that the symptoms -- including mood swings and weight loss --- affected her quickly and unexpectedly.
"I was [driving and] trying to put my foot on the brake, but my leg was jumping. I couldn't keep the brake down and almost crashed," Elliott said. "I couldn't write because my nervous system was so bad -- I couldn't even use a pen."
Elliott has been going through radiation and exercising, which fortunately has improved her condition. "I'm 30 pounds lighter because I've been exercising." Elliott continues. "My thyroid is functioning, so I haven't had to take medication in about nine months. [But] you live with it for the rest of your life."
As Missy continues as a champ, fighting through her disease, which unfortunately has no cure as of yet, she's working on new music with long time friend and collaborator, Timbaland. Elliott will be featured on VH1's  'Behind the Music,' further discussing her battle with Grave's disease, weight issues, and being sexually molested as a child.
You can catch Elliott's 'Behind the Music' special on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 PM.
Props to Billboard.com (06.23.11)

It's not a Pulitzer, but Jay-Z's book, 'Decoded,' is already winning awards. Yesterday (June 21), New York City-based advertising agency Droga5 won an Outdoor Grand Prix award for its "Jay-Z Decoded" advertising campaign at the Cannes Lions International Film Festival of Creativity.
In order to promote Jigga's 'Decoded,' written with veteran hip-hop scribe dream hampton, Droga5 created an online game with Microsoft's Bing search engine. Fans who participated were provided with clues that led them to find pages from the book in a variety of outdoor locales, from New York to London, in or on spots that included billboards and Brooklyn's Marcy Projects as well as the bottom of a pool and the lining of a Gucci jacket.
For their efforts, fans who participated in the hip-hop treasure hunt would get to read select pages from the book and Microsoft's Bing enjoyed a boost in traffic and a connection to the Jay-Z-loving demographic.
Partly as a result of Droga5's viral marketing efforts, which started in mid-October and continued up until the book's release on Nov. 16, Jay-Z's 'Decoded' debuted at No. 3 on The New York Times Best Sellers list.
In a separate promotional campaign, Hova released a series of video vignettes and a recently released clip in which the 'On to the Next One' rapper insists that rap is poetry.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.23.11)

Nicki Minaj's career is still very much on fire. While she is currently opening for Britney Spears on the Femme Fatale tour, Minaj continues to break records in the music world. The video for her latest single, 'Super Bass,' was viewed over 1 million times on the Music Choice channel, which is a Video On Demand service offered to cable subscribers.
According to Rentrak, an audience measurement company, Minaj's video garnered a record-setting 1,436,807 page views in just one week. The strong numbers made 'Super Bass' the best one-week performance of a video on the VOD channel since its launch in 2004.
But the Music Choice accolades don't stop there. Minaj's videos hold three of the five slots on the channel's one-week viewing records list. 'Right Thru Me' received 1,278,807 million views in a week and 'Your Love' snagged 1,062,915 views in seven days back in August of 2010. Holding down the remaining two spots were Justin Bieber's 'Baby,' for which one week views topped 1.2 million, and Lil Wayne's 'Lollipop,' which came in at No. 4 on the Top 5 list with 1,180,360 views for the week ending April, 13, 2008.
No stranger to making history, in May, Minaj's 'Pink Friday' debut broke Billboard's record for the most consecutive weeks spent in the Top 10 by a female rap album on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.22.11)

After keeping fans waiting, J. Cole has finally revealed the title and release date for his debut album.
Cole World: The Sideline Story will be released on September 27 via Roc Nation/Sony Music. The North Carolina rapper made the announcement on Twitter. Rap-Up.com has confirmed the title and release date with his label rep.
The title continues the basketball theme found on his popular mixtapes The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights.
The first single “Work Out,” which borrows from Kanye West’s “New Workout Plan” and Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up,” was released last week, while the album is set to feature production from No I.D., Danjahandz, and Brian Kidd, along with a collaboration with Jay-Z.
Cole hopes to drop another mixtape ahead of the project’s release and sees Grammys in the future. “I’m tryna win that Grammy, tryna pull some Lauryn Hill shit,” he previously said.
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.22.11)

Lil' Kim has a thing for G-Unit. Shawty Lo, a recent G-Unit signee, brought out the Queen Bee Saturday (June 18), during his performance at Hot 107.9's Birthday Bash 16 in Atlanta.
After the Brooklyn rapper performed 'It's All About the Benjamins (Remix),' and before going into a stunted rendition of Junior Mafia's 'Get Money,' the Notorious B.I.G.'s protégé told the crowd, "If y'all don't know, this my boy right here. G-Unit South that's where it's at and I'm family too, down with the G-Unit camp. We got surprises for y'all."
Lil Kim has recorded with G-Unit honcho 50 Cent in the past, most famously on 'Magic Stick,' from her 2002 album 'La Bella Mafia.' During a recent interview with Funkmaster Flex, Fif didn't confirm any formal relationship between Kimmy Blanco and G-Unit, but the 'In Da Club' rapper did reveal that he plans to work with her again soon.
"I haven't had an opportunity to record with her," 50 told Flex. "We was talking about getting together to do something so we'll probably get together and do something. When she was saying we was working together we had conversations about going to do it...we had 'Magic Stick' in the past and we made things some things that felt good, so ya know, I'm open to it. We'll find sometime to get in and do something."
Recently, 50 Cent revealed, via Twitter, that he plans to drop his new album in November, to be followed by 'Before I Self Destruct 2' sometime thereafter.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.21.11)

50 Cent has the writing bug.
The rapper-actor is following up his bestselling 2005 autobiography "From Pieces to Weight" and 2008's "The 50th Law" with a book about bullying, titled "Playground."
Unlike his previous efforts, which centered more on his life, "Playground" will be targeted to the young adult audience. 
50 Cent Addresses Label Drama,
Will Appear on Dr. Dre's Next Single
According to the publisher Razorbill, the novel - written in the first-person - will be released January 2012 and will revolve around a 13-year-old schoolyard bully "who finds redemption as he faces what he's done." 
"I had a strong desire to write 'Playground' because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully," 50 said in a statement. "I drew on events from my own childhood and adolescence, but was excited to see the story take on its own life. This book would have been very helpful for me growing up and now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers."
50 Cent has been known to get into feuds with other artists, including Ja Rule, Fat Joe and Ciara, and even took aim at his record label Interscope by releasing the single "Outlaw" independently.
Props to Billboard.com (06.21.11)

There have been whispers that Rihanna is already working on her next album. Now Ryan Seacrest confirms reports that the red-haired diva is back in the lab with a new project due later this year.
RiRi, who is currently making her way around the country on her “LOUD” tour, has plans to release her sixth album this fall. It would come as no surprise as she has put out five albums in the past five years, with her most recent project LOUD still spawning hit singles.
Seacrest spoke with the singer’s camp and made the announcement on his KIIS FM radio show. “We can confirm that Rihanna is currently working on material and will release a brand new album this fall,” he said, while also shooting down rumors that she is dating Drake.
Singer-songwriter Kevin Rudolf previously told Rap-Up.com that he has been submitting material for the as-yet-untitled project. “[I'm] writing some stuff for Rihanna right now,” he said. “I hear she’s back at it.”
UPDATE: Rihanna clarified Seacrest’s comments, alluding to a re-release of her latest album. “The #LOUDera continues with more new music to add to ur collection!!!” she explained.
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.20.11)

While still imprisoned, DMX has revealed that he has been approached by representatives from Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group about potentially signing with the label.
"Rick Ross' peoples wrote me a letter while I was in here," DMX told Vibe. "Yeah like, 'Yo we got a home for you. We'll pick you up in a limo. Just come to Miami. Just come, we got you.'"
While X expressed interest in signing with the upstart imprint, which currently houses Wale, Meek Mill, Pill and Teedra Moses, the rapper, who has had a serious history of drug addiction and mental health problems, revealed that he has serious concerns about Ross' secret society connections.
"I'm thinking about it. It was a good feeling. I respect him as an artist, and I would like to work with him. But he got the whole Illuminati thing going on," X explained. "I got fans who write me like, 'I'm glad you're not a part of that.' And I don't know what it's really about entirely. So it might be like a good thing."
While the troubled rapper awaits his release, after being sentenced to almost a year behind bars for violating his probation, DMX said that he will contemplate the MMG offer, and "feel people out" before committing...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.20.11)

Back when Rihanna was a lesser-known pop singer, her claim-to-fame was her Caribbean heritage, which she so wonderfully portrayed in her first hit single, 'Pon de Replay.' Now RiRi is getting back in touch with her roots after inking a deal with the Barbados Tourism Authority to promote her beautiful homeland.
"Barbados is a place like no other and one of the reasons for this is the spirit and national pride of our people," Rihanna said in a press statement (via PR Newswire). "I want each and every visitor to this beautiful island to experience what makes this destination different from all others and that is the spirit and warmth of my fellow Barbadians."
The Barbados Tourism Authority said via their Facebook page, "We are proud to announce that musical sensation and social phenomenon Rihanna has partnered with the Barbados Tourism Authority as an exclusive promotional partner for three years. Celebrate this amazing announcement today by joining us on August 5th as she brings her Loud tour to Bridgetown, Barbados, her homeland."
We don't know about you guys but listening to Rihanna while chilling on the beaches of Barbados sounds pretty good right about now.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.16.11)

While hip-hop headlines today are being commandeered by the shocking confession of a man who says he shot Tupac Shakur, rap has been hit with another surprise, this one a little more celebratory. Tech N9ne's 12th studio record, 'All 6's and 7's' debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the Rap Albums chart, after moving 55,806 units. His last effort, 2010's 'The Gates Mixed Plate,' released roughly a year ago, sold only around 50,000 copies total.
The hardcore effort was released on Tech N9ne's own label, Strange Music, where he has sold more than one million albums independently since beginning his career in hip-hop 20 years ago. Since it was self-released, 'All 6's and 7's,' also made it to No. 1 on the Independent Albums chart. While it's not Tech's first No. 1 on this particular chart, the shock value sets in that after two persistent decades in the game, the Kansas City, Miss. OG finally finds his way into the top 5 and with the No. 1 rap album in the country.
Assists on the album were a departure from Tech's usual underground roots, with more mainstream artists -- Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, B.o.B., E-40, Snoop Dogg, the Deftones and Lil Wayne -- contributing to the new effort. But Tech's lyrics on the album cut 'Love Me Tomorrow' suggest otherwise: "Tech will never go mainstream/ Mainstream will go Tech."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.16.11)

Drake just can't get enough of Rihanna. After popping up on the Toronto stop of her Loud tour last week, the Young Money rapper also hit the stage with the Bajan songstress in Montreal over the weekend.
The duo took the passion from their one-time relationship and channeled it into a flirtatious performance in the Canadian city on Saturday (June 11), performing 'What's My Name,' the second single off Rihanna's 'Loud' album. Drake also showed his support for the red-haired beauty by rocking a black jacket bearing her name. After the show, the former couple spent the entire weekend together, attending Montreal's Grand Prix together, and stepping out for a dinner date at Buonanotte Italian restaurant.
Rihanna and Drake were outed as dating not long after her split from Chris Brown. Although they were initially quiet about their relationship, Drake later admitted to feeling used by the pop star. "I was a pawn," he told the New York Times. "You know what she was doing to me? She was doing exactly what I've done to so many women throughout my life, which is show them quality time, then disappear. I was like, wow, this feels terrible."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.14.11)

Many have compared West Coast collective Odd Future to Wu-Tang Clan given their penchant for leftfield musical concepts and deep crews. But according to Method Man, he doesn’t welcome comparison between the group, despite the fact that he feels their movement.
“Why? ‘Cause of the eyeball thing? ‘Cause he put the black eyeball things in? That’s what media does. They compare shit,” he told Soul Culture UK. “Like when Tyson first came out, I remember people saying ‘He reminds of a young Joe Frazier.’ They always gotta compare something to something to give you a scale, so to speak, in your mind. If I was Odd Future, I wouldn’t want to be compared to anybody.”
Despite their differences, Johnny Blaze showed love for the eccentric crew, especially Tyler, The Creator. “I love Odd Future, by the way. I like Tyler, The Creator, that song ‘Yonkers’... I like Odd Future. They’re good. They’re different, a breath of fresh air. Tyler, The Creator, very weird. But I’m into weird shit.”
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.14.11)

Rappers Lil Wayne and Bryan "Birdman" Willams have been hit with their third lawsuit this week, as music publishing company to Bridgeport Music filed a lawsuit against the pair yesterday (June 10th).
Bridgeport Music filed the lawsuit against Cash Money Records in the Central District of California Western division yesterday.
The copyright infringement lawsuit claims Birdman illegally sampled the song "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks," a tune by Funkadelic off their classic 1971 album Maggot Brain.
The pair allegedly illegally used the sample on the track "Army Gunz," taken from Birdman's 2006 album Like Father, Like Son.
Bridgeport's action is the third lawsuit brought against Lil Wayne, Cash Money and Young Money this week alone.
On June 9th producers Play-N-Skillz sued Lil Wayne for $1 million over unpaid royalties related to the track "Got Money" from his hit album Tha Carter III.
Last Friday (June 3rd), Lil Wayne was hit with a $1.5 million dollar lawsuit by producer David Kirkwood, who claims he's owed unpaid royalties from Lil Wayne's label Young Money, as well as Cash Money Records...
Props to AllHipHop.com (06.13.11)

The road to rebuilding his sex symbol persona has been an interesting journey for R. Kelly, and during his Love Letter tour stop in Los Angeles Saturday (June 11) night, the singer thanked his fans for their continued support.
Almost three years to the day since he beat the massive child molestation charges brought against him by an alleged taped rendezvous with a teenage girl, the Chicago native appeared rejuvenated and unmoved by the salacious headlines that have plagued him in recent years. Bringing Marsha Ambrosious and Keyshia Cole along as opening acts, Kellz set out to remind his fans why he wears the crown as "the king of R&B," and rightfully so.
Ambrosious kicked things off with tracks from her 'Late Nights and Early Mornings' debut and the song 'Say Yes,' from her Floetry days, before passing the baton to Cole, who hit the stage performing singles from all four of her albums. Yet it wasn't until Kelly hit the stage that the entire crowd rose to their feet -- and stayed there for most of his nearly two hour set.
Beginning with a '40s-style black-and-white movie montage, Kelly emerged from the darkness in a black suit and red scarf, soaking up the audience's adoration for a full minute before launching into his first song of the night: 'Step in the Name of Love.'...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.13.11)

Yelawolf has set a release date for his major label debut. The Shady Records artist is set to drop his album Radioactive on September 27th, while the title was taken from a song that was originally recorded with Big Boi.
“Radioactive, I wrote that title... My manager Bear came up with that title for a song, originally, that we were doing with Big Boi,” he told The Hip Hop Chronicle. “That was going to be the song title name, but the concept for ‘Ain’t No DJ.’  The word, "radioactive," stuck in my head. I thought that would be a really good name for an album. That’s usually how I build projects. I come up with a name and then I build it around that name. That’s how I did Trunk Muzik.”
He also spoke on wanting to broaden the appeal of the album to resonate with mainstream audiences. “With Radioactive, the name was so big and I’m trying to make that crossover step to be active on radio. So this is basically just taking a chance, taking an opportunity, having a first release for a major,” he continued...
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.10.11)

In the Social 50 chart's top 10 this week, Rihanna climbs 4-2 thanks to the buzz surrounding the release of her latest music video, "Man Down." The clip, which premiered on June 1, has brought in 12 million Vevo views (earning a 51% week-over-week gain).
In the short, the singer literally guns down a man in the dramatic opener. As the story develops, viewers learn that he had sexually assaulted her in a dance club the previous night.
The Social 50 ranks the most active artists on the world's leading social networking sites - YouTube, Vevo, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and iLike -- using a formula blending weekly additions of friends/fans/followers along with weekly artist page views and weekly song plays.
Meanwhile, alt-rockers Linkin Park ascend 25-17, thanks to the heat generated by their involvement in the summer blockbuster film "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." Their video for the single "Iridescent" -- also featured on the movie soundtrack -- racked up 1.8 million YouTube views since its June 3 release. In it, many visuals from the "Transformers" sequel are used, which peaked interest among both fanbases.
Due to the serious, rescue nature of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," the film's music director chose "Iridescent" -- a hopeful, yet somber and harmonic ballad -- to set the tone for the movie...
Props to Billboard.com (06.10.11)

Royce da 5'9" says he and Eminem had "already ruled out the possibility of having time to do a project with each other a long time ago." So he considers  "Hell: The Sequel," the new EP the two Detroit MCs are releasing June 14 under the moniker Bad Meets Evil, to be "definitely God's work."
"This just came really organically and smooth," Royce (real name: Ryan Montgomery) tells Billboard.com. The impetus was a song called "Living Proof" that Royce was working on for his own album; he asked Eminem to guest on the track, which set more collaborations in motion.
"We had so much dun doing it, that we decided any time we had a little bit of spare time we'd record something just to fuck around like we used to back in the day," Royce recalls. "The chemistry just clicked pretty easily. We just looked up after a certain amount of time and had the 11 records on the EP -- nine and the two bonus cuts ('Living Proof' and 'Echo'). So we decided to put 'em out."
"Hell: The Sequel" reunites the two running buddies who first became acquainted with each other and started working together during the late 90s -- including a collaboration on the track "Bad Meets Evil" from Eminem's "The Slim Shady LP." A subsequent falling out and feud lasted until the 2006 shooting death of mutual friend and fellow MC Proof led to a rapprochement that, among other things, led to Eminem signing Royce's group Slaughterhouse to his Shady Records label.
Props to Billboard.com (06.09.11)

Ja Rule will be calling prison home for the next year-and-a-half. The rapper turned himself in today to begin serving his sentence on gun charges.
The 35-year-old, born Jeffrey Atkins, pleaded guilty in December to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He is expected to spend 18-20 months behind bars in New York beginning at Rikers Island, the same facility where Lil Wayne did his time. After about two weeks, he will be transferred to a different correctional facility upstate.
His wife, attorney, and several other family members joined him in court while the sentence was read. Emotions ran high as he was handcuffed and taken from the courtroom. He shouted, “See y’all,” and his family responded, “We love you,” while some burst into tears.
The former Murder Inc. rapper spent his last full day of freedom in the studio working on his albums The Renaissance Project and P.ain I.s L.ove 2, due this summer. He said he plans to work out and play basketball and ping-pong. “Much love to the fans. I love ya’ll. Thanks for holding me down throughout the years and through this whole situation,” he said.
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.09.11)

Now that’s she’s conquered music, Nicki Minaj has set her sights on Hollywood. The head Barb has expressed plans to pursue acting and has one big-time actor on her wish list of co-stars.
“I went to school to be an actress. I never expected to be a rapper. It just fell in my lap,” Nicki told Entertainment Weekly at the MTV Movie Awards. “So I would like to get an acting gig. I hope that when I am done with the tour I can go back and do some acting. That is my long-term goal.”
And just who would she like to work with? “Will Smith, because he’s a very successful rapper turned actor and therefore a role model,” she explained. “And [Alice in Wonderland director] Tim Burton because I love his crazy imagination. He comes up with these characters that are just so fascinating and the costumes and just creates these whole worlds.”
Before she hits the big screen, the “Super Bass” rapper is polishing her set for Britney Spears’ “Femme Fatale” tour. “I want to go all out and make it over the top and theatrical. There will be costume changes and hair changes. Lots of sexy outfits and dancing,” she said. “I don’t know how to do things normal and boring. Why? People pay good money for concert tickets these days.”
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.08.11)

After years of trying to get a Tupac Shakur biopic made, fans rejoiced last year when it was announced that director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn’s Finest) would be helming a feature-length film based on the life and times of one of the greatest rappers, poets, and personality’s of all time.
Today, that is no longer the case.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Fuqua has left the "Tupac" biopic to direct Dreamworks Pictures’ Southpaw, a boxing project written by “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter and starring Eminem ("8 Mile"). 
No reason was given for Fuqua’s departure.
"Southpaw" tells the story of a left-handed welterweight (Eminem) whose quick rise to stardom turns into a life of trials and tribulations that he must overcome to reclaim his crown.
Currently there is no start or release date, but one can expect the film to arrive in theaters no earlier than 2012.
Southpaw writer Kurt Sutter said:
"I took meetings with Marshall's producing partners over the past 7 years, looking for something to do together. I know he's very selective and doesn't do a lot," Southpaw writer Kurt Sutter. "But he shared so much of his personal struggle in this raw and very honest album, one that I connected with on a lot of levels... At its core, this is a retelling of his struggles over the last five years of his life, using the boxing analogy." ...
Props to AllHipHop.com (06.08.11)

From her early days as one of hip-hop's most celebrated female rappers to her critically acclaimed acting career, Queen Latifah has always repped her native New Jersey. On Sunday (June 5), the Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning Latifah, born Dana Owens, was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
The ceremony occurred at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Latifah's mother, Rita Owens, was on stage with the rapper-turned-actress as she was honored. Among her peers inducted into Jersey's Hall of Fame were actors Bruce Willis and John Travolta as well as singer Tony Bennett.
Besides the criteria of having made a lasting impact in your respective field -- whether entertainment, sports, et al. -- to be considered for New Jersey's Hall of Fame candidates must have resided for at least five years in the Garden State. Latifah was raised in East Orange, N.J. When she and her longtime business partner Shakim Compere formed Flavor Unit Management in the early '90's, their first offices were located in Jersey City.
Currently Latifah is serving as executive producer of the VH1 comedy-drama 'Single Ladies.'...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.07.11)

Before he kicks off his Rolling Papers U.S. tour with a main stage performance at Bonnaroo this Saturday (June 11), Wiz Khalifa stopped by the Billboard offices for a live Q&A on Billboard.com sponsored by MSN. The Pittsburgh rapper answered fan questions about his next "Rolling Papers" single, his relationship with Amber Rose, and "High School," the movie he's currently filming with hip-hop elder statesman Snoop Dogg.
"It's a great buddy film. It's just about - Snoop's the cool guy in school and I'm kind of the nerd," Khalifa tells Billboard.com editorial assistant Jason Lipshutz about the film. The 23-year-old rapper, who will continue filming "High School" later this week, also confirmed that he and Snoop are recording a full soundtrack to the album: "We've got ten songs already and we're using all ten of them… We're just doing things that people aren't doing these days," says Khalifa.
Meanwhile, Khalifa will follow breakout single "Black and Yellow" and current hit "Roll Up" with "No Sleep," which already debuted at No. 6 of the Hot 100 without radio play in April before sliding off the chart a month later. The rapper plans to officially roll out the song as a single soon, with a proper music video in place. "We want to get the fans behind it and we just want to make it an experience, not something that just comes and goes," says Khalifa...
Props to Billboard.com (06.07.11)

Rapper Sean Forbes isn't going to let a little thing like being deaf stop him from having a music career. The rapper, whose credits include working with deaf actress and Oscar winner Marley Matlin, is intent on proving that even though he's hearing impaired, he can still rhyme.
Forbes lost his hearing as a baby but in his song, 'I'm Deaf,' he doesn't shy away from addressing the pink elephant in the room. "Deafer than Def Jam, so so def," he raps, while using sign language. "My name is Sean but they call me seen/ Got a message here I'm delivering/ Look I understand that you might be leery/ Getting music beats from the hard of hearing/ Something inside me is so intense/ Evidently it's bringing out my sixth sense."
The aspiring MC is able to hear music through his hearing aids, which he straps on at the start of his 'I'm Deaf' video. Even with what some see as a handicap, pursuing a career in music was in his DNA. "My parents are both musicians," he said in an interview. "So I grew up listening to rock and roll, the Beatles, the Stones, and later heavy metal like Motley Crüe and Poison."
Forbes took interest in hip-hop as a teenager listening to the likes of N.W.A. But hip-hop music was more than good music, the way in which the songs were put together made it easier for him to understand the lyrics, which is usually hard for him to do. "I was able to really follow the beat and the drums," he explained. "And the lyrics are easier for me to follow, too, because rapping almost sounds like a drummer."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.06.11)

As Kansas City's Tech N9ne prepares to unveil his latest offering, All 6's and 7's, he's gearing up to release his "biggest" album to date. During a recent interview with Brooklyn Martino, the emcee spoke on what it means to be on such a big playing field, acknowledging that he feels his lyrics and flow have improved from past albums. He also shed light on how sobriety has impacted this improvement, how Lil Wayne affected his direction on the disc and more.
When speaking on the new record, Tech was quick to point out that sobriety has allowed him to elevate his craft.
"It's a beautiful record," he said about the album that drops this Tuesday, before speaking on how it differs from past albums. "All those [previous] albums, I was writing my life. Back then, I was doing drugs heavy. I've been clean for four years. As my life got better, so did my lyrics. I think my lyrics get better every album...Now, I'm on a bigger playing field, and I think and the beats reflect that."
On these beats, Tech also made a choice to "recruit" new members, describing his "Pledge" introduction and how that was influenced by Lil Wayne.
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.06.11)

Over the past few months, Odd Future, also known as Odd Future Wolfgang Kill Them All, has gone from an underground hip-hop collective to one of the most buzzed about acts in the game. As a result, their peers are starting to take notice.
The group's latest co-sign comes from Eminem, who praised the group for their originality. "I think that from the stuff that I've heard -- I haven't heard a lot from them, I still have to go check out everything that they're doing -- but I've heard enough to know that it feels like they're pushing boundaries and buttons, and that's definitely one of the things that I'm familiar with, especially when I first came out," he told MTV on the set of his 'Fast Lane' video shoot with Royce Da 5'9.
Like OFWGKTA, Em has been known to push the envelope a time or two, angering the likes of gay and lesbian organizations, who in the past have deemed him as homophobic. He's even made some celebrities' blood boil after making fun of them in his music and videos. "I love it. I love the fact that they're doing that. And the dudes can rhyme," Marshall Mathers said.
The group also got a stamp of approval from Kanye West, who tweeted the controversial music video from Odd Future frontman Tyler, the Creator. Tyler's latest album, 'Goblin,' debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 album charts selling 45,000 copies in its first week. Equally gaining steam is OFWGKTA's resident crooner Frank Ocean, who has been in the studio with Nas working on new music.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.03.11)

In what may be the most shocking Hip Hop news of the year, singer/rapper T-Pain announced earlier this week that he will never again use the highly popular, vocal manipulator auto-tune.
Instead T-Pain explained that he will now use a new vocal technique called “The T-Pain Effect.”
"I vow right here, right now, to never use Auto-Tune again," T-Pain explained to AllHipHop.com. "I'm onto something that I think is bigger and better called 'The T-Pain Effect.'"
Although auto-tune has been around for quite some time T-Pain played a vital role in bringing the technique into mainstream Hip Hop.
T-Pain is expected to go into more depth on what exactly “The T-Pain Effect” is on June 7th at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. He will be working directly with audio technology company Izotope to develop the sound.
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.03.11)

Game is currently prepping the release of his star-studded R.E.D. Album, but his favorite artist to work with on the project was none other than Dr. Dre. The Compton, California native explained that he relishes any opportunity to collaborate with the West Coast veteran.
“The best person to work with is probably definitely Dr. Dre,” he said during an interview with FUEL TV’s “The Daily Habit.” “He’s always been like a father figure, older brother. And it’s just like going back to school and somebody really putting in the time to help you with your work ethic.”
Though he took a break from working with the former N.W.A. member, he’s glad they had their time apart. “It was five years, but I kind of think I needed the break. I matured a lot, it helped me grow. I had a lot of time to reflect on my life and my career and to go out there and do it myself,” he continued. “But being back with Dr. Dre makes it a lot easier. He’s definitely the greatest hip-hop producer of all time, and one of the best producers of all time. No disrespect to Quincy Jones, but Dre’s great.”
R.E.D. Album is slated for release on August 23rd.
Props to HipHopDX.com (06.02.11)

Late rapper Tupac Shakur has been labeled many things throughout his career, from activist, to actor, to poet, to hardcore gangster rapper.
In a new comic book titled "Comeback Kings," Tupac Shakur takes on the role of crime fighting superhero.
"Comeback Kings," which hit shelves this past Wednesday, Tupac and cultural icons like Jim Morrison, Bruce Lee, Andy Kaufman and others are recast as crime fighters who defend the city from a super villain who wants to destroy Hollywood.
The comic is published by Ardden Entertainment and written by InTouch weekly pop writer Matt Sullivan, along with Gabe Guarente. The comic was illustrated by Ethan Young.
"The artists we chose are all influential icons that died too young, whose legacies include conspiracy theories suggesting that they faked their own deaths," author Matt Sullivan told AllHipHop.com. "Those theories are a jump-off point to both comment on celebrity culture and have fun with the superstar super-team concept."
Sullivan told AllHipHop.com that he drew inspiration for the comic from an interview Tupac did with Vibe, in which he stated he was tired of playing the roles of drug dealers and criminals, in movies.
Props to AllHipHop.com (06.02.11)

Sean Kingston remains in critical, but stable condition following a jet ski accident that left him injured over the weekend. A rep for the singer says he “is sedated but fully conscious” and is currently hooked up to a ventilator with a tube inserted in his throat.
“He is aware of what is going on around him,” his rep tells MTV News, while Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, adds, “Sean Kingston is currently in critical but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. Sean’s family asks for privacy at this time but is thankful to his friends, family, and fans for their outpouring of prayers and well wishes.”
The “Fire Burning” singer was hospitalized after his watercraft crashed into a small bridge near Miami Beach on Sunday (May 29). He was rescued by an off-duty member of the Coast Guard, who says he was “puking up blood out of his mouth” when he arrived on the scene.
Kingston’s longtime friend Cassandra Sanchez was riding with him when the accident occurred. She tells TMZ that he was going “really fast” and begged him to slow down for fear of crashing into the bridge...
Props to Rap-Up.com (06.01.11)

Dr. Dre has buried his short-lived beef with former protégé 50 Cent, adding the rapper to the list of credits on his long awaited 'Detox' release. Dre and 50 teamed up for a track on the album, which was revealed via Twitter.
"I did a joint with dre for his album that's crazy," 50 tweeted over the weekend. "They were suppose [sic] to put it out this weekend but you never know with dre."
A few months ago, the two took a few jabs at one another over their respective headphone lines, Dre's Beats by Dre and 50's Sleek Headphones. 50 kicked things off revealing that his new headphone line had angered both Dre and Interscope Records head Jimmy Iovine.
"Jimmy iovine and dre mad at me cause I'm doing sleek by 50. I guess I'm not going to be on detox Lol," he wrote. "I'm a little hurt jimmy and dre feel like that but f--- it. I'm focused I got a surprise for everybody this go round [sic]." Dre retorted by pretending not to know anything about 50's headphones, when asked about the beef by the paparazzi.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (06.01.11)

Comedian/rapper Nick Cannon addressed Eminem last night (May 30th) on CNN's popular show, "Piers Morgan Tonight." Nick Cannon appeared on the show and talked about a variety of subjects, including his career, his new job as host of "America's Got Talent," his marriage to R&B singer Mariah Carey, and their recently born twins. The most interesting answers came during a portion of the interview when Piers Morgan asked Nick Cannon about his feud with Eminem, over comments the rapper made about his wife on the 2009 song "Bagpipes to Baghdad." Cannon, who labeled their beef "awesome," agreed with Morgan when he ascertained that the comedian would 'take out' the rapper if they ever met face to face on a dark street. "He'd have too many bodyguards around him," Cannon said. "Anyone who insults my wife or my family, I have an issue with. I do. I understand that -- I would have to see where that man actually was coming from. If he was saying, man, this is entertainment, this is something. But if you literally have a problem with me, then we can solve that problem. You've crossed the line a little." The feud between Eminem, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon began around 2009, when Eminem released the "Bagpipes from Baghdad" song on the album Relapse. The track claimed that Eminem had a romance with Nick Cannon's wife Mariah Carey, who denied the allegations and fired back with her own song "Obsessed" and mocked Em in the video. The Detroit rapper then followed "Bagpipes from Baghdad" with an even harsher track titled "The Warning." Eminem has yet to respond to any of Nick Cannon's threats or replies since 2009.
Props to AllHipHop.com (05.31.11)

“Wolf Gang! Wolf Gang!” chanted Soulja Boy when asked what he thought about Odd Future. Not only did he share his respect for the hip-hop collective, but the “Crank That” rapper also revealed that a collaboration may be in the works. “Shouts out to Tyler, the Creator, he’s chill. Shouts out to Taco. I chill with Taco in L.A. Shouts out to the whole Odd Future,” Soulja told Rap-Up.com. “The Super 3 from Odd Future, they produced a couple tracks from my last mixtape [1UP]. They doin’ they thang and they doin’ it originally from the ground up without the label, so salute.” Members of the pack have been speaking with Soulja about doing a record. “They already reached out for me to do a verse on a song. I just gotta do it,” he laughed. “They mess with Lil B. I mess with Lil B. I’d do a song with them.” The 20-year-old MC previously outlined plans to collaborate with Drake for Take Care as well as 50 Cent, who asked him to submit beats for his fifth album. Would you like to hear a Soulja Boy-Odd Future collaboration?
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.31.11)

J. Cole told fans that he would deliver the first single from his long-awaited debut last week, but nothing materialized. The Roc Nation rapper resurfaced online to address the reason for the holdup.
“I sampled a Kanye West song, but the problem is, [there's] like five writers that he gave credit to,” Cole explained during a Ustream session. “When you’re clearing a sample, every writer has to be contacted. So you have to contact each and every one of them and get it cleared, so it’s tougher than the average one. As soon as it clears, we’re puttin’ it out.”
He originally hoped to release it in time for Memorial Day weekend. “It’s perfect for the summer. It’s beautiful,” he shared. “I can’t wait till ya’ll hear it and then hear the sample and the original and how I did it. I don’t feel like nobody would’ve thought to flip it like that or even would’ve heard that part.”
Cole’s as-yet-untitled album, which will include 14 or 15 tracks, has been completed and will feature a song with his Roc Nation boss and mentor Jay-Z. “I did the song for Jay—finally, finally, finally. It’s fucking crazy.”...
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.30.11)

Lady Gaga, who celebrated the release of her third album, 'Born This Way,' this week, has become a musical icon with millions of records sold and legions of fans watching her every move. However, while her "little monsters" give her all the credit for her creativity and vision, rapper Wale is claiming he's responsible for her success.
Gaga appeared on Wale's debut single 'Chillin,' released in 2009, which he noted was one of her break-out moments. "I made her whole career," Wale joked to MTV's RapFix.
The D.C. native recalled the memory of recording with the then marginally successful, New Yorker as an unforgettable moment. "It's one of those things; it's a moment that I hold near and dear to me, 'cause she's probably the most famous person in this generation right now," he said. "I don't think she'd probably ever get on a rap record again."
Wale said that he traveled from his hometown of Washington D.C. to New York City to work with Gaga, who was rocking a huge plastic ribbon in her hair. "Once we finally got the ball rolling, it was almost time to go," Wale shared. "It was natural though. It's wack when you get in the studio with somebody and it's automatically music time -- it feels fake. We were trying to feel each other out."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (05.30.11)

After being an integral part in tours by Lil Wayne and Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj has revealed that she plans to embark on her own tour in 2012.
"I’m sure there are so many things I’m going to learn just by watching her," said Nicki of her time touring with Britney Spears in an interview with Usmagazine.com. "Next year, I’ll be headlining my own tour so this is my time to be a student and to learn and to absorb all of this information and then take that knowledge and create an amazing Pink Friday tour at the top of 2012."
"I’m honored to be out with Britney," said Minaj. "She’s freakin’ paved the way for pop culture. I’m excited. We are in talks to hit the stage together but that is up to her. I would love to of course. If we do something on tour, it will probably be the ['Till the World Ends'] remix."
Nicki recently told HipHopDX that she is looking forward to recording a follow-up to last year's Pink Friday.
Props to HipHopDX.com (05.27.11)

After ten weeks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Kelly Rowland has scored the No. 1 spot on the chart with her seductive R&B hit, "Motivation," featuring Lil Wayne.
"Motivation," off her third album, "Here I Am," is Rowland's second No. 1 hit and first  No. 1 as lead artist. Nelly's "Dilemma," featuring Rowland, hit No. 1 in 2002 and spent nine weeks on top. The No. 1 hit has even sprung remixes by other R&B acts such as Jeremih and The-Dream.
It doesn't hurt for "Motivation" to be laced with the rhymes of Weezy - who dominates the R&B/hip-Hop Songs chart with 12 songs - but it's Rowland's alluring vocals and Rico Love's lyricism flawlessly layed over the soundscapes of Jim Jonsin that makes this a No. 1 hit.
Five years after her solo introduction, "Simply Deep," Rowland made a dent on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with her sophomore album, "Ms. Kelly." "Ms. Kelly" peaked at No. 2, but didn't cling onto the charts as high with solely singles. The Polow da Don produced track, "Like This," featuring Eve, had the most impact, peaking at No. 7 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and charting for fifteen weeks.Props to Billboard.com (05.27.11)

Nicole Scherzinger has moved from hosting duties to the judges’ panel. In a surprise announcement, the former Pussycat Doll has replaced Cheryl Cole as a judge on Fox’s upcoming show “The X Factor.”
TMZ reports that the British singer will no longer be a judge on Simon Cowell’s singing competition this fall, and Nicole will take over her duties.
It’s currently unclear why Cole left, but the shift only recently happened. Taping on the show began earlier this month with Nicole as co-host alongside Steve Jones. She will now join Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and L.A. Reid on the judges’ panel.
Nicole previously told Rap-Up.com that there were discussions to have her judge, but she felt more comfortable hosting. “There were talks going back and forth, but—I’m actually happy they asked me to host because for me, the reason I’m doing it is because this is what I love and this is what I know and this is what I’m passionate about,” she said.
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.26.11)

Charlie Sheen is bringing his "winning" formula to radio airwaves. The 47-year-old former TV star will release his 'Winning' single, featuring Snoop Dogg and former Korn guitarist Rob Patterson, tomorrow (May 10).
Sheen has of course turned his "winning" mantra into a money-making catchphrase for the ages, plastering it on T-shirts, tweeting it nonstop and spewing the word during just about every interview he has done over the past few months.
Despite the song's joking nature, and the accompanying erratic behavior that he has displayed since getting fired from the show 'Two and a Half Men,' Patterson says that Sheen's single actually has wings. "Look, it's a good song," he said. "But I honestly don't want people to take it seriously. It's meant to be fun and entertaining." Patterson brought Snoop on board, which worked out perfectly since he was on Sheen's short list of "people who would be able to carry the 'winning' wildfire the best."
After deciding to work together, Snoop headed over to Sheen's mansion, dubbed the "Sober Valley Lodge," and laid the track down almost immediately. "Snoop is a warlock," Sheen said. "He came in and nailed it in a couple of hours."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (05.10.11)

When you hear Ace Hood’s tone, inflection, and delivery, it’s impossible to deny the influence that Florida’s distinct hip-hop flavor has had on him. When DJ Khaled gave him an opportunity to shine, Ace took it and ran. With minimal sleep and the work ethic of a mogul-in-training, the 22-year-old rapper pushes his product—honest rhymes on Miami-hot beats—in hopes that he can recycle the inspiration he experienced while putting together his third studio album Blood, Sweat & Tears on We the Best/Def Jam.
With nothing to hide, Ace throws his cards on the table and speaks with Rap-Up.com about his mother’s influence, out-of-the-box collaborations, and his admiration for Beyoncé.
1. What region has the biggest influence on your music?
Mainly the south. I’m from Southern Florida but I listen to a lot of T.I. and Wayne. I’m versatile in what I listen to though. I like Canibus and some other artists from up north. I think in the north, they’re big on tight lyrics and in the south it’s based on swagger and how slick lines can be slipped in, in clever ways...
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.09.11)

What would a Soulja Boy-Drake collaboration sound like? We may soon find out. The “Crank That” rapper has plans to hit the studio with the Young Money star for his upcoming album.
“Me and Drake got something coming—crazy,” Soulja Boy tells Rap-Up.com. “Drake called me and was like, ‘Man, I like the Juice mixtape. I like the ‘Zan With That Lean’ too. He named four songs off the mixtape that he really liked.”
The two rappers have set aside time to work on Drake’s sophomore album Take Care. “He said he’s coming to Atlanta and gon’ kick it with me,” adds Soulja. “We gonna go in the studio for a whole week. He’s working on his new album too, so you already know what time it is.”
At his show in Los Angeles last year, Drizzy brought his 20-year-old peer onstage. “You can talk about hip-hop and what’s real and what’s not, but when I wanna make shit pop, there’s only one motherfucka I call,” said Drake before the two performed “Pretty Boy Swag.”
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.05.11)

It was an otherwise uneventful Tuesday at P.S. 161 middle school in Harlem when Beyoncé stormed through the door and surprised students by teaching them the moves from her “Move Your Body” video. As part of the “Let’s Move! Flash Workout” campaign to help curb childhood obesity, the blonde superstar appeared in the gym much to the delight of her young fans, who danced alongside her and took photos.
While Bey was in Harlem, First Lady Michelle Obama was in Washington, D.C., learning how to do The Dougie, Running Man, and Cha Cha with students. She only had good things to say about the “Run the World” singer and their partnership to promote exercise.
“Beyoncé is one of my favorite performers on the planet. And when she agreed to remake her video and do this ‘Let’s Move’ flash workout, I was so excited, because this is what we’ve been talking about—that exercise and moving can be fun,” said Mrs. Obama. “It’s about dancing, it’s about moving.”
Props to Rap-Up.com (05.04.11)

The beef between Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Kim rages on. After the Harajuku Barbie fired thinly veiled potshots at the Queen Bee in her verse on the remix to Britney Spears’ “Til' The World Ends,”  Biggie’s protégé has taken the beef to Twitter.
Last night, Kimmy Blanco tweeted sideways about the Young Money rapstress, claiming that she would never name her dog after her. “I would never name her ‘Shitty Garbaj’!!! My dog is way prettier than that bitch!!!” she wrote. “What type of coward lame ass bitch tweets some shit and then deletes it. REAL bitches stand by what they say BOZO...”
She raged on in subsequent messages. “You cheap stocking cap glued $10 bag hair wig wearing bitch. Get a lace front!!! FYI Indian hair don’t come in green BITCH...,” she continued. “You free lunch eating bitch...WHAT!!! [...] Bitch I see you crawling!!! I got my can of RAID. Come get it!!! #TwitterRoach !!!!”
Kim is currently promoting her latest mixtape release Black Friday, while Nicki is gearing up for her upcoming summer tour with Britney Spears....
Props to HipHopDX.com (05.03.11)

A variety of rappers reacted to the breaking news that al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden has been killed.
United States President Barack Obama hosted a press conference from the White House tonight (May 1st), revealing that Osama Bin Laden had been killed today in a compound in Abbottābad, Pakistan during a firefight.
"Tonight I can report to the American people and the world the United States has conducted an operation that has killed Osama Bin Laden," President Barack Obama said. "Today, at my direction, the U.S. launched a targeted operation against that compound. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed."
The news quickly became a trending topic on Twitter, where a number of rappers commented on the bombshell news, which comes almost 10 years after the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
"Osama dead!?!" Lupe Fiasco tweeted. "Afghan operation done now!?? Now kill wack schools and US imperialism." ...
Props to AllHipHop.com (05.02.11)

Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj and Pitbull have been added to the stellar lineup of performers for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, which will air on ABC Sunday, May 22, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 8-11pm ET/PT.
The trio joins previously announced performers Jennifer Lopez, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Keith Urban and Taio Cruz.
Fueled by the fantastically filthy hit "F**k You," Cee Lo Green's latest solo album "The Lady Killer" built upon the singer/songwriter's legacy as a member of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley. "F**k You" climbed to No. 2 on the Hot 100 earlier this year, while Green can now be seen coaching prospective vocal talents on NBC's new singing competition, "The Voice."
Minaj takes the stage as a finalist for four Billboard Music Awards, including Top New Artist and Top Rap Artist, after her debut disc "Pink Friday" hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The Young Money star has most recently been rocking stages across North America on her mentor Lil Wayne's I Am Still Music tour...
Props to Billboard.com (04.29.11)

Soulja Boy has people talking once again with his latest project. The 20-year-old rapper is reprising Tupac Shakur’s role in the 1992 crime drama Juice. The remake, directed by Rage (“Crank That” and “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”), was inspired by his mixtape of the same name and is currently shooting in Atlanta with an ensemble that includes Waka Flocka Flame and Cam’ron.
Soulja doesn’t plan to flip the script too much, staying true to the original. “It’s basically the same thing. It’s just 2011,” he tells Rap-Up.com. “We’re gonna do it the right way, give the people something to look forward to, and just keep it positive.”
Find out how his Juice-like haircut sparked the mixtape and movie, why he cast Waka Flocka, and what he says to those who criticize his decision to recreate the classic in our exclusive Q&A...
Props to Rap-Up.com (04.28.11)

Nicki Minaj was an early winner at the inaugural MTV O Music Awards, the network's new awards honoring musicians and their online presence in categories like NSFW Music Video, Best iTunes LP and Must Follow Artist on Twitter.
Minaj won in the Favorite Animated GIF -- a graphic image that moves -- category where she was nominated alongside eight others including 50 Cent, Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston. The GIF features Minaj twirling a swab of pink bubble gum on her finger.
This was one of four awards Minaj was up for at the first-ever O Music Awards. She is also nominated in the Must Follow Artist on Twitter, Fan Army FTW and Favorite F--- Yeah Tumblr categories, the latter which she lost to Adam Lambert. The 'American Idol' contestant beat out other tumblrs dedicated to Beyonce, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Kayne West, Lady Gaga, Trey Songz, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Janelle Monae and Britney Spears. And in a surprise win, relatively-unnkown musician Andy Grammer nabbed the accolade for Most Innovative Video with his 'Keep You Head Up' music video, beating out big name acts like Arcade Fire, OK Go and Robyn.
The rest of the awards will be given out on Thursday night in Las Vegas. To check out the innovative categories head to O Music Awards website.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.27.11)

Lil Wayne brought the I Am Still Music tour to the Los Angeles Staples Center Friday (April 22) night, and he brought rapper Game along for the ride. Although he didn't make his appearance until the end of the night, the Compton native received a warm reception from the audience while he and Wayne performed 'My Life.' Game's appearance came a surprise as headlines last week had the rapper detained at the Canadian border.
Emerging from the bottom of the stage, and decked out in a Los Angeles Lakers hat and camouflage, Weezy kicked his set off in the right direction by declaring that he was a fan of the home team. Launching into his musical library with 'A Milli,' 'Got Money' and 'Single,' the Grammy winner performed for close to 45 minutes, before announcing that he was going backstage.
From there, Nicki Minaj had her way with the crowd, in what has become her tour uniform: a Marge Simpson wig, white corset and a bodysuit. "For every winner there's a loser," she announced after opening her set with the Lil' Kim diss record, 'Roman's Revenge.'
It may have been just two years since Minaj exploded onto the music scene, but to her credit the Queens native commanded the stage like a seasoned pro. Her legions of Barbies cheered as she performed an assortment of tracks off her debut, including 'Moment 4 Life,' 'Right Thru Me' and 'Save Me,' the latter of which was dedicated to the island of Japan in wake of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami last month.
Perhaps the most anticipated scene of the night was Minaj picking an audience member for her now infamous lap dance. Instead of choosing one potential suitor, she narrowed her options down to a girl and a guy, before leaving the final decision up to the audience....
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.26.11)

Six-time Grammy Award-winning rap group the Black Eyed Peas have announced that their charitable organization, the Peapod Foundation, will be opening an East Coast music and video production school, offering teens the opportunity to take classes and work with professional-quality equipment.
Entering the second year of their partnership with the Adobe Foundation -- the philanthropic arm of software company Adobe Systems Inc. -- the Peas will open a New York branch of their Peapod Adobe Youth Voices music and multimedia academy in downtown Manhattan. The two foundations have already opened three such academies in Los Angeles, Oakland and Redwood City, Calif., providing students with the opportunity to learn multimedia and performing arts skills and encourage their artistic expression and digital literacy.
The Adobe Youth Voices, Peapod Academy in New York will be located at 21 Howard St., housed in a building operated by Urban Arts Partnership, and will begin holding classes in July.
"Our passion for music and media was fueled by many generous people on our road to success," BEP frontman will.i.am explained. "Expanding the network of Peapod Adobe Youth Voices academies enables us to pay it forward, giving more youth the skills and encouragement they need to realize their dreams."...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.21.11)

A Portuguese Hip Hop organization which goes by the name of the National Hip Hop Association (NHHA) may have a bit of explaining to do if allegations from a local writer are true.
According to Joana Nicolau, a Portuguese Hip-Hop blogger and journalist, the organization claims to have trademarks from the National Institute of Intellectual Property for the following words: New School, Old School, Popping, Locking, BBoy, BGirl, New Style, Old Style, Beatbox, Street Dance, Hip-Hop, MC, DJ, Graffiti, and Breakdance.
On top of claiming to have trademarks for the above words the NHHA are also charging those who wish to use any of the above words with a certification and licensing fee on top of requiring them to join their organization.
But according to the National Institute of Intellectual Property, the word “Hip-Hop” is a collective association trademark meaning the word is not registered and is free for use.
And the other Hip-Hop related words the NHHA is said to have trademarked are also not registered with the National Institute of Intellectual Property and are free for use.
The NHHA has yet to respond publicly to reports of their questionable trademark ownership
Props to HipHopDX.com (04.21.11)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania emcee Wiz Khalifa's major label debut, Rolling Papers sold another 37,000 units in its third week in stores.  The album, which features Too Short and Curren$y, held a Top 10 spot, and joins Lupe Fiasco's Lasers as part of Atlantic Records' commercial comeback in Hip Hop this year, following success with B.o.B. in 2010.
Chris Brown continued to enjoy his F.A.M.E. The Jive Records release approaches the 450,000 benchmark, on an album that features emcees Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Tyga.
Minneapolis, Minnesota veteran Hip Hop duo Atmosphere very nearly scored a Top 10 debut for their seventh official studio album, The Family Sign. The Rhymesayers Entertainment co-founders Slug and Ant continue their evolution away from sampling, moving more towards live instrumentation for their most recent work.
Climbing four spots to #17, Rihanna's Loud pushes well past platinum. Bruno Mars' debut approaches platinum, as Doo-Wops & Holligans slid a mere four slots in the new additions this week.
Lupe Fiasco fell seven spots to #34 with Lasers. At over 330,000 units sold the Atlantic Records album features label-mate Trey Songz and longtime 1st & 15th singer Sarah Green
Diplomats rapper Jim Jones fell 43 spots to #63 with his latest solo album, Capo . The Harlem, New York mainstay returned to E1 Entertainment to release the album, after a brief major label tenure with Columbia/Sony Records. Capo, at just under 30,000  overall units, features Lloyd Banks, Raekwon and the newly-released Prodigy, as well as Cam'ron...
Props to HipHopDX.com (04.20.11)

MTV News caught up with label mates Drake and Nicki Minaj recently in New Orleans before a show on the I Am Music 2 Tour. In a twist instead of having correspondent Sway interview the two superstars the two rappers asked each other a few questions each.
Drizzy wanted to know if Nicki was planning on dropping any new material any time soon. She responded, “Well, you know, Drizzy, I have been keeping everything sort of stored inside of me. So I’m just in complete tour mode. I’ve been getting a lot of requests to do some features, but if I can’t give myself wholeheartedly, you know, I always pass. I definitely never want to be just doing too many features that they start getting watered-down and I’m not giving my whole, true self…[But] when my Young Money and Cash Money family calls me I hope on the jet and get it done ” When pressed by Drake to commit to whether she would make time to record a cameo on his upcoming sophomore release, Take Care, Nicki playfully answered, “I gotta check if I can pencil you in.”
Next it was Drake’s turn on the hotseat. Minaj asked the Canadian emcee how it felt to be on stage and back with his friends on the roster. He enthused, “I truly enjoy these moments, especially being in New Orleans. Actually, New Orleans was the first place that I ever really realized that my music was getting out there. I remember walking outside the W, and there was a guy out there selling mixtapes and he had So Far Gone. I couldn’t believe it. I wasn’t even mad. You usually think you’ll be mad when there’s a bootlegger, but I was super excited.” The I Am Music 2 Tour hits Phoenix tomorrow night and continues across the country until May 1st.
Props to HipHopDX.com (04.19.11)

Ludacris is helping high schools in New Orleans replenish their libraries, after numerous learning institutions were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2006.
The Atlanta rap star has teamed with global bookstore Better World Books and non-profit DoSomething.org to launch the "Epic Book Drive" to re-stock libraries in New Orleans' Recovery School District.
Ludacris serves a spokesman for the "Epic Book Drive" and is featured in PSA's for the initiative, which is calling on students all across the country to band together to share books, especially in New Orleans, where 80% of the schools were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
“I am proud to be a spokesperson for this initiative as it’s in line with my dedication to empowering young people,” Ludacris said in a statement.
"The campaign is giving something as simple as a book to a student in a much needed area like the Recovery District so they can have the opportunity to read, communicate and be inspired," Ludacris continued. "Sharing in this way will have an incredible impact on the confidence and abilities of the next generation of leaders and I’m excited to be leading the charge.”
Check out Ludacris' PSA for the EpicBookDrive below or click here for more information.
Props to AllHipHop.com (04.18.11)

Lupe Fiasco has earned his second platinum single with the 'Lasers' cut 'The Show Goes On.'
The Kane Beatz-produced song has surpassed the one million sales mark, making it Lupe's second single since 2007's 'Superstar' to earn platinum status.
Lupe's third studio album, 'Lasers,' was finally released in March, after being shelved by Atlantic Records for over a year. The Chi-town rapper was only given a release date for the much-anticipated effort after his fans staged a protest in front of the label's New York City offices last fall.
Lupe has detailed his bitter battle with Atlantic Records in many interviews, explaining that the label froze his budget for 'Lasers' in 2009, which pushed him to the brink of suicide. "The creation of 'Lasers' was a very painful, dark, f---ed-up process," Lupe told Details magazine in February.
Earlier this week, Lupe's version of B.o.B.'s hit song 'Airplanes' leaked to the Internet. According to Lupe, Atlantic rejected his rhymes on the track in favor of B.o.B.'s version.
Despite all of the bitterness, however, 'Lasers' still sold over 200,000 copies in its first week on the charts, making the album his first No. 1 debut to date. Since then, it has maintained a top 20 position on the charts. In late March, Lupe kicked off his Lasers tour to promote the album...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.15.11)

Pauly D is DANGEROUSLY close to joining forces with G-Unit -- because TMZ has learned, 50 Cent desperately wants to sign him to his record label ... in fact, a 3-album deal is already on the table.
Sources close to negotiations tell TMZ, the "Jersey Shore" DJ met with Fiddy and his people in NYC last week -- where they discussed the lucrative record deal ... and also tossed around the idea of a Pauly D merchandise line, specifically Pauly D-brand headphones.
Nothing's signed yet -- but according to sources, 50 wants to hammer out the deal ASAP ... before Pauly jets off to Italy to shoot "Jersey Shore" Season 4.
We're told talks have become so serious -- 50 and Pauly have even started to kick around ideas for people Pauly can collaborate with. Calls to 50's people weren't returned...
Props to TMZ.com (04.15.11)

Wiz Khalifa is still going strong on his Green Carpet college tour this month, but the rapper has already announced the itinerary for his Rolling Papers summer tour. The 30-city trek, which supports the rapper's just-released debut full-length "Rolling Papers," will kick off June 11 at the Bonnaroo Festival in Machester, Tenn.
Khalifa will be joined by Big Sean, a Kanye West protege whose debut album, "Finally Famous," is slated to be released on June 21, and Chevy Woods, a member of Khalifa's Taylor Gang crew. Tickets for the tour go on sale to the general public on Apr. 20, but fans who sign up for Khalifa's official fan club can snag tickets tomorrow (Apr. 14).
Khalifa spent most of 2010 on the road on his 50-city Waken Baken tour. After his debut single, "Black and Yellow," climbed to the top of the Hot 100 in February, Khalifa's first album, "Rolling Papers," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and moved 197,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The Pittsburgh rapper's next stop on the Green Carpet tour is tonight at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill...
Props to Billboard.com (04.14.11)

hough her career went off the rails several years back following the poor reception of her 2009 single 'Louboutins,' Jennifer Lopez is undeniably back on track with a new hit on the charts and a judging role on 'American Idol.'
Continuing her hot streak, the multi-talented entertainer will be gracing the cover of People Magazine's 22nd annual "World's Most Beautiful" issue this week, earning the title of the "Most Beautiful Woman" of 2011.
"It's so crazy. Rarely am I left speechless, but I feel honored. I feel not worthy, you know? I feel happy and proud. Proud that I'm not 25!" the 41-year-old singer-actress-judge revealed. "I feel better, I feel smarter. In my 20s, I just wasn't there in my mind and my soul and my spirit. It's just great to be in the position I'm in now and be able to share that with the world."
J.Lo credited her recent achievements to both her age and her heart. "I think it's because I have a lot of love in my life," she continued. "I feel lucky to be an attractive person, but I've always felt that real beauty always comes from your heart."...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.14.11)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania emcee Wiz Khalifa's major label debut, Rolling Papers sold another 60,000 units in its second week in stores. Coming in under Britney Spears, Radiohead, Hollywood Undead and chart-topper Adele this week, the album, which features Too Short and Curren$y, came in at #5.
Chris Brown continued to enjoy his F.A.M.E. The Jive Records release passed the 400,000 benchmark, on an album that features emcees Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Tyga.
Diplomats rapper Jim Jones scored a Top 20 debut with his latest solo album, Capo. The Harlem, New York mainstay returned to E1 Entertainment to release the album, after a brief major label tenure with Columbia/Sony Records. Capo sold just over 20,000 first-week units on a release that features Lloyd Banks, Raekwon and the newly-released Prodigy, as well as Cam'ron.
Falling eight spots to #21, Rihanna's  Loud  pushes well past platinum. Bruno Mars' debut approaches platinum, as Doo-Wops & Holligans slid a mere five slots in the new additions this week.
Lupe Fiasco fell 11 spots to #27 with Lasers. At over 300,000 units sold the Atlantic Records album features label-mate Trey Songz and longtime 1st & 15th singer Sarah Green.After landing a Top 10 debut, west coast Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg fell 25 spots with his eleventh solo album, Doggumentary. The Long Beach, California emcee included production from Kanye West and Scott Storch, on an album that includes names like Eastsidaz' Goldie Locc, Devin The Dude and Kokane.
Props to HipHopDX.com (04.13.11)

Raekwon recently wrapped up a series of European tour dates in support of his 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang' album and now he's gearing up to launch the North American leg of his tour.
The Chef will embark on a 35–city jaunt across the U.S. and Canada, beginning in Ontario on April 14 and stopping in cities that include New York, Austin, Miami and Los Angeles before wrapping up in Virginia Beach on June 5.
"For me, no matter how long you've been in the game, there's still nothing like rocking out in front of thousands of fans that you know have been supporting you since day one," Raekwon said in a statement to XXL. "Every city is different. We're gonna do stuff from the new album, classics and I got a few surprises for them. Overall, this is going to be a great show."
'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang' was released on Raekwon's Ice H20 imprint in March 2010. Most recently, Rae has announced plans to begin work on an autobiography that will chart his journey through the music industry as part of Staten Island's infamous Wu-Tang Clan.
April tour dates for the 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang' North American tour are as follows. Visit RaekwonChronicles.com for the full list of dates.
4/20: Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, BC.
4/21: Starlite Room, Edmonton, Ore.
4/22: Dickens, Calgary, AB.
4/23: Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, MB.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.11.11)

It's official. TMZ has learned ... Nicki Minaj will be Britney Spears' opening act for her upcoming concert tour.
Sources involved in the negotiation tell TMZ ... the deal was signed several days ago, and Britney is elated. Everyone involved in the concert is relieved Enrique Iglesias' ego couldn't handle opening for Britney and feel Nicki will be infinitely better.
Minaj, who is on tour with Lil Wayne until the end of the month, currently has two singles on the Billboard Top 100 -- "Moment 4 Life" and "Did It On'em"
Everyone connected with the concert series thinks Nicki will create even more heat for the tour, which kicks off on June 17 in Sacramento, CA.
TMZ broke the story Nicki and Britney were in serious negotiations.
Right after we posted that story, the comments and emails were almost unanimous that Nicki is an infinitely better choice than Enrique.
Props to TMZ.com (04.11.11)

Travis Porter may have been hungry when they entered a conference room at their record label, but you’d never know. What the hip-hop trio did show, however, was their stomach-churning sense of humor. “Are my lips ashy?” Ali asked his step-brother Quez, before he replied, “No. Are my lips ashy?”
When Ali, Quez, and Strap sit down to chat with Rap-Up.com, dressed casually in denim jackets, blue jeans, white sneakers, caps, and scarves, they present quite a calm exterior. What shines through their cool demeanor are the effervescent personalities that make up the character of Travis Porter‚ much like in their video for “Make It Rain.” The 20 year olds, who formed the group in middle school, sport the desires of a man on their newest mixtape, Music, Money, Magnums.
The threesome is now embarking on the journey of crafting their Jive Records debut. The album boasts production from the likes of Bangladesh, Tha Bizness, Kane Beatz, FKi, and more. “We’re taking the Travie way. It’s a one-way ticket to Travie Land,” said Quez. Follow their yellow brick road below.
1. Can you recite any of your first raps?
Ali: “Try me/ Try me ho.”
Quez: We had a song called “Wood on Deck” [and a song called] “Teabag Dat Ho.” [Raps] “Teabag dat h-o, teabag dat ho…” That was the number one song back in Atlanta in the seventh grade. Real talk...
Props to Rap-Up.com (04.08.11)

Rumors of a possible Fugees reunion have been swirling around for years, and according to Grammy-winning producer Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, they may be getting back together sometime soon.
Duplessis, who produced many of the tracks on their diamond-selling sophomore release 'The Score,' claims that a reconciliation is imminent.
"I believe there will be a day when the Fugees get together, but everyone in the group's gotta' be ready," Duplessis told Rap-Up.com. "The Fugees are definitely going to get back together. The time will come. You've gotta wait, man."
The Haitian born self-taught musician had a little fun with the notion, tweeting that he was in the studio with members Pras, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, as an April Fool's joke. News of the gag spread pretty quickly prompting several phone calls inquiring about a reunion.
"In my studio, I was getting crazy phone calls and mad emails. My Twitter was going heavy. People all over the globe were saying, 'Is it true? We really want the Fugees!'" he said. "Lauryn was getting phone calls. Wyclef was getting phone calls. Pras was getting phone calls. I felt that if tickets had gone on sale, it would have been sold out in two hours--globally."
Although the trio attempted to get back together years ago, Jean has since thrown his hands up at the idea, publicly criticizing Hill for holding up the process and calling her "mentally ill." After a slew of erratic public appearances, which include showing up hours late for performances, Hill appears to be getting back on track, even writing a letter to fans apologizing for her tardiness.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.08.11)

Tennessee Highway Patrol officers have arrested rapper Webbie on drug possession and tampering with evidence charges after he was pulled over following a performance in Kentucky.
Webbie, whose real name is Webster Gradney Jr., was riding in a rental car that was stopped Monday south of Nashville. Authorities say the 25-year-old rapper from Baton Rouge, La., was found with $13,000 and 2 ounces of marijuana. Troopers also say he threw marijuana out the car window.
There was no attorney listed for him at the jail and a message left with his booking agency, Celebrity Talent Promotions, was not immediately returned.
Webbie's album "Savage Life 2" made the rap charts in 2008.
The rental car's driver was charged with driving with a suspended license and another passenger faces a gun charge.
Props to Billboard.com (04.07.11)

Wiz Khalifa's major label debut has rolled into a pretty good spot on the Billboard charts this week.
The Pittsburgh native's latest, 'Rolling Papers,' made a second place finish on the Billboard 200 chart selling just over 190,000 copies. Although final figures have yet to be released, Khalifa's album met industry expectations with its sales. He lost the top spot to Britney Spears whose seventh release, 'Femme Fatale' beat the 23-year-old by close to 80,000 copies. Khalifa however topped the Hip-Hop/R&B charts and took to his Twitter page to thank his fans.
"Rolling papers officially came in at #2 on billboard and #1 hip hop selling 191,777 copies...a little more than 6,000," he wrote to his over 1 million followers. "Thank u taylors."
Since dropping his successful single 'Black and Yellow,' last year, Khalifa has gone from being an underground artist to a high profile mainstream phenom.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.07.11)

Rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace was shot and killed with a very rare form of ammunition, according to new documents released by the FBI under the Freedom of Information act.
While most of the information is known,  the FBI documents reveal details into what the agency knew about the case.
The FBI investigation also stated that a variety Los Angeles Police Department officers, both on and off duty - with gang ties - helped the shooter escape, in addition to stymying the investigation, by not following up on witness reports, or properly documenting witness statements.
At one point, at least 10 witnesses were ready to provide information, but refused to talk to the LAPD.
They were willing, however, to talk to the FBI about the murder. The FBI also has uncut video of the shooting
The documents states that while Death Row was making millions selling records by artists like Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound, other associates working for the label were allegedly selling kilos of cocaine for $14,000, which were then re-sold on the East Coast, for $24,000.
According to the documents, B.I.G. was shot and killed with rounds of Gecko 9mm armor piercing ammunition, which is rarely found in the United States and made in Germany.
After an anonymous caller tipped other police that an unnamed Mob Piru Bloods gang member was involved, Los Angeles Police Department officers obtained a search warrant and found 9mm guns and more Gecko 9mm rounds.
The LAPD never conducted ballistic tests and according to documents, more officers were involved in thwarting the investigation, including two of former Chief Parks' "personal recruits."
Props to AllHipHop.com (04.06.11)

Tyler, the Creator and Nicki Minaj, two artists that have pushed their creative boundaries in the Internet realm, are getting a shot at being honored by MTV through its first-ever O Music Awards.
The awards give props to musicians in categories that pertain to online media, including Innovative Music Video, Fan Army FTW, NSFW Music Video, Must Follow Artist on Twitter and more.
Leading the pack in nominations are Lady Gaga and Tyler, each of whom nabbed three nods apiece, while Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and the Flaming Lips are up for two awards. Additional nominees include Lil B, Katy Perry, Wiz Khalifa and 50 Cent, who earned a hat-tip in the Favorite Animated GIF category where he'll face off against Rebecca Black and Bert.
While MTV is known for throwing lavish award shows studded with celebrity appearances, the O Music Awards ceremony sees the entertainment network taking a different approach.
"There will be an event, but it won't be a traditional awards show with a host, audience and a bunch of celebrities," explained Vice President of Music Strategy Shannon Connolly. "It will embody what the O Awards celebrates, which is being very interactive. We'll have live performances, mash-ups, collaborations and it will be a Web event that will take place not just on MTVMusic Group sites."
Fans can cast votes beginning today on the O Music Awards website, while performers and presenters will be announced in the forthcoming weeks. The event is currently scheduled to place on April 28.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.06.11)

Jay-Z has launched a new website, lifeandtimes.com.
The site, which derives its name from Jay's 1999 release, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, is a lifestyle page that aims to cover style, leisure, art and design, technology, music, sports, and even has a section called "Jay's," which appears to be a place for the multi-platinum rapper to post photos and brief thoughts.
The web page makes its full launch today, closely following the recent release of "Empire State of Mind," a new Jay-Z biography.
Props to HipHopDX.com (04.05.11)

Hip-Hop group The Black Eyed Peas have teamed with Aeropostale to producproduced a limited edition T-Shirt aimed at raising money for charity.
The Grammy Award winning group has created a limited edition run of T-Shirts that will benefit The Black Eyed Peas' Peapod Foundation, which helps find shelter, healthcare and education for children in need worldwide.
"We are thrilled to partner with Aeropostale in raising awareness and funds for our Peapod Foundation," said BEP member apl.de.ap. "The Foundation works to encourage change for social issues affecting children worldwide. The Peapod Foundation provides tools and mentors encouraging children to express themselves through music and art."
According to sources, Aeropostale has already pledged $100,000 to the Peas' Peopod Foundation.
"Aeropostale has a long history of giving back to those who need it most. The Black Eyed Peas, with their innovative music and devotion to kids' causes through their Peapod Foundation, are the perfect partners for this campaign," says Scott K. Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce at Aeropostale, Inc.
Anyone who purchases the limited edition T-Shirt at an Aeropostale store is automatically entered into a contest for a chance to win a trip to meet The Black Eyed Peas at an upcoming concert.
Props to AllHipHop.com (04.05.11)

It looks like Lil Wayne is in trouble with the government yet again. Though the Young Money boss recently paid off a $1.13 million tax lien in Dade County, Fla., in November 2010, he has reportedly been hit with another IRS bill, this time for a whopping $5,610,034.00.
The IRS has been hounding Wayne for unpaid income taxes for years, filing a lien against the rapper back in 2008, going after his One Family Foundation charity in June 2010, for the years 2004, 2005 and 2007. Now the government is seeking over $5.6 million for income earned during the years 2008 and 2009.
According to the new lien, Wayne owes $3,335,077.95 for revenue earned in the year 2008, and $2,258,956.04 for 2009. The address listed on the lien, which can be viewed here, is Weezy's $12.9 million, 15,101 square foot mansion, on a private Miami island, which is apparently for sale.
Wayne is currently listed as a self-employed small business owner. His long awaited new album, 'Tha Carter IV' hits stores on May 16.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (04.04.11)

Hold onto your wigs. Nicki Minaj may be heading out on the road with Britney Spears. The Young Money diva is said to be in negotiations to open for the pop queen’s summer tour.
TMZ reports that Spears has eyed Minaj as her opening act for the upcoming North American trek. Lawyers for the two stars are in “serious talks.”
Sources say that things are looking very good and that they should reach an agreement in the next day or so. The raptress would replace Enrique Iglesias, who pulled out of Spears’ tour at the last minute.
Nicki is currently traveling the country with Lil Wayne on his “I Am Music II” tour, which wraps April 28. Britney’s tour is scheduled to begin on June 17.
Props to Rap-up.com (04.01.11)

Nelly recently had a press conference in Toronto, Canada, where he crowned Jessenia Vice Miss Apple Bottoms 2011.
According to reps for Nelly, thousands of women from across the world applied the for Miss Apple Bottom contest when it was launched in August of 2010.
The rapper narrowed the competition down to four finalists last week. The women were flown to Toronto to attend a meet and greet with Nelly at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
There, Nelly selected Jessenia Vice as Miss Apple Bottom 2010.
 “I am so excited to work with Apple Bottoms and Nelly,” said Jessenia Vice, who has appeared in videos for Fat Joe and 50 Cent.
She also hosts a radio show "Vice City" every Friday on AlistRadio.net.
Vice, 26, hails from Newark, New Jersey. She also works in the ER Department of a psychiatric hospital, while studying to become a nurse.
The other three finalists, Tiffany Davison, Eve Meyers and Amanda Donald, will still work with Apple Bottoms throughout the year as promotional models, while Jessenia Vice will be featured with Nelly in an upcoming photo shoot for Apple Bottoms.
Props to AllHipHop.com (04.01.11)

After a somewhat hectic week, seemingly overshadowed by his erratic flip-out after a 'Good Morning America' interview, Chris Brown's career is back on top ... of the music charts.
The singer's fourth studio release, 'F.A.M.E.,' snagged the No. 1 spot atop the Billboard album charts, with a total of 270,000 units sold. Brown beat out Jennifer Hudson, who settled for second place selling 165,000 copies of her sophomore effort 'I Remember Me.'
Although all of the 21-year-old's previous releases have been Top 10 hits, 'F.A.M.E.' marks his first album to debut in the top spot. "I wanna thank all of my fans for making my album number 1 in the country!! I love you! We did it," Brown tweeted Tuesday (March 29). "I live for my music!! I survive for my fans!!!"
Despite some opposition from fans and cast members, Brown also performed on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars' Tuesday night. Decked in an all-red suit, and black bow-tie, the Virginia native showcased his hit single 'Yeah 3x,' opening with a few dance moves that appeared to be inspired by Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' video.
As expected, Brown was not interviewed on the show. "I did say to the producers that it might be to their advantage to not have me interview him," 'DWTS' host Tom Bergeron told Ryan Seacrest before the show. "Because my natural tendency would be to say something."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.31.11)

After emerging victorious in a recent challenge on Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice,' Atlanta "entertainer extraordinaire" Lil Jon donated his $40,000 in winnings to the Decatur, Ga., children's home his brother and sister were adopted from.
Supported by disgruntled actor Gary Busey and former baseball star Jose Canseco, the King of Crunk led team Backbone to victory over their female opponents, which included Dionne Warwick, Star Jones and LaToya Jackson, in the fourth episode of NBC's 'Celebrity Apprentice.'
Challenged to produce a 30-second advertising spot for ACN videophone and present it to the company's large army of sales reps, the competition was familiar territory for Lil Jon, who has starred in and directed dozens of videos.
As project manager for his team, Jon received $20,000 from Trump for his charity of choice, a figure that the tech company ACN matched, earning $40,000 for the United Methodist Children's Home in Decatur, Ga.
"I have a sister and a brother who were foster kids," Jon said of his decision to donate to the United Methodist Children's Home. "My mother ended up adopting them. I feel children shouldn't have to suffer for faults of adults."
Unfortunately, Dionne Warwick did not survive the contest, and was summarily fired for her non-committal attitude.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.30.11)

hrowing a temper tantrum backstage at ABC's 'Good Morning America' might end up leading to Chris Brown's reunion with Rihanna.
According to sources close to the network, host Robin Roberts and the morning news show are allegedly orchestrating a reunion between the troubled singer and his ex-girlfriend after revealing that they would gladly welcome Breezy back to the show, with plans to reunite the former couple two years after their publicized domestic violence incident.
Insiders at ABC News claim that 'GMA' plans to "milk this event for everything it's worth," and that the televised meeting between the pop stars would be moderated by Roberts. While E! News has hinted that his angry outburst last week could lead to a reality series, the source claims that "what's far more likely is orchestrating Chris Brown talking to Rihanna for the first time."
Following the 2009 clash where Brown attacked the Bajan superstar on the way to the Grammy Awards, Rihanna was granted a restraining order against the singer where he would have to stay 50 yards away from her over the next five years. The order was lifted last month after Brown made a movement to drop the ruling because it could be a "problem with award shows," a request to which Ri acquiesced.
The pair are yet to appear at together at a public event.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.29.11)

Rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G and The Game joined family, friends and about 1,000 fans of Nate Dogg to remember the hip-hop singer, who died this month of complications from multiple strokes.
The family of Nate Dogg - whose real name was Nathaniel Dwayne Hale - decided that the ceremony at the Queen Mary Dome would not be open to the public as they previously wanted, but they made 1,000 tickets and shuttles available to fans.
The dome in Hale's hometown of Long Beach is adjacent to the historic ship the Queen Mary and was the former home of Howard Hughes' airplane folly, the Spruce Goose.
Organizers had sought a more central location for the funeral, but none proved large enough for the numbers of expected mourners. A private dinner was planned after the service.
Hale started out singing in church choirs, then formed a group with Snoop Dogg and Warren G while the trio was in high school in Long Beach.
His almost monotone vocal stylings anchored some of rap's most seminal songs and helped define the sound of West Coast hip-hop on tracks usually produced by Dr. Dre and performed by rappers like Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and Warren G. He remained sought after as a singer more than a decade after his original success, supplying vocals to more recent tracks by 50 Cent and Ludacris...
Props to Billboard.com (03.28.11)

Between earning multiple Grammy nominations and hitting platinum status with his debut album Thank Me Later, Drake has garnered a career's worth of accolades in just a few short years. Now, the Young Money star has received his latest award for songwriting.
According XXL, Drizzy is set to receive the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award. The award, which honors those artists who have impacted the music industry to some capacity with their songwriting, will be given to Drake on June 16 at the 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner.
"Drake shines as a talented songwriter with a unique vision, and we are pleased to honor him with the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award," said Songwriting Hall of Fame chairman Jimmy Webb.
The Songwriter's Hall of Fame has honored the likes of John Legend and Alicia Keys in the past with the Hal David Starlight Award.
Props to HipHopDX.com (03.25.11)

As Hip Hop was dealt another blow this week with the untimely death of the legendary Nate Dogg, fans will have a chance to pay tribute to the fallen singer. Nate's is tentatively set to be laid to rest this Saturday, March 26, with a private ceremony preceding the public event at the Long Beach Airport.
The following day DJ Quik is supposed to hosting a memorial benefit at the Los Angeles Convention Center. According to MTV, the event has yet to be confirmed by Nate's people or DJ Quik.
MTV also caught up with long time friend Warren G, who happened to be with 213 groupmate Snoop Dogg when he got the news.
"I was out on the Sweat Tour with Snoop, and we had got the word from his family on what was going on, and it was just a crushing blow for us," he said. "Just from going to see him and lifting his spirits up when he was in therapy and stuff like that, it's just crazy for that to happen. And I still don't believe it, you know what I'm saying?
"It kind of hurts me when I look at this shirt [the organizers of the SXSW tribute show sold Nate Dogg T-shirts, with proceeds going to the late singer's family], it's like, 'Damn, that's my homeboy on this shirt,' " he continued. "And I'm hurting, and you know, a lot of people are showing tons of support for his family, for his homeboys, and we really and truly appreciate that. It's real love." ... 
Props to HipHopDX.com (03.24.11)

A variety of popular Hip-Hop artists are teaming with the Hip-Hop Chess Federation for the HHCF Spring Classic, which promotes peace, and anti-bullying at the all-ages event.
Casual from Hieroglyphics, Zion I, T-Kash, pro-skater Jordan Richter and others will be special guests at the chess tournament, which will also host a Life Strategies panel prior to the start of the Chess matches.
“Rappers, skaters and chess players from all over are coming together once again to help the streets gain peace” said HHCF founder Adisa Banjoko. “The economy has been tough on our organization in recent years. That’s why I’m thankful to everybody involved in making this event happen. Gang violence, bullying, alcohol and drug abuse among young people is still a very real problem. We want to show them the benefits of reinforcing their dreams with serious focus and a consistent  work ethic.”
Jordan Richter will also give a skate exhibition while teaching teens about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the All Tribes Universal Zulu Nation will host a B-Boying workshop for young buys and girls.
Members of the HHCF Jiu Jitsu teams will close out the day with tactics and exhibition matches, in addition to a discussion about bullying...
Props to AllHipHop.com (03.23.11)

Chris Brown is hoping to join the elite group of top selling artists who have had the privilege of selling a million records in just one week. Brown, who is prepping the release of his fourth album, 'F.A.M.E.,' revealed to Hot 97's Angie Martinez that when it comes to his latest musical effort, his expectations are pretty high.
"I would love to do like a mill the first week, honestly," he said. "And that's really pushing, and I know that's pushing, but I'm happy with anything I sell. If I sell 100,000 like last time, I'm cool. My last 'Graffiti' album was only 100,000, but it was a lot more added to it back then." "More added to it" is in reference to the bad press following his assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
The 'Yeah 3x' creator doesn't think the sales goal isn out of his reach. "I wouldn't consider it jinxing myself, but I always dream big," he said. "I wouldn't have thought when I was 15 I would be able to do this music. I would love to just solidify that, as much as ya'll wanna keep talking about stuff, bringing stuff up, ya'll can't stop [my] music."
Brown also addressed his recently leaked nude photos, maintaining that after forwarding them to an unidentified woman, he did not think they would somehow end up in the press. "I wasn't angry though. I was very concerned," he said, laughing...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.22.11)

anye West has been something of a SXSW mainstay the last few years, popping up for surprise appearances at his proteges' shows or hosting an impossible-to-get-into set in the middle of the afternoon. But this year's West-side performance was his biggest yet: at a rolls-off-your-tongue-titled event Vevo presents G.O.O.D Music sponsored by Chevrolet on Saturday night (Mar. 19), where West and his posse took over an abandoned Austin power plant, for a show that was equal part rap revue, organizational clusterf**k, tour launch, and mission statement.
West delivered, taking the stage at 2:28am for a production- and guest-heavy set that featured up-and-comers (Chris Martin-esque crooner Mr. Hudson; Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon), disciples (Kid Cudi; Clipse's Pusha T) and one megastar (Jay-Z, who performed a full third of the set with West) along with a slew of famous faces in the audience including Beyoncé, Diddy, Jimmy Kimmel and Brooklyn Decker.
Comprised mostly of songs from his 2010 release, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," West, as always, proved himself an adept rapper and an unquantifiable presence: emerging to stand atop massive, lit letters spelling the name of his label, G.O.O.D. Music, West -- backed by a DJ for most of the set with rotating live musicians throughout -- blasted through "Dark Fantasy," with the few-thousand-person audience chanting with him, "Can we get much higher / So high!" It was the first in a marathon series of singalongs...
Props to Billboard.com (03.21.11)

We've heard of celebrities teaming up for a good cause before, but this one has us scratching our heads. Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Rihanna are a few of the celebrities lending their names to UNICEF's Tap Project -- a campaign where participating restaurants ask patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free in an effort to bring clean water to millions of children around the world.
But this year, some of our favorite Buzzworthy babes are taking the project to the next level. From the UNICEF Celebrity Tap website: "Celebrities have donated their own tap water to help raise awareness of the world water crisis. Donations enter individuals in our sweepstakes to win an esteemed collection of these famous tap waters."
That's right, folks. If you donate to UNICEF, you can win a bottle of famous tap water and basically sip from the same faucet as Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. Because everything is better when it's famous.
Mad props to UNICEF for raising more than $2.5 million since the launch of the Tap Project in 2007. And even though we don't quite get it, even more props to UNICEF for thinking outside the box. You've totally convinced us to donate -- if drinking the same water that Rihanna drinks will make us half as photogenic as her, we're in.
Props to MTV.com (03.18.11)

Back in month, Forbes broke down the five wealthiest Hip Hop moguls, saying that the genre's top earners - Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Birdman, Dr. Dre and Diddy. Now, in a recent blog, Forbes's Zack O'Malley Greenburg explained why Diddy, who's worth a whopping $475 million, may be the first of the genre to make a billion dollars.
According to Greenburg, Diddy's extensive branding with his Bad Boy imprint and clothing lines like Sean John and Enyce have already netted him hundreds of millions of dollars. Experts indicate, however, that Diddy's involement with Ciroc vodka will prove to be essential to him reaching the billion dollar mark. Although Ciroc isn't selling as much as its sister brand Ketel One, Diddy's work with the budding vodka label may earn him nine figures in the future.
"The product is important," says one equity analyst from Edward Jones & Co Jack Russo. “But the name on the product is about ten times as important...Ciroc is a very popular brand, and it’s been growing. It has that cache. It’s in the right spot in the right sector.”
At the same time, Diddy's public image has proven integral to his immense success. His ability to reinvent himself as a mogul, a musician and an actorhas helped him create a multi-medium brand that consumers easily recognize.
"He makes his lifestyle coexist with everything else he’s doing,” said Hip Hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy. "The broad scope of his career and how he’s been able to stay relevant is one of the great examples of personal brand-building."
Props to HipHopDX.com (03.17.11)

Veteran Hip-Hop attorney Bret D. Lewis revealed to AllHipHop.com today (March 15th) that he made it to the next round for an internship with actor Charlie Sheen.
Charlie Sheen announced a contest via Twitter on March 7th, in which he is seeking a #winning Intern for 8 weeks, who will help manage the actor's social media strategy.
Sheen received over 81,148 applications for the role and yesterday he announced the contestants who made it to the second round.
Attorney Bret D. Lewis, whose clientele includes Tha Dogg Pound and The Jacksons, submitted an initial application that was limited to 75 characters which stated: "I’d be a good social media intern because 'I have Tigerblood, a #Winning attitude and 20+ years as an entertainment attorney." 
Lewis told AllHipHop.com that he is looking forward to the next round, where he can provide more background and prove how serious he is about being Charlie Sheen's intern.
“I think I will make a great intern for Charlie, and I have a lot of great ideas for him," Bret D. Lewis told AllHipHop.com. "After years of working with artists and handling their every need, from child support issues to litigation, I think I will be the perfect Intern for Charlie."
In round 2, Lewis gets to provide his educational background and G.P.A., in addition to listing his two most valuable job experiences...
Props to AllHipHop.com (03.16.11)

When a comment from Ne-Yo hit the Internet in which the songwriter said that he wished he could have kept the Beyoncé hit "Irreplaceable" for himself, some took it as a dis to the star.
"One song that I gave away and didn't want to, but it's actually a good thing that I did, is Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'. I honestly wrote that song for myself, but that song taught me a very interesting lesson: Many women don't think that differently. ... However, a man singing it comes across a little bit misogynistic, a little bit mean," Ne-Yo, who wrote the song, said in an interview.
When it was implied on Twitter that Ne-Yo was dissing the Sasha Fierce star with his comments, the singer/songwriter defended himself. "Aiight my dude. Send me the link to where I said ANYTHING disrespectful about Beyonce, PLEASE! Dying to hear this," he wrote. "Just heard the audio where I supposedly dissed Beyonce. ARE Y'ALL SERIOUS!?! Did y'all even listen to what I said!?!"
Ne-Yo then continued to tweet his anger toward those who misunderstood what he said. "I said I originally wrote the song for me. That's true, so OF COURSE I didn't want to give it away originally. IT WAS FOR ME," he wrote. "Once I realized how the song comes across if sung by a guy, that's when I decided to give it away. HOW IS THAT DISSING BEYONCE!?! She took the song and made it a smash, NOBODY can deny that ...
"You know what? At first I was apologetic about what the hacker said, now that I've heard the audio myself, not so much," he continued. "Y'all should listen a lil' harder before you start dissin' people. Makes you look real dumb. I'm tired of being nice to dumb people. ... Bottom line, Beyonce is my friend. To HELL with anybody that ain't SMART enough to understand what I truly meant."
Props to MTV.com (03.15.11)

An aspiring singer paid to appear in Nicki Minaj's upcoming music video 'Super Bass,' claims to have been fired for leaking the details online. According to TMZ, Toyin Koyejo was demoted from main attraction to an extra for spilling the beans about the video via Twitter.
"Yea buddy! Guess who just got booked as a lead on Nicki Minaj's new Video? ....Yup you guessed it! ...Lil 'ol me #Leggo," he wrote last week. Two days later Koyejo revealed that some of his Tweets, which appear to have been deleted caused him to lose his spot. "Long story short Ya'll got me in trouble for tweeting ... I got featured in the vid but my boy got the lead so I'm good."
Koyejo went on to state that, despite TMZ's reports, he was not "demoted" but will have to wait until the video is released to see if he will get any face time. Since 2008, the singer has been working to make a name for himself via YouTube and boasts over 55,000 followers on Twitter.
Although Minaj has yet to confirm or deny any issue with Koyejo leaking information, the Young Money frontwoman released a sneak peak of the video to MTV, so the concept and details are hardly a secret.
"Super Bass' is about the boy that you are crushing over," she said. "And you kind of want to get your mack on, but you're taking the playful approach. We have a lot of little surprises in store for this particular video," she said. "I would like to put out 50 videos. The videos really tell the story a lot more elaborately than just the song does."
Sales of Minaj's platinum plus debut 'Pink Friday,' remain steady as the New York native broke another Billboard records, becoming the first female emcee most consecutive weeks spent in the Top 10 by a female rap album on the Hot 200 charts.
No word yet on when 'Super Bass' will be released.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.14.11)

Don King is known throughout the world for many accomplishments, from organizing the "The Rumble in the Jungle" and the "Thrilla in Manilla," to promoting the careers of legendary boxers like Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.
But according to King, it is he, who is the original "God father of Hip-Hop," due to his close association with a number of musicians, including James Brown.
In a new interview with Seen Magazine, Don King claims that it was his influence over musicians like James Brown that led to the eventual creation of Hip-Hop music in the early 1970's.
"James Brown was the “Godfather of Soul”; Don King was the “Godfather of Hip Hop," Don King declared. "We changed the game. The game used to be cup and hold, and hold tight and don’t let go! So the thing here that you have to understand is we are like when Shakespeare and them were going round and playing on a ukulele or little banjo and they would tell the state of the union. All the rappers would tell the story of the community and the story of the ghetto, the stories and of the high profiling."
According to Don King, he helped a number of powerful, culturally significant African-American musicians get in touch with their roots by taking them across the world, on multiple occasions.
"I took them across the world to a continent they held from their ancestry ethnically," Don King continued. "From BB King, James Brown, Sister Sledge, all of the song- writers and producers. I took them there to Africa and then again I took them to the 'Thrilla in Manila'."
Props to AllHipHop.com (03.11.11)

Sean "Diddy" Combs may be known for his music endeavors, but his philanthropic work received top billing, with an award during the Jackie Robinson Foundation annual ROBIE Awards in New York City on Monday.
Diddy, who was one of many guests, at the black-tie gala held at the Waldorf-Astoria, was happy to receive the honor. "I'm so proud of all the Jackie Robinson Scholars...and I'm so blessed they would honor me with a ROBIE award," he wrote on his Twitter page. The awards dinner also helped raise money for the Jackie Robinson Foundation's minority scholarship and mentoring program. For the 2010-2011 academic year, the organizations awarded 220 Foundation scholars attending 92 different colleges and universities, and representing 31 states. The hands-on scholarship award also includes peer and professional mentoring, internship placement and leadership training.
Now in its 37th year, the foundation's ceremony acknowledges those who embody the humanitarian legacy of the famed baseball player. With 20 full-time staff members, and 90 volunteers across eight regions, the JRF prides itself in the high graduation rate of its scholars but works to develop young leaders armed with the skills to successfully compete with in the global workforce...
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.10.11)

Kanye has had his fair share of trouble with the videos from his latest platinum album. First his "All Of The Lights" video was accused of stealing themes, then it was temporarily taken off the air for apparently causing seizures. Now it turns out that MTV banned his controversial video for his posse cut "Monster."
The video hit the Internet a couple months ago and never made it onto television. The leak was an unfinished version, so the assumption was the video would be on TV when it was finished and officially released. Due to the depiction of women in the video, that will not be happening. A petition to ban the video from Change.org was circulated and eventually signed by MTV.
"The mainstreaming of videos like this increases desensitized and callous attitudes toward violence against women," said Melinda Tankard Reist, one of the campaign originators. "Young people are seeing images and absorbing harmful messages which glamorise misogyny and brutalise women. Women are reduced to sex-doll like playthings. So great is the level of desensitization that the barbaric treatment of women and girls is seen as normal and to be expected. We decided to run this campaign because we wanted to challenge the status quo."
UPDATE: A spokesperson for MTV released the following statement: "MTV has not banned Kaye West's 'Monster' video. We have been in constant communication with the label regarding this matter. However, we are still awaiting the edits we requested in order for the video to be suitable for broadcast."
Props to HipHopDX.com (03.08.11)

Kanye West fans might have to pop open a new browser if they're looking to watch his video for 'Monster.' The clip, which leaked to the Internet in December, has been banned by MTV after feminist groups started a petition claiming that the video perpetuates violence against women and glamorizes misogyny.
The controversial visuals, which depict deceased women next to rappers Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj, is yet to surface as an official version, though it's got feminist bloggers heated. Activists Sharon Haywood and Melinda Tankard Reist spearheaded a petition demanding that Universal Music Group and MTV pull the clip, nabbing over 1,600 signautres via Change.org.
"The mainstreaming of videos like this increases desensitized and callous attitudes toward violence against women," said Reist. "Young people are seeing images and absorbing harmful messages which glamorise misogyny and brutalise women. Women are reduced to sex-doll like playthings. So great is the level of desensitization that the barbaric treatment of women and girls is seen as normal and to be expected. We decided to run this campaign because we wanted to challenge the status quo."
Kanye most recently faced controversy over his video 'All of the Lights' featuring Rihanna and Kid Cudi. The Chi-town native was asked to re-cut the video so as not to feature as many flashing lights, which epilepsy groups claimed could trigger seizures for afflicted viewers.
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.07.11)

With 14 weeks in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, Pink Friday becomes the female rap album with the most consecutive weeks in the Top 10.
Queens rapper Nicki Minaj is continuing to break records with her debut album Pink Friday. According to a Tweet made by Nicki Minaj earlier this week Pink Friday has broken the record for the female rap album with the most consecutive weeks in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
“Now 14 weeks ; PINK FRIDAY BREAKS the RECORD for MOST CONSECUTIVE weeks in the TOP 10 by a female rap album on Billboard's 200,” Nicki Minaj Tweeted on Wednesday, March 2.
Weeks after its release Pink Friday sold 33,000 copies last week and managed to secure the Number 9 spot on the Billboard 200.
Not many albums by female Hip Hop artists have reached such accolades. Lil Kim’s The Notorious KIM, which debuted at Number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2000 only managed to remain in the Top 10 for two consecutive weeks. Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill comes close to Nicki Minaj’s new record with 10 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200.
Pink Friday was released on November 19, 2010 through Lil Wayne’s Young Money. 
Props to HipHopDX.com (03.04.11)

A quiet war is brewing between residence in a Brooklyn neighborhood and the owner of a Hip-Hop club that will open in the area soon.
A group of residents in the Park Slope have circulated fliers throughout the neighborhood, urging residence to protest the opening of Prime 6.
Residents are attempting to have the owner of Prime 6 change from a Hip-Hop club to an Indie Rock venue.
According to sources, residents in the area recently attended a board hearing to protest a liquor license for Prime 6, which will be located at the corner of Flatbush and Sixth Ave.
"No one can change the fact that Prime 6 WILL exist - they have their liquor license, and nothing's going to deter them from opening," wrote Jennifer McMillen, who lives a few doors down from Prime 6.
"BUT: What if owner Akiva Ofshtein could be convinced that his business will see far more financial success as a different kind of nightlife establishment," McMillen wrote. "Instead of focussing on hip-hop and urban entertainment, what if Prime 6 embraced some of the more indie local artists of ALL races who live and perform in the area."
Prime 6 is being constructed just one-block the future home of the Brooklyn Nets, which counts rap star/Brooklyn native Jay-Z as an investor.
Props to AllHipHop.com (03.03.11)

When boxer Bernard Hopkins began to reflect on his life and think about potentially making a biopic out of his trials, rapper 50 Cent was the first actor that came to mind. Hopkins, who will try to become boxing's oldest world champion this summer at the age of 46, says he has the financial backing for a film and wants to get his ideal actor onboard.
"After I win, I'm ready to tell my whole story," Hopkins told ESPN. "I studied at the university of life. Sometimes you have to almost die to know what living is about. I know my life can be an inspiration to others. I learned my lessons early. Statistics show that I shouldn't be alive today. I overcame so much."
Hopkins, who became a felon at the age of 17 and served four years out of an 18-year bid in prison, thinks 50 Cent's rough pre-star life gives him the perfect credentials to provide an accurate and authentic portrayal on the big screen. He has apparently already talked to the producers of 'Training Day' and 'Brooklyn's Finest' to get them onboard with the new project.
"I want 50 Cent," Hopkins concluded. "He has the swagger. He doesn't look approachable but he really is. He understands my life. It was his life also."
Props to TheBoomBox.com (03.02.11)

Esperanza Spalding became an overnight sensation when she beat out Justin Bieber for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, and quickly faced the wrath of his Beliebers. The jazz musician appeared on Monday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where she discussed how she jetted to Japan after winning the award, and only recently learned about the attacks on her Wikipedia page.
“People kept telling me, ‘Have you heard about this on Wikipedia?’ and at first I was like, ‘Who cares? It’s Wikipedia. Don’t you take it with a grain of salt?’” said the afro-sporting singer. “I guess they changed my name and did all sorts of crazy things. I heard today that my middle name is actually Quesadilla. And I thought, if that’s the worst they could come up with, then it’s all good. Take it in stride.”
She also recalled meeting the teen sensation after the show, and that his kind words touched her heart. “He was very sweet. I was complimenting him and saying, ‘You’re so talented, you have so many years to do so many amazing things. Your mom must be so proud.’ And then he laid this one on me, which was surprising. He said, ‘My mom is proud of me anyway, because she loves me,’” she continued. “I thought it was sincere and I was impressed."
Spalding, who released her sophomore album Chamber Music Society last year, spoke on playing at the White House four times. While some artists might get nervous meeting President Obama, she was too enamored by musicians in the front row to let her nerves get the best of her.
Props to RapUp.com (03.01.11)

Wiz Khalifa’s “Black & Yellow” is currently ranked number eight on Billboard magazine’s “Hot 100” chart. The gold-selling single is enjoying a 13-week run on the chart, and it has spawned a remix and tributes from the likes of Fabolous, Snoop Dogg and even a “Jersey Shore” cast member. And Wiz says this is only the beginning.
“Everything that we drop after ‘Black & Yellow’ is going to do as well or better,” Wiz recently told Billboard.com. “‘Black & Yellow’ was just supposed to be a set-up record. We haven’t even gotten into the good stuff.”
In addition to “Black & Yellow” producers, Stargate, Wiz has already completed cuts produced by Pharrell and Jim Jonsin. All will appear on his upcoming album, an album of which he currently refuses to reveal the release date or title. Wiz did add that he plans to “go back in and tighten up some other things, and add maybe a track or two. But for the most part it’s done.”
For now, Wiz will continue touring. According to his booking agent, Peter Schwartz, Wiz performed around 130 shows in 2010, 63 of which were for his Waken Baken tour. Factor in the 90,000 tickets sold for that tour alone, the popularity of 2010’s “Kush x OJ” mixtape and his upcoming “High School” DVD with Snoop Dogg, and this could be an extremely profitable year for the Pittsburgh native. Are any special celebrations in order?
“I’ll probably just keep working,” he quipped. “I don’t think I’m going to do anything spectacular to celebrate—I already smoke enough.”
Props to HipHopDX.com (02.28.11)