July, 2009

Jay-Z covers this months Billboard magazine and reveals the keys to his stacks. The feature by Mariel Concepcion starts below:

NEW YORK (Billboard) - At just about any given moment of any given day -- including this sunlit June Friday afternoon -- Jay-Z is a busy man.

Sitting on a swivel chair at his Roc the Mic studios in downtown Manhattan with a glass of Santa Margherita white wine in hand, he tackles interview after interview with Japanese reporters, pausing only to use the restroom or ask his assistant to get him a refill or an order of food from his sports club, 40/40.

But while he handles his international duties, his Roc Nation team -- seven people, including his assistant, longtime publicist and engineers -- make sure his empire runs smoothly. His employees are scattered around the room, some perched on stools or couches, others standing or sitting on the floor, some with laptops before them. His assistant is booking flights, hotels and car service for the BET Awards, which is taking place that weekend; his publicist whispers on the phone about another magazine story... Story continued here

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It has been 11 long years since MC Ren has released an album. After a lengthy group and solo career at Ruthless Records, the gangsta rap pioneer told HipHopDX.com this week, that 2009 will indeed be his point of return.

"The album is like 70% [completed]," revealed the N.W.A. member. "Shit is bangin'! It's heat. I'm excited about it. I ain't did no album in like 11 years, so man, I'm excited with how everything is coming. I cannot wait to get this shit out."

For the entire interview: [CLICK HERE]

Since the folding of Arista Records, OutKast's group and solo contracts have been retained at Jive/Sony. After speaking with EyeWeekly last night, rapper Big Boi says that may be ending this month.

“The lawyers just have to finish their lawyering,” Big Boi said of ending his seven year contract with Jive, after leaving LaFace/Artista after Stankonia in 2000, the same year Arista reconstructed to J Records, Interscope and Jive. There, he released the group effort Idlewild in 2006, after 2003's double-solo album project, Speakerboxxx/Love Below, both reaching multi-platinum status.

Since 2007 however, Big Boi's solo follow-up: Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty has remained shelved, despite single servicing and video production.

He told SOHH.com in June, "The push backs have just really been trying to get the situation together with the record label, and trying to learn a new system. There are some talks going on right now. I can't really release it right now. Probably within the next week or so, there will be a big announcement coming out and the album will be out this summer, believe it, it's done, it's it in the can and I'm very happy with it. We got to clearing it up."

According to EyeWeekly's story, Big Boi is set to to reunite with early mentor L.A. Reid, former co-founder of LaFace Records, now serving as Def Jam President.

Though not confirmed, it appears as Big Boi's album will go to Def Jam with him.

In the last year, The Clipse, UGK and Too Short have all ended contracts with Jive Records.

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I dunno who the talented one is, but damn she's nice. Peace - Rip [.Ed]

The collab from Beastie Boys and Nas from their upcoming album, Hot Sauce Committee pt.1, dropping September 15. Peep the live jump.

For the audio joint - [DOWNLOAD HERE]

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"Fuck Jay-Z" chants live in London's Hammersmith Apollo. Peep The Game's show on play.

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iHipHop had the opportunity to sit down with freshman phenom, Wale, last week in Chicago. The rapper discussed how his direct line of communication with Jay-Z has given him a leg up in business type situations. He also cited Jay’s advice as allowing him to maintain a certain amount of normalcy in the fast paced hip-hop world. Wale delves into the rapid evolution of the DC hip hop scene, and what the fans can expect from his début album on Alido/Interscope “Attention Deficit”.

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In a surprising yet interesting turn of events, recent actions by a trifling, mystery person revealed a bombshell. The “Mouth of the South,” Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges, was outted as one of Dr. Dre’s main contributors for his long awaited album, Detox. “O.G.’s Theme,” a demo version of a track that is scheduled to appear on the album, was performed by the legendary Atlanta rapper with him trading in his patented southern baritone stylings for a more relaxed and casual flow; an obvious attempt at mimicking the good Dr.

Luda vented some of his frustrations through his Twitter page, where the southern behemoth said, “Not sure how this leaked. It was fun trying to sound like Dr. Dre!”

Luda is not the only ATLien to help Dre with his long awaited project. None other than T.I., the King of the South, is said to also be ghostwriting for the West Coast legend. “Coming Back,” a track rumoured to be on the ever elusive album, was leaked onto the internet a few months ago. No official confirmation has been given by TIP as to whether he is officially involved in the project.

For Ludacris' latest Detox release: [CLICK HERE]

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50 Cent is running scared from the Jigga Man. He officially announced Thursday that he would not release his album on the same day as Jay-Z as previously planned. Instead his album will be released a full two weeks after Jigga’s September 11th release date. Pleased with his decision, 50 bragged about his new album calling it “perfect” and saying that production from Dr. Dre was running behind.

“My album-it’s perfect, I feel. I’m ready,” he told MTV. “I’m ready to put this album out. I really don’t need adjustments. I need a few songs to be finished, mixed. Dre, he drags his feet. He’s slow, but it’s because he’s so creative. He’s gonna make sure it’s perfect. I’m never mad at it. I understand that process from him.”

Despite Dre’s sluggish finishing touches, 50’s “perfect” album, Before I Self Destruct, hits stores September 29th.

In related news, G-Unit soldier Tony Yayo has said that he refuses to accept The Game’s apology. While expressing an understanding as to why Young Buck and The Game would leave G-Unit, and noting that there would be advantages to him leaving, he noted that he would never do that out of “loyalty”. The G-Unit underboss also called The Game “bipolar” and stated that his feelings on the Compton rapper’s apology is mirrored by everyone in the Unit. -

Press Play

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MURS on one of the dopest MC/producers ever, from the CPT or better yet, TTP - DJ Quik.

Look out for Murs’ project with the Los Angels Leakers entitled Damn It Feels Good to Be A Gangsta dropping Tuesday, July 21st.