Dec 30, 2010

New Video: Belly x Mistah F.A.B. “Kill Bill”

Lauryn Hill Performs In Brooklyn

DJ Khaled “We The Best Forever” Ep.12

Saigon & Joe Budden “Bring Me Down” Session

                                               

?uestlove vs. F. Knuckles In D.C.

New Video: Young Buck x Outlawz “Done It All”

Bangladesh On Pusha T’s Solo Album

                                                                                                         

Marsha Ambrosius Covers Teena Marie

New Music: Lloyd f/ Patti LaBelle – ‘Lay It Down (Remix)’

Lloyd and Patti LaBelle
Lloyd pays tribute to the legends on the addendum to his hit “Lay It Down,” honoring Patti LaBelle by sampling her classic “Love, Need and Want You.” Paying respect to Aretha Franklin and the late Teena Marie at the track’s onset, the crooner sings over a reworked version of the song care of Polow Da Don, later trading melody lines with Patti on the mid-tempo tune. Rewind time and listen below.


Lloyd f/ Patti LaBelle – “Lay It Down (Part II – A Tribute to the Legends)”

Video: Jennifer Hudson Honors Oprah at Kennedy Center

Diddy and Family Vacation in St. Barts

Diddy and family
Diddy’s Train has been going full steam all December, but it stopped for a little R&R in St. Barts, France, over the holidays. The music mogul was seen enjoying some family time on a yacht with his on-again-off-again girlfriend Kim Porter and their twin daughters D’Lila Star and Jessie James Combs. He will return to the U.S. to host a New Year’s Eve bash at LAX Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Diddy and family

Kanye West - Devil In A New Dress (Unofficial Music Video)


DEVIL from yonie.ethiopian.love on Vimeo.

Chris Brown & Raz B Go At It On Twitter Over Rihanna. Both Label The Other As Homosexual & Worse. Peep The Tweets Inside!

 
Twitter seems to the spot for entertainers to air each other out. Almost weekly there is some kind of beef popping off via the social network. Today’s drama featured Chris Brown and Raz B going in on each other about Rihanna of all people.

Since news broke that Rihanna and baseball player Matt Kemp split up, Raz B has been tweeting nonstop about his love for the singer.

This is the video that made me fall for @Rihanna ummmm I’m gonna chew you up a bubblegum,” Raz tweeted, adding a link to Ri’s “Rude Boy” video.

It’s an odd way to try to get someone like Rihanna’s attention, but Raz has been doing a lot of strange sh*t lately.

He continued his Rihanna tweets, then out of nowhere dissed singers Eric Benet and Chris Brown.

I’m sitting here thinking how can n*ggas like @ebenet & @ChrisBrown disrespect women as intelligent as @HalleBerry11 and @Rihanna.”

That was all it took to get Breezy fired up, he quickly shot back, “@razb2k n*gga you want attention! Grow up n*gga!!! D*ck in the booty a** lil boy.

From that point on the two exchanged insults back and forth.

Raz: @Chrisbrown Do you hit your boyfriend @andre_merritt like you do your women?

CB: Tell me this @razb2k!! Why when the money was coming in u won't complaining about getting butplugged! #homothug!!!

Raz: @chrisbrown I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur own career by beating women!

CB: I ain't deleting my tweet either!! I was minding my damn business and Peter pan decides to pop off!!! # whatalame. I'm not homophobic! He's just disrespectful!!!

Raz: Ur not homophobic, ur juz homosexual on the low! yo @chrisbrown i heard about all yo BoyFriends & tell yo cheerleader @1omarion 2 shut the f*ck up b4 i send J BOOG 2 f*ck HIS MaMa again

CB: @razb2k when I need tips on how to demolish my career I'll call ya!!!!! it's funny how I'm nominated for 3 grAmmys off of a mixtape and ur scrambling for change!! ur a x backup singer!!!!! What do u make? Like $1.99 an hour. This argument lasted longer than your career.

Raz: @chrisbrown you steady talking about your career and homothugs but you have yet to respond about your boyfriend @Andre_Merritt

CB: @razb2k merry christmas.i just gave you 20 thousand more followers.. u shouldve did this first instead of telling the world you got raped.

Raz: @Chrisbrown Since you took this that far! Dude, i wasnt Raped! what a disrespect to every Kid around the world that has been Molested!!!!!

CB: @razb2k... you didnt get raped??? so that means you liked it.. #EPICFAIL you have a lower back tattoo that says "different strokes"

Raz: @chrisbrown u victimize victims, ur a homophobe, ur on the down low & a woman beater. Merry Christmas & thx 4 showin every1 ur true colors. My step-dad is doin 25 2 life 4 abusin my mom & i heard U say ur mom was abused & this is how u represent urself by disrespectin WOMEN?!

CB: RAZBFACT: he can braid a n*ggaz hair with his toes!!!!! C'mon son. AWWW YOUR butt hurt!!! literally.. i cant .. i gotta stop

Raz: @chrisbrown Is this your way of coming on to me???? Dude im not Gay! i was molested! stop disrespecting the LGBT community! Fact! i'll be Starring in the KING of RHYTHM Movie! ike Tunner Life story! I have role for you! YOU need to stop Hidin behind that Michael jackson picture! MJ would never hit a Woman! you should take down Mike and PUT up IKE.

CB: OK... im done GODBLESS YA @razb2k .. go get all my mixtapes and get that F.A.M.E album so you can learn how to be great!love ya #teambreezy

Raz: @chrisbrown Oh yea, your Michael Jackson tribute was cool, until you made it about yourself!!!!! What a Disgrace!!!! God bless you too! @Rihanna I see why you not with that Clown. Keep going hard I wish you the best with your success.

And that was that, it's crazy how twitter gets people to say things they would normally never say in public.

Ca$his Speaks On Recording 'Syllables' With Eminem, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent In 2007



In today’s hip-hop industry, unauthorized and leaked music make their rounds on the Internet daily. But when a posse cut hit RSS readers last night (Dec. 28) featuring four of the biggest names in the game—Jay-ZEminemDr. Dre and 50 Cent—with assists from Ca$his and Stat Quo, web surfers literally stopped in their tracks to listen.
"'Syllables' was cut a couple of years ago, around the end of 2007," says Shady rapper Ca$his of yesterday's monumental leak. "I think it was going to be for one of Em’s albums or Detox." 
The Chicago native continues: "When we first recorded it, the hook wasn’t even the same. It went something like ‘Happy Birthday…’ But when I heard it this time, I thought it was ridiculous and even better.”
Paired with the big four, then-newly signed Shady recruits Ca$his and Stat Quo were given the opportunity to rhyme along with the rap legends heard on the previously unreleased track, which takes a stab at hip-hop's lyrically indifferent.
“I laid my part at Dre’s studio with Stat, 50, and Em. I heard that Jay had just left when I got there. Fif' was there kicking his verse in another room when I did mine.” He continues, “I was more so excited than intimidated because I already had held my own with Em, and I think they believed in me this time. After I kicked my verse, Em, Dre, and 50 all said it was dope. That was the cosign I needed. I learned more from that session than any other before that.”
Ca$his, who closed out the song, couldn’t recall if it Dre, Em, or a collaborative effort between the two gave life to the song’s instrumentation. In fact, the California-based rapper isn’t even sure if was leaked prematurely or sanctioned by his label.
The song dates back to when personal turmoil began stalling Em’s career and business ventures, shortly after Ca$his signed with Shady Records in 2007. Yet Ca$his, who also dropped his County Hound EP in '07, remained loyal to his mentor and kept a tight lid on the label’s inter workings while quietly working on his own music.
“I ain’t never left. My position is good over at Shady. Em pulled me to the side when he was coming back and told me the plan. He was going to get himself going again and then put me out. It got to a point where Em didn’t want to rap anymore. But I told him to take as long as you want to take. For him to get inspired again is a blessing.”
Ca$his is currently preparing the release of his next mixtape, Shady Loyalty 1st, for late January or February 2011 release. He also plans to release his full length debut album,Youth In Asia, later in the new year.-Vibe

Kim Kardashian Shooting New Video With Kanye West


Kim Kardashian is continuing on with her music career, despite doubt from naysayers about the reality TV star's talent.
As previously reported Kim is working on her new album The Dream and reportedly has a “pretty good voice.”
Since then, Kim's been spotted in L.A. with her rumored flame Kanye West for the shoot of her new single.
Tmz  reports that Kanye West teamed up with Kim Kardashian and video director Hype Williams in L.A. yesterday on set.
Sources connected to the video tell us ... Hype -- the most famous music video director on the planet -- spent hours working with Kim and Kanye during a secret closed set shoot.

Although the video is in the works, TMZ says it's unclear when the world will finally get a chance to hear KK's voice.

Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole, & Keri Hilson Deck The Albums Chart With Debuts




Holiday shoppers rushed home with new releases from Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole, and Keri Hilson. The R&B artists had the registers and charts ringing during Christmas week.

Jamie Foxx’s third album Best Night of My Life stuffed many a stocking and debuts at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 with 144,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The Oscar winner’s previous effort, 2008′s Intuition, entered at No. 3 with 265,000, while his J Records debut Unpredictablecame in at No. 2 with 598,000 in 2005.

Keyshia Cole had Christmas shoppers Calling All Hearts as her fourth album claims the week’s second biggest debut, arriving at No. 9 with 128,000. However, she couldn’t outperform 2008′s A Different Me, which made its entry at No. 2 with 322,000.

Keri Hilson’s heavy promotion schedule pays off as her sophomore effort No Boys Allowed makes merry at No. 11 on the chart, registering 102,000 copies. The female-driven set outsold her debut In a Perfect World…, which moved 94,000 units in its first week in April 2009.

Taylor Swift’s Speak Now closes out the year at No. 1 with 276,000, followed by Susan Boyle’s The Gift which keeps giving at No. 2 (240,000). Michael Jackson’s posthumous release Michael falls to No. 5 (150,000), while Eminem’sRecovery gets boosted to No. 7 (137,000). Not far behind is Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday, maintaing its position at No. 8 for a second week (133,000). Rihanna’s Loud rounds out the top 10 at No. 10 with 111,000.

Juelz Santana Ft Skull Gang - Here We Are (Official Music Video)

Dec 29, 2010

Willow Smith To Record "Parents Just Don't Understand?

Willow Smith To Record

Willow Smith is considering recording one of her father's first hits.

Willow Smith has made a splash in music with her single, "Whip My Hair," but now she may be looking to her father for inspiration for her next hit.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Music, the young artist revealed she may record the song in 2011. "It's a really great song," says Willow of the track.

"Parents Just Don't Understand" is the second single from DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's (then known as The Fresh Prince) second studio album, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper. The 1989 song made history, earning the first ever Rap Grammy for Best Rap Performance.

Watch the interview below.


Redman Talks New Jersey Hip Hop, MTV's "Jersey Shore"

Redman Talks New Jersey Hip Hop, MTV's

Reggie shouts out his favorite Jersey up and comers and sets the record straight regarding Jersey Shore
New Jersey’s favorite son, Redman, took some time out to speak on the state of his state regarding its current contribution to Hip Hop, or lack thereof. Talking with Goodfellamedia.com the Brick City legend discussed the pressure he feels being one of the only stars out holding it down for the Garden State:“It’s still a lot of room for Jersey cats. You know, we got dudes, I know Joe Budden’s holding down [Jersey City] but we need more. Me and him just can’t do it on our own. There’s so much talent out there.”

But the man born Reggie Noble is quick to name some up and coming talent he believes will raise Jersey’s profile, saying, “You got Ransom out there, he’s coming up, he’s been hitting hard. He just needs that one, that one to get up there to say, ‘Alright, he’s official, he’s Jersey.’ My nephew [Ready Roc] is next…Arsenal is always doing his thing. We need an album from Arsenal…We need something to solidify, saying, ‘Yo, this is how Jersey run. We got our own anthem. Yo, when the shit is going down over here, yeah I know we’re five minutes from New York, but we still own the world.’…We deal with all types of music but we’re great emcees out here.”

The Gilla House CEO also took some time to joke around about his home state’s most notorious export, MTV’s Jersey Shore. While he prefaced his comments by saying he hadn’t seen much of the show he made sure to let the world know that that portrayal of New Jersey is far from the one he knows: “I don’t knock cats…it’s great it’s supporting Jersey. It’s bringing money to Jersey…I appreciate that love but everybody know, that’s from Jersey, that that is far from what Jersey is.”

Redman’s latest album, Redman Presents…Reggie, was released on December 7th.


Foxy Brown Updates On No-Show, Missing Lil Kim Diss Record

Foxy Brown Updates On No-Show, Missing Lil Kim Diss Record

Foxy took to her Twitter account to explain why she was absent from performing her new diss record "Christmas Massacre" on Christmas Eve.

It looks as though the expected diss record toward Lil Kim will have to acquire a new track title as Foxy Brown did not make her appearance at Club Jelani on Christmas Eve.

Updating fans via Twitter, Foxy cited her absence on venue miscommunication. “I'd like to personally apologize for the confusion and venue changing of the beautiful ‘Christmas In Brooklyn’ party,” she said.

“Although the confusion fell far beyond my control, my responsibility and concern is to my fans and family; my priority. As I always say, the Devil's at his busiest when [your] about to get busy.”

Without providing specific detail, she added, “Pray for [your] girl. Something bigger's going on. But GOD got me covered in his blood.”

There has been no word as to the release of “Christmas Massacre.”

DJ Premier And Pete Rock Speak On Their Production On 'Illmatic'


DJ Premier And Pete Rock Speak On Their Production On 'Illmatic'

Producers DJ Premier and Pete Rock reminisce on their work on 'Illmatic,' state that a new Nas album wouldn't be the same without them. 

In an informative sit down interview with producers Pete Rock and DJ Premier for DJPremierBlog.com the two producers discussed various projects and artists they’ve worked with including Notorious B.I.G., House Of Pain, Jeru The Damaja, Nas, and several other artists.

Among the most notable of the projects DJ Premier and Pete Rock spoke on was their work on Nas’ 1994 album Illmatic.

“I went first after Large Professor because I used to see Large Professor at Chun King a lot,” said DJ Premier in the interview. “He was playing me stuff. I was there when he made ‘One Time 4 Your Mind.’ Him and Nas would just be in there just bullshitting. I was like ‘Yo, is that gonna be on it? On the album too?’ And he’d be like ‘Nah, we just messing around.’ ‘One Time 4 Your Mind’ was just a messing around song. Then I heard the original way Large Professor did ‘It Ain’t Hard To Tell’ and I remember when he remixed it. And really the remix version is the one that’s on the album.”

Later in the interview DJ Premier explained that his track on Illmatic, “Represent,” was somewhat inspired by Pete Rock’s production on “The World Is Yours.”

“From there I got with Nas. I remember he got in the studio and we did ‘Represent’ first. That was the first one we recorded, but the version I did didn’t make the album,” DJ Premier explained. “It was a bass-line version. I played bass and then I swear to God as soon as I heard Pete do ‘The World Is Yours.’ I heard his version and went back to the studio to remix mine because I wanted to have the hottest beats on there…I really didn’t feel like the version I had was up to that level. I pride myself on being on the same level so he [Pete Rock] brought a whole different spark to it.”

Aside from speaking on their past work with Nas the two producers also gave their thoughts on a possible new project from Nas. A project that if made Pete Rock revealed wouldn’t be the same without production from the two.

“Well, I believe honestly he cannot actually have the idea of doing this album without me or him [DJ Premier]. You can’t do it,” said Pete Rock. “Not saying he can’t do it, but you gotta include us. It won’t be the same.”

The Artifacts Reunite After 13 Years Apart On Foul Mouth Jerk's New LP

The Artifacts Reunite After 13 Years Apart On Foul Mouth Jerk's New LP

"The Oldest Trick In The Book," released this month, features a special moment for New Jersey Hip Hop fans and beyond.

In a year that's been said to see final albums from Little Brother and Slum Village, another historic Hip Hop act is currently exploring a reunion. Newark, New Jersey's The Artifacts have not appeared as a group on an album since their 1997 sophomore album, That's Them. The duo of El Da Sensei and Tame One changed that earlier this month, appearing on local emcee Foul Mouth Jerk's fifth album, The Oldest Trick In The Book on the song "Back Up On The Scene." This reunion comes after several impromptu stage shows over the years, and more recently, a booked karaoke event in New Jersey.

In addition to a 13 year reunion, The Oldest Trick In The Book, released on December 14, features the following tracks:

1.) I Want In
2.) Praise The Lord & Pass The Ammunition
3.) Back Up On The Scene f/The Artifacts
4.) Hangovers In Heaven
5.) Sit Beside Me
6.) The Dirt
7.) So Cold f/DJ Marley Carroll
8.) Heart Fulla Hustle f/John Boy
9.) Rome Is Burning f/Marisol Tomas
10.) This Can't End Well
11.) The Bobby Trap
12.) Persona Non Grata
13.) Save Ya Breath
14.) Some Money

Black Eyed Peas Branch Out With Animated Cartoon, Memoir

Black Eyed Peas Branch Out With Animated Cartoon, Memoir

While will.i.am lends his voice to a star studded animated feature, Taboo releases a book. 

While the Black Eyed Peas are mainly known for music, a few of its members have decided to branch out. will.i.am, often touted as the leader of the group, will lend his vocal talents to another group of stars for Rio, an animated feature that will also include Tracy Morgan, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Jesse Eisenberg, George Lopez and more.

The film is about a fictional character named Blu, a domesticated macaw from Minnesota who meets another character, Jewel, and it follows them as they take a trip to Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. The film will hit theaters in April of 2011.

Another BEP member, Taboo, is releasing a book, Fallin' Up: My Story. The book is meant to take readers through his upbringing in East Los Angeles, California and then later through his rise to fame. The book is said to tackle issues including alcoholism and drug addiction while also showing the great highlights that music has provided for him.

Fans can begin pre-ordering the book now but it will be released on February 8, 2011.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' Vocalist Bernie Wilson Dies


Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' Vocalist Bernie Wilson Dies
Sampled on hits by Raekwon, Common and Jay-Z, another core member within "The Sound of Philadelphia" died this past Sunday.

Bernie Wilson, of legendary 1970s Soul/R&B group Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes has died on Sunday, December 26, according to Philadelphia International Records. Wilson passed away at Kresson View Center in Vorhees, New Jersey, and cause of death has not been made public.

The baritone vocalist was a founding member of the group, when they signed to the iconic label in 1972, with Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass. Lloyd Parks is the only surviving member of the group.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes have been widely sampled in Hip Hop, on such records as Jay-Z's "This Can't Be Life," Common's "Food" and Raekwon's "Rainy Days."

Watch As 9-Year Old Starr Andrews Skates To Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair" [Video]

 

It’s always cool to see young kids working hard to pursue their dreams.

9-year old Starr Andrews has her sights set on making it to the Olympics one day soon. She has a ton of talent, we’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the future.

Check her out as she performs to Willow Smith’s song “Whip My Hair.”



Eminem Ft. 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Dr Dre, Stat Quo & Ca$his - Syllables


Eminem - Syllables feat. Jay-Z, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent by ChasinDatPaper

DJ Khaled x Cam’ron x Vado x Gucci Mane x Waka Flocka Live In ATL [Video]

Rick Ross B.M.F. Tour (In Texas)

New Video: Ace Hood – Gangsta Sh*t

1982 (Statik Selektah x Termanology) – Goin Back x The Radio [Video]

Beyonce Top Earnings Artist For 2010



 According To Forbes Beyoncé was the only pop star to break the top 10. The “Single Ladies” superstar landed at #9, sandwiched between George Lucas and Dr. Phil. Mrs. Carter, whose hubby, Jay-Z, was named

Hip-Hop’s Cash King by Forbes in August with a tally of $63 million,

pulled down $87 million over the past 12 months.

1. Oprah Winfrey, $315 million
2. James Cameron, $210 million
3. Tyler Perry, $125 million
4. Michael Bay, $120 million
5. Tiger Woods, $105 million
6. Jerry Bruckheimer, $100 million
7. Steven Spielberg, $100 million
8. George Lucas, $95 million
9. Beyoncé, $87 million
10. Dr. Phil, $80 million
11. Simon Cowell, $80 million
12. Jerry Seinfeld, $75 million
13. Britney Spears, $64 million
14. Lady Gaga, $62 million
15. Madonna, $58 million
16. Sandra Bullock, $56 million
17. Ellen DeGeneres, $55 million
18. Miley Cyrus, $48 million
19. Taylor Swift, $45 million
20. Judge Judy Sheindlin, $45 million

Dec 28, 2010

2Pac's older stepbrother released a diss record called "Fuckmaster Flex."

Thug Life's Mopreme Shakur Takes Aim At Funkmaster Flex In New Diss Record

After hearing what he has deemed a "bullshit apology" from Funkmaster Flex, 2Pac's older stepbrother has released a diss record called "Fuckmaster Flex."

Last month Funkmaster Flex was videotaped voicing negative remarks toward the legacy of the late emcee Tupac Shakur. Though clarifying his comments immediately afterward, 2pac’s former group The Outlawz released a record attacking the veteran deejay. More recently, 2Pac’s older stepbrother Mopreme Shakur has put Flex in his cross hairs with the diss record “Fuckmaster Flex.”

“People are entitled to like or dislike music and that's a matter of taste. In that respect, Funkmaster Flex is entitled to his opinion,” he said in a press statement. “But his comments were also directed at Tupac's fans and berated them for continuing my brother's legacy. Not only is it childish of him to instigate drama in that way, it is completely disrespectful to my brother's legacy and the fans who keep him alive in their hearts every day. I'm not having that.”

You can view the music video to “Fuckmaster Flex” below.

Pharrell Talks Recording New Album By The Neptunes

Pharrell Talks Recording New Album By The Neptunes

Pharrell talks to Aussie paper about a new album from the legendary VA duo

Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, known to the world as The Neptunes, have been consistently making music in one form or another for well over a decade. Usually they can be found producing for the world’s biggest stars or teaming up with their pal Shay Haley to make N.E.R.D. records. But according to recent comments by Williams to Sam Kelton of Melbourne, Australia’s Herald Sun he and Hugo are currently working on just their second official full length under the Neptunes moniker. The disc would be the follow up to 2003’s The Neptunes Present…Clones.

Pharrell has been keeping himself busy lately touring with N.E.R.D. opening for Gorillaz on a global tour and working on various projects but the work with his main group seems to be his focus now.. He says, ““I’ve just been all over the place from project to project. Right now, I’m working on lil’ Neptunes music.” While no release date or title has been revealed the Virginia Beach producer would say, “This new Neptunes record we’re working on right now is vicious. It’s definitely harder – it just demands sweat.” One high profile guest looking likely to make the record are French Disco icons Daft Punk. “Working with Daft Punk – they’ve been our buddies for like 10 years, and watching those guys work is pretty amazing,” Pharrell said, “They make great beats and it was cool to collaborate with them.”

Pharrell and Hugo’s other group, the aforementioned N.E.R.D., released their fourth album, Nothing, in November.

Snoop Dogg's Vehicle Gets Impounded

Snoop Dogg's Vehicle Gets Impounded

The Doggfather gets his yellow convertible 1967 Pontiac Parasienne impounded during the holiday season.

Snoop Dogg is known for a variety of things. He's, of course, a legendary emcee and he has become an actor and football coach. He's also an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and a car enthusiast. During the holiday season it seems one of his cars has been impounded, according to TMZ.

His yellow 1967 Pontiac Parasienne was impounded after a Snoop Dogg associate was stopped by police on Christmas eve. It seems the associate was driving the vehicle on a suspended license and the car was confiscated.

Reek Da Villian Recalls Getting Put On By Busta Rhymes

Reek Da Villian Recalls Getting Put On By Busta Rhymes

After impressing Busta with a five-minute freestyle, Reek recalls hanging up on his platinum mentor when he called to sign him.

In October, Reek Da Villian held down a spot in BET Awards Freestyle Cipher segment alongside Mickey Factz and Zawcain. And while the notoriety that came with the appearance surely helped, Reek credits a much less desirable appearance for jump starting his Hip Hop career.

“Jail was the best thing that happened for me,” Reek recently told the New York Daily News. “When you go to jail it’s just you, you’re by yourself. “You have to meet new people, learn how to become friends with strangers and pick out who’s good and bad, and overall it just turned me into a man and it showed me what I didn’t want to do.”

Upon his release in 2004, Reek completed his bachelor’s degree and began pursuing a Rap career. He ran into Busta Rhymes in a Long Island clothing store a few years later, and freestyled on the spot for about five minutes in hopes of getting an A-list co-sign.

“He didn’t come off to me like the regular—you hear a lot of dudes all the time,” Busta explained. “He made sure the impression he left was an everlasting one. And that’s how I felt.”

Apparently the feeling wasn’t initially mutual. Reek was in disbelief when Busta Rhymes called him to follow up on the impromptu freestyle.

“I called his ass and he hung up on me,” Busta Rhymes added. “He thought I was a prank caller!”

These days everything’s serious. Busta enlisted the likes of Swizz Beatz to help Reek with his upcoming debut. In addition, to Busta and Swizz, Reek got a cast of all stars including Nelly, Method Man, DJ Khaled, Cam’ron and Vado to appear on his most recent mixtape, The Gift.

Flavor Flav's Autobiography, "Icon" To Be Released March 1

Flavor Flav's Autobiography,

Public Enemy will soon have two authors, as Rap's legendary hype-man and rapper writes his life.

Public Enemy emcee Flavor Flav is the latest Hip Hop star to venture into memoir. Since Jay-Z's Decoded released last month, memoirs have been announced by Q-Tip, Prodigy, Benzino and a new work by Ice-T.

According to Amazon, Flav's work, titled Icon, will release on March 1, 2011 through Farrah Gray Books.

Although known in the last decade for his role in Vh1 "Celebreality" shows such as Flavor of Love and The Surreal Life, the 51 year-old is known for his hype-man and rapping role in Public Enemy. In 2006, Flav released his solo debut, also called Flavor of Love.

Public Enemy's leader, Chuck D, has released a book of his own, 1998's Fight The Power.

Bow Wow To Play Ex-Con In Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family"

Bow Wow To Play Ex-Con In Tyler Perry's

In addition to releasing "Underrated" next year, Bow Weezy scores another major film credit.

Starring in Lottery Ticket and The Family Tree this year, Columbus, Ohio emcee Bow Wow is further establishing himself as an actor. The former So So Def star is now confirmed to star in Tyler Perry's next film, Madea's Big Happy Family. The April film also stars Lauren London and Perry.

Bow Wow will reportedly play "Byron," an ex-con in the film.

Last week, Bow Wow announced this his seventh album will be now titled, Underrated.

Behind The Scenes: Raekwon “Together Baby”

Download;- Alicia Keys f/ Eve – ‘Speechless’

Speechless

The new boy in Alicia Keys’ life has left her “Speechless.” The proud mom sings about her two-and-a-half-month-old son with Swizz Beatz, Egypt Daoud Dean, on the last Monster Monday of the year.



“You know I’m at a brand new time in my life and a brand new feeling/ It’s like this little guy, he takes my breath away,” says a joyful Alicia before her “Gangsta Lovin’” collaborator Eve steps in to spit a verse.

“Speechless is a little freestyle treat 4 the holidays. It’s not a new album, not a single its something special 4 U!” tweeted Alicia of the melodic song, which samples Kanye West’s “Devil in a New Dress.”

Download the track and watch a behind-the-scenes video below.




Alicia Keys f/ Eve – “Speechless”

Download;-Nottz Raw x Asher Roth – ‘Rawth EP’

Rawth EP

Asher Roth and Nottz Raw combine their talents on the Rawth EP. The eight-track freebie includes the Mr. Rogers-sampled “Don’tcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor),” Rhymefest-assisted “Coming and Going,” and “Run It Back (Remix)” with Kardinal Offishall. Get to clicking below.


Download: Asher Roth x Nottz – Rawth EP
Rawth EP

DMX Moved to Mental-Health Unit at Arizona State Prison Complex



Rapper Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, is housed in a mental-health unit at an Arizona State Prison Complex facility called Alhambra near 25th street and Van Buren.

DMX was sentenced to a year in jail (minus 113 days served) on December 16, after he pleaded guilty to violating the terms of his probation. At his sentencing, Judge Christine Mulleneaux told him she believes he has "an undiagnosed mental condition," possibly bi-polar disorder.

DMX's manager, Nakia Walker, wouldn't comment specifically on whether DMX might have a mental disorder, but she says she wasn't surprised when he was moved to a mental-health unit. The rapper himself always has refused to comment on speculation about his mental state. In 2001, he threatened to beat up writer William Shaw for asking about it in a Blender magazine interview. "Waaaay too personal," DMX said.

The embattled hip-hop star is incarcerated for the 13th time. His record includes more than 25 arrests across the nation, 11 felony convictions, and 15 misdemeanor convictions.

Arizona Department of Corrections files confirm that DMX was admitted to the Flamenco Mental Health Unit at Alhambra on December 20. According to Walker, he will not be allowed to have visitors for 30 days.

Alicia Keys – Speechless (Promo Teaser) [Video]

Check Out The Trailer For 50 Cent's New Movie 'Blood Out'. In Theaters April 2011

Anowa Adjah aka "The Nigerian Powerhouse" Proves That 200 LB Women Can Be Hot Too. Peep Her Sexy Workout [Video]



Anowa Adjah aka "The Nigerian Powerhouse" is showing that women with larger bodies need not feel ashamed of their weight.

The fitness guru proves that females over 200 pounds can be just as sexy and physically fit as ladies with smaller body types.

Peep Anowa as she works out, displaying her incredible flexibility.

Red Cafe & Paul Cain ‘RTNY’ Freestyle

Jay-Z Drops $350k On Christmas Presents For Beyonce As He Is Set To Earn $1 Million For New Year's Eve Las Vegas Performance




It must be good to be rich, and prime examples of that good life are Jay-Z and Beyonce.

While last minute shoppers were hustling about on Christmas Eve attempting to finish off their loved ones wish lists, Jay-Z hit up the Hermes' boutique to make sure his wife Beyonce would be happy on Christmas.

 According to the NY Post, "Jay was in a private room of Hermes doing last-minute shopping. He had a guard standing watch outside. He spent $350,000 on Birkin bags, among other things." The buying binge took so long; Jay-Z missed his scheduled lunch at Nello, prompting the restaurateur to deliver his food to the store.

Now that's being catered to. That money will be replaced in his account quickly however as he is set to earn $1 million in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve performing at the Cosmopolitan resort. Coldplay will be joining the party, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently embarked on a country music career, will be a special guest of the band. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is married to Paltrow, making it easier
to secure both performers for New Year's.

Already there is a buzz around Las Vegas about Jay-Z performing. In past years, Jay-Z has held New Year's party's in different locations and each time the party has been one of the hottest in the country. This year will be no different with the Cosmopolitan one of the most expensive new casinos in the world, holding the bash.

"I can't wait to see Jay-Z on New Year’s," said self-described long-time fan Greg Bancy. "I know the tickets are going to be expensive, but I don't care. There is no better way to celebrate the New Year than with one of your idols."

Jay-Z does not need the money, and it is likely he is performing more to help the casino than to pad his bank account. Between himself and wife Beyonce, the couple has more money than they know what to do with. 

The concert will be attended by 2,500 fans. The Cosmopolitan has almost 3,000 rooms and is expected to be the last of the casino expansion in Las Vegas for several years.

And Here's How Eminem Ruled 2010



Rapper rose from ashes of disappointing album to top of the charts and 10 Grammy nominations.

It's fitting that Eminem is planning to return to the big screen next year in the "8 Mile"-inspired boxing film "Southpaw." Because like Rocky after he was counted down and out so many times in that famous pugilist movie serial, Marshall Mathers seemed like he'd run out of gas in 2009 only to come storming all the way back, and then some, in 2010 to post one of his biggest and baddest years to date.

At a time when younger artists like Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Lady Gaga are relying on social media, a dizzying blitz of promotional appearances and concerts, and a nonstop hype machine to keep their careers stoked, Eminem's path back to the top of the musical heap was decidedly old-school: He released a great album in Recovery that emotionally connected with fans thanks to some of the most hook-heavy songs of his career while maintaining an elusive persona that kept them guessing.

"On Recovery, he was really able to tap into the emotive 2002 stuff that people loved in '8 Mile,' " said Complex Editor in Chief Noah Callahan-Bever. "And I think that the fact that he's not tech-savvy or any of that stuff really doesn't hurt him because he's able to cultivate a little bit of a mystery about himself and his comings and goings. That exclusivity creates more value to his limited presence."

While songs like mega first single "Not Afraid" and the inescapable Rihanna hookup "Love the Way You Lie" were getting wall-to-wall spins at radio, Em made only a few promotional appearances, played just a handful of dates -- including the lauded Home and Home shows with Jay-Z -- and managed to keep that air of inscrutability about himself while putting up the best sales figures for any album released in 2010. The less you saw of him, the more you wanted to see him.

"I think it kind of benefited because [of] the whole backstory behind the album," Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, former executive editor of The Fader, said about the drama surrounding Slim Shady's second comeback attempt after five years in drug-induced exile and 2009's so-so reception for Relapse. "And his comeback from a bad album ... the whole thing with the pills, and I think it kind of lent to his mystery. There's something to be said for rappers who have a trillion Twitter followers but at the same time you kind of don't want to be able to say whatever you want to your favorite rapper. I think that he kind of kept his integrity in the way that he needed to as an older rapper."

Putting out a barrage of cameo verses has been the go-to move for up-and-comers like Drake and Nicki Minaj as a way to establish their brand. But Marshall borrowed that same new-school page and made it feel classic by being very selective about which songs he lent his voice to. And, almost without exception, every choice he made was an instant classic, from his killer verse on Drake's "Forever" to a solid duet with Lil Wayne on "Drop the World," some tasty bars on B.o.B's "Airplanes" and a nod to the new kids on the block on Nicki's "Roman's Revenge."

Most of his peers seem to believe that more is more -- more endorsements, more products, more interviews, more guests on their tracks -- even as Em came off as the wily veteran who picks his high-percentage shots while the rest of the squad is firing off endless jumpers.

"When Eminem went away, the feeling of like, 'Well, that whole market's going away. All those people, they're just dispersing off into the ether and no one's gonna be ready for him when he's ready to come back,' " said New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica of the excitement that greeted the rapper's return to form. "And what I think you realize this year is that all those people are like sleeper cells and all got activated. All of a sudden, 'Oh, Eminem's back. It's OK to buy his CD again. I didn't have anyone I feel like I wanted to buy for the last two or three years; now I feel like I can commit to Eminem.' "

What also became clear this year, Caramanica said, is that unlike flash-in-the-pan pop rappers or mainstream acts whose audiences don't grow with them as they mature, Eminem's fans have been loyal, even as he's picked up a whole new generation of followers thanks to his more accessible new songs. The evidence of that trend can be seen in the fact that, months after its release, Recovery was still routinely hanging around the top 20, if not top 10, on the Billboard albums chart, an indication that new fans were being brought onboard every week.

That slow and steady, measured approach clearly paid off, as Em won two VMAs (off of eight nominations) in September and ended the year by loading up with a leading 10 Grammy nominations and a #2 spot on MTV News' Man of the Year countdown. You can be sure when the Grammys are handed out in February, Marshall's name will be mentioned a few times, because if there's anything the Recording Academy (and, let's face it, all of America) loves, it's a comeback.

Twitter Pics: 50 Cent Shoveling Snow



 50 Cent expands his business portfolio - the old-fashioned way.

50 Cent's hustle knows no end, it seems, as the multi-millionaire offered to shovel neighbors' walks for $100 apiece.
I'm going out to shovel snow and see if I can make me a few extra dollars today. I'm charging more if they want to take picturesabout 12 hours ago via ÃœberTwitter


Recently the New York area, as well as the most parts of the East Coast, got hit by a blizzard. And when it comes to shoveling snow, it doesn't help being a multi-million dollar celeb. Rapper/Actor 50 Cent tweeted pics of himself shoveling snow in some regular looking neighborhood. Curtis even joked about starting a shoveling business and hiring little kids to help him.



Another pic 50 Cent tweeted, wishing his fans Happy Holidays

IRS Goes After Trick Daddy Over Back Taxes



Trick Daddy is the latest artist to run into trouble with the IRS, as the Miami rapper owes hundreds-of-thousands of dollars to the government.

According to the Detroit News, Trick Daddy owes the feds over $157,000 in back taxes for monies he earned as far back as 2002.

In addition to the tax troubles, Trick's $320,000 home in Miami was sold last October, after a bank foreclosed on it in May.

The government has placed several liens against the rapper, who recently released his autobiography Magic City: Trials of a Native Son.
A lien was filed against Trick and his wife in September for $85,366 for money he earned in 2007, 2008 and 2009, while another one in July was filed in $16,709 for revenue earned in 2006.

Trick was hit with a separate lien in July as well for $54,979, for income owed in 2002.

In July of 2010, it was revealed that a special undercover unit had been formed to investigate rappers and athletes and their earnings over the years.

Since then, rappers like Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Obie Trice, Method Man, Eve, DMX, Nas, Swizz Beatz, Doug E. Fresh, Mos Def, Beanie Sigel, Wyclef, MC Hammer,Lil Kim, Big Boi, Fat Joe, D12, Young Buck,  are among the rappers who owe the IRS since they began the unit several years ago.

Floyd Mayweather Goes In On Security Guard For Not Recognizing Him [Video]


Mayweather Explodes on Security Guard -- On Tape

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may not want to fight Manny Pacquiao, but he is trying to fight security guards.

According to TMZ, On December 19, Mayweather got into another altercation with a security guard for allegedly not knowing who the Welterweight champion was during an ID stop at his residence.

In a video obtained by TMZ, you see Mayweather fuming as the security guard asks to see his ID to allow him to enter into the exclusive gated community.
“I don't have ID,” Maweather said. “"Let me in my mother f**king house!!! You know who I am man ... let me in my house!!!"

Floyd, who is facing charges against another security guard at his home, brought up the pending case during this routine stop claiming that he is being harassed by security.
"I had a problem here before when the security lied and said I touched him and I didn't!"
After over a minute of tantrum throwing, Floyd eventually got out of the car, went into the guard shack and opened the gate himself.

Check out the video from the incident below:


Stepbrother Of Man G-Dep Confessed To Killing Calls The Harlem Rapper An ''Idiot'' For Confessing: ''He Should Have Just Shut Up''



He should have kept his dark secret.

The stepbrother of the man shot to death by former Bad Boy rapper G-Dep -- who inadvertently confessed to the crime 17 years later -- said the hapless hip-hop artist was foolish to cop to the cold case.

"I think he's an idiot," said Robert Henkel, 56, whose then-32-year-old stepbrother, John, was blasted in the chest with three bullets on Oct. 19, 1993.

"He has three kids and a wife. It was years and years and years ago. Finally, we're not always thinking about it . . . and now it has to be dug up all again."
John henkel
John henkel 
 
The Harlem-born rapper, whose real name is Trevell Coleman, walked into the 25th Precinct Dec. 15 and admitted to the shooting -- later telling The Post he didn't even know Henkel had died in the attack.

Coleman's lawyer claimed he unburdened himself as part of a 12-step anti-drug-addiction program.
A grand jury last week indicted G-Dep for murder.

"His mother told him, 'Don't turn yourself in,' " Henkel said, referring to The Post's exclusive jailhouse interview with the rapper.

"She was right . . . After all this time, yes, he just should have shut up."

Robert Henkel, who now lives in a rural upstate town, said the long-ago shooting was hard on his late stepmother -- though "she kept things to herself" -- and devastated his stepbrother Werner, who has psychological problems.

Both had remained in Ridgewood after the shooting.

"There was a lot of garbage going on -- race, drugs," the union carpenter said of the hard-scrabble neighborhood. "Today, you got to listen to bullets flying all day long. I'm glad I got my other brother up here with me."

Henkel said he wouldn't have known about G-Dep's confession if a Ridgewood neighbor hadn't gotten in touch with him and relayed the news.

"Then I went to the computer, and I've been following it every day," he said. "I've got mixed emotions about this whole thing . . . [Coleman] might have made something of his life."

As The Post reported, G-Dep was a featured artist on a new single, "On My Way," to be released Jan. 25 by Protekted Records artist and Brooklyn-born rapper Chi King.

Protekted CEO Jon Gornbein has vowed to donate a portion of the sales proceeds to surviving family members -- and Henkel said he'd accepted the offer and will use it to add a bedroom for Werner.



Diddy Offers To Pay Model Who's Hair Caught Fire At Album Release




Diddy is offering to pay for the services needed to fix a model's hair that caught on fire at his album release party.
After seeing video of a model's hair ablaze at his Last Train To Paris release party, Diddy is offering to foot the bill for her to fix it.
As previously reported, comedian Kevin Hart was on hand at the party alongside Trey Songz and Fabolous while model Miyoki Jones lounged in a tub surrounded by candles.
The beauty apparently got too close to one of the candles however and her hair went up in flames.
While Jones suffered no life threatening injuries, a source tells TMZ that Diddy will gladly pay for services needed to repair her torched locks.
TMZ reports that the model believes it will cost at least $1,000 to fix her damaged hair.

If you missed it last time, check out video of Miyoki Jones' hair catching fire below.

Dec 27, 2010

New Music: JoJo – ‘Hollywood’

Video: Chipmunk f/ Chris Brown – ‘Champion’

Video: Mariah Carey Performs at Disney Christmas Day Parade



Freestyle Fail: Lil Mama Booed Off The Stage At Chris Brown's 'All Black Christmas Extravaganza' In New York

 
New York city showed Lil Mama no love when she tried to perform last week.

The Brooklyn rapper was one of the artists at Chris Brown’sAll Black Christmas Extravaganza” at Webster Hall on December 23.

Everything seemingly was going ok, until Mama decided to spit a nonsensical freestyle about, “hoes, cheese, stalk and beans.

She had already spit the exact same lyrics over Fabolous' "You Be Killin Em" beat, but for whatever reason she decided to do them over acapella

You been the rat before the h*e and the cheese. I been check before the stalk and the beans. If I chose the fast life, I chose the hawk with a beam. None of these rap b*tches is talking to me. Talking to me? They not talking to me. Let a b*tch play dumb like she off in the scene,” she rapped.

By this time the crowd was starting to boo loudly. Lil Mama’s hype man tried to quiet the crowd so she could finish, but they weren't trying to hear it.

So instead of attempting to finish her set, Lil Mama told the crowd that she loved them and that after her mother died nothing could faze her. She thanked her haters for making her what she is today, then exited the stage.

What do yall think? Was her freestyle that bad?

Peep the footage below.
 

Wale Reponds To Diss From Baltimore Emcee



Wale reacts to Bossman's recent verbal jabs on a Baltimore radio station.

It seems at least someone in the "DMV" area isn't a fan of Wale.

Baltimore emcee Bossman, known particularly for his 2004 song "Off Da Record," had some unflattering words for the Washington, D.C. native in his song "No Hands."

Wale called into Baltimore Hip Hop radio station 92Q, clearly agitated at both the station and the rapper.
"What's up with all that bullshit niggas is talking on the air?" shouted Wale at radio hosts, who attempted to deflect blame to Bossman. "I ain't never had no problem with nobody, and ya'll the ones to start some bullshit?"

"I ain't never disrespected none of ya'll niggas before! And this shit a fuckin' joke to y'all?!" Said Wale, before demanding that Bossman be put on the phone, and accusing 92Q of dissing him behind his back.
The deejays failed to placate the rapper, who said he would come to visit the station the next day to hash out their differences.

Listen to the interview below:

Kendrick Lamar Reacts To Dr. Dre's Cosign, Considering Aftermath

Kendrick Lamar Reacts To Dr. Dre's Cosign, Considering Aftermath

Compton, California legends and hopefuls are working together, as Kendrick tells Hard Knock TV how the last month of his life has changed.

In the last month, Compton, California emcee Kendrick Lamar is one of the newer acts acknowledged by Dr. Dre, as the iconic Rap figure finishes up his third solo album, Detox. Hard Knock TV recently caught up with Lamar to get his reaction. "Me coming up in Compton, that was a motherfuckin' god," began the Top Dawg emcee. "Seein' him at Compton Swap Meet with [Tupac] in a Bentley, shootin' 'California Love'," is one of the young rapper's hometown memories.

"It was a fuckin' honor," said Lamar of the first time he learned Dre was aware of him, when the Aftermath Entertainment founder called Los Angeles' Power 106 morning show for an impromptu interview. The pair was in the studio together within the next week. Kendrick says, "It was a memorable moment."

Hard Knock also asked him about the likelihood of joining Aftermath, which presently includes Eminem, Game and Slim da Mobster, among others. "It's definitely in talks, in the works. He sat down with me and said he'd definitely like to work with me, hands on, Aftermath," said Lamar. "We'll see how it pans out in the end." With Top Dawg's other act, DXnext alum Jay Rock presently at Tech N9ne's Strange Music, Lamar says that doing business with Dre would fulfill a dream. "That's the ideal look: to be with Dre. I'm from Compton, he's from Compton."