Nicki Minaj Credits Mel B for Her British Accent

The rapper copied Scary Spice's facial expressions and tone when creating her alter ego.

Nicki Minaj is known for her collection of alter egos and one of her more interesting characters carries a posh British voice, but where exactly did the Trini rapper learn the accent? Turns out Minaj had a few muses from across the pond that she'd imitate to get the accent down, including Mel B of the Spice Girls and Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movie series.

"There are so many, but one person was Scary Spice. I used to listen to her all the time and try to make the same faces she'd make when she was talking," Minaj told The Guardian. "Oh, and Hermione from Harry Potter."

The singer, who was in the UK to promote her MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick and Lipglass, also revealed her top five shades of pink: "Flamingo pink. Hot pink. Baby pink! HOT PINK! And fuchsia."

Game Recruits Nicki Minaj for Jesus Piece

With a number of big names already on board, Nicki is the last “piece” to the puzzle.

Game is known for pulling out all the stops when it comes to guest appearances on his albums and his latest record will be no different. The Compton rapper has already lined up artists like Kanye West, Chris Brown and Scarface for cameos on Jesus Piece, and he's in the process of reeling in one more big fish for the project: Nicki Minaj.

In an interview with Rap-Up TV, Jayceon said he has a particular track set aside for a Nicki Minaj verse that he expects any day now.

"We got in touch and she said she’ll kill it, but she’s doing major work right now, making major money," he said.

The song already features a hook by Trey Songz and ties into the album's theme of balancing religious and hood influences.

"It's basically about walking out of the backdoor of church and falling into the front door of a strip club," Game said. "I want to get the Word and I want my belief to be in God, but at the same time, I want to see that ass clap.”

As for Nicki's day job at American Idol and the drama surrounding her tension with Mariah Carey, Game praised both artists and said that he hopes they will reconcile.

"Two amazing women should be able to get along and I’d love to see that happen sooner rather than later,” he said.

Jesus Piece is scheduled to hit stores December 11. The album art, which depicts a black Jesus wearing a red bandana and a gold Jesus piece chain, was released over the weekend.

released over the weekend.

Shyne Responds to Game’s Diss Song

Rapper plays down war of words with the Compton MC after scathing freestyle is released.

Shyne has been hit with a wave of backlash ever since he lashed out against Kendrick Lamar's debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, on Twitter, labeling the elsewhere instantly celebrated LP "trash" in a series of dismissive tweets. Lamar's supporters, particularly on the West Coast, burned Shyne over the remarks, with fellow Compton rapper Game recently coming to Kendrick's defense in a freestyle diss ("Cough Up a Lung") aimed at the Belize rapper. In a recent interview with Steetkode.com, Shyne addressed being targeted by certain soldiers in the West.

"First thing's first, I'm certified worldwide. I don't mob or thug on my block. I'm not local. I'm worldwide," he said. "Wherever I go, I get the red carpet rolled out for me because I been about it. A lot of these dude's that's talking ain't never did nothin'! ... At the end of the day, it comes down to what you did. And what I've done is always be an honorable individual. For these dudes to say they face what I faced and perform the way I performed, they can't say that. I don't care if you have a blue rag or a red rag — that don't make you no gangsta."

Responding to Game's diss specifically, in which the Aftermath rapper called Shyne a "b--ch ass n---a" among other insults, Shyne said he didn't hold it against Game, whom he considers his junior.

"That's my son. I got love for him. I always had love for him. I'm proud of him because he's something that I helped create," Shyne said. "He studied me, and he aspired to be like me.... I always have love for him because he never fronted. He always paid homage to me."

In fact, Shyne said he didn't know that Game and Kendrick were friends, and that if he had known that beforehand he may not have been so publicly critical of good kid.

"If I had knew the Lamar kid was cool with him like that, I might have not said nothin', because I have that much love and respect for Game," he said.

Maybe there's room for these three to reconcile just yet.

Shyne Accuses 50 Cent of Conspiring With Police Against Irv Gotti

Shyne goes after the G-Unit honcho again, claiming he "squealed."

Shyne has never been shy about expressing his disdain for 50 Cent, and in a recent interview with AllHipHop, he explains how the G-Unit general first stoked his ire.

According to Shyne, he and 50 first met in the '90s at P. Diddy's recording studio. He claimed Fif was being accompanied by a police detail at the time after a run-in with Irv Gotti's Murda Inc. crew.

"When I met [50 Cent] he was writing raps for Diddy on  Forever. This was after Gotti and them poked him up in the Hit Factory and he ran to the cops and got an order of protection," he said. "He was walking around with a group of police, NYPD was holding him down. I swear to God he was in Daddy’s House in the lounge and he had security. He hadn’t sold one record. He hadn’t even put an album out...50 Cent was nobody, nobody knew who he was."

Shyne alleges that 50 eventually ended up cooperating with federal authorities to build a case against Gotti, who was charged with laundering more than $1 million for the notorious drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff in 2005. Later that year, Gotti, and his brother Chris, were found not guilty of the crime.

"He was hiding from Irv Gotti and Murder Inc. He’s the reason that Irv got indicted," Shyne said of Fif. "He’s the reason that Kenneth Supreme McGriff is in prison for the rest of his life.”

It's not the first time Shyne has leveled such accusations against 50. On his recent track "Fred Hampton," he likewise labels the rap star a snitch.

"If not for Curtis Jackson, we would all be free / But the creep made a deal with the Feds and squealed," he raps.

50 has so far declined to take the bait.

In a separate interview with Funkmaster Flex, Shyne also addressed his outstanding issues with the rappers Rick Ross and Kendrick Lamar. Shyne reiterated his view that Ross owes a debt to the youth for what he said was dishonesty in his lyrics.

"He's selling records based on a lie," Shyne said. "If you're making millions of dollars off of this life, help these kids get jobs. Help them stop selling dope."

On Lamar, Shyne said he may have been a little extreme when he labeled the young rapper's major label debut "trash," instigating a fierce backlash from West Coast rapper Game in the process.

"I will give you this. It's not a classic album. It's not the greatest album I ever heard," he said. "Maybe the word trash was harsh."

Kendrick Lamar Surprised Lady Gaga Leaked Their Track

However, the rapper is happy the pop star let fans hear the much-talked about song.

Last month many fans were surprised that the highly-anticipated collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga didn't make good kid, m.A.A.d city. The two artists worked together on the original version of Kendrick's "B---h Don't Kill My Vibe," with Gaga delivering a special hook. While the song isn't listed on the final tracklist, the Monster star decided to share it with fans anyway, catching the rapper by surprise.

"I didn't even know she was gonna put that out," he told XXL.com. "That was a surprise. I thought she was gonna hold that in the can. I was cool with it. It showed people we wasn't playin' with it; we was actually in the studio vibing out when we recorded. For her to put it out even undone, that says a lot. That says she's confident not only about her work, but my work."

The Compton hip hop star continues to promote his album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts with 241,000 copies sold its first week. The critically-acclaimed project produced the highest first week sales of any hip hop album this year.

Rick Ross Sued By Nigerian State Government Over Missed Performance

The lawsuit claims Ross took payment, but was a no-show at concert.

Rick Ross has found himself on the wrong side of the Nigerian government after abruptly canceling a performance at one of the country's biggest music festivals.

The state of Cross River, Nigeria has hired American lawyers to sue the Miami rapper after he failed to appear at a December 28 performance for the annual Calabar Carnival. A statement released by the Cross River government says that Ross had already collected the entire fee for the performance before unexpectedly canceling.

“The performer’s cancellation is unexpected and the reasons are unknown to Cross River State since he has confirmed receipt of his entire performance fee many weeks ago,” the statement reads.

In his own statement issues to Allhiphop.com, Ross blamed the cancellation on "contractual obligations." Cross River State is seeking damages and the return of Ross's performer's fee.

Rick Ross Says He Hasn't Signed Trina "Yet"

The MMG founder didn't strike a deal.

Rick Ross made headlines earlier this month when he signed 21-year-old Chicago rapper Rockie Fresh. Recently rumors began to swirl that Ross made another addition to his Maybach Music Group label, none other than Miami hip hop artist Trina. The MMG founder sat down with Wild 94.9’s Nessa and refuted the hearsay. 


“Nah, I haven’t signed Trina yet or we haven’t done a deal yet,” said Ross. “I was actually in the studio with Trina maybe two weeks ago, and she was playing me a lot of her new music. Her and Meek Mill did a collaboration, me and her did a collaboration. We were just in the studio kicking it, having fun.”


The rapper’s statement suggests that Trina could be joining MMG in the future, and that he’s got his eye on her musically. Teedra Moses currently reigns as MMG’s first lady, but she fits in the R&B genre. So, there's definitely room for a female rap artist on the roster. 


Signing Trina to MMG could add to the label's growing success, as her most recent mixtape, Diamonds Are Forever, received over four million views in less than two days of being released. She’s currently prepping for the independent release of her sixth studio album, after having announced  in November her departure from her long-time label Slip-N-Slide Records.

Rick Ross Talks Lifestyle Changes After Health Scare

The MMG boss says, "I'm trying."

Rick Ross is in full-on promo mode for his new album God Forgives, I Don't, but after a pair of health scares last year and another in April, the bawse is trying to take things a little more slowly. On Chelsea Lately last night, Ross shared his doctor's orders.

"I was just extremely exhausted," Ross said in the interview. "That's what the doctors basically told me, so I had to change up a few things."

Ross joked that he had been smoking too much weed, but then insisted that he was trying to change his ways.

"I'm trying," he said. "I'm not all the way there but I'm trying. ...I'm trying. I've got great intentions."

Although he said he hasn't lost much weight, Ross said he now has a personal chef and is drinking less.

Kanye West to Release Solo Album After Cruel Summer

Producer No I.D. says Yeezy’s sixth LP will follow upcoming G.O.O.D. Music compilation.

While his two most recent musical efforts (Watch the Throne, Cruel Summer) have been team-orientated, Kanye West is going solo on his next.

Def Jam VP and Grammy Award winning producer No I.D. confirmed to MTV News that Mr. West is planning to release his sixth solo album soon after the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music LP Cruel Summer hits stores in August.

“He’s coming right after that,” No I.D. told MTV of the project which will likely be a fourth quarter release.

Of course No I.D., who served as a mentor to ‘Ye when the producer-rapper first broke into the music business, has intimate knowledge of the album, because he has already been enlisted as a contributor.

"I'm not working on that [Cruel Summer] album, I'm working on his album," he said before selling the can’t-miss qualities of the G.O.O.D. compilation. "This is Kanye. You know what to expect from the family. He hasn't missed yet, so don't expect him to miss."

Asked what fans can expect on the forthcoming solo LP, Kanye’s first since 2010’s award-winning My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, No I.D. cryptically affirmed, "It's what you expect and everything you don't expect."

Chris Brown's Fortune Debuts at No. 1

Breezy claims the Billboard charts' top spot for the second time in his career.

Chris Brown's Fortune is looking up. The newly released follow-up to 2011's F.A.M.E. has debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 with 134,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Fortune marks Brown's second album to debut atop the charts, with F.A.M.E. having earned similar honors when it was released in March of last year. That album bowed with 240,000 in its premiere week, spurred on by massive radio hits "Yeah 3x" and "Look at Me Now."

Fortune 's singles have so far been somewhat less successful, and have included the songs "Turn Up the Music," "Sweet Love" and "Till I Die" featuring Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa. Earlier this year, Brown stole headlines when he released a remix of "Turn Up the Music" featuring his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Mixtape Review: Big Sean, Detroit

The rapper's new release exploits his recent work with G.O.O.D. Music — but is also overshadowed by it.

The name of Big Sean’s 2011 debut album, Finally Famous, sounded like a declaration: Mission accomplished. OK, but what comes next? After his G.O.O.D. Music crew’s tsunami of a single, "Mercy," washed over the world — aided by his excellent opening verse — the answer seemed simple. Big Sean, along with Kanye West, Pusha T and the label’s other big guns, seemed aimed squarely on making sure Cruel Summer, their upcoming compilation album, lives up to the Mt. Everest of hype it's built. And in light of "Mercy," it’s easy to think that Big Sean would emerge from Cruel Summer a true superstar. The album’s most recent single, "Clique," with Big Sean again skillfully leading off — before passing off to Jay-Z, of all people — reinforced both notions.

So, in light of this feverishly escalating, and carefully curated, build-up for the Sept. 18 release of Cruel Summer, Big Sean dropping a mixtape, Detroit, could seem like an ill-timed distraction. But it’s also striking while the iron is hot. And in this sense, Big Sean delivers. Much like Finally Famous, Sean shows off his talent for celebratory, ear-worm hooks and smart aleck, pun-filled couplets. Several high-profile guests, from Snoop Dogg to French Montana, show up for the party. "24k of Gold" and "Life Should Go On" bookend the album’s optimistic, aspirational tone, with J. Cole and Wale verses, respectively, and soulful Rhodes-heavy beats that recall Sean’s best work with No I.D from Finally Famous (maybe even too much).

But unlike his first album, this mixtape has several tracks that go beyond champagne wishes and caviar dreams. "Sellin’ Dreams," featuring Chris Brown, is a pensive sequel of sorts to their triumphant 2011 hit "My Last," an apology to the love that success left behind. The murky "100," featuring great verses from Kendrick Lamar and Royce da 5’9”, may be Sean’s most introspective work yet. The beautifully murky "Higher" is practically chill-wave, with an atmospheric, effect-drenched beat you could imagine A$AP Rocky owning.

However, after the heights of G.O.O.D. Music’s "I Don’t Like (Remix)," "Clique" and "Mercy," Detroit is a step backwards in some ways. The mixtape doesn’t come anywhere near the artful pomp that made those songs events with a capital e. Sean was at his best on all three, which perfectly balanced his high-pitched delivery and borderline childish (if hilarious) double entendres with wintry gravitas. And this makes sense: Though Detroit is listed as “presented” by G.O.O.D. Music, Kanye doesn’t appear anywhere, as either beatmaker, rapper or executive producer. It’s hard to imagine that notorious perfectionist letting derivative scattershot like  "Do What I Gotta Do" or "RWT" escape the chopping block.

In fact, with all the shouts of "finally famous," you can’t help but wonder if this mixtape is sometimes serving warmed-up leftovers, clearing the hard drive before the more advanced sounds of Cruel Summer and, hopefully, Sean’s proper follow-up album. Then again, if Big Sean is willing to give away hook-heavy, radio-ready songs like "Wake Up" for free, you can’t help but be excited about music he’ll actually be selling in the future.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Wale

Rapper This D.C. hometown hero first gained fame on the underground hip hop scene with the critically acclaimed Mixtape About Nothing. His lyrics are honest, his style is poetic, and his sound is infused with the rhythm and funk of go-go, a regional style that originated in D.C. Wale’s first appearance on 106 & Park was in November of 2009; he came through to celebrate the release of his debut album, Attention Deficit. Wale and his former label Interscope Records parted ways in early 2010, and by December of that year he had signed a new deal with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, where he released his second LP, Ambition, in November 2011. 

Ludacris Tweets New Mixtape Tracklist

The rapper reveals collaborations for 1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time.

Ludacris fans just got a step closer to new music from the Atlanta rapper. Earlier today, he tweeted the tracklist for his next mixtape, 1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time: “Check out the official Track Listing for my new Mixtape 1.21 Gigawatts #BackToTheFirstTime dropping Nov 15 http://twitpic.com/79vejk.”

The project is slated for a November 15 release, and will feature collaborations with Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, Gucci Mane, Big K.R.I.T. and 2 Chainz. He has released several official mixtapes in the past, including 2008’s popular The Preview. His next studio album, Ludaversal, is due next year.

Tracklist:
1. Intro (prod. by Tone Mason)
2. Save It For Another Day (prod. by M 16)
3. Rich and Flexin feat. Waka Flocka Flame (prod. by FK)
4. Muthafucka Can You Buy That (prod. by Drugs)
5. History Lesson (Skit)
6. Badaboom (prod. by Wonder)
7. Say It to My Face feat. Meek Mill (prod. by Juicy J)
8. I Ain't the One feat. 2 Chainz (prod. by Fat Boi)
9. Shake n Fries feat. Gucci Mane (prod. by Fat Boi)
10. Do Something Strange feat. Rick Ross (prod. by Drumma Boy)
11. I'm On Fire feat. Big K.R.I.T. (prod. by Mike Will)
12. What You Smoking On feat. Wiz Khalifa (prod. by Big K.R.I.T.)

(Photo: DTP Records)

J. Cole Shows Love to Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar

The Roc Nation rapper talks about his favorite new rappers.

J. Cole has nothing but love for his fellow up-and-coming rappers. On the first stop of his Campus Consciousness tour, Cole discussed his respect for fellow BET Music Matters artist Big K.R.I.T. and Kendrick Lamar with the Rap-Up. 

"I'm just a fan of K.R.I.T.'s period, really from the first time I heard about him," said Cole of his tour mate. "I think one of my homeboys was telling me, 'Yo he produces. He raps.' So right away, anybody that does that, I'm instantly rooting for them." 

Cole also talked about Compton MC Kendrick Lamar, with whom he worked with on a yet-to-be released joint mixtape. 

"I've been a big Kendrick Lamar fan from when we met," said the Roc Nation rapper. "I know fans, especially my fans, are like, 'When you gon' drop the Kendrick Lamar joint?' That will absolutely happen, but you gotta give it time, you gotta give him time to get where he wanna be." 

J. Cole's Campus Consciousness tour continues tonight at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and ends on May 4 in South Orange, New Jersey.

Big K.R.I.T.

Rapper/Producer Big K.R.I.T. (born Justin Scott) is a Mississippi native, rapper and producer who made his mark with a string of mixtape releases, including the 2010 digitally released K.R.I.T. Wuz Here and the follow-up Returnof4eva. In 2011 he was featured on the cover of XXL magazine as one of its "Top Eleven Freshmen" artists to watch.  Later that year, Sha Money XL, former head of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records, signed Big K.R.I.T. to legendary rap label Def Jam for his debut studio album, Live From the Underground, which was released in June 2012.

Kendrick Lamar to Headline BET Music Matters Tour

The newly crowned prince of West Coast hip hop will host a 23-city run featuring emerging stars.

Need proof that music matters? That it can make you move, laugh, cry or think? Look no further than Compton up-and-comer Kendrick Lamar. In the wake of his acclaimed 2011 album Section.80, the 23-year-old rhyme virtuoso has ridden a tidal wave of Web-fueled fanfare to a deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath. He's currently prepping his debut album, Good Kid., m.A.A.d. City, for an October release, and hip hop can't wait. So it's only right that K. Dot will be hosting the BET Music Matters Tour later this year.

The tour, which in past years has featured upstart stars like Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle and Melanie Fiona, will take Kendrick and a yet-to-be-announced lineup of emerging talents through 30 cities this fall. With BET airing TV spots, sending alerts and emails to the BET Live and 106 & Park audiences, and Kendrick at the top of the bill, expect packed venues — and night after night of amazing music. Check the tour dates below and stay tuned to BET.com for more details as they emerge.

Kendrick Lamar Explains Why He Doesn’t Vote

The Compton MC has very little confidence in the political system.

Don't expect to see Kendrick Lamar participating in any Get Out the Vote campaigns.

With the presidential election season hitting a fever pitch, the up-and-coming rapper from Compton has revealed that he simply doesn't believe in voting.

"I don't vote. I don’t do no voting," Lamar said in a recent interview with conspiracy news site Truth Is Scary. "I will keep it straight up real with you. I don’t believe in none of the sh-t that’s going on in the world. You talk with me, you talk with me for hours because everything has a contradiction, everything is higher ranking and way beyond us, way beyond people. So basically, do what you do, do good with your people and live your life because what’s going on isn’t really in our hands. If it's not in the president's hands, then it's definitely not in our hands."

Later in the interview, which focused primarily on conspiracy theories, Kendrick expressed doubt that men had ever actually landed on the moon. He declined, however, to discuss the existence of a "New World Order."

J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Battle for Lyricist of the Year at the HHAs

Two Music Matters alums clash for prestigious honor at the 2012 Hip Hop Awards.

In the wake of BET's huge announcement on 106 & Park tonight revealing the nominees for the 2012 Hip Hop Awards, there are many interesting subplots and mini-dramas emerging. It's hard not to notice how much impact alumni of BET's Music Matters program are making: Big Sean and Miguel each racked up several nominations, mostly for their collaborations with other artists. But two other Music Matters grads are going head to head for their HHA glory: Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, who are both vying for Lyricist of the Year.

BET launched Music Matters to highlight on-the-rise singers and rappers who are keeping music alive. The initiative expanded into a tour, and has also included Estelle, Elle Varner, Stalley and Melanie Fiona. J. Cole was spotlighted by Music Matters back in 2010, after two mixtapes, The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights, took his buzz to new decibel levels. Since then, he's released his 2011 studio debut, Cole Word: The Sideline Story, which topped the Billboard charts and established him as a bona fide star. On the mic, Cole skillfully balanced introspection, party-starting and battle-ready bars, and he received the nod for Lyricist of the Year at the HHAs as a result.

Kendrick Lamar, meanwhile, signed on with Music Matters earlier this year, when it was announced he'd be headlining this fall's 23-date Music Matters tour, which began a few days ago. The tour will help ramp up anticipation for his own major-label debut, Good Kid., m.A.A.d. City, set to drop Oct. 22. Kendrick signed a deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment after releasing his stunning indie album Section.80 last year. Kendrick's tongue-twisting, deeply personal verses led Dre, Snoop Dogg and Game to crown him the new "King of the West Coast," and made him a shoo-in nomination for Lyricist of the Year at the 2012 Hip Hop Awards.

We can't help but be proud watching these two Music Matters alumni come up and compete with true legends — Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye West — for Lyricist of the Year.

The only problem? We can't decide who we want to win! Who do you think should win Lyricist of the Year? J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar? Or one of the other nominees? Let us know in the comments below....

Shyne Trashes Kendrick Lamar's Album

The "Bad Boyz" rapper goes on a Twitter rant blasting Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city.

Kendrick Lamar's long-awaited debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, hit stores this week, inspiring rapturous reviews from both critics and fans alike. But the project has also earned at least one outspoken detractor. On Twitter, the rapper Shyne caused a stir when he blasted the album for failing to live up to the hype.

"Yoooo! Kendrick Lamar is talented with a lot of potential but his album is traaaaash!" Shyne wrote.

The former Bad Boy rapper compared the album to other high-profile debuts in recent years, arguing that K. Dot simply didn't measure up.

"The game Documentary even 50 get rich or die trying lived up to the hype and were classics. Good kid is trash!" he wrote.

After the comments generated a wave of backlash from Kendrick Lamar fans on Twitter, Shyne stood by his opinion, although he apparently didn't see a need to elaborate or go into detail.

"When did honest become hating?" he queried. "I expected doggy style or the chronic. I got a product that was trash."

The press has had a decidedly different take on the album, which represents the major label debut from Lamar (on Aftermath/Interscope/TDE) and was executive produced by Dr. Dre. The hip hop staple XXL granted Good Kid its highest rating yesterday, while the influential indie music website Pitchfork.com awarded it a lofty 9.5 out of 10.

Kendrick Lamar Brings Out Dr. Dre and T.I. During Music Matters Tour

Hip hop heavyweights joined the Compton MC in Los Angeles.

Kendrick Lamar was in his native L.A. last night for a stop on the BET Music Matters Tour, so it was only right that the Aftermath signee pull out all the stops. To the delight of a rapturous audience, the rising rapper from Compton brought out his label boss and mentor Dr. Dre for a performance of their two songs together, "Compton" and "The Recipe."

And the West Coast revival didn't stop there. Fellow Aftermath and Compton scion Game also made an appearance, performing his own song with Kendrick, "The City." And as if that weren't enough, Lamar received additional support from the Dirty South in the form of T.I., who stopped by for performances of "Go Get It" and "What You Know?"

Kendrick's highly anticipated debut album, Good Kid, M.a.a.d City, is in stores next Monday, October 22. A new song, "Backseat Freestyle," produced by Hit-Boy, was released earlier this week.

Head on over to BET's Facebook and Twitter pages to see pictures from last night's show.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is a Compton, California, native who has demonstrated a penchant for mesmerizing lyrical displays and thoughtful songwriting. He originally rapped under the moniker K. Dot and released a series of mixtapes starting in 2003. In 2010, he released O(verly) D(edicated) under his birth name, Kendrick Lamar. He followed up with the acclaimed Section .80 mixtape that earned him a BET Hip Hop Award nomination and shined a light on societal ills and the struggle of Generation Y. He is also a member of the Black Hippy collective.

Mixtape Review: Wiz Khalifa, Cabin Fever 2

Wiz's latest tries to live up to the expectations of it's ground-breaking predecesor.

(Photo: Warner Bros. Records)

Wiz Khalifa led his debut album Rolling Papers with the phenomenal mixtape Cabin Fever, a milestone release for his career that arguably outshined the album it preceded. With his sophomore LP O.N.I.F.C. due December 4, Wiz sticks to the formula and drops Cabin Fever 2, an unspectacular but serviceable appetizer for his coming album.

While the original Cabin Fever felt like it was breaking new creative ground, Wiz doesn’t stray far from the base he and Lex Luger carved out with the nine-track mixtape in early 2011. Production crews League of Starz and The Invasion replace Luger, Sonny Digital and Drumma Boy behind the boards, offering a respectable but inferior substitute to the production magic they’re attempting to recreate. The array of pulsing kick drums and floating melodies Wiz, Luger and company put together on the original Cabin defined the trippy stoner sound that’s dominated airwaves and car stereos the past two years. This time, Wiz adds Bay-area influences to his palate, spitting over muddy baselines.

Juicy J made his triumphant return to relevance on the former Cabin’s “Errday” but, over a year and a half later, his ultra-trippy bars aren’t as potent. On Taylor Allderdice, it seemed like Wiz was leaning on the red hot Juicy’s wave. This time, the 3-6 Mafia legend’s presence is not always welcome. Aside from the soul-lifting "Ridin’ Round," which Juicy produced and spits over, his contributions are mostly forgettable and suggest he and Wiz’s creative chemistry may be waning.

Overall, Cabin Fever 2 seems stale when compared to its predecessor. Wiz continues to focus on melody over lyricism, which makes for a few standout bangers — the Sledgren-laced "Fucc S--t" and French Montana-assisted "Nothin’ Like the Rest" are well worth a download — but nothing that will have the impact that the original made on hip hop’s present and future soundscape.

Kanye West Talks Creative Process on Cruel Summer

'Ye shares insight on the making of the G.O.O.D. Music album.

Minus a string of enthusiastic tweets, the notoriously press-shy Kanye West has largely abdicated promotional responsibilities for his new G.O.O.D. Music compilation, Cruel Summer, instead letting Big Sean, Pusha T, Teyana Taylor and others handle interviews. In a new promotional video, however, Yeezy has opened up about the making of the album and where his mind is.

"We started off just by getting everybody in the lab together," he says in the clip. "We reached out to other camps just to do something new and exciting in hip hop, minus all the politics."

Rather than being purely a manifestation of his own vision, Kanye said the album was the result of a grand collaborative effort that went even beyond the music.

"One track might have 30 people's opinions on it. It's not just about a tracklist and a name. It's about the communal style of work," he explained. "We spend just as much time working on the actual album packaging, the video concept, the song... Everything is equally as important. It got to a point where I had to have the artwork in front of me while I was working on the songs, and I would listen and say, 'Does this song sound like this packaging looks?'"

"We take it really seriously that we make the best product we can, but also we're light with it, too. We wanna have fun," he continued. "This isn’t the beginning of the conversation, this isn’t the end of the conversation. It’s our offering as a collective of a sonic snapshot of what’s happening right now, 2012.”

Cruel Summer hit stores on Tuesday [September 18].

Big Sean and Nas Bond Over "Jesus Piece"

The new Hall of Fame track is said to be a "classic hip hop song."

Big Sean is preparing for the release of his hotly anticipated sophomore album, Hall of Fame: Memoirs of a Detroit Player, and there's one song from the project that the G.O.O.D. Music rapper is particularly excited about. Sean linked up with hip hop legend Nas for a track called "Jesus Piece" that he says is one of the album's standouts.

“It’s a classic hip hop song," Sean told XXL of "Jesus Piece," which was produced by No I.D. "We don’t just talk about Jesus pieces in general, we talk about Jesus pieces and the impact they had around the time in our life when we got our first Jesus pieces, or when we saw our idols with their Jesus pieces.”

In addition to Nas, Sean's  Hall of Fame is also expected to feature appearances by Jhene Aiko and Kanye West. Interestingly, West has also worked on a song called "Jesus Piece," with Game. The Compton rapper loved the track so much he changed the title of his album to reflect. 
Big Sean's Hall of Fame drops in December.

Lil Wayne: Kanye West Plays Big Role on My New Album

Weezy lands Yeezy beats for I Am Not a Human Being II.

Lil Wayne's return is drawing ever nearer with the release of I Am Not a Human Being II, scheduled for December 11. In a new interview with MTV News, the Young Money cap revealed production details of the album, confirming that he has contributions from Kanye West, David Banner and many others.

"Production on the album — I got people like Juicy J, Cool & Dre, David Banner on down to uh...  Streetrunner, 'Ye...I mean it's so many, shoot," he said.

Weezy said Kanye played a significant role in the project, but wouldn't go into detail.

"Yeah, he got some music on there," he said. "Actually, I don't want to give too much up but he's got a big hand in the album, you'll see."

Yeezy's involvement is somewhat surprising given the tension between his G.O.O.D. Music camp and Wayne's YMCMB crew. The last time Kanye produced for Wayne was over four years ago on 2008's Tha Carter III.

IANAHB II is a follow-up to the 2010 original that was released while Wayne was still locked up in New York's Riker's Island. It's one of several projects the rap superstar has gestating, including a previously announced album of love songs. A lead single for IANAHB II, "My Homies Still," was released over the summer featuring another G.O.O.D Music artist, Big Sean.

Update: Lil Wayne Hospitalized After Suffering Seizure-Like Symptoms Aboard Private Jet

The rapper has been released and is now resting comfortably at home.

Update:


Lil Wayne has taken to Twitter to reassure his fans that he's all good following a health scare aboard a private jet on Thursday. "Thanx for all the prayers! I am good," the rapper tweeted on Saturday.

Weezy's rep told  TMZ on Friday that the rapper was treated for a severe migraine and dehydration and not a seizure as previous reports suggested. "He is at home on doctor mandated rest and will return to work soon," the rep said. "He appreciates all of his fans for their support and love."

Previous:

Rapper Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was hospitalized yesterday after reportedly experiencing seizure-like symptoms on a private jet. According to TMZ, the moment Weezy’s plane made an emergency landing in Texas, he was rushed to an area hospital for treatment.

After spending several hours with doctors, Wayne, 30, was released around 6 p.m. local time. The YMCMB honcho's exact diagnosis is unclear but, according to a TMZ source, he is "doing better."

Check back with us as this story develops.

2 Chainz and Drake's "No Lie" Goes Platinum

The rapper thanks his fans for the single’s success.

2 Chainz has earned his first platinum plaque as a solo artist with a little bit of help from his friend Drake. Their single "No Lie" off Chainz' debut album, Based on a Tru Story, has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Def Jam broke the news of the milestone on Twitter.

"Congrats to @ 2chainz on his single, "No Lie" ft. @Drake officially going Platinum!" the label posted.

In response to the news, 2 Chainz posted his own tweet thanking his fans.

"Much luv to all my fans!! Couldn't do it without y'all!" he wrote.

"No Lie" was produced by Mike WiLL Made It and served as Based's lead single. It was originally released on May 8.

Kanye West Makes Nice With Paparazzi

Yeezy hugs it out with camerawoman he recently clashed with in Miami.

Kanye West shocked the paparazzi recently when he hugged a camerawoman that made him lose his cool earlier this month. The reporter had asked West's girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, a series of questions about her ex-boyfriend, Reggie Bush, in 'Ye's presence, which sent the hip hop star into a rage. A very angry Kanye was caught on video attempting to smack the woman's camera out of her hand. However, he was all smiles today at their reunion in a Miami airport.

According to TMZ, when Kanye saw the woman who made him explode just weeks ago, he flashed a pearly white smile and walked over to her. What happened next took the paparazzi by surprise, as the star embraced the woman like a long lost friend. Photographs of the famous hug have been circulating across the web all day.

Yeezy has been laying low since his collaborative G.O.O.D. Music album, Cruel Summer. However, the rapper is still a paparazzi magnet, particularly with his high profile lady.

Diddy’s Home Intruder Pleads Guilty

Squatter gets 120 days in jail for breaking into music mogul’s Hampton home.

The mentally ill Queens man who broke into Diddy’s East Hampton mansion in April pled guilty to criminal trespassing on Thursday [July 5] and was released with time served.

According to the Washington Post, Quamine T. Taylor accepted a plea deal in Long Island court and was sentenced to 120 days in jail for spending a day in the multi-million dollar manor, consuming Diddy’s food and drinks and playing dress up in expensive clothes. Taylor has been in a Suffolk County jail since his arrest on April 1, so he was released with a stern warning to stay away from the music superstar.

Following his arrest Taylor told the New York Post he wasn’t all that impressed by the extravagant digs.

“I got a good night’s sleep, but it’s not anything too special,” Taylor said of Diddy's crib. “It’s just like a three bedroom.”

Taylor is actually very familiar with the property; he was arrested 10 years ago for breaking into the same home.

“I’ve actually been going to the house from time to time since 2001. I stay there a lot, but Sean gets funny sometimes about me staying there.”

Shyne Takes Aim at Diddy With New Diss Track

The truce between the hip hop rivals comes to an end.

Shyne has fashioned himself as a peaceful man of God since being released from a near 10-year bid in prison, but the former Bad Boy rapper recently reignited an old beef with a new diss song aimed at Diddy. The track, called "You're Welcome," blasts his old label boss and mentor and his track record as an artist manager.

"Look, I seen the plot / What he did to Mase and did to LOX / What he did to Wolf and he did to [Ak] / God bless the dead, Notorious Pac / Why would I think that I was different? So I just sat in the distance," Shyne rhymes.

The song was reportedly written years ago, but Shyne decided to release it now after being disappointed by Diddy's failure to help him in his efforts to get his life back on track. The Belize native had asked Diddy to help get the word out about his petition to the White House to be granted permanent U.S. residency, but the Bad Boy Records founder declined.

Earlier this year, Shyne and Diddy had shown signs of burying the hatchet with a much touted reconciliation in Paris during Fashion Week. In 1999, Shyne was accompanying Diddy and his then girlfriend Jennifer Lopez to Club New York when he became involved in a dramatic shoutout for which he served a lengthy sentence.

Shyne Takes Aim at Rick Ross for Misappropriating Judaism

The rapper, now known as Moses Levi, calls Ross "corny" on Twitter.

Rick Ross is making waves with his new mixtape The Black Bar Mitzvah, and not only because of the music. The Maybach Music Group impresario has ruffled some feathers due to the project's blatant reappropriation of Jewish culture. Shyne, a rapper who also happens to be a practicing member of the Jewish faith, blasted Rozay on Twitter over the weekend for being a poseur.

"First they criticize me for being a Jew, now they're favorite fake rapper is having a black bar mitzva? GTFOH," Shyne wrote. The former Bad Boy rapper, who converted to Judaism early in a nearly 10-year prison sentence, dredged up Ross's history as a corrections officer, labeling his recent talk of bar mitzvahs the latest in a long series of phony posturing.

"These coppers fantasize about the things that i do daily like these coppers rap about the life I live really!" he wrote, later referring to Ross as his "bastard child."

In an interview with  MTV News this morning, Shyne elaborated on his fundamental lack of respect for Ross.

"I ain't mad. It's just I think he's corny. ... I have no respect for what he represents, for who he is, let's just start with that," Shyne said. He went on to take issue with the co-opting of his chosen faith by rappers like Ross and others.

"The Black Bar Mitzvah , to me, you're on me, you're obsessed with everything Shyne. All of a sudden, you running with the Star of David and dudes is Jewish now all of a sudden?" he queried. "I really have no tolerance for what he represents because he's a liar."

Misa Hylton Doesn't Deny Wedding Bells for Diddy and Cassie

Misa says she loves the "Boys" singer for her ex.

Yesterday, Diddy's ex Misa Hylton called in to Philly's Power 99 Rise and Grind Morning Show to discuss her styling school and extended family. The mother of Diddy's eldest son has been seen hanging out with his two other children's mothers, her son's siblings, Diddy, and his longtime girlfriend Cassie. When asked about rumors of the couple tying the knot, Hylton didn't deny it, but instead put her stamp of approval on the engagement.


"Are you affected by the fact that he's marrying Cassie?" asked Mina SayWhat, co-host of the show.


Misa replied, "No, I love Cassie. I like Cassie for him. She's a very nice girl. She's talented. She's beautiful. And she's really nice to him and to my son. And that's all that I can ask for."


Back in August, a rep for Diddy said that the music mogul was not engaged, but perhaps things have changed in the last two months. Cassie has tweeted a diamond ring that she continues to wear on her left ring finger. While the rapper has maintained many long-term relationships, he has never been married.

Keyshia Cole: Gucci Mane Lied About My Love Life

Singer fires back after rapper alleges she was romantically linked to Diddy.

Keyshia Cole wants to be left out of Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy's ongoing feud. In a diss track to his fellow MC, Gucci accused Keyshia of having an affair with Diddy, sparking a flurry of rumors and drama. 


"I did a song with Keyshia Cole and I know you still miss her. But Puff was f---ing her while you was falling in love with her," taunted Gucci in the song.


While Cole did collaborate with Diddy in 2007 on his hit track "Last Night," she denies having romantic relations with the Bad Boy founder. She took to Twitter to call the Brick Squad rapper out for his blatant lies and the unnecessary jab.


"Putting all ya trust in some of these 'Hood Rappers'.. How u gone be a G, and u spreading lies, To sell mix tapes! Where ya talent at??" wrote the R&B songstress. "Dude ain't have 2 lie tho! could've kept me out of it."


Gucci has yet to respond to Keyshia, but continues to tell Jeezy to come "see" him to address any "unresolved issues." In the meantime, Keyshia is bringing love back to reality television with her new show, Keyshia & Daniel: Family First.

Diddy Injured in Car Accident

The music mogul escapes a serious crash with minor injuries.

A shaken but not seriously injured Sean "Diddy" Combs walked away from a serious car crash that left his SUV mangled on Wednesday. The fender bender in Los Angeles caused the hip hop star to receive medical attention on the scene, but he was not transported to a hospital.

According to LAPD sources that spoke to TMZ, the two-car accident was caused when a car turned left into the path of Diddy's luxury SUV forcing his driver to t-bone the other vehicle. The impact of the collision was so severe the Bad Boy Records founder had to lay on the ground as he complained of pain. Both Diddy's driver and the other driver also suffered some bumps and bruises.

Fortunately EMS workers arrived on the scene and treated the injured parties, but did not have to take anyone to the hospital for further care. LAPD left the scene without issuing any citations following the wreck.

Mary J. Blige Helps Raise $23 Million for Hurricane Sandy Relief

The music star joined a group of A-list performers for the telethon.

Mary J. Blige was among a list of powerhouse celebrities that lent their influence to the recent Hurricane Sandy telethon. Raising almost $23 million, Blige (a native New Yorker), Christina Aguilera and Tina Fey were just a few stars that made the East Coast victims of the storm a social priority. The American Red Cross is thankful and optimistic about the telethon's outcome, and clear about where the money is going.


"We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy," said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer of the American Red Cross. "Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need and we urge the public to continue to give."


Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey also has been very vocal in garnering more celebrity support, using his Twitter account to reach out to the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber and Bruce Springsteen. Funds donated to the Red Cross will go toward immediate emergency needs such as shelter, food and health services. The organization also helps feed emergency workers, communication dilemmas from people trying to reach family members near the disaster area and provides blood to victims.


"We're spreading a PSA right now to text 'REDCROSS' to 90999," Vinny Guadagnino, star of Jersey Shore, told MTV News last week. "You can donate like $10, and I think if a lot of people do that it will make impacts."

barack obama and weed!!!

Bill Clinton he was n When it came to smoking pot, the teenage Barack Obama had rules. You had to embrace "total absorption" or face a penalty. When you smoked in the car, "the windows had to be rolled up." And he could horn his way in, calling out "Intercepted!" and grab the joint out of turn.

Best-selling author David Maraniss' "Barack Obama: The Story" describes the future president's teenage antics, notably his copious marijuana smoking, details of which were published early Friday by Buzzfeed. While the book won't be released until June 19, vast sections of it were already available Friday on Google Books.
[Related: Obama ex-girlfriend recalls his 'sexual warmth']
Starting on page 293, the reader begins to get the dope on high school-age Obama's group of basketball- and fun-loving buds, who dubbed themselves the "Choom Gang," from a verb meaning "to smoke marijuana."
"As a member of the Choom Gang, Barry Obama was known for starting a few pot-smoking  trends. The first was called 'TA,' short for 'total absorption.' To place this in the physical and political context of another young man who would grow up to be president, TA was the antithesis of Bill Clinton's claim that as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford he smoked dope but never inhaled," writes Maraniss, author of a biography of the 42^nd president.
"When you were with Barry and his pals, if you exhaled precious pakalolo (Hawaiian slang from marijuana, meaning "numbing tobacco") instead of absorbing it fully into your lungs, you were assessed a penalty and your turn was skipped the next time the joint came around. "'Wasting good bud smoke was not tolerated,' explained one member of the Choom Gang, Tom Topolinski, the Chinese-looking kid with a Polish name who answered to Topo."
[Related: Aides gave filmmakers bin Laden raid info]
Obama also made popular a pot-smoking practice that the future president and his pals called "roof hits." When they smoked in the car, they rolled up the windows, and "when the pot was gone, they tilted their heads back and sucked in the last bit of smoke from the ceiling," Maraniss writes.
Obama "also had a knack for interceptions. When a joint was making the rounds, he often elbowed his way in, out of turn, shouted 'Intercepted' and took an extra hit. No one seemed to mind," according to the text.
Maraniss details how the Choom Gang relaxed at a spot they called "Pumping Stations" partway up Mount Tantalus on Oahu.
"They parked single file on the grassy edge, turned up their stereos playing Aerosmith, Blue Öyster Cult, and Stevie Wonder, lit up some 'sweet-sticky Hawaiian buds,' and washed it down with 'green bottled beer' (the Choom Gang preferred Heineken, Beck's, and St. Pauli Girl)," according to Maraniss.
"No shouting, no violence, no fights; they even cleaned up their beer bottles. This was their haven, in the darkness high above the city and the pressures of Punahou," he writes.
They also operated by consensus (NATO-style!), with any member able to "veto" a suggestion. "Whenever an idea was broached, someone could hold up his hand in the V sign (a backward peace sign of that era) and indicate that the motion was not approved. They later shortened the process so that you could just shout 'V' to get the point across," says Maraniss.
Sure, they drove around in a VW bus nicknamed the "Choomwagon." And their dealer was a "freakin' scary" guy named Ray who met a grisly end. "Many years later they learned that he had been killed with a ball-peen hammer by a scorned gay lover." (On his yearbook page, Obama says "Thanks Tut, Gramps, Choom Gang, and Ray for all the good times.")
But Maraniss also suggests that Obama, like, oh, everyone in the world, embellished his mischief.
"Later in life, looking back on those days, Obama made it sound as though he were hanging out with a group of misbegotten ne'er-do-wells, what he called the 'club of disaffection.' In fact, most members of the Choom Gang were decent students and athletes who went on to successful and productive lives as lawyers, writers, and businessmen," the author says.
Obama was a solid student, and adept at what some readers might know as "osmotic learning."
"He seemed nonchalant, yet performed well. How did he do it? He told his Choom Gang mates that the trick was if you put the textbook under your pillow the night before you would perform better on an exam. 'It never worked for me,' said Topolinski."

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Lose Blue Ivy Trademark Battle

Court rules in favor of Boston-based events company.

As parents, Jay-Z and Beyoncé want more than anything to protect their child...and future business interests related to their child. The Carters had been looking to do the latter by trademarking the name of their daughter, Blue Ivy, but lost that battle in court recently, the Boston Herald reports.

Beyoncé allegedly was interested in trademarking the name for use on a line of baby clothes, but it was already taken by a woman in Boston who had been running the Blue Ivy Events company since 2009.

The Carters were sent a rejection letter from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which sided with the events planner and granted her a wide range of rights to use the name to promote her business. Even Jay and Bey can't have it all.

J. Cole Announces Sophomore Album Born Sinner

The Roc Nation rapper posts a teaser video on the LP's January 2013 release.

After staying relatively quiet in 2012, J. Cole has announced his sophomore album for release in early 2013. The Roc Nation star will return with the new LP Born Sinner on January 28.

Cole teased the project with a promo video shared during a UStream session with fans. In the clip, a young boy in a majestic cathedral holds up cue cards which read, "Aren't we all sinners? Aren't we all saints?" and announce the album title and release date.

Cole's debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, was released in October of 2011 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In September he leaked the song "I'm a Fool" from an unnamed project.

The 28th of January is a date of particular significance for the North Carolina rapper — it will mark his 28th birthday.