Slaughterhouse EP Tracklisting Revealed

Slaughterhouse is back in 2011 with an EP on Koch

While the world waits for Slaughterhouse to officially sign to Shady Records, the foursome will drop a six song EP on E1 next month to tide fans over. Originally supposed to drop on August 31, the Extended Player will now hit the shelves on January 25.

The EP will feature the groups critically acclaimed Kickdrums-produced "Move On," which was strangely absent from their debut. Aside from the unkown bonus track, all five other songs leaked online long ago, some back in 2008.

1. Fight Club
2. Wack MC’s
3. Back On The Scene
4. The One (Remix) (feat. Bun B)
5. Move On
6. Bonus Song

Amazon has the image below as the album art, but given the dimensions and E1 using it as a promo picture, it likely isn't the final cover.

New Video: 8Ball & MJG x Slim Thug “Life Goes On”

CyHi Da Prynce Toca Tuesday Freestyle

Yelawolf “FMS Freestyle”

Kendrick Lamar XXL Freestyles

Kendrick Lamar "Bang Bang XXL Freestyle" from XXL Video on Vimeo.

Too $hort Announces New EP

Video: Flo Rida f/ Akon – ‘Who Dat Girl’

Flo Rida - New Music - More Music Videos

New Music: Dr. Dre f/ Akon, Snoop Dogg, & Game – ‘Kush (Remix)’

Game adds more Cali flavor on the remix to Dr. Dre’s Detox single “Kush,” where he raps alongside the West Coast vet and Snoop Dogg. Keeping the original intact, Dre’s protégé laces the smokers’ anthem with some green-sprinkled rhymes, spitting, “I’m asthmatic, Aftermath-matic/ Now where the static?/ Dre want me in the booth, the room better be padded/ ‘Cause I’m loco.” Put this one in the air.


Dr. Dre f/ Akon, Snoop Dogg, & Game – “Kush (Remix)”

Kurtis Blow Busted With Weed In LAX

Pioneering rap legend Kurtis Blow was busted in Los Angeles Airport on December 2nd, after new body scanners installed by the TSA found a stash of marijuana on him.

According to TMZ.com, Kurtis Blow was at LAX this morning when a scan revealed an "anomaly" the rapper's pants.

A pat down of the rapper-turned-pastor turned up a stash of pot in Blow's pockets.

Kurtis Blow, 51, was issued a ticket for the violation, because he was in possession of less than an ounce of the drug.

The incident comes as the TSA works to deploy over 400 body scanners in 70 airports around the country.

Rich Let's Get It In - Lloyd ft. 50 Cent [Official Music Video]

Da Youngfellaz The Winner's Club

50CentBlog.de Cee Lo Green - It's Ok [Video]

MMA Fighter Vomits Everywhere after a fight

Brandy & Ray J's 'Family Business' Trailer [Ray-J Tells Brandy - "I'm Starting To Feel like You're Jealous of Me...!"]- Video Inside

The Norwood family is at it again. Ahead of its Sunday premiere date, VH1 has posted the first full episode of the second season of their reality show “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business,” airing December 5 at 11 p.m.

On this season of the show, the siblings are hard at work on their solo albums without the help of their mother Sonja. The cameras follow Brandy as she puts in work on her sixth album, competes on “Dancing with the Stars,” and gets back on the dating scene, while Ray J balances a new relationship and recording his LP with guest appearances from Ludacris and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.

Watch the first episode of the second season below and see what sort of drama is in store for the Norwoods.

Joe Budden Explains Using Just Blaze's Unauthorized Beat On "Mood Muzik 4"

In late October Just Blaze was unhappy with his former collaborator Joe Budden when he used a beat without his permission on Mood Muzik 4. While the issue was quickly cleared up between the two New Jersey natives, Joe took the time to explain to RapFix just what happened:

“When we were creating the Slaughterhouse album I got a beat from Emile; real talented guy, I love him,” Budden said. “I recorded to it right there on the spot. I planned on using it for The Great Escape but that didn’t happen at the time. So I said let me put this out on Mood Muzik 4. I love the record, I’d love for the fans to hear it.”

After being unable to reach Emile to get permission, Budden figured he was safe to go ahead and use the track. When he finally heard back from the Buffalo native the album was pressed and Joe was on a plane headed across the Atlantic. Emile informed him that the beat was actually produced by Just Blaze.
“In my head I’m like, ‘Am I in the fucking matrix or some shit?’ ” Budden wondered. “I haven’t got a beat from Just Blaze since who knows how long, this can’t be his beat.”

“Just also comes from that school of integrity,” said Budden, who called the producer to apologize after the Twitter outburst. “He just wants the music to be heard the way that it’s supposed to be heard.”

Young Buck Talks Potential G-Unit Reunion

Young Buck speaks on what he feels it would take for a G-Unit reunion, adding that he no longer sees his "situation" with 50 and the crew as "beef."

After Game noted that he'd be open to the idea of a G-Unit reunion, Young Buck has added that he feels the same. Buck's feud with 50 Cent and the crew has now been well documented by reporters and his former "general," as Fif leaked taped conversations with the Nashville representative and denounced him as a comrade. Now, during a recent interview with Time Westwood, Buck noted he no longer sees his ordeal with 50 as "beef."

"I will wait and hear a response from 50 [Cent] at this point and see where he goes at. I'm at a point in my career, honestly man, I don't even look at my situation dealing with them as a beef. It's not a beef. It's a situation, man. [Me going back?] To be continued -- I know the picture you was left with before you done seen Buck again. It was one big family. It was a movement and it was a beautiful movement and I think the fans enjoyed that and I think they want that still. I wouldn't definitely just turn down the situation at this point but it would have to be done in a genuine way as far as the whole movement of what it should be."

He also added that any reconciliation should be honest and pure, noting that he and Game also made peace.

"It would just have to be done in a genuine way -- I done [reconciled] with Game because in reality I don't feel like the situation of when there was a situation dealing with the G-Unit and Game it was a situation where I would consider beef...When you consider beef, that's a whole different world. A lot of these are just considered misunderstandings but they're able to make it to the beef categories and carried out like that."

Not counting on a reunion, he also spoke on what it means to promote himself independently.

"I've been still signed to G-Unit these last past three years...At the end of the day, I have had no communication with anybody from over there. I've kept my own relevance by releasing mixtapes and doing exactly what I've got to do as an artist...I have no problem with them dudes. They do what they do. I do what I do."

Rick Ross Named ‘Man Of The Year By The Source', Set To Drop Christmas Mixtape

Rick Ross Named ‘Man Of The Year By The Source', Set To Drop Christmas Mixtape
 
After having the most productive year in his rap career and establishing himself in the upper echelon of today's Hip-Hop scene, rapper Rick Ross has been chosen to cover the year-end issue of The Source magazine as “Man of The Year.”


Between a slew of memorable guest verses, Ross released the acclaimed Albert Anastasia EP, before dropping the certified gold album Teflon Don, which features the 2010 summer anthem “B.M.F.” Ross has also teamed up with Diddy and the duo will release an album under the moniker Buggatti Boyz in 2011.

“It's unexplainable. For me to commit my life and chase this dream for over a decade without making a penny, it's no way to explain when you finally seeing the fruits of your labor," says Ross.

It is also being reported that the Teflon Don will drop a new mixtape on Christmas Eve entitled, Ashes To Ashes.

Wiz Khalifa Dubbed "Rookie Of The Year" By 'The Source', Claims Medical Condition Allows Him To Smoke Weed [Video]

 
Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa Cover The Source Magazine 
 
Wiz Khalifa has been dubbed “Rookie of the Year” by the Source Magazine and will grace the cover of the magazine for the December issue.

Wiz, who is listed on the cover with Rick Ross, who was named as man of the year, is definitely is taking Hip-Hop by storm.

The Source Magazine featuring Wiz Khalifa and Rick Ross is scheduled to hit newsstands on December 14

Dirty Money Last Train To Paris Tracklist

Amazon has finally released the tracklist for Dirty Money’s long-awaited album Last Train To Paris. Let’s see if this train was worth the wait. Album will arrive in stores on December 14th.


1. Intro
2. Yeah Yeah You Would
3. I Hate That You Love Me
4. Ass On The Floor (Feat. Swizz Beatz)
5. Looking For Love (Feat. Usher)
6. Someone To Love Me
7. Hate You Now
8. Yesterday (Feat. Chris Brown)
9. Shades (Feat. Lil Wayne & Justin Timberlake)
10. Angels (Feat. Notorious B.I.G.)
11. Your Love (Feat. Trey Songz)
12. Strobe Lights (Feat. Lil Wayne)
13. Hello Good Morning (Feat. T.I.)
14. I Know (Feat. Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa)
15. Coming Home (Feat. Skylar Gray)
16. Loving You No More (Feat. Drake)

New Video: Strong Arm Steady x Too $hort “On Point”

Slim Thug Brings Out Bun B In Houston

New Video: Big K.R.I.T. “Can’t Be All”

New Video: N.O.R.E. x Imam T.H.U.G. “Blam”

Dawn and Kalenna See Solo Careers, More Dirty Money Albums in the Future

Their first album hasn’t even dropped yet, but Diddy and his Dirty Money crew have no plans of stopping. Dawn and Kalenna share their plans for the future, which includes solo careers and more group albums.


“Puff definitely put it out there that Dirty Money was the focal point, but he also sees a future for both of us as solo artists,” Dawn said. “This is what we created for ourselves and I think we’ll be proud of each other after we go on and do the things we do.”

But although they may eventually go their separate ways, they will always remain Dirty Money. “I think that’s why people should really get excited for this movement because it’s definitely planned to be going on way after this first album,” says the former Danity Kane member. “I think we kiddin’ ourselves when we think it’s just one. It’s gonna be like 12 Dirty Money joints. We gonna be 78 in Vegas.”

Her groupmate Kalenna agrees, adding, “We recorded 1,000 songs. We gonna be right at the Colosseum.”

Keri Hilson Opens Up to Cee Lo Green About Love Life

Cee Lo Green puts Keri Hilson in the hot seat during an interview on VH1, grilling the sexy singer on what she considers to be her breaking point. Sitting across from one another, the pair discusses what it would take for her to reach her limits when it comes to a relationship and uses her friends as examples of where she would draw the line.

“Every person has one,” says the “Pretty Girl Rock” singer, who is currently on the dating scene. “My breaking point… I mean, there are many. We, as women, are such hopeless romantics, and I know I’m one of them and I tolerate a bit more than I should just wanting to make a relationship work. Just wanting to be held at night. Wanting to be on dates and be a woman, you know?”

Miss Keri also shares that a few of her girlfriends have experienced relationship snafus that she’s unsure she would tolerate. “If we’re in a committed relationship, not only do you step out and cheat, you had unprotected sex and had a baby out of the situation. That is like the ultimate. ‘OK, you cheated? Maybe we can work it out,’” she explains. “So a child is born of this side relationship you had, and I just probably could not do that.”

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

New Music: Casha Monet – ‘Gangsta’

The-Dream puts his stamp on newcomer Casha Monet, whose debut single “Gangsta” takes it to the clubs. Boasting a chopped and screwed vocal sample and blinding electro beat, The Dream-penned track sees the sexy Compton native feeling all gangsta with saucy lyrics. “Me and you, forever, I’m all in/ Until we mothafu**in’ ballin’/ I’m fallin’,” she seductively coos, showing her Cali roots. Get acquainted with the Radio Killa Records signee below.

Casha Monet – “Gangsta”

Video: Cee Lo Green Performs on ‘Ellen’

Cee Lo Green tries to “Forget You” during his soul-drenched performance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The two-time Grammy winner, dressed like a playboy in a suit, white button-down with the top left undone, and black-rimmed glasses, sings the daytime version of his explicit Lady Killer cut with his all-girl band. Rock out to the Motown-inspired grooves below.

Video: Rick Ross On Set of Kanye West’s ‘Monster’ Video

Eminem Receives 10 Grammy Noms, Bruno Mars, 7 and Jay-Z, 6

 
Eminem topped the Grammy nominations with a whopping 10 nods when the honors for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday night.

Jay-Z and Lady Gaga garnered six nomination apiece with newcomer Bruno Mars snatching up seven.

Eminem's distinctions included the coveted best album nomination for his top-selling opus Recovery.  
 
Oddly, Bruno Mars' solo album Doo-Wops & Hooligans was not included in the honors, but he was due to his collaborative work with B.o.B., Cee-Lo and others. The Roots and Cee-Lo also received four nominations for their critically acclaimed works

Below is a partial list of the nominations for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, which will be televised on February 13, 2011.

Album of the Year
Recovery – Eminem
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry
The Suburbs – Arcade Fire

Record of the Year
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem & Rihanna
“Nothin’ on You” – B.o.B & Bruno Mars
“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
“F**k You” – Cee Lo Green

Song of the Year
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem & Rihanna
“F**k You”- Cee Lo Green
“The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
“Beg, Steal, or Borrow” – Ray LaMontagne
“Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Best New Artist
Drake
Esperanza Spalding
Justin Bieber
Florence + the Machine
Mumford & Sons

Best Pop Vocal Album
My World 2.0 – Justin Bieber
I Dreamed a Dream – Susan Boyle
The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga
Battle Studies – John Mayer
Teenage Dream – Katy Perry

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
“Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)” – “Glee”
Cast “Misery” – Maroon 5
“The Only Exception” – Paramore
“Babyfather” – Sade
“Hey, Soul Sister (Live)” – Train

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Sara Bareilles – “King of Anything”
Beyoncé – “Halo”
Norah Jones – “Chasing Pirates”
Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
Katy Perry – “Teenage Dream”

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
Michael Bublé – “Haven’t Met You Yet”
Michael Jackson – “This Is It”
Adam Lambert – “Whataya Want From Me”
Bruno Mars – “Just the Way You Are”
John Mayer – “Half of My Heart”

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
“Airplanes II” — B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams
“Imagine” — Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
“If It Wasn’t For Bad” — Elton John & Leon Russell
“Telephone” — Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
“California Gurls” — Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg

Best Dance Recording
“Rocket” – Goldfrapp
“In For The Kill” – La Roux
“Dance in the Dark” – Lady Gaga
“Only Girl (In The World)” – Rihanna
“Dancing on My Own” – Robyn

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
“Gone Already” – Faith Evans
“Bittersweet” – Fantasia
“Everything to Me” – Monica
“Tired” – Kelly Price
“Holding You Down (Goin’ in Circles)” – Jazmine Sullivan

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
“Second Chance” – El DeBarge
“Finding My Way Back” – Jaheim
“Why Would You Stay” – Kem
“We’re Still Friends” – Musiq Soulchild
“There Goes My Baby” – Usher

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals
“Love” – Chuck Brown, Jill Scott, and Marcus Miller
“Take My Time” – Chris Brown & Tank
“You’ve Got a Friend” – Ronald Isley & Aretha Franklin
“Shine” – John Legend & The Roots
“Soldier of Love” – Sade

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
“When a Woman Loves” – R. Kelly
“Hang On in There” – John Legend & The Roots
“You’re So Amazing” – Calvin Richardson
“In Between” – Ryan Shaw
“Go (Live)” – Betty Wright

Best Urban/Alternative Performance
“Little One” – Bilal
“F**k You” – Cee Lo Green
“Orion” – Carolyn Malachi
“Tightrope” – Janelle Monáe & Big Boi
“Still” – Eric Roberson

Best R&B Song
“Bittersweet” – Fantasia
“Find My Way Back” – Jaheim
“Second Chance” – El DeBarge
“Shine” – John Legend & The Roots
“Why Would You Stay” – Kem

Best R&B Album
The Love & War Masterpeace – Raheem DeVaughn
Back to Me – Fantasia
Another Round – Jaheim
Wake Up! – John Legend & The Roots
Still Standing – Monica

Best Contemporary R&B Album
Graffiti – Chris Brown
Untitled – R. Kelly
Transition – Ryan Leslie
The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe
Raymond v. Raymond – Usher

Best Rap Solo Performance
“Over” – Drake
“Not Afraid” – Eminem
“How Low” – Ludacris
“I’m Back” – T.I.
“POWER” – Kanye West

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
“Shutterbugg” – Big Boi & Cutty
“Fancy” – Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz
“On to the Next One” – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz
“My Chick Bad” – Ludacris & Nicki Minaj
“Lose My Mind” – Young Jeezy & Plies

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Nothin’ on You” – B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars
“Deuces” – Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem & Rihanna
“Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
“Wake Up! Everybody” – John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common

Best Rap Song
“Empire State Of Mind” – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem & Rihanna
“Not Afraid” – Eminem
“Nothin’ on You” – B.o.B & Bruno Mars
“On to the Next One” — Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

Best Rap Album
The Adventures of Bobby Ray – B.o.B
Thank Me Later – Drake
Recovery – Eminem
The Blueprint 3 – Jay-Z
How I Got Over – The Roots

Best Short Form Music Video
“Ain’t No Grave/The Johnny Cash Project” – Johnny Cash
“Love the Way You Lie” – Eminem & Rihanna
“Stylo” – Gorillaz, Mos Def, and Bobby Womack
“Cee Lo Green” – “F**k You”
Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”

Wu-Tang Reunion Tour To Take Place Without The RZA

Rapper/producer/actor The RZA will not be joining Wu-Tang Clan on the group's reunion tour, which is scheduled to kick off December 4 in San Diego, California.

RZA will not make The Wu-Tang Clan Reunion tour because he is still in China filming scenes for The Man With the Iron First starring Russell Crowe, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The rest of the group is slated to kick off the highly anticipated tour as scheduled at the venue, 4th and B.

4th & B issued a press release alerting fans that RZA would not be on the tour.

“RZA regrets not being able to perform on any of the upcoming Reunion dates and had made every attempt to be a part of the shows," stated a rep for 4th & B  in a press release.

All remaining group members will make appearances on the tour. Dates are listed below:

12/04 – San Diego, CA @ 4th & B
12/05 – Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
12/10 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
12/12 – Houston, TX @ Numbers
12/16 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theatre
12/22 – Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theater
12/23 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
12/26 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
12/28 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
12/29 – New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre
12/30 – Philadelphila, PA @ Trocadero
12/31 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theater

Shots Fired!!! Game Disses Lloyd Banks HFM2'S First Week Sales

Soulja Boy Plans to Work With Lupe Fiasco

Soulja Boy may not want to be “super-Lupe-Fiasco-lyrical,” but in our recent interview with the young’n he said wants to get in the studio with the Chi-town wordsmith.

“Yeah, man, we was talkin’ about that,” SB told XXLMag.com of a possible collaboration. “He was like, ‘Let’s do a song.’ I’m on this crazy, hectic schedule right now, and I really don’t like working through e-mail, I’d rather be in the studio and feel that energy. So, when I get time to get in the studio, we’ll make that happen.”

The initial quote surfaced in the cover story of the November issue of XXL, featuring Soulja Boy and 50 Cent. “I was telling them like, man, on songs like ‘Crank Dat’ and ‘Pretty Boy Swag,’ I don’t wanna be all lyrical,” he continued. “It’s a club song; I want to just keep it simple so people know what I’m sayin’. I was just using Lupe as a reference because he was a good lyricist. But I wasn’t talking about all my music, I was talking about one song that I wasn’t lyrical on.”

Soulja says Lupe, who soon after the quote surfaced released a track called “Super Lupe Rap,” reached out to the young star to discuss the reference. “He hit me up,” Soulja said. “We chopped it up on the Twitter, on [Direct Message]. We chopped it up over the phone. It was nothin’. He already know how the media get; controversy sells. It’s nothin’ but love.

Amazon Screws Up Again, Releases Joel Ortiz's 'Free Agent' Album 3 Months Early

Joell Ortiz's highly anticipated 2nd album 'Free Agent' was supposed to be released in January 2011.

However, due to a monumental screw up by Amazon, the album leaked yesterday and is now all over the internet.

Somehow the online retailer put the album out on sale through mail order and instant download.

Joell tweeted about the mess up, blaming his label E1 for the mistake.

This is the second time Amazon has made this mistake. In December 2009 they shipped out 500 copies of Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth' album to customers, 2 months before it's release date.

No word yet on whether or not E1 will rush 'Free Agent' to stores as is, or rework the project.

Ice Cube, Drake Provide Rolling Stone Playlists

Cube gives us west coast classics while Drake goes ten for Jimi Hendrix

Earlier this week DX highlighted Nas' choices for his "Hip-Hop's Best Lyricists" playlist for Rolling Stone. Here are a couple more from the same issue; Drake providing a Jimi Hendrix playlist and Ice Cube giving us the west coast Hip Hop blueprint.

Rolling Stone's The Playlist Issue features 50 artists selecting top 10s. Also weighing in is ?uestlove with a Prince playlist, Cee-Lo with his favorite dirty south records and the likes of Mick Jagger, Bono, Rick Rubin and Tom Morello. The issue also features a story on Nicki Minaj.

T.I. Appears On R&B/Soul Icon Ron Isley's "Mr. I" Album

The man who laid down grooves that made hits for Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G. and Public Enemy released his solo debut today, and got some help from Tip.

After numerous Isley Brothers group and collaborative albums, R&B/Soul icon Ronald Isley released his solo debut, Mr. I, today. The Cincinnati, Ohio native's music has been sampled by Ice Cube, Public Enemy and Notorious B.I.G., while he's worked with Ja Rule, Jadakiss and Warren G throughout his career of seven-decades. On Mr. I, Ron (a/k/a Mr. Big) got a Hip Hop sound courtesy of working with Atlanta, Georgia superstar T.I. on "Put Your Money On Me."

Mr. I is available on Def Jam/Def Soul Records.

1. Take It How You Want It
2. No More
3. If I Lose My Woman
4. Put Your Money On Me Ft. T.I.
5. Supposed To Do
6. Dance For Me
7. What I Miss The Most
8. I Need You
9. You Got A Friend Ft. Aretha Franklin
10. Hello

Redman Joins With Nas & Shyne, Takes Shots At Def Jam: "They're Not Leaders"

It seems that Shyne, Nas, and KRS-One aren't the only ones who have a problem with the way Def Jam is being ran, as Redman joins the crew to give his insight on why Def Jam is falling apart.
 
In a recent interview with XXL, Redman explained why Def Jam are not the leaders they use to be:

"Well [now], Def Jam are not leaders. They're not leaders plain and simple, because it's changed. They're not leaders like they used to be. In the '90's they were leaders. They were the label that you considered the mechanics of hip-hop; they're under the car. They were the ones under the car getting greasy, getting dirty, fixing that muffler that drags when everybody loved that sh*t and was following it.

Now they're playing the follower. They're followers, they're not building artists no more like they should. And that's just the game. It's not they fault. We got into the Internet world and sh*t is moving fast and came so fast and came so quick that labels couldn't exist, but still they got the money and they're a company. They're supposed to adjust. I think they need to get that going. Being a label, being on top."

The rapper also said artists' self-promotion has hurt record labels like Def Jam.

"Yeah they have to play catch up," Red added. "They have to catch up now. The way the labels were ran back then in the '90's. We had tapes and even from studio equipment a lot of people weren't prepared for that, like getting rid of their 24 track reel tapes. So yes, it came up quick on a lot of labels with this viral [thing] and [now] you're able to do songs in the comforts of your own home.

They shutting studios down, you can get known through Facebook or whatever. You don't have to wait for a label to put you out now, so yes I think the labels are shut down a little bit and sizing down a lot."

Nas Lists "Hip-Hop's Best Lyricists" For Rolling Stone Magazine

Nas Names "Hip-Hop's Best Lyricists" For Rolling Stone Playlist

Veteran emcee Nas has been tapped by Rolling Stone Magazine to provides his list of "Hip-Hop's Best Lyricists." as a part of the feature series themed around artists and their playlist.

In the feature, 50 different artists select a themed list and provide their picks for the overall for that particular list.

Although being cited as stating that Hip-Hop was dead, Nas breaks down for fans what he truly meant by the statement and how he feels about music now.

"When I said 'hip-hop is dead' a few years ago, I felt we'd gotten away from the great wordplay and storytelling," Nas said in the interview. "There's a place for the party sh*t and a place for the gangster sh*t. I focus on the guys that are always pushing themselves forward."

Among those selected for the series are Cee-Lo with a selection of the best of the Dirty South, Drake provides a Jimi Hendrix list and ?uestlove with a Prince list.

Check out Nas's picks below including his own personal reason for picking one of Lil Wayne's hits.

1. "My Downfall" - Notorious B.I.G., 1997
The lyrics are about how he's acing the shadows of death, despite all of his success, and he's giving it to you in a way that makes it seem so real.

2. "If My Homie Calls" - 2pac, 1991
He's just saying to his boys that he's going to be a friend no matter how big he gets.

3. "Road To The Riches" - Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, 1989
The way we're rhyming now? He was already doing it then .

4. "A Bird In The Hand" - Ice Cube, 1991


5. "Paid In Full" - Eric B. & Rakim, 1987


6. "I'm Single" - Lil Wayne, 2010
I'm recently divorced, so I feel what he's saying.

7. "Tears of Joy" - Rick Ross, 2010
Ross is at the pulpit here.

8. "The Moment I Feared" - Slick Rick, 1988
It's cinematic. He's at a hip-hop show and ices this girl who played him, then he's in prison getting violated by some dude. This was unheard of.

9. "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z, 2009
This song is huge. It sounds like Broadway. It's New York's modern anthem.

10. "Queen B*tch" - Lil' Kim, 1996
At the time, females rappers didn't appeal to the street, but Kim came with the vulgarity, sexuality and gangster sh*t.

New Music: Snoop Dogg – ‘Wet’

Snoop Dogg dedicates his latest single to royalty. The Doggfather made “Wet” as an anthem for Prince William’s bachelor party and all bachelor parties to follow. It is the second offering from the rapper’s 11th studio album Doggumentary Music, due in March.

“When I heard the royal family wanted to have me perform in celebration of Prince William’s marriage, I knew I had to give them a little something,” says Snoop. “‘Wet’ is the perfect anthem for Prince William or any playa to get the club smokin’.”

Produced by The Cataracs, “Wet” may remind listeners of Snoop’s 2007 single “Sensual Seduction” with its hypnotizing beat and lustful lyrics. Dive in below.

New Music: Ciara – ‘Gimmie Dat (Urban Bass Remix)’

Ciara bumps it in the trunk on the Urban Bass remix to “Gimmie Dat,” the original version of which appears on her fourth album Basic Instinct (Dec. 14). The mellow cut tones down the electro-rhythm of the single and mixes in walls of synths, with CiCi adding new vocals to the reworked tune. “We don’t need no tweeters/ All we need is bass/ Just turn the lights down/ Put your hands around my waist,” teases the sexy singer. Listen to the Soundz production below.

Rihanna Down for Susan Boyle Duet

Susan Boyle may have outsold Rihanna for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard charts, but there’s no bad blood between the female stars. In fact, the Scottish singer recently spoke on wanting to collaborate with the Bajan songstress, with RiRi reciprocating the offer.


“There are certain types of music that you’re good at and certain types that you’re not. I mean, would I be good at R&B? I suppose you never know. Maybe me and Rihanna could get together,” said the “I Dreamed a Dream” singer.

The red-haired siren took to her Twitter page to share her excitement about a possible duet with Boyle. “Hold up! I might be a lil late, but just heard that THEE SuBo wants to collab wit ME??!? I’m game, doesn’t get much cooler than this. #BOOM,” she wrote.

Boyle’s holiday album The Gift entered at the top of the charts two weeks ago with 318,000 copies sold. Her second week sales totaled 335,000, which was enough to put Rihanna at No. 3 with her latest Loud.

Rihanna is not the only unlikely artist open to working with the former “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant. 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg previously expressed their interest in a SuBo collabo.

Review Roundup: Black Eyed Peas – ‘The Beginning’

T
he Black Eyed Peas keep the party going with The Beginning, the follow-up to last year’s hit parade The E.N.D. Fergie, will.i.am, Taboo, and apl.de.ap serve up more funky beats and catchy hooks that are bound to keeping rocking well into 2011. Did next year’s Super Bowl halftime performers score a touchdown with critics? Find out below.


USA Today: The group’s newest concoction of spacey funk dance ditties is more like a live wire pointlessly sparking all over the place. The incessant thumping rhythms may find currency in the clubs and even on the radio, so long as you don’t listen to the banal lyrics too closely. 2 out of 4

Entertainment Weekly: If there’s a more germane complaint to be leveled at The Beginning, it’s that nothing here quite reaches the euphoric heights of The E.N.D.’s “I Gotta Feeling” or “Boom Boom Pow.” Still, standouts like “Don’t Stop the Party” come close. B+

Rolling Stone: With the Peas, you gotta take the inane good with the inane bad. And when they hit the right note of airhead, air-punching majesty—just check out the gorgeous “I Gotta Feeling”-style glide of “Play It Loud”—the good can be kind of inescapable. 3 out of 5

The New York Times: So it’s a much lesser record than The E.N.D., and yet it isn’t boring, even when the echoes of old songs are more than echoes. “Fashion Beats” hijacks Chic’s “My Forbidden Lover” as its backing track, and Fergie imitates the vocal timbre, rapping style and attitude of Debbie Harry from Blondies “Rapture.”

SPIN: Peas leader will.i.am mixes up house and disco beats, Chic and Slick Rick samples, wonky Moog hooks, crunchy guitars, and ’70s funk bass into one of the year’s wildest sonic stews. 7 out of 10

Chicago Tribune: Without huge sing-along moments clobbering listeners between the ears, the Peas’ limitations become more apparent. The vocals are slathered in Auto-Tune. The rhymes are simplistic or silly. And the music’s reliance on rhythmic and lyrical repetition becomes wearying. 1.5 out of 4

New York Daily News: Admittedly, the results have a certain zippy charm. Essentially, they present the Black Eyed Peas as the Kool and the Gang of this generation, spitting out celebratory dance hits not for actual club fans but for every bar mitzvah and wedding for eons to come. 3 out of 5

Boston Herald: Slightly less straight than last year’s The E.N.D., the Peas’ latest tracks inch toward edgier territory, and it’s a bad move: The electro-banger, wannabe gangsta “Do It Like This” is lame and unbelievable. The band is better when it subdues arty ambitions in favor of pop candy (see “Fashion Beats,” “Someday”). B-

The Washington Post: It grates as often as it entertains, but it does entertain, never missing an opportunity to bludgeon where it might caress. Parts of it are god-awful. Actually, most of it is.

Jay-Z Lands Deal To Bring 40/40 Clubs To Airports In The U.S.

Hip-Hop star Jay-Z is expanding his business empire with a new deal that will bring his popular 40/40 Club to select airports across the United States.

The rap mogul and his partners Juan and Desiree Perez have struck a deal with Delaware North Companies, one of the world's leading and hospitality service providers.

Additionally, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion dollars.

"The 40/40 Club is all about creating first-class experiences for guests who want to relax and watch their favorite games," said Desiree Perez. "We want to see our club grow, and to bring those experiences to travelers. A partnership with Delaware North will do just that."

The new deal could bring Jay-Z's 40/40 Club into up 20 major U.S. airports, where Delaware North Companies operate dozens of national and regional brand restaurants.

"We are thrilled to partner with the 40/40 Club, to bring a stylish sports bar and lounge to airports across the country," said Robert Stanton, vice president of business development. "From the personalized, one-of-a-kind jerseys on the wall, to every sports game you can think of on the television screens, the club will bring a new experience that we are sure travelers will welcome."

In related news, Jay-Z's flagship 40/40 Club in Manhattan will close from April to July of 2011 to undergo a complete renovation. The Atlantic City location, which opened in 2005, will remain open.

Snoop Dogg Drops "Wet" For Prince William's Bachelor Party

Hip-Hop star Snoop Dogg has announced that his new single "Wet" was recorded for Prince William's upcoming bachelor party to celebrate his engagement to Kate Middleton.

Snoop Dogg's new single "Wet" was released on (November 30th), ironically at 4:20 PM PST, via his official website http://www.snoopdogg.com, as an anthem for the Prince, as well as all bachelor parties.

Last week it was revealed that Prince William's brother Prince Harry was planning a bachelor party to celebrate his brother's upcoming marriage. In addition to Snoop, UK rapper Tiny Tempah is also supposed to be playing at the party.

“When I heard the royal family wanted to have me perform in celebration of Prince William’s marriage, I knew I had to give them a little something,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. “’Wet’ is the perfect anthem for Prince William or any playa to get the club smokin’.”

"Wet" was produced by The Cataracs, a group signed to the Indie Pop label who are featured on the #1 hit single "Like G6" by The Far East Movement.

To celebrate the release of Snoop Dogg, the rapper is asking fans to create a video of them dancing to the singe "Wet." The video with the most views will win a trip the U.K. courtesy of Snoop to celebrate the release of "Wet" in "royal fashion."

"Wet" will be featured on Snoop Dogg's upcoming 11th album Doggumentary Music, which is due in stores in March of 2011.

Master P. Victim Of Scam Involving Felons In Tennessee

Master P. is considering legal action against a woman in Tennessee who is using his name and the name of Corey "C-Murder" Miller to promote a bogus organization named the Corey Miller Food Foundation.

State officials are requesting a federal investigation into a woman named Alisa R. Harris, who runs the organization.

Harris, who lives in a boarding house in Memphis, is allegedly operating a series of websites claiming to be affiliated with both Master P. and Corey Miller, who is currently appealing a life sentence for allegedly murdering a 16-year-old in 2002.

The websites also list a number of official state organizations that are allegedly in partnership with Harris, who claims that she hires ex-felons and welfare recipients at $10 an hour.

Her "workers" then use their cell-phones to solicit cash donations for the organization.

"This is crazy, she needs to be stopped," Master P. told Memphis' Action News 5.

An Action News 5 investigation revealed that Harris doesn't have a license to solicit in the state, although her 2009 tax returns list an income of more than $150,000.

Harris' presentations and her legitimate tax status resulted in a relationship with an official partner of the Tennessee Community Services Agency, who referred workers to her organization.

According to Harris' own admission, she has hired over 116 ex-felons or welfare recipients  for the telephone jobs, through referrals.

"Within 30 days of our relationship with her, things started to pop up that didn't seem right," Meredith Hennessy told Action News 5. "We severed our ties with her, and we'll be working to remove our name from anything that she is affiliated with."

Master P. was adamant that he never met Harris a day in his life.

"I have never met her," said Master P. "Don't know who she is….just to have somebody use your name and don't even know you, it's not even fair," Master P. lamented.

Rapper Khia Unleashes Insults Aimed At Nicki Minaj, Labels Her A "B**ch"

Lil Kim may not be the only rival female rap star Nicki Minaj may have to contend with, after Tampa, Florida rapper Khia unleashed a personal attack on the Queens, New York rapper on her blog.

Khia took it upon herself to review Nicki Minaj's new album Pink Friday, and by the looks of the review and her comments, the album didn't sit well with the rapper, who is best known for her hit single "My Neck, My Back."

Khia review of Pink Friday is far from flattering. Additionally, the review is laced with insults and direct attacks against Nicki Minaj and her image.

"This b**ch needs to be SHOT on site…" Khia said. "It smells WORSER than the gas that’s coming out of my ASS, from all of the Turkey that I ate over the Thanksgiving weekend. Someone needs to give this B**CH a FLEET Enima [sic] and “FLUSH” her IMMEDIATELY, She is nothing but a “Ghostwritten”, Weezy-wannabe WHORE!"

During the track-by-track review, Khia made it clear that she was unhappy with Nicki Minaj's record, although she actually purchased a copy to help Nicki Minaj's sales.

She also lambasted Nicki Minaj's business deal, with claims that she wouldn't make any money off of Pink Friday, due to the amount of cameos, producers and executive producers involved with the release.

"I can’t believe I wasted my $13.99 on this BULL S**T, I told yall that it aint no damn Barbies in the hood," Khia wrote angrily. "I can’t wait for Matel [sic] to sue this b**tch for all of the $3.60 that she earned! When is this b**ch gonna learn that they stealing all of the money?"

Before the review was over, Khia took one last shot at Nicki Minaj, while insulting Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown in the process.

"Nicki, please give Inga [Foxy Brown] the number to your plastic surgeon and your shrink while you are at! Maybe, you guys can tag team!"

Yung Joc "Yeah Boy" Behind The Scenes - Video

Kanye West Working on 'Dark' Album With Jay-Z

'We're just going to make some real dirty, f****d-up, hardcore stuff,' the 'Power' rapper says when describing his vision for 'Watch the Throne', his upcoming effort with the music mogul.

Kanye West's album with Jay-Z will be "real dirty, hardcore stuff", but also "luxe and high-class". The two rappers are collaborating on "Watch the Throne" and Kanye, who has just released his latest album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", has described his vision for the album's sound.

"It's a me and Jay album," he told Interview magazine. "This whole album, 'Watch the Throne', is going to be very dark and sexy - like very couture hip-hop. Since me and Jay have already had big records and over-the-top joints, we're just going to make some real dirty, f****d-up, hardcore stuff. But it's also luxe and definitely high-class."

Jay and Kanye recently met in Bath, southern England, to work on tracks for the record, which was started in August this year and originally planned as an EP, but after initial meetings and sharing ideas, they decided to expand it to a whole album. Jay-Z has said of the project, "This is another level of that recording. Because Kanye, I've seen him - really he's like a brother to me - I've seen him from the beginning to where he is now."

"And to see him as a producer and to see how he's growing as a producer and as an artist, for me, on another level, it's enjoyable. I'm watching the guy that I pretty much mentored become his own guy, with his own opinion. It's fantastic."

Ice Cube Says Lupe Fiasco & Kanye West Are Taking Hip Hop In The Right Direction.

West Coast hip hop veteran has just about seen and done it all in his career as a rapper, director, screen writer and actor.

One thing Don Mega hadn't done was sit down for an interview with the king of smut magazines, Hustler until recently.

Cube talked about hip hop's continued growth, Oprah Winfrey's disdain for him and why white kids love rap.

H: Why do you think white suburban kids love hip-hop?

Cube: It’s the voice of the youth, and I think that’s the draw. It’s the voice for a kid who might not be able to sing or might not be able to play an instrument. Hip-hop gives them a chance to be a part of music. Rap gives them a chance to express themselves. That is the ingredient that brings all these different cultures together

H: What’s your beef with Oprah, and what's that about?

Cube: I ain’t got no beef with Oprah! She got the beef with me. She never told me [why]. Maybe she’ll tell you. You need to get at her. It’s just like she ain’t f*cking with me.That’s cool. I ain’t f*cking with her neither.That’s her problem, and the world may never know.

H: Are you impressed by any new MCs?

Cube: I like what Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco are doing and where they are taking hip-hop. Those are good styles that are making hip-hop grow. It’s not dying as people say just because the mainstream is not paying attention anymore. It’s just back to where it came from—underground. In the ’90s, mainstream took hip-hop and tried to play it out. Rap is something that can’t die because it’s the voice of the youth. There is always something to be said by somebody somewhere, and there’s so many ways to say it now.

Rihanna Annoyed When Talking About Chris Brown

 
The Bajan beauty admits talking about her bust-up with her ex makes her look 'pitiful', urging people to stop asking about it.

Rihanna hates talking about her bust-up with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown because she's convinced it makes her look "bitter, pitiful, spiteful and angry". The "Umbrella" hitmaker was left battered and bruised following an altercation with Brown in early 2009, while he was left with an assault conviction.

The violent dispute and the couple's subsequent split continues to make headlines whenever the Bajan beauty reveals more details, but Rihanna is adamant she would prefer to put the past behind her for good. And the pop star admits she only talks about it because interviewers always bring up the subject.

In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "People won't stop askin (about) it! It's f**kin (sic) annoying! Nobody wants to relive that, but some ppl (people) can't respect that! I get it, they wanna raise awareness to young girls! But it ends up just makin me look bitter, pitiful, spiteful and angry!"

Janet Jackson Speaks On Getting Her First Big Screen Opportunity Alongside Tupac Shakur For 1993 Classic 'Poetic Justice'

Despite winning countless awards and releasing seven more top-selling albums (including 'Rhythm Nation 1814' (1989), 'Janet' (1993) and 'The Velvet Rope' (1997), Jackson still wanted to be in films.

'My dream was to go back into acting,' she says. 'That was all I wanted to do. When I was a kid I told my father that's what I wanted my career to be. I wanted to go to college, study acting and become an actress. He said, "No, you're going to sing.'

In 1993 the director John Singleton offered her her first starring role in Poetic Justice, in which she played the love interest of Tupac Shakur.

'Pac was just silly,' Jackson says of the late rapper, who was shot dead in Las Vegas three years after the film's release. 'He was completely different from what people knew.

'Not that it was an act, the person that the world knew, because that was him, too. I adored him; he liked to play and laugh.

'I remember when he said he was going back into LA to get a tattoo. And, I said, "Why are you going to LA? We're not supposed to leave, we have to shoot tomorrow."

'He looked at me and said, "Square!' she says, laughing. 'When he came back he showed me the tattoo he got on his stomach. He was sweet. Granted, there was another side, but he wouldn't just snap or go crazy out of nowhere.

There had to be something that triggered that. I miss him,' she says softly.