50 Cent & Rick Ross’ Baby Mother On The Cover Of Smooth Magazine

50 Cent is shitting on Rick Ross with these pics. I wonder what Rick Ross thinks of this.....

Nas Speaks On Being MIA From "Blueprint 3" And "OB4CL2"

Nas speaks to the Puchbowlblog at the Orange Rock Corps concert in the U.K. about his new collaborative album "Distant Relatives" with Damien Marley, and his next solo project. He then speaks on his absence from “Verbal Intercourse 2″, and says that this is the first time he's hearing about the supposed feature, and when asked about the collaboration with Jay-Z for "Empire
State of Mind" he asks the interviewer to move on to the next question.

You can watch the interview in full below to see what else Nas has to say.

NAS | LIVE FROM LONDON @ THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL from Roy Thomas on Vimeo.

Method Man Confirms Joint Album With Ghostface And Raekwon

MTV Shows

J. Cole Added To Jay-Z's College Tour

Jay-Z has recruited his latest protégé, J. Cole, to join him on his highly anticipated North American College Tour starting October 9 at Penn State.

Cole will share opening duties with Wale and N.E.R.D., joining Jay through all 24 dates of the tour.

Powered by Live Nation, the tour, being billed as “the college event of the year,” will make stops at a mix of college campus arenas and traditional venues across the U.S. and Canada.

So far, dates have been confirmed in Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maryland, Ontario and Alberta, with additional cities and dates to be announced later.

Confirmed Jay-Z College Tour Dates:

Oct 09 Penn State/Bryce Jordan Center State College, PA
Oct 10 N Kentucky U/Bank of Kentucky Center Cincinnati, OH
Oct 13 Rexall Place Edmonton, AB
Oct 14 Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB
Oct 15 Prospera Place Kelowna, BC
Oct 16 General Motors Place Vancouver, BC
Oct 17 KeyArena Seattle, WA
Oct 21 Eastern Michigan U/Convocation Center Ypsilanti, MI
Oct 23 Wachovia Center (Powerhouse) Philadelphia, PA
Oct 24 Dunkin Donuts Center Providence, RI
Oct 25 U of Mass/Mullins Center Amherst, MA Oct 27 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, MD Oct 28 Ohio State/ Value City Arena the Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH
Oct 29 John Labatt Centre London, ON
Oct 30 Bell Centre Montreal, QC
Oct 31 Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
Nov 01 Scotiabank Place Ottawa, ON
Nov 07 Fresno State/Save Mart Center Fresno, CA
Nov 12 University of Illinois/Assembly Hall Champaign, IL
Nov 19 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, NM
Nov 20 U of Texas at El Paso/Don Haskins Center El Paso, TX
Nov 21 United Spirit Arena Lubbock, TX
Nov 22 U of Texas at Austin/Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX

Lil Boosie Works With Young Jeezy Before Jail

Lil Boosie is hard at work on a new album before he is officially sentenced to two years in prison in November.

Lil Boosie, born Torrance Hatch, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to an October 2008 gun charge, as well as his third charge for possession of marijuana.

Now he’s in the studio putting the finishing touches on a new untitled album in addition to an upcoming mixtape with Young Jeezy.

"I am looking forward to putting this all behind me and would like to thank my fans and industry fam for their continued support of me and Superbad," Boosie told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I need y’all to know that I am still recording and working on a new record that will come out Fall 2010 and I plan to be home in time to promote it. I am also in the studio working on a new mix tape with Young Jeezy and set to release the movie, Ghetto Stories: The Movie by the end of the year. Y’all ain’t 'gon miss me. Believe that."

The rapper’s latest album Superbad - The Return of Boosie Bad Azz recently landed at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 and #4 on the Top Rap Albums chart.

Lil Boosie will be back in court on November 9, when he will formally be sentenced.

Representatives for the rapper told AllHipHop.com that Boosie may only have to serve one year in jail due to “Good Time” allowances afforded by the Department of Corrections.

“I am grateful to God and all my fans out there that supported me all these years,” says Lil Boosie. “I do this for y’all all day, everyday.”

Lil Wayne's "Rebirth" Pushed Back Till Dec. 15th

The CEO of Young Money Entertainment has come across another setback in the process of releasing his 8th studio album, "Rebirth".

After being pushed back numerous times throughout the year, Lil Wayne's album has been pushed back once again.

"Rebirth" was originally slated to drop on April 7th, but as of now Lil Wayne's latest effort is scheduled to be released on Dec. 15th.

Common Thankful For Fans During Difficult Time In His Life

Chicago Emcee and actor Common has always been considered one of those rappers who tried to stay on the positive side of things. But after the loss of his cousin, who died in a motorcycle accident, it has been very difficult for him to stay as upbeat.

Since the death, Common has admitted that the last few day's have been very difficult.

His cousin Ajile Turner died shortly after his motorcycle collided with another cyclist in Brooklyn, New York this past friday.

After being quiet for several day's Common finally responded to fans who had been sending their condolence's. Updating his blog with a new post thanking each and every one of them.

"Man, I want to thank each and every person who sent their love and condolences about my cousin, Ajile Turner. It has definitely been a tough time for me and my family, but as GOD always does he assures us that everything will be alright. I believe that you all's support is just another way of assuring it. I thank you once again. God Bless."

No further details have been released about Turner's death.

Jay-Z’s Apperance On The Oprah Winfrey Show

Stephon Marbury Sings A Song Going At Jay-Z & Kanye West

Is something wrong with Stephon Marbury?

Roc Raida Cause Of Death Cardiac Arrest

The family of the late Grand Master Roc Raida (Anthony Williams) has confirmed the influential deejay passed away from complications of cardiac arrest.

Raida was participating in rigorous training under Krav Maga, a self-defense martial arts system that originated in Israel and is utilized by both military and civilians.

The focus of the system is on using combat in “real-life” situations such as clubs and street corners, and emphasizes quick, vicious attacks to specific body parts.

Raida had been studying this unique style for the past two years, and his 15 year old daughter had recently begun participating.

A freak training injury occurred, causing Raida to go into cardiac arrest and pass away tragically at the age of 37.

Throughout his 25 year, Roc Raida influenced deejays worldwide through his contributions as a member of the X-Men and the X-ecutioners, and his recording work with Lord Finesse, Kool G Rap, Show & AG, and Busta Rhymes.

Roc Raida’s funeral will be held this Thursday (September 24) from 10AM-12PM at the Mount Neboh Baptist Church, located on 1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd in New York City.

The family requests that those attending refrain from using any video or photography. Roc Raida is survived by his wife Tyeasha and four children.

Breaking News: Rapper Lil Boosie Sentenced To Two Years In Jail

Rapper Lil Boosie pleaded guilty on Tuesday afternoon and has been sentenced to two years in jail in a case related to an arrest last fall.

The rapper, whose real name is Torrence Hatch, submitted to gun and drug charges.

The rapper was slated to stand trial on Monday, but reached a plea deal with the DA.

The police pulled him over and found a gun, some marijuana and a cigar that was laced with some other drug.

“I’m just ready to get all of it behind me and get further on with my career,” Boosie said. “I plead guilty in my own best interest.”

The rapper could get out in a year on good behavior.

Eminem's Battle With Apple Rages On

Eminem’s court battle with Apple continues, as the rapper’s publishing company Eight Mile Style is suing the tech company for copyright infringement.

According to the Associated Press, Eight Mile Style claims that Apple illegally offered 93 songs from the Eight Mile Style catalog on the company’s iTunes service.

Apple has denied the allegations, claiming that the songs in question were authorized by Aftermath Records.

The publishing company claims that Aftermath did not have the authorization to make deals on digital downloads.

The issue is scheduled to go to court this Thursday (September 24), where a judge will rule on the validity of Eight Mile Style’s claim.

The new lawsuit is the latest chapter in Eminem and Eight Mile Style’s ongoing battle with Apple and iTunes.

In March, FBT, a production company that worked with Eminem, unsuccessfully sued Apple, claiming they were entitled to 50% of all royalties generated from sales via iTunes.

In May of 2005, Apple was forced to pull an iPod ad that featured an actor singing the lyrics to Eminem’s hit song “Lose Yourself.

Eminem sued Apple over that advertisement as well, but the two parties later reached an undisclosed financial settlement.

Jay-Z Chastises Kanye; Addresses 50 Cent

In an upcoming interview that will air on Trevor Nelson’s BBC radio show next week, Jay-Z once again addressed Kanye West’s antics during the 2009 VMA’s but also spoke on rapper 50 Cent.

During the interview, Jay-Z stated that he believed was rude for snatching the microphone from country singer Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for Best Female Video.

West felt the award should have went to Jay-Z‘s wife, Beyonce Knowles for her hit video “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).”

Although Jay-Z agreed that West was rude he stated that Kanye West “wasn’t wrong.”

Jay-Z seemed to become a little irritated during the interview, when Nelson suggested that Kanye was picking his battles and would not have grabbed the microphone from a rapper like 50 Cent.

In a recent interview, 50 Cent stated he would have assaulted Kanye West in the same situation."I wish he could come take one of my awards so I could black his eye in front of everybody," 50 Cent stated.

“I think he would have done that if that was 50 Cent," Jay-Z told Nelson during the interview. "No one is scared of 50 Cent. I want everyone to be clear. No one is scared of 50 Cent.”

50 also recently took a shot at Jay-Z when he name checked him and labeled him as “Urkel” in the video for “Flight 187.”

Jay-Z also revealed that he chastised West for interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech, which caused worldwide uproar.

People ranging from celebrities to President Barack Obama and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter have weighed in on the controversy.

“I just think that that’s what he believed,” Jay-Z told Trevor Nelson. “I thought it was rude I though it was inappropriate and I told him as much. But I don’t think he was wrong.”

Jay-Z is currently gearing up for a performance on Friday, October 9 at Penn State University.

Cam'Ron Ft. Vado - La Bamba (Official Video)

Dame Dash Presents: The Blak Roc Project

Blakroc Project from Myrhax on Vimeo.

Ruff Ryders - Who’s Real Remix

Jay-Z Speaks On Kanye’s MTV VMAs Outburst

LOX's Styles P, Green Lantern Announce 'Green Ghost'

Fans of Yonkers, New York based Hip-Hop trio The Lox will be treated to a new release from group member Styles P.

Styles P. aka “The Ghost,” has teamed with “The Evil Genius: DJ Green Lantern to create a “sinister,” dark, new album titled The Green Ghost Project, which is slated for a November release.

The album features original production from an all-star cast of noted Hip-Hop producers, including The Alchemist, Statik Selektah, Scram Jones and DJ Green Lantern himself.

"Don’t call me ‘The Ghost’ right now, call me ‘The Green Ghost’" Styles P. told AllHipHop.com in reference to the new release. "It’s a different display of talent. We got together and brainstormed about it and it came out crazy.”

The album features guest appearances by Lox group members Jadakiss and Sheek Louch, in addition to guests like N.O.R.E., M.O.P., Uncle Murda, Junior Reid and others.

The Green Ghost Project is due in stores November 17 via Invasion Records/The Orchard.

Cudi And Drake have Strong Showings In Their Debut's

Kid Cudi has had a whirlwind past couple of weeks, he's released a new album; was a guest on the Dave Letterman show, and even performed live at concert with Jay on 9-11. It looks like all of the exposure over the last couple of weeks has really paid off, and the Hip Hop freshman is being projected to sell between 110-120,000 records from his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day.

But Cudi isnt the only one doing good, his label mate Drake also had a pretty good week with the release of the retail version of his mixtape So Far Gone which is expected to sell between 55 and 60 thousand records in its Soundscan debut. With the projected results of their album sales
, it looks like these two rookies maybe on the way to very successful careers.

In an interview with XXL, Cudi spoke about how all of this exposure with Hov, Letterman, and the VMA's will help with his album sale's and he seemed to think that they would drasticly effect how succesful he would be at reaching out to fans.

“I think it’s gonna make a lot of people more aware, I think it’s gonna make a lot of people a lot more interested because in these last couple of days each of those moments has been different demographics, the Jay-Z was definitely a hip-hop show, and later on seeing me on David Letterman, which is a very mainstream show, you know you don’t see a lot of hip-hop artists on a Letterman type show, so each thing I did was very monumental.”

The projection for both Drake and Cudi's album sale were based on first day sales.

50 Cent Speaks on New Book, Recession, Piracy

Mogul 50 Cent made an appearance on MSNBC today (September 17) to speak his success as a businessman and the release of his new book, The 50th Law.

Promoting the book with co-author Robert Greene, the Queens emcee first spoke on his staggering $100 million dollar profit as an original investor in Vitamin Water before its sale to Coca-Cola.

“It’s an exciting deal. The opportunity to get in [during] the infant stages of that company was amazing for me,” 50 Cent stated. “It’s the biggest deal [for me].”

With the music industry struggling overall for sales, 50 reflected on how personal brand extension is essential when previously it was frowned upon in Hip-Hop.

“The technology is absolutely shifting things. The marketing dollars that the major companies would provide for artists in the past is gone with the actual record sales,” 50 explained. “This is taboo; this is almost like selling out. 5 years ago what is great business from an artist perspective now would be absolutely going in the other direction of what they think is cool.”

As an innovator of the mixtape scene, 50 views piracy as a reality that should be embraced by artists.

“I see it as part of the marketing. Because even the people who purchased the music from a pirating perspective end up at the concert. They can’t help but fall in love with the material at that point whether they consumed it from downloading it on the actual Internet or they went and purchased the material. We can’t stop it. If the major record companies could, they would.”

In The 50th Law, 50 and Greene hope to empower those who feel economically lost by the nation’s current recession.

“We’re living through times where people are very frightened,” Greene explained. “The message of the book is you need to move past that fear. Because in a couple of years this recession will be over, and will you be in a position to seize the moment? I think its going to be a new entrepreneurial era. Or are you just waiting on some job?”

“And I think the majority of the companies who are the Fortune 500 were established during a recession,” 50 added. “The recession is predominantly for the middle class. Where I come from the majority of those people have always lived in a recession.”

50 Cent and Robert Greene’s 50th Law is available now.

At press time, 50 Cent’s latest LP Before I Self-Destruct is still set for a November 17 release.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Legendary Singer Gladys Knight Slams Hip-Hop Music

Legendary R&B singer Gladys Knight had some harsh words for the genre of Hip-Hop in a recent interview.

Knight is making the press rounds promoting her role as church elder named “Wilma” in Tyler Perry’s latest movie I Can Do Bad All By Myself, while she prepares for an October tour of Europe.

In addition to the high profile role in Perry’s latest hit movie, Knight is revered around the world for hits like “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One Of Us” and “Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

During an interview with BlackNews.com, Knight said that Hip-Hop had created opportunities for young artists, but the slammed the genre of music, claiming it had set back African-Americans as a race.

“It's been bad, in my opinion, as far as the quality of the music and the stories that they tell. It's one thing to be raw about your history, but they took it to another level and it became vulgar,” Knight said.

She also claimed that Hip-Hop had not “elevated our industry musically,” before blaming the music for a number of issues within the African-American community.

“It definitely has not elevated us as African-Americans, because we show disrespect for our partners, men and women,” Knight stated. “I believe we have lowered our self-esteem with these performances and presentations.”

Gladys Knight’s catalog has been sampled extensively by a number of rappers, including The Wu-Tang Clan, Scarface, Madlib and numerous others.

Drake Speaks On Surgery & Upcoming Album

Drake Interview w/Big Tigger from DJ Heat on Vimeo.

Jay-Z Makes History With 11th Number 1 Album + The Making Of The Blue Print 3 Cover

New York rapper Jay-Z has certainly cemented his place in music history after scoring his 11th number 1 album--a first for any solo artist.

Thanks to a tireless promotion regimen culminating in a live national telecast from Madison Square Garden last Friday, the MTV VMAs and a performance on this week’s premiere of The Jay Leno Show, Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3, the first album for his own Roc Nation label through Atlantic Records, debuts at #1, with 465k+ in sales.

Jay's debut effectively beats out the record he previously tied with Elvis Presley of 10 number 1 albums.

In related news, the creative minds behind the Blue Print 3 artwork have released a time lapse video demonstrating exactly how everything came together.

The cover, which many perceived to be computer
generated graphics, was actually shot over 3 days on 10×8 inch film.

The inspiration came from the "Letter E" photography shot by Dan Tobin.

You can check the video out below.

French Montana Henny & 44 Video

Bench Warrant Issued For Rapper Beanie Sigel

A bench warrant was issued for rapper Beanie Sigel, after he failed to appear at court date related to a marijuana possession charge yesterday (September 14) in New Jersey.

State police stopped Beanie Sigel and three companions in August, as the rapper was heading to perform at Kelly’s Bar on Rexall Avenue around 12:45 am.

Sigel, born Dwight Grant, was arrested when police found him in possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.

The driver and another passenger, Karl Dargan, 24 and Justin Gaines, 25, were also charged with drug possession.

Judge Gregory McCloskey issued a bench warrant for Sigel after he missed a mandatory court appearance, according to The Burlington County Times.

Beanie Sigel’s latest album Broad Street Bully hit stores on September 1.

President Obama Calls Kanye West A 'Jackass'

Rapper Kanye West's behavior at the 2009 VMA Awards helped him earn criticism from the most powerful man on earth, United States President, Barack Obama.

President Obama was being interviewed for CNBC earlier today when he labeled West a “jackass” for crashing the stage as country singer Taylor Swift was receiving an award for Best Female Video.

President Obama made the “jackass” comment about West during an off the record portion of an interview.

"Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a 'jackass' for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT'S presidential," ABC's Terry Moran Tweeted before deleting the comment.

ABC issued a statement apologizing for Moran’s Tweet.

“ABC In the process of reporting on remarks by President Obama that were made during a CNBC interview, ABC News employees prematurely tweeted a portion of those remarks that turned out to be from an off-the-record portion of the interview,” ABC said in a statement. “This was done before our editorial process had been completed. That was wrong. We apologize to the White House and CNBC and are taking steps to ensure that it will not happen again.”

The Presidential backlash comes after an allegedly drunk Kanye West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech for winning Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me,” which topped Beyonce’s hit song “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It.)”

50 Cent Responds To Kanye West Going On Stage(Says He Would Of Blacked His Eye)

Jay-Z Rep: 'No Clue' As To Why Lil Mama Crashed Stage

A representative for Jay-Z has issued a statement stating they had “now clue how” Lil Mama ended up on stage during the rapper’s highlight appearance during the 2009 MTV Music Awards.

Lil Mama crashed the stage about 5 minutes into Jay-Z’s performance of “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys.

You can clearly see Jay-Z was not happy with Lil Mama’s presence on the stage during the performance as he grimaces.

He can be heard saying “You’re T-Paining right now,“ before he slyly attempted to push her into the background, referencing an incident when T-Pain crashed a stage when Jay-Z was performing “D.O.A.”

Rapper Fabolous created a new “hash tag” on Twitter named #lilmamais, which has quickly become a trending topic, making fun on the teenaged rapper.

He Tweeted a number of humorous lines about Lil Mama, labeled the American’s Best Dance Crew Judge a “crazy motherf**er.

“#lilmamais fresh off hangin out wit Maia Campbell,” the rapper Tweeted, referencing the fallen actress who made headlines last week when a video surfaced of her allegedly using crack.

Lil Mama served as a judge on Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. Her best known hit is “Lip Gloss.”

Lauren London & Lil Wayne Have Baby, Reports Say

Lil Wayne has another child, as Lauren London has reportedly given birth to their child today.

Lennox Samuel Ari Carter was born today and weighed 7 lbs, 12 ounces at 21 inches long, according to unconfirmed reports.

Lil Wayne was present when London birthed the baby, according to published reports.

Both Wayne and London confirmed that they were having a child together after the constant media attention and scrutiny hit a fever pitch by the fans.

The rapper confirmed his paternity last month in and interview with DJ Fuzzy of Los Angeles' Power 106.

London pleaded with the fans as rumors emerged that Lil Wayne may not be the father.

“Rumors are false. Why won’t they just let us be? Wayne is indeed the father and there’s no question,” she wrote on her Twitter page. “We are celebrating a life.”

This is Lil Wayne’s third child and London’s first. Former singer Nivea is presently pregnant with the rap artist’s fourth child.

There has been no comment from either star’s camp at press time.

50 Cent Explains Mentioning Jay-Z On Flight 187

T-Pain, Fabolous Squash "D.O.A." Beef

In response to a recent interview by Jay-Z, singer T-Pain has clarified the reasons for the recent disparaging words about the mogul at a Las Vegas show.

Last week, rapper Fabolous via Twitter and a video displayed T-Pain saying “f**k Jay-Z” and chastising the emcee as “old” and out of touch with today’s music scene.

In an interview on Ed Lover’s Morning Show, T-Pain explained his ire came from what he perceived as Jay-Z’s disrespect to him earlier this summer at NY’s Summer Jam.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve said it,” T-Pain stated. “I called Jay and said yo, can you come out during my set at the stadium and do the ‘DOA’ song? It would be a big look for me and you. I embraced the song…at the time he said he was triple-booked in Switzerland. I’m ready to go on after a Jeezy set and they said ‘hold on because Jay-Z is about to come out.’ I said well Jay-Z’s in Switzerland, and they’re like no he’s not he’s right there. I look and then there’s Jay-Z. That’s one thing.”

While some may perceive the issue is trivial, T-Pain argues the situation was exacerbated once the pair got on stage together for “D.O.A.”

“Then the line in the song where he says ‘I don’t need nobody smiling at this’ he pointed at me,” T-Pain revealed. “And at the end of the song when I tried to shake his hand he said ‘good riddance.’”

In related news, Fabolous called into the Angie Martinez Show yesterday (September 9) and revealed that he and T-Pain had squashed their beef, which began after the “f**k Jay-Z” comments.

Fabolous tweeted a number of disparaging remarks aimed at T-Pain, who is a featured producer on Fab’s new album Loso’s Way.

Fabolous made comments about T-Pain after hearing disparaging remarks about Jay-Z during T-Pain’s set at a club in Las Vegas last week.

He also mistakenly responded to a phony Twitter account that read “f**k Jay-Z and f**k Fabolous.

“He was doing his set and then in between each song, he just would go in on Jay. And I was like I can’t be from Brooklyn and just listen to this, I just felt like I had to say something

“He text me and said to call him and I called him. I apologized really because I kinda jumped out the window a little bit and didn’t check into it before I knew what I was doing, so I apologized for that. And he explaining the whole thing with Jay, how he felt like Jay was coming at him a little bit.”

Chicago Jay-Z Concert Ends In Violence While New York Concert Interrupted By Weed

It appears as if fans of Jay-Z aren't having such a good time at his most recent venues.

During his stop at Chicago's House of Blues, a man was stabbed in the back following an altercation with a couple.

The stabbing stemmed from an argument between the victim and another man as they were leaving the concert area shortly before 11:30 p.m., said Police News Affairs Officer Gabrielle Lesniak.

The victim's sister and the other man's girlfriend got into an argument. Things escalated into a shoving match after the men intervened. The unidentified 32-year-old then stabbed the 20-year-old victim in the back.

House of Blues security staff intervened and seized the attacker. Police arrested him on the scene.

The 20-year-old victim was taken in good condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Most recently, last night at New York's Blender Theater, his 75 minute set came to a halt after some sneaky fans' marijuana smoke set off the fire alarms.

Jay was reportedly 3/4 of the way through his set when the sirens went off and the music cut out.

The crowd booed as Jay-Z walked offstage to investigate the disturbance and security guards were sent into the audience to search for the pot culprits, although they emerged empty-handed.

Jay returned a few minutes later and finished off his performance.

Mase May Return To Bad Boy

Diddy's "Bad Boy For Life" motto could not be truer to the word for rapper/pastor Mase.

Fans of the rapper who exploded onto the scene as Diddy's new labelmate after the death of Biggie Smalls may have some mixed feelings about his rumored return to the label he never really left.

In a recent interview with MTV, Diddy says Mase may be back on Bad Boy after the former-pastor reached out to him.

"Mase has called me," Diddy said about the future of Mase and the label.

"We've spoken. He's basically said, 'Just keep your eye on me. Making this switch, I gotta kinda bear this cross myself for a second. Just watch what I do.' I said, 'I've seen.' He's definitely one of the dopest emcees to ever touch the game.

People can't deny that. He's one of the most successful. I've seen people come back from different things in this game. I said, 'Yeah. Without a doubt, I'll keep my eye on you.' I spoke to him today. He's out there working."

After his hiatus from Hip Hop, Mase became a member of G-Unit. However, according to 50, Diddy refused to let Mase out of his contract with Bad Boy for anything less than $2 million.

Uncertain that Mase's album would sell well enough to make up for that type of investment, Fif gave up on trying to bring Mase onto G-Unit.

After the G-Unit deal couldn't be finalized, Mase was linked to SRC Records. SRC founder Steve Rifkind was working on signing Mase in 2007, but, like 50, was unable to come to terms with Diddy over buying out Mase's contract.

Mase has been under contract with Bad Boy Records for 13 years.

Hell Rell Takes Legal Action Against Jim Jones

Harlem rapper Hell Rell has decided to take the legal route against former group-mate Jim Jones and numerous labels in a dispute over owed royalties.

According to reports, Hell Rell, real name Durell Mohammed, is taking legal action against executives at Babygrande Records, Tycoon Entertainment, and E1 Music - formerly known as Koch Records - for which Jones is an A&R executive.

In official documents filed in New York County Court this week, Rell, claims the defendants cheated him out of money from the sale of his 2007 album For the Hell of It and its follow-up, Black Mask, Black Gloves, in 2008.

Hell Rell signed with Koch/E1 in 2007.

He recently inked a deal with Money Maker
Entertainment/EMI to release his third official album, Live From Hell, on October 6th, 2009.

Saigon Feat. Just Blaze Red 5ive - “Gotta Believe It” Video

Shawne Merriman Arrested For Assaulting Tila Tequila

San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman has been accused of choking and physically restraining reality TV star Tila Tequila during a dispute this morning (September 6).

Tila Tequila, born Tila Nguyun, called 911 around 3:45 this morning, to report an incident of domestic violence against Merriman.

Nguyun was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated and released.

Merriman was arrested for battery and false imprisonment and was given a bail of $58,000.

Tila Tequila is represented noted attorney Scott Leemon Esq., who has worked with a number of rappers, including Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones and Tony Yayo.

"Due to the serious nature of this matter, and out of respect for all domestic violence victims and defendants, Ms. Nguyen and her representatives will not be publically addressing the facts and circumstances of this incident," Leemon told AllHipHop.com. "The police and the district attorney's office have a job to do and we do not want to interfere in any way that with that important function."

Shawne Merriman and his relationship with Tila Tequila was the subject of gossip last month, when Hip-Hop model Gloria Velez discussed her relationship with Merriman on Angela Yee's Lip Service radio show.

Velez, who dated Merriman for four years, attacked Tila Tequila, calling her a "4'11 midget" and a "MySpace hoe."

The two women have also have also engaged in a war of words via Twitter.

Just today, Velez had unflattering words for both Tila Tequila and Merriman.

"Looks like Shawn Merriman had a roid attack, he probably thought Tila was a Alien trying to get him and blacked out (lol)," Velez tweeted today (September 6).

In addition to being one of the most popular Internet models, Tila Tequila was the subject of her own reality show, A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila, which lasted two seasons.

At press time, Merriman could not be reached for comment.

T-Pain Disses Jay-Z Saying "F**k Jay-Z"

Jay-Z's "D.O.A." has raised the ire of T-Pain and the singer has openly said, "F**k Jay-Z according to rapper Fabolous.

"Yo I'm at Rehab (club) in Vegas.. T-Pain is DJ'ing.. Sayin F**k JayZ, he old, blah blah.. guess its backlash from D.O.A," Fabolous said on his Twitter account.

T-Pain heavily relies on the Autotune technology, which was the topic of Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)." The song was the lead single on Jay-Z's Blueprint 3, which is to be released on Tuesday.

Fab continued to tell what he was doing an also offered his opinion of T-Pain's shot at Jay-Z.

"So I'm here wit Rihanna, @richyungamerica, & @paulcainsf.. Drinkin some strawberry/daquiri's.. Not feelin the Tpain JayZ dissing.. Brooklyn!"

Ironically, the person that DJ'd after T-Pain immediately started to play "D.O.A." and then a full set of Jay-Z song, Fab revealed.

Fab said that T-Pain was still in the club during the Jay-Z set.

This is the first time that T-Pain has expressed this level of disenchantment with Jay-Z. Earlier this summer T-Pain joined Jay-Z on the stage during Hot 97's summer. He seemed pleased with the recognition in an earlier interview with MTV.

"That affected me in a great way, man. I made sure I honored him as a great song writer...that's like the best song i heard in a couple years, man. And it's great that somebody that important stepped up and vouched for me."


T-Pain has not commented on the matter at press time.

Doug E. Fresh Confirms Scientology Faith

Since its humble beginnings in the 1970s, Hip-Hop has had spiritual connections to established religious groups like Islam and Christianity.

However, legend Doug E. Fresh has emerged as the first Hip-Hop artist to publicly embrace the controversial faith known as Scientology.

Fresh confirmed the news via an interview with Essence Magazine, and stated he has been practicing the faith for the last 8 years after being introduced to it through former girlfriend and Hot 97 radio personality Miss Jones.

The faith was founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, and uses a mythology centered on the belief that all humans are immortal through a life force/source known as theta.

Through the religion’s teachings, followers are taught to reach spiritual enlightenment by becoming one with their soul, known as the thetan.

Fresh, who has been an ambassador for Hip-Hop culture for over 25 years and has also incorporated religious themes in his music.

According to Fresh, he is the first Hip-Hop artist to join the religious movement.

"I am the first Hip-Hop artist to do it," explained to Essence Magazine. "Isaac Hayes was a former coworker of Miss Jones and he told her about it," said Doug E. Fresh. "I went with her to one of the classes. Miss Jones stopped going but I continued. I found it fascinating. It changed how I thought. I've learned how to look at things and not judge them but respect them and use it in a way that people understand that I respect them, show them love and respect their reality."

Scientology is the object of much media scorn due to reports of brainwashing and a rejection of modern science for illness treatment.

But Doug E. Fresh is hopeful that he can educate those who’ve never studied the faith for themselves.

"Scientology is not a White religion. It is not just for White people," Fresh told Essence. "Scientology is not written with disrespect toward God. It doesn't worship something that is evil. It is scientific, mathematical, and spiritual. The Black community has to check it out and see what's there. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but you have to take a look. You may be amazed at what you get."

Jay-Z's Blueprint Moved Up To Tuesday Release

The release date for Jay-Z's highly anticipated album The Blueprint 3 has been shuffled due to bootlegging and leaks on the Internet.

The new album will now be released this Tuesday (September 8) as opposed to the original date of Friday, September 11.

Over the past two week, songs from The Blueprint 3 - mainly those produced by Timbaland - landed on net.

More recently, the entire album was leaked, prompting Jay-Z to address the issue in an interview.

“I may be the most bootlegged artist in history,” Jay-Z told MTV News during a press conference. “It’s a preview. I’m excited for people to hear the album. I’m very proud of the work I’ve done, so enjoy it."

Jay-Z's benefit concert supporting the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund will continue as planned on September 11.

T-Pain Showcases His Iphone Application

Hip-Hop Exec Kevin Liles Departs Warner Music Group

Pioneering Hip-Hop executive Kevin Liles will leave Warner Music Group it was announced today (September 3).

Liles recently appeared at a press conference in New York promoting Jay-Z’s upcoming album Blueprint 3, which is being distributed by Atlantic, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Today, Liles announced he was steppding down from his role as Executive Vice President, to pursue other business ventures.

"In the past couple weeks I've made one of the most important decisions of my life - to depart the Warner Music Group in order to focus more on new entrepreneurial endeavors in talent management, entertainment, media and my personal philanthropic and political passions,” Liles told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I am thankful for the opportunities that Edgar and Lyor have given me, most recently in entrusting me with driving the company's global artist services strategy, which is redefining the way labels and artists work together. My work here is now complete and I'm excited about the next chapter of my life."

Kevin Liles started his career at Def Jam as an unpaid intern in 1991. By 1993, he was the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Manager.

By 1998, he was anointed President of the Def Jam Music Group. During his time at the label, he doubled the company’s revenues, by signing acts like Jay-Z, Irv Gotti and Murder Inc., DMX and numerous others.

Liles was named EVP of Warner Music Group in 2004, shortly after Def Jam Chairman Lyor Cohen took over as CEO of Warner Music Group.

"Kevin and I have worked together since the day he joined Def Jam as an intern 18 years ago,” said Lyor Cohen, WMG’s Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music. “He has become a trusted friend, a brilliant executive and an incredible business partner. Together, we have built companies, signed and developed fantastically talented artists, and brought some outstanding music to the world. Even though Kevin’s chosen to pursue a new challenge, we’ll continue to work together in many aspects of the entertainment industry. I’m so excited to see what’s next for Kev, and he takes with him all my love and respect."

Liles will continue to act as a consultant to Warner Music Group, in addition to pursuing other business ventures.

Jin The MC Becomes Christian Rapper

Former battle rap champ Jin is making his way back into the spotlight as a Christian rapper signed to Universal Hong Kong.

Now a born again Christian residing in Hong Kong, Jin has changed the content of his music, but still manages to showcase his lyrical prowess.

Recently Jin released a new track titled “Welcome to the Light Club,” which is fueled by a catchy beat.

Here is an except from the track:

"I got a session booked for7 and its 6:35/ so I got 25 minutes to conjure up this rhyme/its been a long time right stepped away from the limelight/ but the breaks over Holy Spirit takeover/they say the truth will set you free if you so believe/ Jesus is the truth with Him freedom can be achieved"

Via his ayojin.com webpage, Jin chronicles his adventures in this new lifestyle and he describes one trip by saying, "Did a quick performance, gave a testimony and just enjoyed God’s presence."

Jin initially gained his popularity as the "Freestyle Friday Champ” on BET's 106 and Park, then went on to sign with the Ruff Ryders.

In 2004, Jin released his debut album, The Rest Is History, which garnered the lead single “Learn Chinese.”

He also made his acting debut in a the blockbuster film 2 Fast 2 Furious.

Jay-Z Is Already Working On His Next Album(Says It Will Be An Experimental Album)

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Busta Sets Out To Cure Hip Hop's Cancer With Chemo

New York rapper Busta Rhymes isn't wasting any time readying his next project. The 'Conglomorate' hitmaker who released his eighth studio album a mere 4 months ago, is currently putting the finishing touches on his next project which he says will help rid Hip Hop of its "Cancer."

Busta says he's about 80% done with the album tentatively titled "The Chemo."

"The new album is 80 percent finished, and it’s called The Chemo. It’s the first time I’m announcing the name of the album. It’s self-explanatory. We’re coming to kill the cancer in music. I ain’t trying to offend anybody."

According to Busta, artists need to "re-establish the understanding that the perspective of hip-hop is to make music that always felt undeniable and unprecedented and we set a standard."

"I feel that starting to happen again with the likes of the Raekwon Cuban Linx II, and a lot of projects are starting to feel like they’re coming again,"

“A lot of projects are feeling like they remind us of what hip-hop is really supposed to feel and sound like."

Busta didn't mention a release schedule for his nintht studio album.

His last LP, Back On My Bullshit, debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, selling 56,000 copies.

The album has sold 122,000 copies to date.

Jay-Z Speaks On His Drug Dealing Past & Almost Being Shot With Oprah

Oprah: So tell me how you got into the drug dealing.

Jay-Z: It was natural.…

Oprah: Because drug dealers were your role models. There wasn’t a teacher or a lawyer or a nurse or a doctor or an accountant in the neighborhood?

Jay-Z: Well, we were living in Marcy by then, so, no. And if anyone did become something like that, they moved out. They never came back to share the wisdom of how they made it. If anyone made it, you never knew it. That’s why I’ve always said that if I became successful, I’d come back here, grab somebody, and show him how it can be done.

Oprah: So by the time you were 13, this was a way of life. Did the lifestyle frighten you?

Jay-Z: No. It was normal. And at some point, you become addicted to the feeling. The uncertainty and adrenaline and danger of that lifestyle.

Oprah: This is where we differ. This is where we differ. Because I’d be very scared! Weren’t you shot at three times—within six feet—and you lived to talk about it?

Jay-Z: That was divine intervention. Divine intervention, and nobody knowing how to shoot.

Oprah: What happened in each situation?

Jay-Z: It was one situation, three shots.

Oprah: So he was a bad shot.

Jay-Z: Well, no one really practices shooting a TEC-9 machine gun, right? And when you’re a kid, with little bony arms—no wonder nobody could aim.

Oprah: Many of the little boys who grew up in the Marcy projects are either in jail or dead. Why do you think you got to grow up and buy your mom a house?

Jay-Z: There’s the gift, there’s the spirit, and there’s the work—all three have to come together. If one of those things is off, it can stop you from becoming who you were meant to be.

Check out a promo for Jay-Z’s 9/11 concert below.



Jay-Z is asking you to “Answer The Call”. Fuse presents Jay-Z live and commercial free from Madison Square Garden on September 11th at 9pm|8c. For more information go to fuse.tv/jay-z

DJ AM Laid To Rest Today

DJ AM was laid to rest today (September 2) in Los Angeles during a private ceremony for turntables close friends and family.

A funeral for DJ AM, born Adam Goldstein, started at 3:00 PM at the Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, a prominent Jewish cemetery in West Los Angeles.

DJ AM, 36, was found dead in his New York apartment last Friday (August 31).

Today, it was revealed that eight OxyCotin pills were found in DJ AM’s stomach, while another one was on his tongue when police found his dead body.

Tomorrow (September 3), a number of celebrities are expected to show up for a memorial service honoring DJ AM at the Hollywood Palladium.

Audio: MC Shan Disses Joe “Buddens”

Basically MC Shan feels slighted because he went into Joey’s chat to get some followers for MCShanTV and Budden ignored him.

“How you gon ignore me? You see me typing in big red letters and capitals. The only one typing in big red letters and capitals”… (1:50)

He probably was in the waiting room instead of the actual room with Budden. SMH.

Crooked-I Refutes Any Relationship To Death Row

Crooked I had refuted the notion that he is in any way signed to Death Row Records, an assertion made by the new CEO of the iconic label founded by Dr. Dre and Suge Knight.

A comment by Lara Lavi, CEO/President - Wideawake Deathrow LLC, seemed to suggest that Crooked I was still on the label.

"…Everybody on the roster, those deals expired in the nineties. The only two really are Crooked I and Danny Boy right now; they're always really technically on the roster," Lavi said in an interview published on Monday. "We're negotiating with them right now to do a new contract signing because they both have current projects. Danny has an R&B album and a Gospel album and Crooked I has an amazing project with King Tech, supported by Sway."

However, Crooked I denied any new relationship and stated that Lavi only mentioned Wideawake, not Death Row, in his dealings with her.

He did acknowledge the relationship between the two entities.

"I cut ties from Death Row Records in 2004 legally. All my contractual ties were cut. She's [Laura Lavi] a nice lady," Crooked I told AllHipHop.com. "As far as Death Row is concerned, that's going backward in my career. No disrespect to her. She has the old music."

Crooked I maintained that the endured an extensive and expensive legal process to get off of Death Row Records.

"I have no contract with Death Row. I went through 11 months of court [to get freed contractually]," he concluded.

Crooked I recently released an album with his group Slaughterhouse that has been met by critical acclaim from Hip-Hop fans.

Rapper 50 cent Lashes Out At The Media Over His Cancelled "40 Day"

First he blamed Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD, but now he's lashing out at the media. Queens rapper 50 Cent
is now blaming negative press coverage for the cancellation of his free concert
in Queens, New York.

After taking out the time and energy to plan this program, and propose it in a way that it would get approved, 50 was miffed at the medias' portrayal of his old neighborhood as well as himself.

"Mayor Bloomberg and the Governor spoke about it. and spoke positively about the event, because of my motivation and what my intentions were.

I went through the trouble of developing this... It’s been a nine-month period that I’ve been working on it. But it’s not interesting enough to promote positivity or to promote that someone’s actually attempting to give back to the community in that way.

So they promote the fact that I’ve been shot previously not far from where the location is, and they promote previous activity in that environment that has taken place to make it feel like something can happen. I think it slipped their mind that this is an event that was developed and based for kids."

"40 Day" was supposed to be a free carnival and concert for the children and parents of the neighborhood, but never made the light of day.

Despite the cancellation, 50 has stated that he will not let this small bump in the road deter him from helping out the youth in his old neighborhood, and hopes to do more community service projects in the future.

50's family day was supposed to take place on August 30th.

Nore Comes To Hov's Defense, Tells Fans Not To Download Album

With his album still more than a week away from being released, Jay-Z's Blueprint III leaked onto the web a few days ago.

While millions of fans all over the world wasted no time to download the album, there is one person who is so upset over the leak and downloads, that he is going on his twitter urging fans to wait for the official release date.

In a statement released to SOHH Nore was adamant in his feelings againts downloading the Brooklyn rappers newest album

"I just feel Hiphop owes Jay alot more then downloading a free album, I got the email and deleted them support Hov and get the realbp3."

On His Twitter page Nore wrote; "IFYOULOVEHIPHOP YOU WILL NOT DOWNLOAD BLUEPRINT 3! (can you help me spread this?)"

Nore shared some time on Hovs imprint Roc la Famillia, and said that he would do what he could to help his former label mate, "Honestly people erase the bp3 email let the homey hov live just cause u got the emails don't mean u gotta download it, I will not disrespect bp3 by downloading I will wait patiently to buy it."

Blueprint 3's official release date is September 11th, but can be streamed from MTV, and Rhapsody, exclusively via a deal with the Brooklyn rapper himself.

Jay-Z Speaks On Competition & States He’s The Game’s Idol

…Speaking of Jim Jones, he and cats like The Game stay throwing shots at you, referring to you as old and washed-up. But you’ve always thrived off that type of competition. So, currently in the most comfortable position of your career, how competitive are you?

Not really that competitive, because the competition isn’t based on real competition. I mean, Game, I’m his fuckin idol. If you ask him and he’s being truthfully honest with you…it’s just based off his insecurities and, for the most part, pretension. That type of competition doesn’t do anything for me. It’s almost like someone trying to set you up, and everyone knows they’re to set you up, and everybody. It’s just dumb. It’s not in the spirit of competition, because he’s not competition for me. He’s not. Not then, not ever—he’d have to improve considerably. Competition for me competition is Nas, Eminem. Like Jim Jones? That’s ridiculous to me. So how do I respond to that? I can’t win. If I win, then they’ll be like, “See. Now chill. You’re a fuckin’ bully.” And if manages to throw a haymaker from the West Coast, then it’s like “Oooooh.” It’s not even fun. Like, before I did it, because I would diss anybody. Now who has time to do this shit everyday? But before, when I was running after the little fat nigga from Ma$e’s camp, I was doing anybody. Anybody said anything. If I thought you said something. When I was running in the streets, I wanted all that type of activity. Nobody wanted nothing. Now everybody’s a tough guy.

Full Interview will be in this month’s XXL magazine, props Rap Radar.

Chilli Seeking Men For New Reality Show

TLC group member Chilli is the latest celebrity to land a reality show seeking to find true love.

Chilli, along with VH1, Doron Ofir Casting and FremantleMedia North America seek eligible bachelors to appear on the show in an attempt to win the R&B singer’s heart.

Casting agents are seeking eligible males between the ages of 25-40 years-old for the untitled show, which is slated to broadcast as part of VH1’s upcoming new programming lineup.

Chilli, born Rozonda Thomas, is part of TLC with Tionne “T-Boz“ Watkins and deceased group member and rapper Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.

She also has a child with superstar R&B singer Usher Raymond.

The pair will play their first American show in over seven years, as part of the “Justin Timberlake and Friends” benefit concert at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center.

The benefit concert takes place October 17 for the Shriners Hospital for Children.

The concert also features performances by Alicia Keys, Ciara and Taylor Swift.



To apply for Chilli’s untitled reality show, send an email to TheChilliProject@gmail.com.

Jay-Z Remains Cool Through Blue Print 3 Leak, Blames Timbaland?

Yesterday the inevitable happened. Jay-Z's highly anticipated album, The Blueprint 3, hit the web and has already reached hundreds of thousands of downloads on a multitude of file sharing
sites.

But the Brooklyn MC says it's not a problem as he has grown to look at it as a great thing.

“I may be the most bootlegged artist in history,” he told MTV News shortly after his album leaked.

“It’s a preview. I’m excited for people to hear the album. I’m very proud of the work I’ve done, so enjoy it.”

“My pager is actually ringing right now, so people are probably calling me and telling me they pretty much like it,” he explained. “I can tell by the way my pager rings if a song is good or not. It’s really going crazy right now.”

Before the aforementioned statement however, Jay quickly passed blame on Timbaland and his camp.

"Whether Timbaland or his camp got their email jacked, cuz it was only his songs that leaked first… now The whole thing is going to leak pretty soon."

You can check out video of the quick interview below.

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