Raekwon gushes that the wait is finally over for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, featuring The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla and others, as he signs deal with EMI to release the follow-up to his 1995 hip-hop classic this summer.

Raekwon, whose 1995 platinum classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was universally hailed as a rap classic and has sold more than 1.1 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan, has signed a distribution deal with EMI Label Services for his ICEH20 Records label to release Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 in the US and Canada later this summer. EMI Label Services will also provide Raekwon with additional radio promotion support and licensing and synchronization services.

The wait is finally over, Raekwon says. Words cannot describe how extremely happy I am to work with EMI Music to put out my album.

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 buzz single and video The New Wu features fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man and Ghostface Killah and is getting mixshow airplay at radio stations across the country, including Hot 97 in New York. The album features a spectacular line-up of guest appearances and producers: The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Bun B and The Game, among others.

We are thrilled to have a chance to work with the legendary Raekwon, said Dominic Pandiscia, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMI Label Services. He has had a massive impact on the history of Hip Hop and Urban music overall. Everyone at EMI is excited to be working on this record and continuing his legacy.

Rap fans were mesmerized by Raekwons distinctive brand of street slanguistics when he emerged as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The Staten Island, New York rap groups debut album, 1993s Enter The Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers), was a landmark collection that introduced the groups signature blend of kung-fu inspired reality rap. Raekwon established himself as a solo star in 1995 with the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The mafia minded album, which peaked at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart, unfolded like a cinematic crime caper, with such imaginative songs as Criminology, Incarcerated Scarfaces and Ice Cream propelling the album to platinum status.

Raekwons second album, 1999s Immobilarity, was certified gold. To date, Raekwon has career sales of more than 1.6 million units in the US, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Now, with the impending release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, Raekwon is ready to release his second masterpiece. Its been a long time coming, he says, and Ive put my *lo**, sweat and tears into making this classic album for my fans.

Young Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross and more have been chosen to headline next month's Best of the Best International Music Festival in Florida.

This one flew under the radar screen for months, but we just learned Scott Storch -- formerly a wildly wealthy music producer for the likes of Dr. Dre and 50 Cent -- has been charged with grand theft auto. Storch allegedly leased a Bentley but never returned it after the expiration date. It took the leasing company 7 months to find it. Storch pled not guilty in Broward County Court last Friday. Fun Fact: Lil Kim had a Bentley repossessed back in '08 -- which just happened to be a gift from none other than Storch himself. We don't know if it's the same Bentley. UPDATE: Storch's lawyer, Bradford M. Cohen, just released this statement: "We are disappointed in the decision to take a civil dispute and file it as a criminal charge. There are many facts, that when revealed, will clearly demonstrate that there was no criminal wrong doing on behalf of my client."

With close to a month before Atlanta rap giant T.I. is expected to turn himself into authorities to serve a one year bid behind bars for federal gun charges, he has already started work on a new record.

Following up the platinum-plus Paper Trail, Tips next disc is tentatively scheduled to hit shelves in 2010. According to MTV News the ATLien has already recorded 20 tracks in preparation for his new project. While he picked up the pen for Paper Trail, Tip says hes recording some tracks straight from his memory.

Im doing it half and half, he told MTV of his writing process. It depends on the type of record Im doing. I have records now I did and I just went and did it like I used to, and I got some where I wrote it down. Im not committing myself to one way or another. Itd have to be an infusion, just depending on what sort of album I want to make. [Watch Below]

Recording is never a problem for me, he added. Im able to record any time. Through the best of times and through the worst of times, Im still able to record. It may change the sort of song you do, but you never can tell. You never know until that moment gets there.

In addition to his upcoming solo set, the Grand Hustle leader will also be re-releasing Paper Trail with five new songs, as well as other extra content. As of press time it is uncertain when either album will drop.

Jay to the Mwah done did it. The Yonkers MC surpassed expectations on his first week on the Billboard 200 sales chart with his Def Jam debut, The Last Kiss. The rappers first solo set since 2004s Kiss Of Death, reached the no. 3 position behind countrified acts Miley Cyrus and the Rascal Flats. Breezing past the 100,000 projections, Kiss officially pushed 134,520 copies of his CD according to Nielsens SoundScan. Boasting features from his Lox brethren, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Nas, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Raekwon and Ghostface, among others. The next hip-hop release is Flo Rida all the way down at the no. 17 spot. R.O.O.T.S, the muscle-bound rappers sophomore release fell nine places down this week, scooping up 31,740 sales numbers. In his second week, Rida has sold a total of 87,100 copies. UGK, who lead the rap pack last week, dropped from no. 6 to no. 20 this week. The groups final LP, UGK 4 Life, pushed an additional 26,300 discs this week, making its two-week tally 102,900. Def Jam crooner The-Dream slipped seven spots to no. 25 this sales cycle. The singers latest CD, Love Vs Money, bagged up 23,750 more discs this week, making his his total stand at 295,240. At no. 30 is Atlanta rap giant T.I. The soon-to-be-incarcerated rapper continues to keep registers ringing, selling 19,490 copies of Paper Trail this week. After about seven months the disc has an overall sales number of 1,877,550. Sliding all the way to no. 48 is Bow Wows New Jack City Part II. After debuting at no. 16 last week, the young MC managed to score 12,940 more albums sold this week, making his second week total 43,890. In his first week, New York rapper Mims, landed at the no. 53 spot. The This Is Why Im Hot MC sold 12,400 copies of his sophomore disc Guilt.

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2009/news/090427/obamas_bo.jpg Dragging Michelle Obama behind him, First Dog Bo bounded onto the White House South Lawn Tuesday followed by Malia, Sasha and the President as the family introduced the black-and-white Portuguese water dog to a herd of photographers.

"That's a good-looking dog," Barack Obama declared about the bushy-haired 6-month-old puppy as the First Family petted, hugged and cooed at Bo. "He's a star he's got star quality."

He's also got some things to learn. "He doesn't know how to swim," Sasha exclaimed. "They have to be taught," Obama replied. "They have webbed feet, you know, for herding fish for the Portuguese fishermen."

Other Bo bits learned from the President: He is neutered, everyone will take turns walking him, he's got a dog house ("his own spot") and will be allowed in the Oval Office, of course, but there will be limits on where he sleeps

 

Jamie Foxx, has apologized to Miley Cyrus for launching a crude attack on the teen sensation on his Sirius satellite radio show, where he told her to "Make a sex tape and grow up!"

He issued the apology on on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, claiming he meant no harm.

"I have a radio show. We're really the black Howard Stern. We go at everybody. There was a situation with Miley Cyrus, and I just want to say, I apologize for what I said. I didn't mean it maliciously. You know I'm a comedian. You know my heart."

It's not clear when the comments were made. But the insults began flying after someone brought up the 16-year-old's recent feud with Radiohead after Cyrus wasn't allowed to hang out with the band after the Grammys.

Foxx, 41, is heard saying: "Who is Miley Cyrus? The one with all the gums? She need to get a gum transplant!"

He also says: "Make a sex tape and grow up!"

A woman is heard calling Cyrus the b-word.

As Eminem gears up to release his highly anticipated album Relapse, the Detroit emcee opened up about several topics in an interview with XXL Magazine [click to read], set to hit news stands May 5.

Shady spoke on his widely publicized drug addiction, explaining, "I wasnt ready mentally. I wasnt ready to give up the drugs. I didnt really think I had a problem. Basically, I went in, and I came out. I relapsed, and I spent the next three years struggling with it. Also, at that time, I felt like I wanted to pull back, because my drug problem had got so bad. I felt like, Maybe if I take a break, maybe this will help. I started to get into the producer role more I can still be out there with my music, like with the Re-Up album, but I dont have to be in the spotlight the whole time.

Em also revealed his feelings about the death of his friend, Proof of D12. Everyone felt his loss, from his kids, to his wife, to everyone," he said of the late rapper, who died just over three years ago. "But, for some reason, in hindsight, the way I felt was almost like it happened to just me Maybe at the time I was a little bit selfish with it. I think it kind of hit me so hard. It just blindsided me. I just went into such a dark place that, with everything, the drugs, my thoughts, everything."

Eminem added that he is just now able to discuss the matter without becoming emotional. "Proof was the anchor. He was everything to D12. And not just the group-for me, personally, he was everything.

Finally, Em spoke on the current state of Hip Hop, revealing that he had stayed current on the art form, but wasn't necessarily impressed. "...without naming any names, it just felt like Hip Hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. You know, in them three years, it was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance."

But not all hope is lost for Eminem, it seems, as a few names have kept him hopeful about the Hip Hop game. "But with this new T.I. album, with this new Lil Wayne album of recent, it seems like things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear shit and youre like Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that!"

HULK Hogan is sounding homicidal over the way his wife Linda dumped him, forced him out of his $18 million mansion, allegedly started spending his money at the rate of $40,000 a month and dating "some shaggy-haired pool boy 30 years her junior," Rolling Stone reports. "I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat," he told the magazine. "You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife . . . I totally understand OJ. I get it." He and Linda are battling it out in a Florida divorce court, where Linda's attorney claims she's entitled to use the car and that Hogan's claims against her are merely an attempt to control her love life.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04152009/gossip/pagesix/hulk__i_could_kill_like_oj_164506.htm

I would like to give a big congratulations to NY Legend, Jadakiss. Jadakiss overcame the odds and the state of the music industry to grab the Number One Rap Album in the Country. Jada didn't have a big radio record or radio presence but it seems that Jadakiss, the brand is a staple in hip-hop. Despite little radio and video play Jadakiss managed to sell 135,000 copies in his first week! This is a great look for Jadakiss, a great look for New York, and even bigger, a great look for Hip-Hop.

50 Cent & Thisis50.com are looking for that next superstar female singer.


Send your best record that showcases your ability plus 2 photos - headshot and full length - to 50signme@gmail.com

Those chosen from these submissions will automatically be given a slot to audition for that #1 spot. If you'd like to show up the day of and sweat it out on line, please feel free to do so, but make sure to bring your "A" game for the camera. There will be lights, cameras, and lots of action.
Due to an expectation of many submissions, it's in your best interest to submit your material beforehand. We make no guarantees that you will be able to audition unless we have contacted you in response to your submission.

The Audition is taking place April 24th in Manhattan, NY. You will have to get yourself to and from the audition - we are not responsible for your travel. You will also be auditioning on your own - no representation - friends, family, management, attorneys - will be allowed to accompany you into the audition space. They may wait outside.
Auditions will be recorded and you will have to sign a release form to G UNIT RECORDS, INC. regarding that footage.
If you are under 18yrs of age you will have to have a legal guardian &/or parent sign the release in addition to signing the release yourself.

The deadline for email submissions is April 19th @ 12am midnight, EST. If you are chosen, you will receive an email confirmation April 22nd.

Good luck and don't wait to enter! This is your shot at stardom with one of the world's biggest superstar celebrities.

The Gargamel Music family is sad to announce the passing of Buju Banton's beloved mother, Murdine "Miss Dotty" Clarke. Miss Dotty made her transition earlier this month, leaving behind her adoring children, grandchildren, family and friends.

"Rich Off Cocaine" aka "On Top Of The World" is the 4th single from Rick Ross' album Deeper Than Rap. The song features Avery Storm and Justice League production. Ross' album hits the store next week but leaked online yesterday. With all the extra attention heading Ricky's way from his beef, his album should do very well

Marijuana consumers present a $14 billion dollar check to the US Treasury to represent "tax and regulate" boost to economy from legalizing cannabis.

What would Americas 25 million regular marijuana consumers do with $14 billion? How about pay taxes gladly.

Thats the message the Executive Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) delivered this morning, on tax day, during a press conference on the steps of the General Post Office in Midtown Manhattan, along with an oversized $14 billion check made out to the US Treasury Department.

The check total is a conservative estimate of what American taxpayers spend every year to maintain marijuana prohibition. According to the report "The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States," Americans spend some $6 billion annually on marijuana-related law enforcement. Taxing and regulating the production and sale of cannabis like alcohol products would eliminate these costs, while raising an additional $8 billion in new tax revenue each year, according to the report, which was endorsed by Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman and over 500 other accredited economists.

Supporters of a tax and regulate approach to marijuana will gather at the General Post Office (441 Eighth Ave) again today at 4:20 PM to formally present the check.

DR. DRE was forced to scrap an onstage reunion with rappers and EMINEM and SNOOP DOGG at the last minute - after his bodyguards were involved in a car accident.
Snoop Dogg was to be joined by "surprise guests" Dre and Eminem when he took the stage for the Our World Live concert in Los Angeles on Tuesday (07Apr09), according to the New York Daily News.
But Dre bowed out after his security staff crashed their car in bad weather, and the rapper was advised not to attend without bodyguards.
And Snoop was left to hit the stage solo when Eminem also pulled out of the lineup, because he reportedly refused to hit the stage without his rap mentor, Dre.
No further details of the car accident were available as WENN went to press.

As Eminem gears up to release his highly anticipated album Relapse, the Detroit emcee opened up about several topics in an interview with XXL Magazine [click to read], set to hit news stands May 5.

Shady spoke on his widely publicized drug addiction, explaining, "I wasnt ready mentally. I wasnt ready to give up the drugs. I didnt really think I had a problem. Basically, I went in, and I came out. I relapsed, and I spent the next three years struggling with it. Also, at that time, I felt like I wanted to pull back, because my drug problem had got so bad. I felt like, Maybe if I take a break, maybe this will help. I started to get into the producer role more I can still be out there with my music, like with the Re-Up album, but I dont have to be in the spotlight the whole time.

Em also revealed his feelings about the death of his friend, Proof of D12. Everyone felt his loss, from his kids, to his wife, to everyone," he said of the late rapper, who died just over three years ago. "But, for some reason, in hindsight, the way I felt was almost like it happened to just me Maybe at the time I was a little bit selfish with it. I think it kind of hit me so hard. It just blindsided me. I just went into such a dark place that, with everything, the drugs, my thoughts, everything."

Eminem added that he is just now able to discuss the matter without becoming emotional. "Proof was the anchor. He was everything to D12. And not just the group-for me, personally, he was everything.

Finally, Em spoke on the current state of Hip Hop, revealing that he had stayed current on the art form, but wasn't necessarily impressed. "...without naming any names, it just felt like Hip Hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. You know, in them three years, it was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance."

But not all hope is lost for Eminem, it seems, as a few names have kept him hopeful about the Hip Hop game. "But with this new T.I. album, with this new Lil Wayne album of recent, it seems like things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear shit and youre like Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that!"

Eminem has credited fellow rappers LIL WAYNE and T.I. with rescuing hip-hop - by saving the genre from going "downhill". The Stan hitmaker is back on the music scene with his new album, Relapse, due next month (May09) following a five-year recording hiatus. He is convinced rap music took a turn for the worse while he was away - but praises his hip-hop contemporaries, including Lil Wayne and T.I., for bringing a creative new sound to the industry. He tells XXL magazine, "I stayed up on the music, and obviously I watch TV and saw what was going on. And without naming any names, it just felt like hip-hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. "It was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance. "Things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear s**t and you're like, 'Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that!' You know what I mean? Or you hear all the compound-syllable rhyming and all that. It just seems like now the craft is getting cared about more."

The waters are murky in the Lil Wayne-Drama drama.  The lawsuit names Drama and other mixtape groups yet Lil Waynes camp says this is a matter of Lil Wayne mixtapes being sold with bar codes in outlets like FYE.  Drama claims he and Wayne are good and that the suit is really aimed at BCD Music Group, an independent distribution company based in Texas.

The attorney representing Cash Money, Candace Carponter, acknowledged the initial collaboration of Drama and Wayne putting together the mixtapes was done with consent, however, selling the projects in retail outlets with Lil Waynes image and likeness was an illegal act. The parties, she also noted, did not have rights to strike deals with Waynes music.

Ohhh the drama. History shows Wayne lashes out and then recants, like Waynes statement F Mixtapes DJs - and then oh, ooops, I only meant DJ Empire.

Only time will tell.

A word to the wise: respect, loyalty and honor dont flip-flop, theyre either present or not present.

Sheldon 'Turbulance' Campbellemerged from somewhere between being raised in a poverty-stricken community and receiving an amazing blessing.

His life has been filled with struggles and the joy of love and fatherhood, and these experiences, he said, have shaped him into the man he is today.

The reggae singer who burst on to the music scene under the watchful eye of legendary producer Phillip 'Fattist' Burrell and Notorious, said he is enjoying life outside of music, particularly fatherhood.

 

Relaunch career

Although he has been quiet of late - his last hit coming in 2008 in the form of Don't Want To Be Alone, a duet with ex-lover Sasha - Turbulance said he isn't too concerned as he plans to relaunch his music career.

"Well, it was just music that I was focusing on. I have a few material working on now. I have my new label, Trod Almighty working on also. There are a lot of things that will come out which the public will hear soon," he said.

Turbulance was born in 1981 and grew up in Hungry Town, a community off Mannings Hill Road in St Andrew. He said growing up in an inner-city community, though tough, was an invaluable experience.

"Hungry Town. That place is so special to me," he said.

Turbulance also told THE STAR that as he developed as a musician, the experience of being around veteran reggae artistes Sizzla Kalonji and Luciano, and legendary producer Burrell, helped to mould him.

"Phillip a top-class producer, no second guess about that. He knows how to nurture talent. If you come brand new with raw talent, he knows just how to get you refined, just as with me," he said.

"It's like a life-bonding experience and you have to remember your past. Phillip is the man who made me be in this position and Sizzla and Luciano taught me the basics of music," he added.

Burrell introduced Turbulance to the music scene at age 21, in 2003, but it was not until he collaborated with his then girlfriend, Sasha, a year later and recorded the hit songs Natty Pon Di Front Line and We've Got Love, that he became a household name.

The two reunited on Don't Want To Be Alone last year after they had a public split in 2007. When asked if he still thinks about the relationship with Sasha, he responded: "I have to; Sasha was a good girl and it was good while it lasted." However, Turbulance said he has moved on and is now enjoying fatherhood and a new-found love.

"Yeah man. I have my babymother and everything is going well. I am happy," he said.

 

Doing it right

While his career has slowed, Turbulance said his philosophy of doing it right the first time hasn't changed, and urged upcoming artistes to take a similar approach.

"I wouldn't say that I am a perfectionist, but everybody knows that I like to get my thing done the correct way," he said.

"Without the love of music, you will give up, because there is a lot of pressure in it," he added. "There are so many times when I have recorded a song and give it to various radio stations and don't hear it play. I have performed well on so many shows yet I've never seen or heard anything about it. That don't bother me. You have to have faith and perseverance to make it."

It has been a while since the rise of a hardcore female dancehall artiste.

In a business ruled by their male counterparts, the women have been overshadowed.

One female artiste, however, wants to be the one that changes this, Tashon Williams, more popularly known as BabyTash.

The artiste has been working hard in the studio and wants to break away from the pack this year. Armed with new material and the drive to succeed, Baby Tash is optimistic that her time is coming.

"The time I spent in my previous job as entertainment co-ordinator has really helped to pave the way for me in my musical career, as I used the opportunity to get accustomed to performing in front of people," Baby Tash told THE STAR.

 

Great strides

The former Jonathon Grant High School headgirl and the oldest of three children for her mother, is now making great strides and is focused on where she wants to go.

"I have some songs that are out currently and some that I am recording. There is Pretty Dunce on Ward 21's Vulva rhythm and Hot Girls on the Belly Dance rhythm," she said.

In recent weeks, Baby Tash has been creating a stir, as she performed a counteraction for Mavado's Nuh Believe Yuh titled Now Him Believe Me. The song has been getting good airplay, according to the artiste.

"Since mi do the song and actually record it, I have been getting good feedback. I even heard it as someone's ringtone. The people dem love it," she said. "It felt really good performing. The reactions from the crowd when I performed it was overwhelming," she added.

 

Video of the year

Prior to this, Baby Tash released Mix Up, produced by Cordell 'Scatta' Burrell. The video was directed by Jay Will, and was nominated for the Hype TV Video of the Year Award. The single was also featured on BET's 'Wicked Styles'.

Baby Tash gained recognition last year when she won the first Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall talent competition alongside Singer Jah. Since then, she has been growing steadily as an artiste. Outside of the studio, she enjoys relaxing and writing songs.

Baby Tash is anticipating bigger and better things in the future and said she would not stop until she reaches her ultimate aim.

"I want to be a top act, performing all over the world, experiencing different cultures, but most of all, to be successful at whatever it is that I do," she said.

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/12/2009

 

Although Country sensation Rascal Flatts and Pop princess Hannah Montana took the #1 and #2 respectively, L.O.X./D-Block member Jadakiss [click to read] impressed many, with New York Hip Hop's best debut week in close to a year. With lukewarm reviews, The Last Kiss [click to read], Jada's Def Jam debut, beat fellow New York major label rapper MIMS' debut week by over 120,000 units.

Hip Hop favorite Prince stayed in the Top 10 for week two, with his Target-exclusive three-album set, LOtUSFLOW3R independent project. Keri Hilson's In A Perfect World... [click to read] remained in the Top 15 for a third week, maintaining her status as Interscope's present R&B flagship artist, distinguishing herself against Keyshia Cole. Flo Rida's R.O.O.T.S. [click tp read] gained some second week momentum for the Atlantic Records artist, placing him ahead of UGK, despite considerably lower units scanned last week.

UGK [click to read] did fall over 50,000 units from the previous week with UGK 4 Life [click to read]. Pimp C's posthumous group album with Bun B still continues to defy expectations, as the group's nearly 20 year tenure with Jive Records comes to its final release.

Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank	Artist	Album	This Week	Est. Total
3	Jadakiss	The Last Kiss	134,515	134,921
9	Prince	LOtUSFLOW3R	66,492	234,950
15	Keri Hilson	In A Perfect World...	32,713	164,340
17	Flo Rida	R.O.O.T.S.	31,744	87,100
20	UGK	UGK 4 Life	26,304	102,904

Capitol/EMI flagship rapper MIMS failed to debut in the Top 50 with his sophomore Guilt. The Washington Heights emcee has often refuted the importance of week-to-week sales, as his debut Music Is My Savior was a slow success, driven off of ringtone and single sales.

For the second week straight, Boss Of All Bosses [click to read], saw Slim Thug [click to read] outsell Sony Records flagship artist Jim Jones [click to read] and his Pray IV Reign [click to read]. Although Jones has more overall units scanned, the two artists surprise many with that close range competition. Slim Thug appears to fill Jones' former role, as E1 (formerly Koch Records') best-selling Hip Hop act.

Bad Boy Records's Gorilla Zoe [click to read] slid just below the Top 50 with his sophomore Don't Feed Da Animals [click to read]. The Boyz N The Hood front-man moved over 50,000 overall units.

Lil Wayne [click to read] sold just over 10,000 (#65) copies of Tha Carter III [click to read], his usual sum from recent weeks.

DOOM (formerly MF DOOM and Zevlove X of KMD) stayed on the charts for a third week with his BORN INTO THIS [click to read] release, selling just over 3,000 units. iTunes offers an exclusive Radiohead remix to one of the album's tunes, making it a release to watch.

Along with Jadakiss and MIMS, Tennessee Rap veteran Yo Gotti represented TVT on a debut on the charts, taking the final spot with CM2.

Other Notables  

 

Rank	Artist	Album	This Week	Est. Total
53	MIMS	Guilt	12,404	12,411
61	Slim Thug	Boss Of All Bosses	11,171	60,783
72	Jim Jones	Pray IV Reign	9,908	66,594
196	DOOM	BORN LIKE THIS	3,258	18,669
200	Yo Gotti	CM2	3,194	3,504

On His Drug Addiction
I wasnt really mentally. I wasnt ready to give up drugs. I didnt really think I had a problem. Basically, I went in, and I came out. I relapsed, and I spent the next three years struggling with it. Also, at that time, I felt like I wanted to pull back, because my drug problem had got so bad. I felt like, Maybe if I take a break, maybe this will help. I started to get into the producer role moreI can still be out there with my music, like with the Re-Up album, but I dont have to be in the spotlight the whole time.

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

On T.I., Lil Wayne & Hip-Hop
I stayed up on the music, and obviously I watch TV and saw what was going on. And without naming any name, it just felt like hip-hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. You know, in them three years, it was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance. But with this new T.I. album, with this new Lil Wayne album of recent, it seems like things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear shit and youre like Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that! You know what I mean? Or you hear all the compound-syllable rhyming and all that. It just seems like now the craft is getting cared about more

Deeper than Rap is literally on the verge of release and Ross has been on a massive spree recruiting heavyweight artists left and right to grace his prolific album to date. On my On the Clock Report this past Monday, I reported that the Boss was recruiting Nas to fill the empty void on his most powerful Hip-Hop track Usual Suspects, it seems as though Ross isnt quite finished yet. On another track, this one geared towards his arch nemesis 50 Cent, the track entitled Valley of Death, Ross recently stated that he has recruited the talents of Lil Wayne again, this time to add fuel to the fire on that diss track. It was reported earlier in the year that Lil Wayne has officially graced the sequel to Maybach Music alongside Kanye West and T-Pain. The original Maybach Music was made famous by Ross and Jay-Z exactly one year ago. For Ross, to ask Wayne for a second verse on a fuel-driven track wasnt that difficult since the both of them are friends sort of in the same boat. Ross recently spoke to MTV News about his upcoming album Deeper than Rap and what he chose to incorporate into the album. These were his comments: Me and Wayne, I got a lot of respect and a lot of love, not only for Lil Wayne, but for Cash Money Records. Those were some of the few dudes that embraced me outside of the music long before the fame and fortune. I always felt it was genuine. Birdman and Slim been coming to Miami for years now. We developed a relationship being in and out of the studios. Anytime I called Wayne for anything, whether it's an album cut or remix, he was just there for me. Ross continues to add his definition behind the track he has intensively entitled Valley of Death. Valley of Death, that concept was just, that's really what it is, every day I get up and live the life that I live. Do the things I do. Move how I move, walking in the valley of death, I feel my life is on the line every day. It's a 50/50 chance.

 With Ross and 50 going back and forth taking shots at one another, there doesnt seem to be any end to this diabolical feud that continues to escalate as the days pass. Lately, Ross has frequently been in the studio on a warpath of destruction to obliterate his opponent 50 Cent. After the G-Unit release of Im the Shooter, Ross went in and released a track entitled Push Em Over the Ledge which inclusive choice lyrics that Ross just so happens to be a expert at, lyrical matter. The track samples Eric B. and Rakims beat from the Know the Ledge track.

Apparently more news has surfaced that Ross has now decided to dedicate a whole mixtape to the ongoing controversy that is Ross and 50. The Boss has chosen to entitle his mixtape to that of 50s next studio LP, Before I Self Destruct. Besides the leak tracks that have already made headlines across the net and with media outlets, other tracks are being kept under tight wraps until the official release of the mixtape. However, ThisIsCurly.com, a website dedicated to the destruction of 50 Cent, will premiere certain tracks from the tape; I wouldnt be surprised if it is available for free download from the site within the upcoming weeks.

High level execs have recently weighed in on the Ross and 50 controversy as it has become somewhat of major news in the industry next to the Chris Brown and Rihanna incident. The two execs, Island Def Jam Chairman, Antonio L.A. Reid and Phat Farm founder and legendary Russell Simmons, recently spoke on the situation with MTV News and expressed their side on the whole matter.

This is what Reid told MTV News when asked what his thoughts were on the whole ensemble:

I love Rick Ross, I consider 50 a friend. I don't encourage anything that represents ignorance and nonsense. I just hope these two guys are smart enough, mature enough and rich enough that this shouldn't last. I haven't been following it, honestly, but Rick Ross is my artist. I support him. I support his artistic beliefs and dreams. 50 is my friend and a fellow superstar in our business. I respect him and his legacy. I hope they work it out.

Simmons added his commentary and followed the same pattern that Reid was on as he spoke to MTV News during Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala in Los Angeles this past Saturday:

If it's like pro wrestling, if that's how they view themselves, then its part of the entertainment. It's not something I would advise still. I always like to play high notes. I've gotten older. I see that is usually where I've had the longest, most stable impression, doing something that's higher and more inspired. Theres a lot of talks about the beefs that's going on, particularly the 50 Cent [vs. Ross feud]. They're both very talented. Neither one of them needs that to be hot. It's always a little edgy. I worry about them. I haven't gotten involved. I hope they settle it, and it goes away.

We all have been wondering when and how Chris Brown and Rihanna will publicly address their battery case. The two have been reunited that is for sure but now we are all waiting on some kind of excuse or apology or something! Well it is coming out now that we may be getting some words from one of the two troubled stars as Chris may be making a high profile appearance on one of TVs most respected talk shows.  Although their story may be more fit more for Jerry Springer if rumors prove to be true it will be going down on none other than hip hops #1 hater herself, Oprah Winfrey!

Rihanna herself was rumored to be appearing on the Oprah show in February after the story and beating first broke. However she declined the offer but apparently did not keep it out of her mind completely. Word is that Rihanna is the one demanding that Chris go on Oprah and apologize to her in front on millions of people worldwide. Sources near the situation have this to say.

 Rihanna has been talking to Oprah Winfrey on a regular basis since late February when Oprah begged her not to take Chris back. Shes been having second thoughts about them being back together.

The source says that Rihanna feels if Chris would do this it would be a true show of sincerity in his apology and their making up.

"Agreeing to go on Oprahs show and tell the world how sorry he is will help make up her mind.

So far it is not yet confirmed if Chris is willing to go appear on the Oprah show but the bottom line is he has to do it somewhere and the Oprah show is just as good a forum as any.  I wonder how hard Oprah would go on him? Do you think Chris should go on TV and apologize or just keep it all in the family and handle this privately?

Ok, so apparently Lil Wayne didnt get the message from his last copyright infringement case. This time his single Mrs. Officer featuring Bobby Valentino on the Carter III album is in question. This lawsuit originally filed in January by Producer Mali Boy, whose real name is Michael Bradford, has been filed in Georgia due to claims that Lil Waynes camp has been avoiding the lawsuit. According to sources, Mali Boy claims that he is the original producer of the track, which is originally named Crush and was produced for another artist by the name of Sky yet somehow it found its way into both the hands of Weezy, and Deezel, the producer of the Mrs. Officer track. A press release stated this: It is currently awaiting a responsive answer from the defendants. According to the plaintiff Michael Bradford, Lil Wayne's attorney, Mr. Sweeney has attempted to evade the summons in order to answer the complaint. Deezel has filed for two thirty (30) day extensions to file an answer, the other defendants in the case were given a sixty (60) day waiver of summons. BMI and ASCAP has been removed as defendants from the civil action through an amicable settlement; whereupon they have agreed to place a freeze on all performance royalty payments worldwide, and to disclose the accounting statements for the disputed composition. Cash Money Records has agreed to put a freeze on mechanical royalties payments for all retail, digital downloads and ringtone product sales until the civil matter involving "Mrs. Officer" is resolved. I dont understand why it is so hard to give the original writer and/or composer of a song his or her appropriate credit and acknowledgment. Its truly not that hard. Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding because if not, there may be a big price to pay. Lil Waynes camp hasnt yet released a statement regarding this matter, but Im sure there is more information to come.

The media has been covering the trials and tribulations as his days draw close to redemption. However, it seems as though T.I. isnt ready to go in just yet, news reports have confirmed that the Bankhead native is planning to re-release his platinum selling Paper Trail. His music days arent over as proof of his surprise performance with Young Jeezy and Ludacris in ATL last weekend shows us plenty. He once mentioned that he was going to spend time with family, take a vacation, its possible he still needs to let the fans know that they will be missed.

Within the past couple months that have passed, it seems as though T.I. has spent a large amount of time in the studio brainstorming new tracks that he wants to leave the fans while he is incarcerated. At the same time, we are also aware that over the course of the recording time for the original Paper Trail, he had recorded over 100 tracks. This re-issue of his most celebrated album to date plans to include five new tracks that have not been chosen just yet for a summer release. Speculations have risen that a Rock song featuring Fall Out Boy might make the new track cut alongside tracks produced by Rob Knox and Justin Timberlake. The original release of Paper Trail back in September of 2008 collected over 568,000 copies sold during the first week of release.

TIP recently spoke with Sway of MTV News regarding this new idea of the re-release of Paper Trail. These were his comments:

I'm still in the process of picking the songs, but I'm also still recording. I'm able to record any time, through the best of times and through the worst of times; I'm still able to record. It may change the sort of song you do, but you never can tell. You never know until that moment gets there.

At press time, an Atlantic representative confirms the news that an official re-release of Paper Trail will be on its way to retail stores all over the world soon. The release date has not been secured as yet.

Keep posted for updated information of the re-up of Paper Trail.

No one can deny that dancehall singjay Wayne Marshall has been missing in action for a hot minute but like all great artists Marshall never stopped making music and now he's back with a blazing new single and a super fly remix.

The single "Good Love" which was produced by the acclaimed hit-maker Baby G has been getting rave reviews and is in heavy rotation on local radio airwaves as many industry vets are now anticipating the return of Marshall. Bubbling with confidence Wayne has also been promoting his dancehall remake of international recording artist Jamie Foxx hit single "Blame It On The Alcohol" which finds Marshall taking shots at Chris Brown and Rihanna though the song is about Marijuana.

The remix which was released a few weeks ago has been circulating heavily on social networks such as facebook and imeem and is amongst the top downloaded songs on popular music forums like mediazoneja.com and dancehallreggae.com.

In an abbreviated statement from the PR Department at Solid Agency " Wayne Marshall is back, we knew it was only a matter of time before he found that hot single and already we are seeing fans embrace his return".

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Rick Ross is at it again. With his latest antics directed towards not just 50 Cent, but all of his lovers as well. It doesnt get any better than this.  According to The Life Files, Ross spoke on his opinions of 50s sex life issuing a warning for all female entertainers to not end up like American Actress and 50s ex-girlfriend, Vivica Fox.

"If a b*tch f*ck him, she ends her career," Ross explained. "Look at Vivica, look at Vivica. Any b*tch f*ck that monkey, you're lost, you caught up. Baby, it's like, it's only the fortune. Come on, at least try to hide the sh*t. He ended that b*tch Vivica's career though. She on reality shows now, it's like d*mn. I used to like her, I used to like her. When's the last time you seen her on something...All y'all young ladies, do your business careers a favor, stay away from the monkey, see what he did to Vivica."

So Vivica is doing reality TV because of 50? I just think its due to less than perfect marketing, networking and continuous work on these second rate movies. Could it have been because of 50? Who knows but Vivica has been slept on for many years as a great actress, being subjected to low budget scripts and films that dont really show her range as an actress.

Regardless, Im wondering what any of this has to do with the issues at hand. Each day there is a new piece of the puzzle dealing with this beef and Im curious to see what the end result is going to look like.

According to Ross, this beef has only had positive effects.

"We got a lot of money," Ross said in the video. "I just bought four new whips. F*cking monkey said he was gonna ruin my life, haha! I'm waitin' for it man. Life is actually better. Follow my time pieces man. Follow my whips. Chornicle my triumph. You n*ggas still can't dress. Youse a monkey...You don't get tired of wearing those ugly jeans? Those ugly shoes? You lost all that weight and your face sunk in with your fake teeth, it ain't a good look...Y'all stay tuned, it gets deeper."

Havent I been saying that all along? It gets deeper! We all know this is only the beginning to this feud. It looks to me like 50 isnt backing down anytime soon either. He recently aired a new BooBooTV exclusive video that had footage of Ross dissing former Slip-n-Slide labelmate Trick Daddy. Not a good look.

"Trick Daddy  ain't got one of them man," Ross said referring to his watch. "I'ma keep you *u*kers creating sh*t and fabricating trying to discredit the Boss. I'm the multi-million dollar Miami mayor...N*ggas informants, snitches, n*ggas screaming thugs but they testifying...You don't want no problem n*gga. Better stop runnin' your f*cking mouth before I send them goons 'round there...I heard you was sick, but I'ma finish you off, I'ma finish you off legendary...Then you gonna go and discredit a real n*gga. Bring it man...Mad he ain't on the album, I ain't need you. It was a good business move...I wish you was here now, talking about a 'Thug Holiday,' I'll give you a f*cking thug holiday." (Street Certified DVD)

So, will Trick Daddy be joining forces with 50 Cent anytime soon? Who knows, you just have to stay tuned. Trust and believe there will be more drama to come, its inevitable.

Looks like The Diplomats will be back on stage soon. In an interview with Funkmaster Flex, Jim Jones says hes ready to put the bullshit aside and get back in the studio with his former partner.

Jim Jones expressed his wish to reform the Diplomats with the core members CamRon, Juelz Santana and himself.

"Ive been selfish in a lot of ways in this past yearbut its not all about me, theres alot of other people involved.for the most part, me and Flea came up together for a long timeso Im just extending my hand to the contribution of getting this Diplomat business done. So if Cam is listening, maybe we can sit down and get some business together andgive the people what they want."

After last weeks reports that Method Mans 2008 Lincoln Navigator was seized because he hadnt paid his taxes, the rapper has announced it wasnt because he couldnt afford it, but because he was high. Speaking to the New York Daily News, Method Man revealed that the Department of Taxation visited his Long Island home in the early hours of the morning with "four NYPD cops and the repo team. [I] knew why they were there. It wasnt like Oh my God ! Noo !! Dont take it ! like it is on that TV show ["Operation Repo"]. I was half-dressed, and it was so early that I just said, Okay, youre taking the truck. ... Aight." "Myself, Im a pothead," Meth added. "Its no secret. Everyone knows that. I go on the road and forget everything else. Sure, [the tax department] sent letters to my house saying, We need this money. They started sending them in 2002. ... Here it is, 2009, and I never paid this sh** because I dont think like that !" Despite the current state of the economy, Method Man claims the money itself has never been a problem. "I could have easily just written them a check for whatever amount, but no I waited until they knocked on this door and were like, We got your truck and we outta here, " said the rapper. "Ive found checks from 2005 that have never been opened yet," he explained. "And were talking a significant amount of money ! But I never opened [the tax departments] letters ... so this is how the tax man came to Meths house and took his truck. Not because I was broke ! I got plenty of money !"

BIG BOI has blasted rumours of a rift with his OUTKAST bandmate ANDRE 3000, revealing the pair is preparing to return to the studio to record the groups first album in six years.

Both artists have been working on solo projects since the release of 2003s super-successful double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.Recent reports suggested the disc would be Outkasts last, because of tensions between the two performers.

But Big Boi insists they are ready to reunite - as soon as Andre 3000 finishes his current solo project.

 

 

He says, "As soon as Dre finishes his solo record, well get the Kast cranking. Since weve both been working with (production team) Organized Noize on our solo projects, we hear different records and be like, Well, were gonna keep this one for the Kast album. Were cooking up tracks, all right. Never stop. Thats an everyday thing."

D12 member Bizarre recently discussed the status of his rap group along with their plan to release a project following Eminems Relapse album. He confirmed that D12 was still together and recording new material for a forthcoming compilation disc. Everybodys in D12 and were doing good, Bizarre told radio personality Jenny Boom Boom. [A new album] is definitely going to happen. Were working on it right now, Marshall Mathers is coming out first with Relapse Im on Eminems album Im recording a couple of songs. Big up to Dr. Dre. After a three-year wait, the group returned with D12 World, including guest appearances from Obie Trice and B Real. D12 was originally founded by members Bizarre and Proof around 1990, but the size and scope of the group expanded when Proof brought in childhood friend Eminem followed by Swift, Kon Artis, Bugz and Kuniva.

E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch Records, is planning to relaunch the once great West Coast label Death Row Records on April 18.

The relaunch will see Death Row releasing a three-track sampler containing unreleased songs on Record Store Day, the April 18th event celebrating independent music and retailers.

The sampler, which marks the first Death Row release containing new music since 2007s "15 Years on Death Row," will feature Crooked Is "Hoodstar," Danny Boys "Do What You Do" and Petey Pablos "Pay For The P***y."

The latest incarnation of Death Row Records is set to begin releasing new music from is catalog of 7,000 unreleased tracks from the likes of Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg as early as this fall.

Def Jam recording artist Rick Ross is prepping the launch of his new Maybach Music label on April 21st with "Deeper Than Rap". The Miami rappers third album - with guest spots by Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nas, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend - follows-up Port Of Miami (his 2006 debut) and Trilla (2008), both of which entered the Soundscan chart at #1 with nearly 200,000 first week sales each, both certified RIAA gold.

In advance of the "Deeper Than Rap" album release, the first single "Magnificent" featuring John Legend - described by NY Hip Hop Music Examiner as "the calm before the storm" - impacted this week at Urban radio formats. It has already picked up 600+ spins and nearly a 6 million audience. "Magnificent" was produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, who won 2007s Best R&B Album Grammy for Mary J. Bliges The Breakthrough (named Billboards 2007 R&B/Hip-Hop Album Of the Year). J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League helmed four songs on Trilla, and three more tracks on "Deeper Than Rap": "Rich Off Cocaine," "Yacht Club," and "Maybach Music Part 2" featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne.

"Maybach Music Part 2" is an attention-grabbing sequel to Trillas "Maybach Music" (which featured Jay-Z). "I would never disrespect that record and those rhymes," Rick told MTV News last week, discussing the "timeless" track from last year, "just to say I topped it and it is special."

Rick also offers up a thank-you to Mary J., who can be heard on "Valley Of Death" (produced by DJ Toomp). As Rick explained to MTV News, "Shes the voice of that R&B hip-hop sound. When I choose a lot of my beats, I pick beats a lot of times off that sound, that Whats the 411 [with] that R&B feel to it. Those are the kind of beats I gravitate to. It was just a pleasure for her to get in the studio and lace me with a classic"

The B-side of "Magnificent" is "Mafia Music," produced by the Inkredibles for Nasty Beatmakers, and the opening track on "Deeper Than Rap". Bound to be another focal point, Rick revealed to NY Hip Hop Music Examiner that "Mafia Music" is "gonna cause a lot of problems Its a scathing four-and-half-minute nonstop flow, me being autobiographical about my life and my come-up and my triumph." The Inkredibles also produced "Gunplay" featuring Gunplay; and "Usual Suspects" featuring fellow Def Jam artist Nas.

The Runners also produced three tracks on the new album - "Laid Back," "Boss Lady," and "In Cold *lo**"; and Tricky Stewart produced "All I Want." There are also productions by BIGG D ("Murder Miami"); Bink! ("Cigar Music"); and Drumma Boy ("Face").

DEF JAM LAUNCHES 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN 2009

DEF JAM 25 SERIES TO PRESENT 25 NEW MULTI-ARTIST DIGITAL ALBUM COLLECTIONS DURING 2009, EXCLUSIVELY ON iTUNES.

Series opens with DJ Bring That Back Vol. 1 (12 tracks, 1997-2008) and DJ Bring That Back Vol. 2 (13 tracks, 1984-1996), both to be released February 10th

Two volumes of artist collaborations next : It Takes Two, Part 1 (February 24th release) and It Takes Two, Part 2 (March 10th release)

The greatest names in the history of hip-hop, rap and R&B - from LL Cool J and Slick Rick to Rihanna and Kanye West, from Public Enemy and 3rd Bass to Ludacris, Redman and Rick Ross, from Jay-Z to Young Jeezy and dozens more - have made Def Jam Recordings the destination for Urban artists over the past quarter century. Now Island Def Jam Music Group is set to turn up the heat in honor of Def Jams 25th anniversary in 2009, starting with the launch of DEF JAM 25. This series of 25 brand new collections will be released exclusively in digital format on iTunes over the next 12 months, with a dedicated page on the website announcing the latest releases.

"25 years as a thriving, successful hip-hop and R&B label - a company that has always put its artists first and maintained deep roots in the Urban community - is a giant accomplish ment in anyones book," said Antonio L.A. Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. "From a personal standpoint, I can say that Def Jam had tremendous meaning and significance in my own career as a musician, producer and independent label head, long before I actually arrived at these offices five years ago. Lets celebrate the next 25 years of Def Jam right now !"

Inaugurating DEF JAM 25 today, February 10th will be the first two multi-artist collections in the series, DJ Bring That Back Vol. 1 and DJ Bring That Back Vol. 2. These first two titles will highlight one significant hit per year for each of the 25 years of Def Jam, with 12 tracks on Vol. 1 (1997-2008) and 13 tracks on Vol. 2 (1984-1996). As of this writing, track sequences are as follows :

DEF JAM 25 Vol. 1 : DJ Bring That Back (2008-1997) - Selections : 1. Disturbia - Rihanna (2008) * 2. I Luv Your Girl - The-Dream (2007) * 3. Hustlin - Rick Ross (2006) * 4. Go Crazy - Young Jeezy (2005) * 5. Jesus Walks - Kanye West (2004) * 6. Splash Waterfalls - Ludacris (2003) * 7. Foolish - Ashanti (2002) * 8. Put It On Me - Ja Rule featuring Vita (2001) * 9. Just Friends (Sunny) - Musiq Soulchild (2000) * 10. Whats My Name - DMX (1999) * 11. Money Aint A Thang - Jay-Z featuring Jermaine Dupri (1998) * 12. Big Bad Mama - Foxy Brown featuring Dru Hill (1997).

DEF JAM 25 Vol. 2 : DJ Bring That Back (1996-1984) - Selections : 1. Whateva Man - Redman (1996) * 2. This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan (1995) * 3. Bring The Pain - Method Man (1994) * 4. Slam - Onyx (1993) * 5. Deeper - Boss (1992) * 6. Hip Hop Junkies - Nice & Smooth (1991) * 7. 911 Is a Joke - Public Enemy (1990) * 8. Pop Goes The Weasel - 3rd Bass (1989) * 9. Childrens Story - Slick Rick (1988) * 10. I Need Love - LL Cool J (1987) * 11. The Rain - Oran Juice Jones (1986) * 12. My Radio - LL Cool J (1985) * 13. Its Yours - T la Rock featuring Jazzy Jay (1984).

Volumes 3 and 4 in the DEF JAM 25 series will present great artist collaborations, with It Takes Two, Part 1 to be released on February 24th, and It Takes Two, Part 2 to be released on March 10th. As of this writing, track sequences are as follows :

DEF JAM 25 Vol. 3 : It Takes Two, Part 1 - Selections : 1. Youre All I Need To Get By - Method Man/ Mary J. Blige (1995) * 2. Big Bad Momma - Dru Hill/Foxy Brown (1997) * 3. Always On Time - Ja Rule/Ashanti (2002) * 4. Touch Me Tease Me - Case/Foxy Brown (1996) * 5. Hate That I Love You - Rihanna/Ne-Yo (2007) * 6. Hey Lover - LL Cool J/Boyz II Men (1995) * 7. Make Me Better - Fabolous/Ne-Yo (2007) * 8. Umbrella - Rihanna/Jay-Z (2007) * 9. Da Rockwilder - Method Man/Redman (1999) * 10. Regulate - Warren G/Nate Dogg (1994).

DEF JAM 25 Vol. 4 : It Takes Two, Part 2 - Selections : 1. Best Of Me - Jay-Z/Mýa (2000) * 2. Runaway Love - Ludacris/Mary J. Blige (2006) * 3. Cant Forget About You - Nas/Chrisette Michele (2006) * 4. What These Bitches Want - DMX/Sisqo (1999) * 5. In My Bed Remix - Dru Hill/JD & Da Brat (1997) * 6. Loungin (Who Do You Luv) - LL Cool J/Total (1996) * 7. Back Like That - Ghostface/Ne-Yo (2006) * 8. Duffle Bag Boy - Playaz Circle/Lil Wayne (2007) * 9. Stay - Ne-Yo/Peedi Peedi (2005) * 10. Faded Pictures - Case/Joe (1998).

Future entries in the DEF JAM 25 series are still being finalized, and will be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

Deeper Than Rap The Official Short Movie Deeper Than Rap, The Movie. Rick Rosss album "Deeper Than Rap" in stores April 21st.

Former G-Unit standout Young Buck has announced his long-awaited return to Hip-Hop via a mixtape of all new material. Following his public and bitter departure from G-Unit last April, Buck has focused on building up his Cashville Records imprint.

Additionally, hes pursued business endeavors such as his very own watch and clothing lines.

Now, the Cashville native is ready to appease his patient music fans with exclusive, original material.

The streets done waited long enough, Buck stated. So get ready, the mixtape is on the wayIm back on my Buck sh*t.

The as of now untitled mixtape will feature co-hosting duties between DJ Scream Heavy In the Streets and DJ Smallz Southern Smoke who were beefing for the past couple years but have made peace.

According to Young Buck, the alliance will deliver the buzz-heavy return he needs for 2009.

Thats some big s**t, Buck stated.They are two heavy mixtape DJs that f**ks with the streets hard and are coming together to f**k with a ni**a. I showed up heavy.

Although a release date has not been confirmed, the mixtape is expected to feature appearances from Cashville Records artists such as C-Bo and Tha Outlawz.

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

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

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

CHEYENNE, Wyo. A cell phone used by a Wyoming 13-year-old to run up a nearly $5,000 phone bill will text no more thanks to her angry father and his hammer.

Dena Christoffersen of Cheyenne sent or received about 20,000 text messages over about a month, and her parents' phone plan didn't cover texting.

Gregg Christoffersen told KUSA-TV of Denver this week that he thought texting had been disabled on her daughter's phone, which he smashed hours after getting a phone bill for more than $4,750.

The family says Verizon has been willing to knock the bill down to a reasonable level.

Dena has been grounded until the end of school. She says she feels bad and has learned her lesson

Ahhhhhhhhhboobage is the best thing a woman has to offer other than her beautiful brain and intuition! Lil Kim knows this! Kim and Derek Hough performed on Dancing with the Stars last night and guess what? Kims breasts did a lil jig too. When the duo performed a dance, viewers got a surprise! The exposure got Kim and Derek a great score of 28/30. The funny thing is, her boobs popped out as she was getting comments from the judges. Lil Kim said, "I don't know why but this happens a lot of the time...the girls were tryin' to come out." Keep it coming!!!



Kim looked kinda goodlike..the old Kim! Arrest me! The dude covered Kim up! Hater...LOL!

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-- Edited by musicman_77_99 on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 09:38:57 PM

AllHipHop.com has confirmed that Corey Williams, former bodyguard to Hip-Hop star T.I., has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison for his role in last years machine gun/silencer scandal.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Soon after, Williams previously clean record allowed him to purchase weapons for T.I., who is barred from obtaining any due to his previous criminal convictions.

 

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

 

Upon his arrest, Williams agreed to wear a wire during face-to-face meetings with T.I., which led to the rappers arrest on felony weapons charges.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

T.I. received the same one year sentence as his former bodyguard under his plea deal, and will start serving his sentence sometime next month.

 

Pending good behavior, the Atlanta native can be eligible for release within 10 months.

 

Corey Williams has already started his jail term.

'I've been thinking about kinda putting something online: 'Choose his name,' ' MC jokes.

Nas told MTV News last week that Kelis is having a healthy pregnancy. The rap legend couldn't stop smiling when talking about his wife.

"She's great, man. She's doing good," Nas said in L.A.

He and K are expecting their first child together (Esco has a daughter from a previous relationship), and the couple are trying to figure out exactly what they should call their heir.

"Yeah, [we are deciding between] a few baby names," Nas said. "It's kinda hard.

"I've been thinking about kinda putting something online: 'Choose his name,' " the Queens legend added with a smile. "You get a couple stacks for that. We take care of you for that. You win something real. But we're thinking now."

Nas was in L.A. with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley to announce their headlining stint on this year's Rock the Bells tour.

"Rock the Bells understands what the people want," Esco boasted. "They know how to bring all of the people together, and they bring it every year. People are starting to know that. It's starting to be a brand in their minds.

"My most memorable moments on this tour? Seeing how many people out there that want that real," he continued. "It's like hip-hop again. You don't see this genre of music coming together and touring. Rock the Bells are the only people that's really been giving it to you consistently for a couple of years now."

Nas wouldn't say exactly how his and Gong's set would go, but he did say we would see the duo perform their new songs as well as their solo hits.

"You're gonna see us mix it up. It's gonna be right," he promised.

Rock the Bells kicks off in June, the same month the Nas and Marley joint LP Distant Relatives drops.

Source: MTV

Music industry executive Sha Money Xl has announced the inclusion of a Mobile Beat Battle during its 3rd Annual One Stop Shop Producer Conference.

A number of Hip-Hop producers - including super-producer Timbaland - have been quietly setting trends by producing full tracks utilizing various applications on their mobile phones.

Extremely advanced production applications like Beatmaker, StudioApp and BeatSequencer have allowed techies to create robust tracks, while storing the files in a cloud for access later.

With just over a month to go, Sha Money is offering the winner of the Mobile Beat Battle a one-year worldwide distribution deal through 101Distribution.

Producers can get further information on how to enter the contest can text word Beats to SMS short code 46101.

"This is a great opportunity for the winner to secure themselves a global deal with one of our sponsors," Sha Money explained.

The One Stop Shop Producers conference has grown to become one of the most respected and globally recognized events of it's kind, added Damon Evans, Executive Director of 101 Distribution. 101 Distribution is excited to be this years presenting sponsor and to also have the opportunity to spend time planning with what is arguably the nation's most talented producers' collective."

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, 101Distribution allows independent artists to manage all aspects our their catalog and product sales.

Sha Money XLs 3rd Annual One Stop Shop Producers Conference is taking place from May 9th -10th in Phoenix, Arizona.

Confirmed producers include Q-Tip, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Mr. Porter, Donn Cannon, Nottz and numerous others.

Artists and executives confirmed to speak on panels this year include Talib Kweli, Nipsy Hussle, Asher Roth, Consequence, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Willie Northpole, Spider Locc, Cory Gunz, Riz, SkyZoo, Blue, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Bryan Leach, Jermaine Hall, Manny Hailey, Martin Moore, John Monopoly, Steve Lobel, Jon Shapiro, Rich Nice, Jean Nelson, Dru Ha, Sway, Angela Yee, Kisha Scott, Grouchy Greg, Jigsaw, Shaheem Reid and more.

For more information visit: http://www.moneymanagementxl.com/

Source: allhiphop

Singer's rep denies recent romance rumors.

A day after conflicting reports emerged about Chris Brown dating a former hometown girlfriend and spending time with Girlicious singer Natalie Mejia, Brown's people have reportedly said that neither story is true.

An unidentified spokesperson for Brown, 19, claimed that photos taken over the weekend of the singer leaving the West Hollywood Tattoo Mania parlor in the company of Mejia, 20, and another man don't mean anything.

"Chris was in a Hollywood tattoo parlor with a woman from the recording studio named Dean, who was getting a tattoo. (Chris did not get a tattoo)," Brown's rep reportedly told People magazine. A spokesperson for Brown did not return requests for comment from MTV News.

"Natalie Mejia was there with Dean," the source added. "[Reports in other media] that Natalie Mejia is Chris' new girlfriend are also false." The rep also said that reports claiming Brown is back together with a former hometown Virginia girlfriend, University of Mary Washington student Erica Jackson, are also false.

Brown was recently photographed shooting hoops at Mary Washington and posing with the women's basketball team on a visit that coincided with the school's "White Ribbon Campaign" devoted to raising awareness about violence toward women.

According to E! News, Mejia confirmed that she is the woman photographed leaving the tattoo parlor with Brown, but declined to comment on the nature of her relationship with him. While Mejia reportedly told Radar Online that she would not discuss whether she and Brown got tattoos at the parlor, she did say, "Things are going well between us, but I really do not want to comment much more than that right now." She said that Brown "has treated me like a gentleman at all times actually and there are no complaints."

A number of media outlets keyed in on a personal affirmation the singer has posted on her MySpace page reading, "Love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't and believe everything happens for a reason." It's unclear how long those quotes have been up there, or if they are in any way related to her feelings about Brown.

Adding to the confusion, E! also reported that after a night of partying on Saturday with "Transformers" star Tyrese Gibson, Omarion and "Dreamgirls" actor Keith Robinson at Los Angeles' Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, Brown "apparently noticed one of the female bartenders," with a source telling the site that "it seemed as if he was definitely into her."

Though they have not been spotted together for several weeks, an unidentified source told People that Brown and girlfriend Rihanna, 21, spent time together over Easter weekend after deciding to take a break from their relationship last month. Brown pleaded not guilty last week to two felony charges of assault and making criminal threats in connection with his alleged assault of the "Umbrella" singer on February 8 in Los Angeles. He is due back in court on April 29 for the next hearing in the case and faces a maximum of nearly five years in prison if convicted.

Source: MTV

Damian Marley admits he has inherited his famous father's love of smoking marijuana - because he cannot relax without it.

About 60,000 people are expected to attend a musical extravaganza over the weekend at the Nairobi Arboretum and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in commemoration of Madaraka Day celebrations.

Musicians from across Africa will grace the two-day event, dubbed Celtel Sawa Sawa Music Festival.

International artists, who have confirmed their participation in the festival include Jamaican Reggae sensation Black Uhuru, Senegal's Baaba Maal, South Africa's Mahotella Queens, body percussionists Percus Normades from Benin, Cuba's Habana Sax, Beef of Netherlands and India's Ustad Rafat Kahn.

The artists will share the stage with renowned Kenyan artists namely Atemi, Kanji, Makadem, the Jula Kali Drummers, General Onyx, The Warriors, Heart and Soul, Abbas, Didge and the Sarakasi Acrobats and Dancers.

Celtel Kenya, for the second year running, has sponsored this year's festival at a cost of Ksh 10 million, with co-sponsorship from the Royal Netherlands Embassy and organized by the Sarakasi Trust.

"Once again, Celtel Kenya is happy to be associated with the Sawa Sawa Musical concert, which is a great event in Kenya's musical calendar. We shall continue to provide sponsorship to such concerts in future because they provide a good opportunity for Kenyans to enjoy a global menu of music, and to celebrate our diverse culture," said Mr Michael Okwiri, the Celtel Kenya Director for Communication and Corporate Affairs.

"The Netherlands Embassy is committed to sponsor culture for development and will continue to do so by partnering with Sarakasi Trust to make music available to a wide audience" said H.E. Kees van Baren, deputy Embassador, Royal Netherlands Embassy.

Reggae lovers in Kenya will have the moment of their lives with entertainment from Black Uhuru, one of the biggest names in reggae music globally.