audio junkie entertainment

Pusha T Explains Why He Believes He Will Release 2013's Best Album

2013-08-05T02:36:00.003-07:00

With so many albums making headlines in 2013, many of Hip Hop's top artists are stepping up their game per their own releases.

Pusha T is one of those artists, and in a recent interview with Esquire he explains why his upcoming album, My Name Is My Name will be the best release this year.

"Well, I've heard a lot of them. And mine is better. [Laughs]," Pusha said. "I just know what I'm looking to bring to the music game, and it's a certain level of energy. I've made the perfect album that I want to put in my car and ride to."

The G.O.O.D. Music artist also talked about his labelmate Kanye West and his role as executive producer.

"Ye is a genius, man. Working under him, being a student, because that's exactly what I turned into — being a student under his school is a blessing. Somebody who's in touch and in tune with who I am as an artist — he's a fan of my work — and trying to expound on that and make that as great as possible, and still knowing how to be unorthodox, and still being Kanye West the mad scientist, the genius guy, and have those elements sprinkled over my hardcore, street rap music — you couldn't ask for anything else better."

Pusha T was recently quoted saying he will have the best album of 2013. When speaking with Charlotte’s Power 98 he also addressed the matter.

"My album is the best album of the year… I think the streets are going to have a classic hip-hop album," he said.

Jay-Z (@s_c_) Says He Takes The Notorious B.I.G. Everywhere He Goes

2013-08-03T07:39:00.002-07:00

Jay-Z also says "Watch the Throne II" has been discussed with Kanye West and describes life as a father to Blue Ivy Carter.

Jay-Z recently spoke about Watch the Throne II, his relationship with Kanye West and life as a father. The Brooklyn, New York rapper/mogul also talked about how Hip Hop has helped race relations and described his final conversation with The Notorious B.I.G. in an interview with Los Angeles radio station Power 106.
Watch the Throne II has been discussed, according to Jay-Z.
"We definitely spoke about it," Jay said of the Watch the Throne sequel. "We don't have any dates lined out for it but we definitely talked about dropping solo albums and then going back to doing Watch the Throne II. So, we'll see what happens."

Jay-Z Says Kanye West Is A Really Passionate Person

Kanye West's passion has remained the same since the day they met, according to Jay.
"We always have discussions, but the thing about him is he's the same person he was when I met him," Jay said. "He's just really passionate about the things that he - sounding redundant - the things he cares about. He's a really passionate person."
Jay was also asked about West's lyrics regarding Kris Humphries on "Cold." The song says, "Lucky I ain't had Jay drop him from the team," referring to Humphries. The line stemmed from Humphries' former marriage to Kim Kardashian. At the time, Jay was a minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets, which Humphries played for. Jay said he was not worried about what Kanye said in raps.
"Actually, on my birthday, we were on tour and he freestyled in the room," Jay said of the West line. "He said the rap in the room and everybody was like, 'That's a great line.' People have to understand that it's entertainment as well. It's Rap music and sometimes it rubs you the wrong way, but it's Rap music and it's fun."

Jay-Z Says Someone Called Him Regarding J. Cole's Lyrics

When host Big Boy said that Jay can't be held responsible for what Kanye West says, Jay-Z said that Kanye is a grown man. Jay also added that someone has called him regarding J. Cole's lyrics.
"Above and beyond all that, he's a grown man," Jay said. "Someone called me about some J. Cole lyrics. I'm like, 'What you want me to do? That guy's a grown man. Ask him when you see him.'"
Jay-Z did not say who called him about J. Cole's lyrics.

Jay-Z Says Hip Hop Has Helped Race Relations Around The World

Jay-Z also said the power of Hip Hop has helped race relations.
"It's the power of Hip Hop," he said. "It's like that all around the world. It's the same sort of thing. Hip Hop has done so much for racial relations. It doesn't get the proper credit. It's always demonized and people point out all the bad things about it but no one talks about how Hip Hop has brought all different races of people together."

Jay-Z On Blue Ivy Carter, Says Fatherhood Is "Indescribable"

Jay also discussed the challenges of fatherhood given that he and his wife Beyonce are often on the road.
"It's very difficult because it's like we're on two tours," Jay said, regarding the time he can spend with his daughter at the moment.
Jay was also asked if he changes his daughter Blue Ivy Carter's diapers.
"Of course, man," Jay said. "That's my child, man."
Nothing compares to fatherhood, according to Jay-Z, who included Blue Ivy's vocals in his song "Glory."
"Nothing compares to that feeling," he said. "It's indescribable. It's very difficult to put words to it, an indescribable feeling."

Jay-Z Says Beyonce Has Matured Over The Years

After speaking about his daughter, Jay was also asked about his wife. Jay-Z said Beyonce has evolved since her early days as a member of R&B group Destiny's Child.
"You got to figure, she came out when she was 16 years old," he said. "She’s not 16 anymore. You get an image of someone and it gets stuck in your mind. You've got to realize she was 16 years old. She’s changed. She’s matured. She’s grown up. She’s different. She’s not the same person she was when she was 16."

Jay-Z Describes Conversation With Notorious B.I.G. On Night Of His Death

Jay-Z also described his final conversation with The Notorious B.I.G., which Jay-Z says took place the night Biggie was shot and killed in Los Angeles, California in 1997.
"He was in great spirits," Jay said. "He was like, 'Yo, playboy! Why you not out here, playboy? I was doing something in New York and yeah, yeah, I was supposed to land before. Actually Irv Gotti was at the party and called me and put him on the phone."
Biggie remains a part of everything he does, Jay said.
"I take him everywhere I go," Jay said. "I’ve taken him on every step, every accomplishment. He'll be there in some sort of way, whether that be live in concert or on record, or some acknowledgement."
The interview can be heard below, via Power 106.

Big Sean (@bigsean) drops new video Fire

2013-08-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

Good musics big sean drops a new video in which miley cyrus made a cameo please enjoy

Xbullz Drops new party joint titled "Gojere"

2013-08-03T07:28:00.003-07:00

Xbullz a talented artiste who's real names are Ezike Kingsley aka Xbullz, hails from Amichi L/G of nnewi south,Anambra state,currently graduated with OND in Computer science at the Grace Polytechnic, He's been doing music from his tender age, the young talented song writer and singer just dropped his new single titled GOJERE, The word Gojere(go crazy) is a party hit track which is trending the whole of Lagos and some other parts of the country.

Download

twitter handle: @Iamxbullz

Goodie Mob Premiers Portion Of "Age Against The Machine" Cover Art, "Pinstripes" Single

2013-05-30T03:47:00.003-07:00

Exclusive: Fans can get an early look at a portion of Goodie Mob's "Age Against The Machine" artwork and hear Khujo's accapella verse to "Pinstripes."

In less than a month, a reunited Goodie Mob will release their fifth studio album, Age Against The Machine. The June 18 release commemorates Cee-Lo's return to the group nearly 15 years after he left during the World Party recordings. While various members of the group have collaborated in the last decade, the new album advances the Dungeon Family story, 18 years after the release of the acclaimed gold-certified debut Soul Food.
The Atlanta, Georgia quartet of Cee-Lo, Big Gipp, Khujo (f/k/a Khujo Goodie) and T-Mo have created a unique roll-out for the release.
Today, Goodie Mob premiered one-fourth of the Age Against The Machine artwork. The section includes Khujo and Big Gipp.

Goodie Mob Premiers Portion Of "Age Against The Machine" Cover Art, "Pinstripes" Single

2013-05-30T03:47:00.001-07:00

Exclusive: Fans can get an early look at a portion of Goodie Mob's "Age Against The Machine" artwork and hear Khujo's accapella verse to "Pinstripes."

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/26/2013

2013-05-30T03:36:00.000-07:00

It's a challenging week in sales. French Montana's "Excuse My French" ranks high, but sells low for Bad Boy/MMG. Gucci Mane's "Trap House III" makes the charts, but is the lowest seller in trilogy.

For the second week in a row, there was a new #1 album. Daft Punk, while not a Hip Hop group, has ties to the culture by way of Kanye West and J Dilla sampling and praises. The French group's fourth album, Random Access Memories featured strong involvement from N*E*R*D's Pharrell Williams. The Columbia Records effort sold approximately 340,000 units. This is the group's first with the new label home, after a lengthy tenure at Virgin/EMI Records.
On the Hip Hop side, French Montana's studio debut, Excuse My French scored a Top 5 debut. The album is notably a joint effort between Bad Boy Worldwide/Interscope Records, with involvement from Maybach Music Group. The Morrocan-born rapper sold over 50,000 units. Still, this is Bad Boy's lowest first-week sales since Janelle Monae's 2010 debut, The ArchAndroid, which sold approximately 21,000 copies despite critical praise.
Also debuting on the charts was Gucci Mane's Trap House III. The third volume in the trilogy dating back to Gucci's 2005 Tommy Boy Records-backed debut was also his least-selling. Released independently, the legally-troubled Atlanta, Georgia Rap vet squeezed into the Top 200 selling 2,500 units.

French Montana Makes No Excuses

French Montana's Excuse My French was a benchmark to the independent veteran. Though selling considerably less than MMG releases from Wale or Meek Mill, as well as Bad Boy's recent releases, French did achieve Top 5 status. The LP boasts appearances from Drake, Rick Ross, and longtime affiliate Max B. Additionally, French enlisted vets Scarface and Snoop Lion on his major label debut.
The Coke Boyz head also recruited production from Rico Love, Cardiak and "One Blood" producer Reefa. Low sales may be the product of some strong criticism on the album's cohesion and depth.

When He's Not In The Big House, Gucci Mane Stays In The Trap House

Eight years after Gucci Mane released Trap House on Big Cat/Tommy Boy Records, the Atlanta, Georgia rapper dropped the third volume. Sneaking into the charts at #175, this is the lowest-charting effort in the trilogy. Self-released, Gucci sold less than 3,000 first-week units on the digital-only effort.
Guests include Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross on the Brick Squad release. Gucci, who is awaiting trial for aggravated assault, worked extensively with Memphis, Tennessee producer Drumma Boy, with involvement from Southside, Lex Luger and longtime collaborator Zaytoven. The album's closer, "Birds Of A Feather," takes shots at Yo Gotti, T.I. and Young Jeezy—which Gucci displayed on his Bandcamp page—where the entire album is available for stream and purchase.

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 5/26/2013

#1. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories - 339,000 (340,000)

#4. French Montana - Excuse My French - 56,000 (56,000)

#5. The Great Gatsby Soundtrack - 54,000 (286,000)

#17. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist - 24,000 (754,000)

#23. Lil Wayne - I Am Not A Human Being II - 15,000 (453,000)

#42. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city - 8,800 (905,000)

#113. Eve - Lip Lock - 3,500 (12,000)

#160. LL Cool J - Authentic - 2,700 (26,000)

#165. Snoop Lion - Reincarnated - 2,600 (40,000)

#175. Gucci Mane - Trap House III - 2,500 (2,500)

^{* data comes from
Nielsen Soundscan, rounded to nearest thousandth for units
above 10,000, nearest hundredth for units below 10,000. Each
week, HipHopDX presents top albums in Hip Hop/related, and
five notables.}

Can The-Dream and Def Jam Records grab a #1 with IV?

Born Sinner: Predictions On J. Cole's Sophomore Album

2013-05-25T04:46:00.000-07:00

An improved understanding of Top 40 radio singles, a desire to provide social commentary and some natural evolution as an artist offer reasons to be excited about J. Cole's "Born Sinner" album.

In November of 2012, nearly 14 months after his debut album dropped, J. Cole took to U-Stream to announce that he had a date set for his sophomore effort, Born Sinner. In the six months since the announcement, anticipation among Cole fans has been building, and the Fayetteville, North Carolina emcee/producer has satiated fans’ appetites with two Truly Yours EPs. Meanwhile, the singles “Power Trip” and “Miss America” have set a standard of sorts for what J. Cole is delivering to the masses in terms of catering to both Top 40, terrestrial radio and his rabid fan base. But what can we casual fans expect on the rest of Born Sinner?

Blow Up: The Anatomy Of A J. Cole Single

If “Miss America” and “Power Trip” are any indication, Born Sinner should find J. Cole finally mastering the awkward dance with mainstream radio. It’s safe to assume that anyone under the tutelage of Jay-Z understands why an artist needs or wants to be courted by mainstream radio. Aside from providing another revenue stream, radio success usually allows labels to recoup some of their investment—ultimately resulting in more creative control for some artists. The initial singles from Cole World: The Sideline Story showcased an understanding of this strategy, but there were clearly some holes in the execution.

Critics and a fair amount of fans will always expect top-tier emcees to buy into a certain Golden Era Hip Hop ethos inspired by the emcees that dominated the early-to-mid ‘90s. They want intricate rhyme schemes, witty metaphors and similes and obscure samples as source material. But one of Cole World’s most commercially successful singles, “Work Out” offered none of the above. The delivery was overly simple, and the track interpolated both Paula Abdul’s 1988 single “Straight Up” while also borrowing heavily from Kanye West’s 2004 hit, “The New Workout Plan.” And while Cole has shown an affinity for sampling, he didn’t add anything particularly new to either of the works he sampled. The track essentially offered two extended choruses about twerking followed by a proposition for a one-night stand. Conversely, “Who Dat” was tepid and functioned as a single in name only. It had the requisite, repetitive chorus, which is always the sign of an olive branch being extended to Top 40 radio. And it had an anthemic beat with snares crisp enough for Cole’s delivery without being too threatening for the suburban, Clear Channel demographic.

The formula behind each effort was reflected in the commercial results. “Who Dat” disappeared from the charts after one week—barely making a cameo on Billboard magazine’s “Hot 100” chart by peaking at the number 93 spot. Meanwhile, the platinum plus success of “Work Out” almost felt like a reward for a lack of artistry. The single was nominated for a Grammy, and spent 28 weeks on the “Hot 100” chart while peaking at the number 13 spot. The source material wasn’t the problem, as the Drake-assisted “In The Morning” is proof that Cole is quite familiar with making more innovative songs about one-night stands and their consequences. “Work Out” just felt forced, but the commercial results and Cole’s reflection on “Work Out” point to him playing a larger game.
“That's how you get a song like ‘Work Out,’” J. Cole told Karmaloop TV. “I went to radio stations and seen how radio stations work...I went and learned all these things. That’s how I made a record like ‘Work Out,’ I went, ‘Okay, I can play that game. I’ll give you a song full of hooks,’ the catchy shit that I knew would work on radio. That’s me playing the game.”
By the time, “Nobody’s Perfect” hit the airwaves, J. Cole seemed to have worked out the kinks of the radio game. He borrowed Timbaland’s trademark, syncopated bass drums for a Missy Elliott cameo. True to form, Missy reminded listeners why she and Timbaland revolutionized radio with a genre blending style that’s still being copied today by the likes of Ciara and Lady Gaga—but that’s another topic for another day. Missy essentially runs circles around J. Cole the rapper during her limited time on “Nobody’s Perfect.” But as a producer, Cole had the foresight to find a collaborator that was at ease giving radio programmers the catchy, sing-song hooks they crave. That allowed him to stay in his lane and avoid Auto-tune and Paula Abdul—two things that most rappers (yes, this means you too, Future) should stay far away from. And his Timbaland-inspired production put Missy in her comfort zone. The duration of the song found J. Cole hitting his go-to topics of college, sexual escapades, basketball and his ascension in the Rap ranks, but his brief observation of, “They killin’ niggas for Jays / That’s death over designer,” hinted at the desire to touch on more compelling subject matter.

Back To The Topic: J. Cole’s Sophomore Growth

When judged against the “Who Dat” and “Work Out,” both “Miss America” and “Power Trip” display the type of growth one hopes to see from an artist on their sophomore effort. Granted, you can make a strong argument that The Come Up, The Warm Up, Friday Night Lights and Cole’s two free Truly Yours EPs carried album-worthy material. As such, he’s put out the rough equivalent of five albums worth of material in six years. Even so, despite being a blatant reach for radio spins “Power Trip” feels more organic as a single; it finds J. Cole in familiar territory. It’s both self-referential (the female subject of the mixtape cut “Dreams” returns) and self-deprecating, with Cole running through an inner-monologue questioning the origins of his “Captain Save-A-Hoe” tendencies. Again, he’s at least fictionally mining the subject of returning to Fayetteville.

“Power Trip” has a double meaning both as the literal gratification one gets from lording authority over others, and it refers to the “trip” a currently upward mobile Cole takes back to his hometown to visit the woman (real or imagined) serving as the subject of the song. It’s not Ralph Ellison, but certainly deeper than the drivel served up on “Work Out.” So far “Power Trip” has already cracked the Top 20 during a 13-week (and counting) stay on the charts. Win-win.
“The most exciting part about that song [‘Power Trip’] and the reason why we went with it is that it sounds like nothing that's out,” J. Cole told MTV back in February. “Absolutely you couldn’t point to any song on the radio and be like, ‘Oh, this sounds like that’…everything from the beat to the way that I’m flowing, you’ve never really heard me so sleepy. I really did them verses in my crib and just loved the way they felt.”

This is a good time to point out that predicting what a rapper will do on any given project can sometimes be an exercise in futility. Raise your hand if you correctly predicted Nas shitting on a few albums worth of goodwill in 1999 by opting for a duet with Ginuwine (“Owe Me Back”) and a rhyme cadence inspired by “Carol Of The Bells” (“Come Get Me”) on Nastradamus. But this isn’t about “God’s Son.” As it relates to one Jermaine Lamarr Cole, we have both the singles and some brief commentary from the artist himself to explain the direction of an upcoming project. The fact that there has been a six-month build up to this album speaks to Hip Hop’s changing landscape and the increased importance social media has in interacting with fans. But, with J. Cole, there were also other changes happening as he began work on his second album.

“We have like a responsibility and a certain power that comes with making the music and playing the music,” Cole told Billboard magaine at the 2013 American Music Awards. “And that comes with a responsibility to keep things fresh and not to fall into the mode of what’s traditional. I have singles that fall into that, but if I can use my power in some kind of way I’m gonna try to use it to shift culture just a little bit. And to me ‘Miss America’ shifts things a little bit, it changes the conversation it takes it in a more aggressive direction—more raw, more social commentary. Any type of commentary is good compared to what a normal single is these days. That’s my aim is to shift culture slightly, change the conversation...nobody expects that for your first single.”

The self-proclaimed “Young Simba” was always introspective. His references to Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. on “Sideline Story” as well as poignant commentary on abortion via “Lost Ones” showed potential. But this idea of social responsibility and—dare we say, consciousness—purposely breaks from the norm and represents an ideological shift. It’s important to note that Cole isn’t going full on Public Enemy here, and he recognizes his limitations. It’s almost as if he’s emphasizing the phrases “slightly” and “a little bit.” And this mild shift is occurring even as he’s still catering to mainstream radio (and most likely his label’s wishes) with “Power Trip.” That said, “Miss America” is new territory in that the incorporation of President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech, a possible shot at Mase and some Danilo Blandon/“Freeway” Ricky Ross-fueled references (“Fuck the man, Uncle Sam I won't sell your crack”) about how and why cocaine makes its way to poor ghetto neighborhoods are all calculated moves. Those lines speak to Cole’s aforementioned desire to “change the conversation.” And when he inevitably heads out on the Born Sinner press junket, he’ll have to answer some questions that hopefully add something to that conversation.

Grown Simba: J. Cole’s Friendly Rivalry With Kanye West

Maybe the bigger indication of how J. Cole views himself on his sophomore set comes from the project’s new release date of June 18. In another conversation with Billboard, Cole revealed that he purposely moved up his release date to directly compete with another Jay-Z pupil.

“I’m not going to sit [here]...I worked too hard to come a week later after Kanye West drops an amazing album,” Cole said. “It’d be like, ‘Oh and J.Cole dropped too, a week later.’ Nah. I’m going to go see him on that date. He’s the greatest. So it’s like, I’m a competitor by nature so it was instant, it wasn’t even a thought…at the same time, let's not forget this is Kanye West. He bats 100, 1,000, whatever the perfect is. His track record is flawless. I’m only expecting an incredible album from him.”

Perhaps more than any other point in his career, J. Cole is displaying they type of dichotomy and healthy contradiction that can at least lay the foundation for a great work of art. On one hand, he has released at least three (five if we’re being generous) albums worth of material in both retail and free form. His previous accomplishments lead him to believe he can stand toe to toe with Kanye West without taking an L like 50 Cent did in 2007 when Fif decided to square off in a first week sales battle with West. Yet, on the other hand, he still very much benefits from semi-autobiographical, high-school, varsity basketball player mythology that began on The Come Up. Despite being nearly 30-years-old, he still refers to himself in a youthful fashion on “Miss America,” rhyming the following:

“For my chain and my piece I should’ve won Nobel / Ill, boy you cold nigga, yeah I know nigga / Only young nigga do it better than the old niggas…”

But hey, his mentor, Jay-Z was damn near 40 and calling himself “Young Hov” so it’s all relative. Age and perception notwithstanding, Cole isn’t above taking some advice from his elders. After reportedly also being disappointed with “Work Out,” rumor has it that Nas chastised Cole, and the subject of disappointing a hero—one who made is own series of missteps, including “Owe Me Back”—finds its way onto Born Sinner. Add in a feature from TLC members Chilli and T-Boz, and you have the makings of an innovative project that can appeal to radio without compromising. Through an intensely loyal connection with his fans (both rabid and casual) and a calculated decision to balance his burgeoning social commentary agenda with the commercial success radio offers, J. Cole is priming himself for what could be the most important phase of his career. Needless to say, June 18 should prove very interesting.

Kendrick Lamar explains what “Death To Molly” means.

2013-05-25T04:29:00.000-07:00

At the end of the “Don’t Kill My Vibe” music video a “Death To Molly” caption appears. Kendrick Lamar has now explained what the message means. Speaking to MTV Kendrick spoke on “Molly” saying, "Sometimes you have the trends that's not that cool. You may have certain artists portraying these trends and don't really have that lifestyle and then it gives off the wrong thing. And it becomes kinda corny after a while."Molly is the street nickname for a drug commonly used for date rape.

Fat Joe may serve some jail time.

2013-05-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

Fat Joe could possibly face two years behind bars for tax evasion. The “Lean Back” rapper admitted to not paying an estimated US$700 000 in taxes during 2007 and 2008. Joe’s fate will be decided on 24 June when he goes to court.

Fat Joe joins stars like Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige who’ve also experienced their fair share of tax issues.

D’Banj to perform at KONG

2013-05-25T04:16:00.000-07:00

D’Banj to perform at KONG.

The Koko Master will be rocking Johannesburg this weekend! Just days after his stellar performance at the MTV Africa All Stars, D’Banj will be performing at the newly opened KONG club in Rosebank.

Catch highlights of D’Banj’s performance at the MTV Africa All Stars with Snoop Lion this weekend on MTV Base.

French Montana Teams Up With The Weeknd For "Gifted

2013-05-20T04:16:00.003-07:00

The combination of French Montana and The Weeknd worked for many listeners who made this a popular cut for the week. Topping this week's list, French and Weeknd combined for "Gifted," a mellow track off of Montana's upcoming debut album, Excuse My French.Last year, M ontana spoke about his collaboration with The Weeknd and also revealed other potential collabs.“Shout out to Travis Barker, I’m working with him," Montana said. "I’m working with The Weeknd, shout out to Kanye [West], shout out to the whole MMG, shout out to Bad Boy, shout out to the Coke Boys, shout out to Harry Fraud. Shout out to everybody who helped me on this album. I feel like it’s going to be something real special.”

Dbanj & Olamide Live in Houston at the OTC Finale Concert

2013-05-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

Wande Coal- the kick official video ft don jazzy

2013-05-16T03:28:00.002-07:00

MI - CHAIRMAN (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

2013-05-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

Wale "The Gifted" Release Date & Cover Art

2013-05-16T03:22:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: Wale incorporates sculpture, Rolls Royce Phantoms, Jesus pieces and the Capitol Building in his third album's cover.

In a minute-long album trailer, D.C. rapper Wale revealed both the release date and title for his third studio album. Titled The Gifted, the album is currently set for a June 25th release date.

In the album trailer, which comes courtesy of director Chad Tennies, Wale possibly hints at the themes his new album may tackle as he briefly speaks on the music industry and being a hustler.

“The hustler, priding his self on the very things they hate him for…The gifted. Aren’t we all? I said, aren’t we all,” Wale questions at the end of The Gifted trailer.

The Maybach Music Group emcee previously commented on his third studio album during an interview with HipHopSince1987.com and shared that the project would be greatly similar to his earlier work.

“I'm very excited about the music, because it's very reminiscent of my earlier work with Mark Ronson and things of that nature. I'm excited,” said Wale in an October interview.

Wale’s last studio album, Ambition, was released in November 2011 and featured appearances from Kid Cudi, Miguel, Rick Ross, and more.

Kanye West’s Lamborghini crashed.

2013-05-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

Kanye West’s US$750 000 Lamborghini crashed into Kim Kardashian’s gate yesterday afternoon. The supercar was being returned from a service when the driver failed to drive into the driveway. The gate then closed on the car but caused minimal damage.

Big Sean Details Eminem Studio Session

2013-05-16T03:17:00.004-07:00

Big Sean says, "you gotta have a sense of what's right and what's wrong," in regards to Rick Ross controversy.

In late April, a photo of Detroit emcee’s Big Sean, Eminem, and Royce Da 5’9” surfaced online and consequently caused quite the stir on the internet. Details on the studio session have remained relatively scarce, but during a recent appearance on NiteCap With Peter Bailey, Big Sean spoke briefly on the session he deemed “historical.”

The Motor City spitter didn’t comment on whether or not any recordings for his sophomore album Hall Of Famewere made, but did state that he talked to both Eminem and Royce for hours and was able to speak with the pair about the impact they’ve made for artists in Detroit.

“It was crazy just coming from Detroit. We sat and talked for a couple of hours, even before we did anything musically. You know what I’m saying? So, I was just telling them how much—how crazy it is man coming from The D,” said Big Sean. “Them was the superstars. Them was the heroes in rap music. And they showed me that you can be worldwide. Cause it was always local heroes, but obviously one of the biggest rappers in the world is from Detroit. It was a big deal there. It was an honor man, straight up.”

Big Sean, who partnered with Adidas last year, also spoke on Rick Ross’ controversial “U.O.E.N.O.” lyric and the rapper being dropped from Reebok following the public outcry to the song.

“The content for this new album has been way more mature. People are gonna see as soon as you start putting the content out. I don’t think you should necessarily censor what you say if you feel like how you feel,” the rapper revealed. “I don’t think he ever censors what he says. He apologized for it. I don’t think he meant it how it came across…You gotta have a sense of what’s right and what’s wrong.”

DIDDY CAR PULLED OVER AT GUNPOINT

2013-05-16T03:07:00.001-07:00

Diddy caused a big commotion outside the most swanky place in L.A. today ... well, it was actually Diddy's car that triggered a guns-drawn response by L.A. County Sheriff's deputies.

We've learned Diddy had just been dropped off at the Soho House ... an ultra-exclusive, private club in West Hollywood. Diddy's bodyguard and another person drove Diddy's $500,000 Maybach away from Soho, but they didn't get far.

We're told someone called 911 and said someone inside the Maybach had a gun. At least 9 squad cars roared to the scene. Cops pulled their guns and ordered the occupants of the Maybach out of the car and made them lie prone on the ground, until they discovered there weren't any guns.

The street was closed down temporarily until deputies gave the all-clear.

French Montana "Excuse My French" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist

2013-04-13T07:30:00.001-07:00

1. Once in a While
2. Trap House
3. Ain’t Worried About Nothin
4. Paranoid
5. When I Want
6. Fuck What Happens Tonight
7. Gifted
8. Ballin Out
9. I Told Em
10. Pop That (Ft. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross)
11. Freaks (Ft. Nicki Minaj)
12. We Go Where Ever We Want
13. Bust It Open
14. Drink Freely
15. Throw It in the Bag
16. Marble Floors (Ft. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz)
17. Ocho Cinco (Ft. Diddy, Red Cafe, MGK & Los)

Rick Ross (@rickrozay) Responds To Reebok, Releases Formal Apology Statement

2013-04-13T07:24:00.001-07:00

Less than 24 hours ago, Rick Ross was dropped from an endorsement deal with shoemaker and apparel brand Reebok. Following a two weeks of protests and apologies song lyrics ("U.O.E.N.O.") interpreted as condoning rape, But will all know that this is a fraud as usual from him this maybach bums love to rape women how weak.

50 Cent Bowls While Wearing Gunplay's Chain

2012-10-13T05:48:00.001-07:00

50 Cent and G-Unit managed to grab Gunplay's chain during a fight at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

50 Cent and G-Unit got into it with Gunplay at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards, with the crew attacking the Maybach Music Group member in the parking lot.
Gunplay said that he wasn't sure what happened to his chain during the melee, but now, some new footage courtesy of KYSDC.com shows where it went.
In the clip, Fif is shown bowling in Washington, D.C. After he throws the ball down the lane, he turns around to reveal that he's wearing the diamond-encrusted MMG pendant.

Rihanna "Unapologetic" Cover Art

2012-10-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Rihanna preps the release of her aptly titled seventh LP.

Rihanna has reportedly named her upcoming album Seven, due November 19th via Def Jam/Island Def Jam.
While unconfirmed by her label or the singer herself, the album title and release date have been posted to HitsDailyDouble's release calendar.
Ri has been quietly at work on the upcoming LP, which marks her seventh album over the past eight years. She most recently released the album's lead single "Diamonds" and announced her "Diamonds World Tour."
She last dropped Talk That Talk in November 2011. Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 198,000 copies sold.

Machine Gun Kelly Says 50 Cent Taunted Diddy Outside Of His Trailer Before Gunplay Fight

2012-10-13T05:37:00.001-07:00

Machine Gun Kelly shares his account of what happened during the brawl between Gunplay and members of 50 Cent's entourage.

Details in regards to the fight that included Miami rapper Gunplay and alleged members of 50 Cent’s entourage have continued to emerge following the melee which took place in a parking lot during the taping of the BET Hip Hop Awards on September 29.
While appearing on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, Bad Boy artist Machine Gun Kelly offered up another account of what went down during the taping of the awards show. According to the rapper, just minutes prior to the fight 50 Cent made a few sarcastic comments about Diddy outside of the Bad Boy Records founder’s trailer.
“I was about to go say ‘what’s up’ and introduce myself to Gunplay right when that was about to happen,” MGK explained. “Right before that happened Fifty came up to Puff – I think it was the other way around…I don’t like to stay in one place I like to roam and just look at people so I was just roaming through the trailers and I just remember Fifty coming up outside of Puff’s trailer and being like, but Puff was on the inside of his trailer so he said to somebody and was like, ‘What kind of money Puff say he was getting again? I can count that shit on one hand man’…I thought it was all funny and sarcastic and then two seconds later the whole Gunplay thing popped off.”
Following Machine Gun Kelly’s commentary on the scuffle, the topic of fight versus flight came up and the Cleveland rapper spoke on an incident in which he thought he was on the verge of an incident similar to Gunplay’s.
“In Philly, we pulled up to the radio station and there was a black SUV outside of it and it was two black dudes in the SUV,” said the rapper in a video posted on HipHop-n-More.com. “And right when I hopped out the thing I heard, ‘Man, fuck Cleveland. Fuck them Browns. Fuck Machine Gun Kelly.’ And the first thing I’m thinking and I put myself in the position, I put myself in the Gunplay position. I was like the first thing I thought was someone’s trying to World Star me right now so I was like, ‘Fuck you!’”
Machine Gun Kelly appeared on The Breakfast Club this morning (October 11) to promote his debut album, Lace Up, which was released on October 9.

Pictures: Dammy Krane and Pasuma Wonder Record New Single!

2012-10-13T05:33:00.002-07:00

These pictures were taken earlier today when Legendary Fuji artiste, Pasuma Wonder, and New-School “Fuji/Pop” sensation Dammy Krane hit the studio to record a new single.
From my understanding, Dammy Krane tweeted a couple of days back that he would love to record with a top Fuji act and asked his fans/followers for their opinion. As expected, most people mentioned Pasuma, so this news comes as a very welcome development. I have no idea what the song sounds like yet, but it will be mixed, mastered and hopefully, sent in soon.
*O.O*