Jay-Z Run This Town Video

Nipsey Reveals How He Took Over

Possible Relapse 2 Release Date, November 17th?

Is Eminem's Relapse 2 hitting stores November 17th? Relapse 2 recently showed up on Amazon UK with a November 16th release date which would make the US release November 17th because the US usually gets albums one day after the UK. This would also make a lot of sense because November 17th is a Tuesday and most stores begin to sell albums on Tuesdays. Amazon is usually very reliable for album release dates. Are you ready for another dose of Eminem's relapse this soon?

City Official Protests Gucci Mane Show In Albany, GA

AllHipHop Reports

Gucci Mane may be one of the hottest entertainers around, but the Atlanta hitmaker is receiving a cold shoulder from an Albany, Georgia, city commissioner.

Gucci Mane is scheduled to perform August 29 at the Albany Civic Center. Despite fans’ anticipation for the show, city commissioner Bob Langstaff is less than thrilled with having the rapper take the stage at the venue.

"I'm appalled...what do you need from me to keep this "entertainer" from performing at Albany's Civic Center?" the commissioner wrote in an e-mail to Albany City Manager Alfred Lott and Civic Center Director John Mazzola while referencing Gucci Mane lyrics he found online. "This is not appropriate for our civic center."

Langstaff’s disapproval was countered by the concert’s promoter, Gilbert Udoto, who was taken aback by opposition to an event designed to bring attention to the civic center as well as eager ticket buyers.

According to the Odyssey Records owner, city officials came to him with hopes of bringing a big show to Albany.

"It's big. We haven't had an artist of this magnitude in a long time," Udoto told WALB News. "They talk about the Civic Center. You know we have not brought any acts here. Now we have an act that can sell tickets and now this is what we get.”

The upcoming Gucci Mane concert comes amid a wave of professional highs for Gucci Mane, who is gearing up for the release of the follow-up to his 2007 album, Back to the Trap House, this year.

In addition to his success as a solo artist, the rapper has appeared on remixes for the Black Eyed Peas (“Boom Boom Pow”) and Mariah Carey (“Obsessed”) as well as “Break Up,” the hit single from R&B crooner Mario.

Although he is aware that Gucci Mane’s lyrics can be offensive to some, Udoto was adamant that the rapper’s music is an exercise in free speech.

"It's no different from other artists,” he said. “It's played on the radio all over. He's the hottest artist."

Gucci Mane’s status as a popular artist resulted in a costly effort to bring the rapper to Albany for Udoto as $40,000 was spent to ensure the entertainer’s appearance.

The commissioner stated in his e-mail that he would like to call a special meeting to adopt policy guidelines for future performers, if his issues with the rapper cannot be resolved "in-house."

Drake - "Killers" Feat Nipsey Hussle - Hot Or Not? [Download Link Included]

Chris Cash "Ice Cream Paint Job remix" video

Chris Ca$h "Ice Cream Paint Job" from carlosr on Vimeo.

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Slaughterhouse: Rap in the Key of Life

It takes a true fighter to win in this race. Some of the best artists in the history of this genre didn’t get what they deserved. Impressive lyricists got their due in props but never in plaques. Label drama got the best of them. Life made them switch lanes and some were forced to leave the game by outside pressures. Underground heroes stayed under the radar. Critics wrote them off and fans faded. That could have been the outcome for each member of Slaughterhouse. After all, many counted every single one of them out at some point in their careers. Between the four emcees, they have had to fight and endure single issues, label quarrels, shelved projects and beefs with bigger named acts all while trying to juggle personal lives, families and more amidst the turmoil and infinite chaos in the music business. The fight continued.

Faced with adversity, they refused to fade into obscurity and milk carton status. Instead, these four men came up fighting with something to prove. They fought against the boxes they were put into and fought for their respect in an industry that often wins these battles. But, they kept fighting, even when they were counted out. They joined forces in an unexpected partnership and made sure people knew exactly what they were out to do by boldly naming themselves after a murderous and bloody home for death, a testament to the fact that they were fighting ‘till the end.

Faced with adversity most would plummet under, they rose and faught against odds. To those familiar with their life stories, that shouldn’t be surprising. They have been doing this since they were young kids in their respective streets and they have never stopped scrapping. In an exclusive interview with HipHopDX, each member of what they call “The Slaughterhouse Machine” spoke on their lives, upbringing, rhyme writing techniques and more, allowing readers a “peak into their windows” to see what truly makes them survivors. Even after all of the disputes, feuds and problematic situations, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden and Royce Da 5'9" have come out on top as the one-time underdogs are currently the most talked about group in the Rap world and hoping to keep that momentum alive after releasing a critically acclaimed debut album that they managed to churn out in less than a week. With solo projects soon to follow and a second Slaughterhouse album to drop after that, don’t expect them to stop fighting anytime soon.

HipHopDX: From the start of the new album, you all switch up your flows in unexpected fashion. Later on the album, you come with up-tempo tracks, more mellow ones, heartfelt tracks or straight punch line attacks. How important was it to showcase the fact that you can all be versatile with both flow and subject matter without letting your lyrics suffer?
Royce Da 5'9": We all were concerned [about the outcome]. We had numerous discussions because we all had this box that everybody was putting us in. Like, a lot of the personal shit, Joell donated [material] from his own album because that’s what he does. The different flows and different styles automatically just came off the different beats. We all just attacked it like we would attack our own shit and it came out sounding like that.
Joe Budden: I can only speak for me. I was high for the entire recording process so I was just trying to keep up. I was just trying to keep up and I was so out of it! Royce gassed me, too. He was like, “You know what I like about your performance on the album? I like the fact that it sounds like you were high...because you were!”

DX: The best groups in music history compliment one another well with different characteristics. You’ve called yourselves “The Voltron Crew” and “The Four Headed Monster” and seem united even though you all come from very different parts of the States. How do each of you bring something that balances the group as a whole and how does each group member contribute to that dynamic?
Crooked I: We grew up in different regions and we’re expressing ourselves the way we see fit. Coming from the west, I do it like this. Joell will give you a piece of Brooklyn life. Joe will give you a piece of Jersey and Nickel will give you a piece of Detroit. Those are different points of views, different ways that people get down and different ways of life but we all come together on a song and you start to see how much we all have in common across the map while you also see the diversity in the hoods. We just bring a lot of stuff. Joell can touch your heart with a couple of verses and talk about some real stuff or get on an old school track and just rip it. He’s great at what he does. Joey might jump in and come with some real deep introspective lyrics, something dark or the thought of being close to death or something that just makes your mind think. Then, he might come out and do something that’ll make the club jump up! Royce is just a technical master of lyricism. You could tell when you listen to him, that he and Eminem are cut from the same cloth like that. It’s like “I can master this! No matter what I’m rapping about, the flow is going to be on point, the words are going to be on point and everything is going to be in the pocket so it’s going to be as close to perfect as you can get.” That’s the whole thing. We all bring those elements to the table and that’s what makes us a four headed monster

Jay-Z to Perform at VMAs

One of Hip Hop's biggest acts has been tapped for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, as Jay-Z joins of list of performers including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Pink and Muse.

According to MTV News, Jay-Z is up for the Best Hip Hop Video and Best Male Video awards, and will be performing a song from his upcoming album, Blueprint 3.

Gaga, whose hit single "Poker Face" was remixed by Pete Rock, is tied with Beyonce for most VMA nomination with nine.

"I'm simply gutted to be both a performer and nominee at the 2009 VMAs," said Gaga. "In fact, I'm so happy, I could die."

Presenters at the awards show include Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, Katy Perry, and others.

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will take place on September 13 at 9:00 PM - two days after the release of Blueprint 3.

You're A Jerk Remix Ft. Chris Cash

Jay - Z's Blueprint 3 official cover

Pitbull - Hotel Room Service Video

Hotel Room Service

Rick Ross talks new album entitled "Teflon Don"

Undeterred by a recent ban from entering the country of Bermuda, rapper Rick Ross is moving forward with plans for a new album.

In an interview with the Hartford's 93.7 's On-Air Idiot Show, Ross was at a loss for words as to why the country would ban him on the grounds of not “possessing good character and conduct.”

“I never been there, so I don’t know,” Ross explained. “I had a great time in Dubai, they welcomed me there. And I spent some good money over there and we had a wonderful time. Maybe Bermuda is even more special than that. We’ll have to look into it.”

Ross confirmed that he is already working on his next solo album, Teflon Don, which he expects to surpass his recent success with 2009’s Deeper Than Rap.

“I’m already on top of it, [and] it’s going to eclipse all my other projects,” Ross stated. “I recorded a record last week called ‘My Wedding Day.’ Just to summarize it, it’s like New Jack City when they were at the wedding…but it starts off real beautiful. [But] we’re just focused on this Triple C project and hitting them hard.”

The Triple C’s LP, entitled Custom Cars & Cycles, is being promoted by the Birdman-assisted single “Go.”

The debut project from Ross’ group is currently slated for a Fall release.

“The streets are excited. It’s all about motivating people to get up in the morning and go and get it,” Ross detailed. “I always stay focused on business….These are my brothers and they’ve been riding with me forever. It’s only right, the time’s right. We have a high-powered album we’re going to drop in October. Just know there’s a lot more treats to come.”

With the correctional officer and 50 Cent issue dying down, Ross credits his business acumen and music quality for his perseverance.

“[I’m] being a hustler,” Ross argued. “It don’t matter if you put me in Ireland tomorrow. You’re going to here about me doing something over there, I’ll make a movie. It’s the kind of dude I am. Whatever room you put me in it don’t matter. That’s what it’s about. I feel like everybody that’s watched my career and this empire being built are going to learn to respect it.”

At press time, a specified October date has not been announced for the Triple C’s album.

Drake Collapse on Stage

Eminem - The Warning (Mariah Carey n Nick Cannon diss)

Jay Z’s “D.O.A.” Increases Auto-Tune Sales

While Jay Z’s “D.O.A” [click to listen] calls for the death of the popular audio software program Auto-Tune, the fad is far from dead.

Antares Audio Technologies, the company that created Auto-Tune, revealed to the New York Times that sales of Auto-Tune have in fact increased since the release of Jay Z’s “D.O.A.”.

“The Jay-Z controversy is great,” Marco Alpert, vice president of marketing at Antares, told the New York Times. “We couldn’t buy P.R. like this.”

Originally created to correct a singer’s pitch, Auto-Tune has become heavily used in Hip Hop and R&B. Artists such as Lil Wayne, Kanye West [click to read], and T-Pain have benefited tremendously from Auto-Tune and although Jay-Z [click to read] is hoping the trend comes to an end he is in no way putting down the artists who have profited from it.

"The guys who did, did it great," Jay-Z explained to New York’s HOT97 weeks ago. "Let them guys do it. They got their little niche. Let's move on."

Young Jeezy disses DJ Drama

Ever since a brawl between Young Jeezy's and DJ Drama's camps broke out at a screening of Notorious in Atlanta earlier this year, tension has been building between the rapper and the deejay.

In an upcoming interview in XXL, Jeezy made his discontent with the popular deejay official.

"Drama just started acting like a bitch. Drama wanted to be Khaled, but he didn't want to help nobody," said Jeezy. "He just changed, period. Look at his crew. The same niggas ain't around him. You ain't never been in no streets. I could never have no beef with a nigga like that. He's a cornball.

"You made millions off my mixtapes, to the point where the fuckin' feds scooped you up for bootlegging. I never even made the money he made off of Trap or Die or Tha Streetz Iz Watchin, because they were selling and distributing them and making money," elaborated Jeezy.

The Snowman continued, alleging that Drama charged too much for a mixtape that was going to feature one of Jeezy's artists. "We will never do a mixtape together," announced Jeezy. "I didn't charge that nigga for [contributing a verse to the song '5000 Ones,' on Drama's official debut]. But then when I need [a tape for one of my artists], and you want to charge me $20,000?"

Fortunately, Jeezy has no intention of physical violence. "I'll slap the shit out of Drama. He knows that. He wasn't loyal," said Jeezy, "But me putting my hands on that man ain't gonna make him respect what I'm saying. I'm just not gonna fuck with him anymore."

DJ Drama presumably responded to Jeezy's statements yesterday (July 30) via his Twitter account (twitter.com/DJDRAMA).

"Damn what did I land to? Lol ... it'll get addressed people, don't believe them lies," wrote Drama.

Eminem - The Warning (Mariah Carey n Nick Cannon diss)

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.8315/title.eminem-the-warning-mariah-carey-nick-cannon-diss

The Game Continues to go at Jay "Fuck Jay-Z"

The Prince Vol. 2

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Eminem Talks Lil Wayne, Hip-Hop’s Future

By Ismael AbduSalaam

With his highly anticipated Relapse album less than a month away, Detroit superstar Eminem is continuing to open up about his feelings on today’s top stars and the direction of Hip-Hop culture.

For the past year, Lil Wayne has pleaded in the media for Eminem to end his sabbatical with a all-star, joint collaboration.

In a recent interview on Shade 45, Eminem expressed his willingness to make the song a reality despite Wayne’s tenuous relationship with his Shady/Aftermath superstar 50 Cent.

“I would. There hasn’t necessarily been a time for me to really get out there and do collaborations lately because I’ve been so locked down in the studio,” Eminem explained. “I’m open for whatever. There are a lot of artists in the game that I respect, especially right now.”

In gauging Hip-Hop’s health in 2009, the Detroit emcee argued that the culture is showing signs of life and growth after being mired in years of mediocrity.

“For awhile it seemed that Hip-Hop was not really in a good place,” Eminem stated. “For a good three to four years it just seemed that all anybody really cared about was having a dope beat [and] a good hook. There was no substance. It seems to be coming back with artists like Lil Wayne and T.I. I like Kanye a lot, too. And especially because I’m back.”

Eminem’s latest single “We Made You,” is the rapper’s second Top 10 Billboard single this year following the Dr. Dre and 50 Cent collaboration “Crack a Bottle.”

Eminem’ sixth studio LP Relapse is currently set for a May 15 release.

Eminem Relapse Album Cover Released

Released today, the above image is said to be the official cover for Eminem's Relapse album. The work is a collage, made of prescription pills. Going along with the theme, Eminem's government name appears again on this album, with "Prescribed by Dr. Dre" also included on the bottle-sized label.

According to this edition, the album, as promised, will release May 19, 2009 on Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records.

Check out Eminem's single "We Made You" [click to view] [click to listen].

The CEO of Philadelphia's Take Down Records gets life, DVD used in prosecution.

According to AllHipHop.com, Ace Capone, CEO of Philadelphia-based label Take Down Records has been sentenced to life plus 55 years.

In 2005, Capone was arrested and accused of being behind a $25 million drug ring. According to police, Capone’s drug ring extended to four different states including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.

During his trial, prosecutors accused Capone of trafficking over two tons of powdered cocaine and close to a half-ton of crack in a span of about eight years. And according to prosecutors, he was able to cover up his trafficking though side businesses that included a day care center, a water ice stand, and his label Take Down Records.

Ironically, prosecutors used a Take Down Records DVD as evidence during the trial. In the DVD Capone plays a notorious drug kingpin who is deep in his city’s drug trade.

The DVD, on top of the $500,000 in cash, 10 guns, and 450 grams of cocaine found in Capone’s home assisted greatly in prosecutors winning the case.

"You never respect life, or the value of it, until it's taken away," Judge R. Barclay Surrick explained to Capone.

When sentenced to life and 55 years in prison, a reportedly teary-eyed Capone explained that he “…never thought it would come to this."

T.I. Informant Bodyguard Sentenced to One Year

AllHipHop.com has confirmed that Corey Williams, former bodyguard to Hip-Hop star T.I., has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison for his role in last year’s machine gun/silencer scandal.

According to the Smoking Gun, Williams entered into a plea deal for his role in purchasing illegal firearms for T.I., real name Clifford Harris.

In court records, Williams revealed that he started working for T.I. in July 2007.

Soon after, Williams’ previously clean record allowed him to purchase weapons for T.I., who is barred from obtaining any due to his previous criminal convictions.

The arrangement was discovered by ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) authorities when Williams attempted to purchase a machine gun without registering the weapon, which is required by federal law.

Upon his arrest, Williams agreed to wear a wire during face-to-face meetings with T.I., which led to the rapper’s arrest on felony weapons charges.

Although no charges were filed, Williams also implicated T.I. protégé Alfamega in the conspiracy.

T.I. faced up to 10 years in prison for the charges, but was able to secure a unique deal that allowed him to perform 1000 hours of community service to at-risk youth.

In the past year, T.I. successfully completed the requirement by speaking at over 70 schools and community centers, and filming the MTV reality series Road to Redemption.

T.I. received the same one year sentence as his former bodyguard under his plea deal, and will start serving his sentence sometime next month.
Pending good behavior, the Atlanta native can be eligible for release within 10 months.

Corey Williams has already started his jail term.

Angelina Jolie Voted Most Beautiful Woman In The World

Hollywood siren Angelina Jolie has been named the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, beating supermodel Gisele Bundchen to the top spot in a new Vanity Fair poll.
The Wanted star was by far the most popular celebrity, garnering 58 per cent of the vote compared to newlywed Bundchen's nine per cent and third-placed Halle Berry with four per cent.

Brazilian stunner Bundchen, who recently married American footballer Tom Brady, wasn't the only one of actor Leonardo DiCaprio's lovers to make the list - current girlfriend Bar Refaeli tied for fourth place with Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Connelly with three per cent each.

Other celebrities to make the countdown include Beyonce Knowles, Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, Kerry Washington and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Exclusive Cover Eminem Punishes XXL

On His Drug Addiction
“I wasn’t really mentally. I wasn’t ready to give up drugs. I didn’t really think I had a problem. Basically, I went in, and I came out. I relapsed, and I spent the next three years struggling with it. Also, at that time, I felt like I wanted to pull back, because my drug problem had got so bad. I felt like, Maybe if I take a break, maybe this will help. I started to get into the producer role more…I can still be out there with my music, like with the Re-Up album, but I don’t have to be in the spotlight the whole time.”

On Proof’s Death
“Everyone felt his loss, from his kids, to his wife, to everyone. But, for some reason, in hindsight, the way I felt was almost like it happened to just me…Maybe at the time I was a little bit selfish with it. I think it kind of hit me so hard. It just blindsided me. I just went into such a dark place that, with everything, the drugs, my thoughts, everything. And the more drugs I consumed, and it was all depressants I was taking, the more depressed I became, the more self-loathing I became…By the way, I’m just now at the point where I’m better talking about it. It took me so long to get out of that place where I couldn’t even speak about it without crying or wanting to cry…Proof was the anchor. He was everything to D12. And not just the group-for me, personally, he was everything.”

On T.I., Lil Wayne & Hip-Hop
“I stayed up on the music, and obviously I watch TV and saw what was going on. And without naming any name, it just felt like hip-hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. You know, in them three years, it was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance. But with this new T.I. album, with this new Lil Wayne album of recent, it seems like things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear shit and you’re like Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that! You know what I mean? Or you hear all the compound-syllable rhyming and all that. It just seems like now the craft is getting cared about more

Beyonce, Jay-Z Earn Combined $162 Million In 2008

Britney Spears brought in just $2.25 mil, according to Parade magazine's celeb-earnings list.

Talk all you want about how Beyoncé's husband rakes in the bucks, but Mrs. Sean Carter is doing just fine on her own, thank you very much. As part of Parade magazine's annual "What People Earn" issue, it's revealed that Beyoncé banked a remarkable $80 million in 2008, just $2 million less than Jay-Z.

Also included in the random sampling of celebrities in the issue was funnyman Will Ferrell, who made $31 million last year, edging out actress Jennifer Aniston, who took in a not-too-shabby $27 million. It was also a good year for Ferrell's former "Saturday Night Live" castmate Tina Fey, who was paid $4.6 million for her work in movies and as the creator/star of "30 Rock."

And though she's now in the midst of a career-reviving tour and has a hit album on her hands with Circus, Britney Spears was not yet ramping up her earning potential yet in 2008, during which she took home a modest sum (for her) of $2.25 million. Banking twice that much was country pop sensation Taylor Swift, who brought in $5.5 million.

It was clearly a good year for actor/director/screenwriter Tyler Perry. The "Madea" franchise mastermind amassed an amazing $125 million with his hit movies, plays and various other entertainment ventures.

Proving that crime doesn't pay, the impeached Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich — who allegedly attempted to sell the Senate seat once occupied by President Obama — made $177,400 (at least that we know of). Another governor who chafed under the harsh spotlight in 2008 — and who was seriously lampooned in the new Eminem video — former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin took home the not-too-blue-collar sum of $125,000.

That sum was a bit more than one of the country's newly minted heroes, airline pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who safely landed a plane on the Hudson River in New York. He earned a modest $100,000 last year.

Frankly, all of these celebs combined couldn't hold a candle to the biggest celebrity earner of the bunch: iconic doll Barbie, who amassed $3.3 billion in her 49th year.

One-time (supposed) Madonna boyfriend Alex Rodriguez had a perfectly good year, with a $34 million paycheck from the Yankees and various endorsements. But that didn't hold a candle to golf deity Tiger Woods, who made $110 million during a year he mostly spent rehabbing from knee surgery.

Other celebs on the list were TV host Kelly Ripa ($8 million), actor Patrick Dempsey ($3.5 million), billionaire New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ($1!), racecar driver Danica Patrick ($7 million) and radio host Rush Limbaugh ($38 million).

Source: MTV

Kanye West To Release Energy Drink

GURU Beverage Company announced they will be working on a new, organic energy drink with Kanye West via press release today. The company, which touts itself for "being built on principles of wellness, health, performance, authenticity and living life to the fullest," states an ad campaign involving West will be unveiled within the next six weeks.

"I express myself through music, fashion, art and design and that's why I am excited to collaborate with GURU; because the brand values what I value, and I can put what inspires me into this new product," West stated in the press release.

In addition to the currently unnamed new product, GURU announced Kanye has become an equity partner in the company. Terms of the deal were not announced, but some in the business community compare the move to 50 Cent's deal with Glacéau for their Vitamin Water brand [click to read].

"We are thrilled to be able to collaborate in the development of a new GURU product with Kanye West, whose talent and creativity embody GURU's philosophy of finding your inner genius, nurturing it and helping it bloom," added GURU Co-founder Ray Jolicoeur. "GURU reflects the health and creative sensibility of today's consumer who is searching for a drink that reflects who they are and how they live."

In addition to his venture with GURU, West also has deals in place with Louis Vuitton [click to read], Nike [click to read] and Travelocity.com [click to read].

The Game’s Black Wall Street Apparel Hits Europe

Whether The Game [click to read] decides to hang up the microphone or not, the Compton rapper will certainly keep busy with his Black Wall Street clothing line. Previously a brand limited to his own friends and crew, The Game has recently made the apparel available to people through his official BWS Europe site.

Tasiri Hixon, president of Black Wall Street, explained the decision to start The Game’s apparel line overseas. “We at BWS have been creating clothing items since Game and BWS began the climb to worldwide notoriety and popularity. Now we are taking steps forward to really take the clothing and make it a complete apparel line that will carve out a niche place in the marketplace,” he said in a press release.

With plans to spread the brand, Hixon foresees BWS clothing making its way to clothing stores in the states, much like Rocawear and Sean John. “We are still gearing up to launch domestically soon and it will be in retail stores and online stores soon.”

Fans can check out bwseurope.com for more information concerning the available BWS apparel, as well as prices. The Game is currently wrapping up his nationwide L.A.X. tour.

50 Cent Denies Offering Rick Ross Money To End Beef

In a videotaped interview between 50 Cent and radio personality Big Boy, the G-Unit leader took the time to deny Rick Ross' claim that a 50 Cent employee offered Ross $500,000 to end their beef.

"I saw that [video clip] on YouTube," said Fif, smiling. "He made that up — I don't think anybody interpreted that as if it was true. People looked at that like, 'Huh? ... How much more of a fool can you make of yourself?' People look at it like, now you can't take anything from him serious."

50 pointed out that paying to end a feud would not by typical of his character, and that he enjoys beefing.

"I competed with them just to keep the culture active," he said. "Ask me: Do I need [to beef with] a Rick Ross? I don't have a release date right now."

In the interview, 50 also predicted that Ross' upcoming album, Deeper Than Rap, would not be commercially successful.

"People are paying more attention to me and Rick Ross feuding than his actual records. His sales will reflect that."

Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent Double Down At The Palms

As Eminem fans impatiently await the arrival of the upcoming album, Relapse, the rapper is actively making his presence known. According to the Las Vegas Sun, Em and fellow rappers Dr. Dre and 50 Cent [click to read] just finished a three-week stay at The Palms in Las Vegas filming a music video and putting down tracks in the studio.

The video, reportedly for Em’s upcoming single, “We Made You,” also featured Palms owner and business mogul George Maloof.

“We [shot the video] in the casino playing blackjack,” said Maloof. “I actually dressed up as a dealer and it was kind of [like the] scene from Rain Man. I dealt cards to the three guys, to Dr. Dre and Eminem and 50 Cent.”

Before the three rap giants wrapped up the video shoot, they hit the studio, in what Maloof called one of the loudest recording sessions he’d ever heard.

“I think it’s the only time that we’ve had anybody in our studio where you could actually hear the sound through the walls,” he said. “The room…is four rooms in one. It’s like, impossible to hear through the walls—except for those guys.”

Although Maloof said the trio held noisy studio sessions, he also said that they were very focused.

A clip of the video will premiere April 7 on MTV at 6 a.m. and every hour afterwards. Relapse is reportedly set to drop on May 19.

Kanye West Unveils $200 Nikes, Fat Joe Plans $35 Sneaker

For some time now, Nike has held fans at the edge of their seats in anticipation of their Air Yeezy's, a shoe to be released in a partnership with Kanye West. As the release date gets closer, it seems fans will be lining up outside of some Footlocker locations for these sneakers.

“Nike is such an important brand to me,” Kanye said in a statement released last month on Nikepedia. “Whether you are on the court, in the street, in the club, at school, Nike represents excellence, the standard in design. Growing up, we looked forward to the release of new Nike’s the way we would an album by our favorite artist. So the opportunity to collaborate on a design with Mark Smith and Nike Design has been a dream come true, and a great experience.”

Nike had West try these shoes on during concerts and used his feedback to improve the durability and performance of the shoe. Now, fans can try them on as they will hit select stores Saturday April 4. The price is said to be above $200 and will only be avialble in a Zen Gray colorway for now. Later this year, Nike will release two more colorways.

In related news, Fat Joe is also working on a shoe. His sneakers, made to help those struggling in the rough economic climate, will sell at $35, reportedly. No finalized release date has been set for these shoes, however.

T.I. Says How He'll Spend Time Before Going To Prison

With T.I.'s impending jail sentence of one year and a day [click to read] approaching in under two months, the rapper has revealed how he wants to spend his time.

In an interview with MTV News, T.I. explained that he hasn't had enough family time.“I work so much, so I’d just like the time to kick it with them,” he said in the interview. “The kids, the old lady, my cousins, my brother, just with my family. Maybe take a vacation, maybe something for Mother’s Day. I don’t know, man. I might be able to make one more birthday party.”

Tip continued on the topic of family, explaining how his absence, which could be shortened to ten months, would affect his family.

“Well, you know we still got more work to do,” he explained. “At the end of the day I’m not going to be gone long enough to have any long-lasting effects. Of course, the initial emotion will be one of somber grief. But by the time they get over it, I’ll be getting home. Compared to how bad it could have been, I think I made out all right.”

T.I. is expected to report to jail on May 19.

Lil Wayne Explains His Direction For Rebirth

With “Prom Queen” and the album version of “Hot Revolver” [click to read] out, Lil Wayne’s Rebirth is on track to hit stores June 16th.

While some critics see the guitar and Auto-Tune singing as a Rock facade created by the New Orleans rapper, Wayne tells Rolling Stone magazine that the transition occurred because of his evolution as a person. “The Rock shit just comes from what my life is now…I’ve grown into this person.”

With his 2008 album Tha Carter III selling over a million copies in the first week, Wayne has become the quintessential Hip Hop superstar of today. With that accomplished, Wayne explains that he realized a calling to branch out of his musical box. “I just got — I’m not going to say ‘so good’ at what I was doing, but it became such a regularity for me that I got tired of it. And then I said, ‘You know what? I’m not going to rap on this one.’”

Repeating similar words that Baby told VIBE magazine recently [click to read], Wayne has set his expectations higher for Rebirth as an artist. “I don’t want to be the best rapper in the world. Not now…I want to be the best. Period. Now. My favorite rapper hasn’t done what I’m doing.”

Fans can check out the full Rolling Stone interview with Lil Wayne in their new issue, which hits newsstands this week.

Rapper Andre 3000 Arrested For Driving Porshe 109 MPH

Allhiphop reports:

Revered Atlanta rapper Andre 3000 was arrested outside of Atlanta on Saturday (March 28), for driving his 2007 Porsche Carrera at speeds so excessive police called him “an accident waiting to happen.”

According to a report by local ABC-affiliate WSB-TV Monday afternoon (March 30), the Grammy Award winning rapper/actor was arrested by a member of the Henry County Police Department’s Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic Team early Saturday morning.

The officer stated that he clocked Andre 3000, born Andre Benjamin, at 109 mph, 44 mph over the 65 mph speed limit along that stretch of I-75.

Benjamin was arrested for the danger he posed to other drivers.

“Traveling that fast along 75, you’re passing people as if they’re standing still,” explained Henry County Police Captain Jason Bolton. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

The arrest comes as State Representative Jim Cole is lobbying for a new Super Speeder Bill to be passed in the state of Georgia.

The law would impose an additional $200 fine for any driver stopped for driving at more than 85 miles an hour on highways and four-lane roads. Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue has indicated his support of the bill, which he intends to sign into law before summer.

Representative Cole stated that he hopes Benjamin will lend his support to the cause.

“He might be willing to help us market it,” Cole told WSB-TV.

The Outkast co-founder was released after posting an unspecified bond amount.

He is scheduled to appear in court to face charges associated with the incident on April 29.

At press time, representatives for Andre 3000 could not be reached for comment.

On Sunday (March 29), Benjamin wrapped up a live revival of his award-winning cartoon “Class of 3000,” which made a comeback as a stage play earlier this month.

The play, based on the short-live Cartoon Network Series’ pilot episode, “Life Without Music,” was presented for a month-long run as a partnership between Andre 3000 and the Alliance Theater in Atlanta.

According to Andre, who hopes to bring the play to schools around the country, he wanted to create an experience that would encourage kids to explore music beyond what is offered by the mainstream.

"I wanted to make sure it wasn't the teenybopper, kiddie sounds or stupid songs," he told the Associated Press. "I wanted to introduce them to different styles of music I was introduced to. From funk to jazz to calypso music, just to let them know there's a base from what they are hearing now."

Despite great critical acclaim and a 2007 Emmy Award for Individual Achievement in Animation, “Class of 3000” was cancelled in early 2008.

The decision to bring the show to live came shortly there after, at the request of the Alliance Theater’s director Rosemary Newcott, who told the Associate Press it was a “no-brainer” because of Benjamin’s impact through the show.

"The whole spirit of this show is infused with him, with his sense of humor and his love for music," she raved. "That's a valuable trait that draws people in."

Eminem, Dre and 50 Cent Shoot New Video In Las Vegas

Hip-Hop's most popular trio are preparing for a full fledged return to the rap game.

Rappers Eminem and 50 Cent, along with producer/rapper Dr. Dre, shot a video for the first single from Em's upcoming album The Relapse.

The trio shot scenes for the video inside of The Palms Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Representatives for Interscope remained mum about the title for the first official single from Eminem's highly anticipated album, his first in four years.

Reps did confirm that the video would hit airwaves and the Internet on April 7.

Additionally, Eminem who has sold over 75,000,000 records, has announced a follow-up album, The Relapse 2, will hit stores before the end of 2009.

"A lot of people we're expecting Relapse to drop last year," Eminem told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned out to be six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff."

The first single from Eminem's album The Relapse was "Crack The Bottle," which shot to #1 in iTunes' charts, with over 415,000 downloads the first week.

The Relapse is due in stores May 19 on Interscope/Aftermath/Shady.

Kanye West Surprises South By Southwest

Kanye West took over the annual South by Southwest music conference and festival as he performed twice Saturday to enthusiast crowds, when not even on the set list of performers.

The festival, which takes place in Austin, Texas, has historically been a stage for lesser known acts, but Kanye used his fame to impress and promote his G.O.O.D. Music label acts. 'Ye took the stage under a tent at a party sponsored by Fader magazine and Levi Jeans in a spur of the moment decision.

West also appeared to be having as much fun as his fans as he yelled, “It feels so good to rock for you tonight.” Kanye played numerous tracks from The College Dropout [click to read] as he mentioned Fader was the first magazine to put him in a cover spread.

The concert was streamed online and included 'Ye’s Universal Records-cosigned talents, Consequence [click to read] and Kid Cudi who dropped his hit "Day N Nite." Some old friends, Common [click to read] and Erykah Badu helped Kanye close out the party among thousands of ecstatic fans.

Later in the evening, Kanye showed up as Perez Hilton’s party north of Austin in an old grocery store. 'Ye voiced his respect for Perez, who rules the gossip blog world, as he rocked the stage unaccompanied. The party was one of the bigger events at the SXSW festival.

British rapper Lady Sovereign, who was set to perform, cancelled right before the show, but Kanye’s performance redeemed the set list for Perez.

Eminem To Appear At Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony, Will Be Inducting Run DMC

Eminem will be one of the presenters coming to Cleveland for the sold-out Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday, April 4, at Public Auditorium. He will induct Run DMC.

The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

Eminem's upcoming album "Relapse" is due for release on May 19th. A new single and video is set to drop on April 7th.

Eminem To Appear At Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony, Will Be Inducting Run DMC

Eminem will be one of the presenters coming to Cleveland for the sold-out Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday, April 4, at Public Auditorium. He will induct Run DMC.

The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

Eminem's upcoming album "Relapse" is due for release on May 19th. A new single and video is set to drop on April 7th.

Unreleased Beyonce Track Acquired In Death Row Auction

An unreleased Beyonce track is reportedly among the 10,000 songs that were acquired in the auction of Deathrow Records earlier this year.

Death Row was auctioned off for $18 million to WIDEawake Entertainment Group in January.

The initial reports of the auction only mentioned that unreleased tracks by former Death Row artists including 2Pac and Dr. Dre were acquired but Wideawake's John Payne recently revealed to Reuters that a Beyonce track was also picked up.

Payne, who was a producer/engineer for Death Row, serves as the senior vice president for WIDEawake Entertainment.

Payne revealed that he has reached out to Beyonce and other artists whose songs were acquired to work out appropriate contracts.

"There's so much exquisite material that never saw the light of day," Payne said. "These are artists that would love to see their material released, and I'm sure they want to get paid for what they've done."

Payne also revealed that he has been working with 2Pac's family to drop 13 of the rapper’s unreleased 40 songs they acquired. They are also working on song placements and synch deals with MTV and other TV and film companies.

WIDEawake are also developing a film about singer Marvin Gaye and a graphic novel that will involve the Death Row catalogue.

Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records, lost control of the label after filing for bankruptcy in 2006.

Eye Candy for the Fellas Teairra Mari Gets Us Sprung for Spring!

Kid Cudi To Retire After First Album

Rap longevity apparently isn’t on Kid Cudi’s 10-year plan. Per a blog entry written on kidcudi.com, the New York-based rapper (by way of Cleveland) will call it quits after his first album drops. A part of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music family, CuDi appeared on Yeezy’s 808s & Heartbreak, has been touring with the superstar and recently released a video for his smash hit, “Day ‘N’ Nite.” But Cudi’s current success has apparently taken as toll on him.

“After the release of my first LP this summer, I am not making any more solo albums,” he wrote in all caps. “I am falling back on being an artist. The drama that comes with it is more overwhelming than the shit I was dealing with when I was piss poor broke.”

“My friends get mad at me, say I’ve changed,” he continued. “One of the only homies I got in this game, Wale, is worried about me ’cause of shit he hears. Like, WTF? Who can say I’m being Hollywood? I’m not around anyone but Plain Pat and Emile. Who can say that shit? Motherfuckas talkin’ shit here and there, spreadin’ rumors, makin’ jokes, tryin’ to judge me, and for what?”

Cudi, who recently signed with Universal Motown, plans to drop the mic to focus on his acting career. He’s already set to star in How to Make It in America, an HBO comedy pilot following three twentysomethings trying to make it in the big apple. Shooting for the series, which will be executive produced by Mark Wahlberg, starts in August. There’s no word on when Cudi’s solo debut, Man on the Moon: The Guardians, will hit stores.

UPDATE Jim Jones Jumped By 20 Goons in Detroit, MI - Rapper Trick Trick Shot

UPDATE 8:00AM


Detroit rapper Trick Trick was reportedly shot at a local night club Sunday night (March 16)

According to The Detroit Free Press, Trick Trick was shot in the thigh after a fight broke out at the Esko Lounge. Police also revealed that another man was shot in the left arm.

Both men are expected to recover and no arrests have been made.


Props to Black Widow for the update


It was first reported that last night around 2am at Club Esko in Detroit. Jim Jones, who was about to perform, was rushed and beaten by at least 20 Detroit natives.

Reports claim that three individuals were shot.

A witness says "N***as came through the back door like it wasn't sh*t and rushed the stage. Gunfire erupted. Some female got shot in the ass"

Jay-Z's Secrets for Personal Success

When Jay-Z told the world that he wasn’t “a business man, I’m a business, man,” the world seemed to take notice. After humble beginnings with a once independent Roc-A-Fella Records, Mr. Carter rode his success to the top of the charts and the top of the boardroom.

In a new interview with Best Life, Jay-Z dropped some gems on business, personal tastes, and the secrets to his success.

On his personal tastes: "I've always wanted to stay true to myself, and I've managed to do that. People have to accept that. I collect art, and I drink wine...things that I like that I had never been exposed to. But I never said, 'I'm going to buy art to impress this crowd.' That's just ridiculous to me. I don't live my life like that, because how could you be happy with yourself?"

On business: "My brands are an extension of me. They're close to me. It's not like running GM, where there's no emotional attachment."

"The clothes are an extension of me. The music is an extension of me. All my businesses are part of the culture, so I have to stay true to whatever I'm feeling at the time, whatever direction I'm heading in. And hopefully, everyone follows."

To read the full interview, click here.

http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/wealth/Jay-Z-Personal-Success.php

Tupac ‘One Nation” Project Set for Official Release

By Ismael AbduSalaam

After 13 years of speculation and legal wrangling, the late Tupac Shakur’s dream of musically uniting the East and West Coasts has become a reality with the release of his ambitious One Nation album.

The opus was originally conceived by Tupac in 1996, after he witnessed the media and fan fallout of his personal feud with former friend The Notorious B.I.G.

Feeling that the issue had caused unnecessary tension between entire coasts, Tupac reached out to respected Brooklyn collective Boot Camp Clik to release a joint project dispelling any media notion of a Hip-Hop civil war.

From Shakur’s California residence, the parties worked diligently on completing a full album in time for release the following year.

Because of Tupac’s unsolved September 1996 murder, tracks from the project were indefinitely shelved and remained in limbo for the next 13 years.

Now, label A.E.G. has acquired the rights for the 18-track LP, and will release One Nation as a digital-only album.

Guests assisting Tupac and Boot Camp on the project include Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Tha Outlawz, Big Daddy Kane, Greg Nice, and the Notorious B.I.G.

One Nation will be released on Friday March 20 through all major digital distributors such as iTunes and Amazon.

Tupac’s last posthumous album was 2006’s Pac’s Life.

This year, Shakur would have celebrated his 38th birthday.

JUDGE WILL HEAR POETRY COMPLAINT

Poetry Nightclub had its first day in court today, with U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan refusing to dismiss the club’s civil suit against Caesars Palace and Simon Property Group for discrimination. No date for the hearing has been set, yet, but Poetry’s Branden Powers was happy after the hour-long court session.

“I was pleased with the judge’s decision,” Powers said. “I thought the arguments presented by the defense were weak and paper thin at best. We are very confidant the judge will see the facts presented in this case and will return a fair and just verdict.”

Rick Ross Fesses Up In May XXL Cover Story, “Yes, It Was Me In Those Pictures”

With his third solo album, Deeper Than Rap, slated for an April 21st release, Rick Ross is gracing the cover of XXL magazine’s upcoming May issue.

On Denying Being A Correctional Officer

“Me not answering or addressing that situation has nothing to do with my career. I’ve accomplished enough, and I’ve made enough money for me to be good… Yes, it was me in those pictures. But I’ma tell you this. Me taking that job, I was doing my job. You understand what I mean?”

Michael Phelps speaks for the first time since Being Busted Smoking

Michael Phelps has sat down for his first televised interview since that little picture was seen round the world. He spoke with NBC News' Matt Lauer for the Today, airing, this Friday.

Portions of the interview have been released, and Phelps totally pussies out on answering the touch questions.

Here are some of the Highlights:

On how Michael found out about the bong toke seen the world:

"…It was through an e-mail form. And I had no idea really what to do. You know, I knew that I'd made a mistake and made a bad judgment. And– and, you know, I know that when you do make a mistake, you know, you're responsible for all of the consequences. And I was willing to, you know, accept the fact that I did make a mistake."

His reaction to losing numerous endorsements:

"It's not about money to me. So, you know, the– the contract side of things, yeah, I was disappointed. But, you know, I think the biggest thing is– is who I hurt the most. Like, if I lost money, okay. It's not an issue with me."

The details of the celebration where the infamous picture was snapped:

"I mean, we were just celebrating, honestly. And– you know, there was probably two or three people there I didn't know. It was a very small group. Six or seven people probably total in the whole house. Like nothing major. You know, not like a giant college house party. It was nothing like that. It was just a small group and we were just sitting around and celebrating."

How Michael feels about partaking in the green stuff:

"It was a bad mistake. I mean, we all know what, you know, what you and I are talking about. It's a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment. And it's something that, you know, I have to, and I want to teach other people not to make that mistake."