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Wiz Khalifa Discusses the Pittsburgh Scene

2012-02-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

Wiz Khalifa has become one of hip hop's brightest stars over the past year and a half, and he's also become one of Pittsburgh, PA's most celebrated native sons. In a recent interview, the rapper talked to MTV about his hometown and the impact his success has had on it.

"With the music, it's a whole new avenue we done opened up for kids and for people to look up to," said Khalifa. "It's a reality now out there, so it's really important for us to just embrace 'em and motivate 'em and push 'em forward."

"You really won't get it if you're not from there," he continued. "Just growing up in Pittsburgh and knowing different neighborhoods, having family there and just loving it, it's like no other place."

He also acknowledged that Pittsburgh typically gets overshadowed by Philadelphia.

"We always had love for Philly. It was harder for Philly to embrace us because we're a little bit slower to them or to more East Coast towns. Philly is more East Coast than Pittsburgh. It's closer to New Jersey and New York, so the vibe is way more fast-paced. Pittsburgh, it's just laid-back ... Midwest almost on some country stuff."

Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" Banned By BET

2012-02-01T12:43:00.000-05:00

Nicki Minaj's new video "Stupid Hoe" has been banned by BET. TMZ has confirmed that the clip won't be shown on the network both due to explicit content and the song's inflammatory and derogatory chorus.

"Stupid Hoe" has been extraordinarly popular on YouTube, however, having already reached more than 20 million views since January 20th.

Neither Nicki Minaj nor her spokespeople have commented on the network's decision. The song is a preceding single from her upcoming Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded album.

BREAKING NEWS: Don Cornelius Dead

2012-02-01T12:39:00.000-05:00

Don Cornelius, the founder and longtime host of the popular music and dance show "Soul Train," was found dead in Los Angeles at the age of 75. He died of a gunshot wound at a house on Mullholland Drive, according to Los Angeles police. The gunshot appears to be a self-inflicted. The show also showcased legendary R&B and pop performers including Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Sly & the Family Stone, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, Elton John, Kid N Play and Janet Jackson.

Cornelius closed every show with his infamous mantra of "Love, Peace and SOOOOOOUL" which became his trademark catchphrase. The theme song for "Soul Train," composed by legendary songwriters Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and performed Philadelphia International house band MFSB became a #1 hit on Billboard in 1974 under the name "TSOP: The Sound of Philadelphia."

"Soul Train" left an indelible mark on American pop culture and helped introduce Black music and culture to audiences that had little exposure to it on national television. Don Cornelius leaves behind a significant legacy as a television and entertainment pioneer. Before the emergence of "Yo@! MTV Raps," before BET and before TVOne, "Soul Train" was America's first and most committed window into African American creativity in music and dance.

Drake Clarifies Shot At Kobe's Wife

2012-02-01T12:33:00.002-05:00

Young Money rapper Drake sought to clear up the buzz surrounding his "Stay Schemin'" verse and his rhyme that seemed to be a shot towards Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant's divorce from his longtime wife, Vanessa. Drizzy says that he was not trying to disrespect the former Mrs. Bryant.

"That line came from a conversation about being this young and making this much money and the fear of losing it all," he said. "I just used his potential situation to address my own life. I never intended to offend Vanessa or anyone else. That line had everything to do with me and what goes on in my head as a 25 year old man with this much income flowing in. Kobe is and always will be a friend and an icon to me."

Amber Rose's Face Tat Is Fake

2012-02-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

Amber Rose continues to find ways to stay in your conversation. Wiz Khalifa-s arm candy was spotted with a face tattoo. The image hit the web and of course, got tongues wagging about the weird lightening bolt tat she was sporting.

But a rep for Rose says the ink is not permanent; and Rose confirmed it later.

"@HONKIEKONG Nah cuz I don't want my young Rosebuds to go get tatted cuz they think I did totally understand what ur saying tho :-)," she tweeted.

Birdman Following Thru On Bet?

2012-02-01T12:27:00.000-05:00

Bryan "Birdman" Williams claimed two weeks ago that he was going to bet $5 million on the New York Giants in the upcoming Super Bowl. While some people, including rapper 50 Cent, didn't seem to take the Cash Money CEO seriously, it looks like he could go through with it.

BetOnline said that they would take the bet if he was willing to make it.

"If Birdman is prepared to put his money where his mouth is, we are prepared to accept his $5 million wager on either the point spread or the money line of Super Bowl XLVI," said Dave Mason, BetOnline brand manager, in a statement. "Birdman simply needs to go to BetOnline and register online. Then, he can email me directly and I will provide him wire instructions in order to get his $5 million in post-up funds sent in a timely manner so we can proceed with the bet. Once Birdman's bet is in, we will release a snapshot of the bet in his account, and Birdman will finally have proof that he is the sports bettor who he boasts of being."

Mariah Carey Checks Jermaine Dupri?

2012-02-01T12:19:00.003-05:00

Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri have a long-standing working relationship. The two have collaborated as far back as the mid-90s and their careers together reached their peak back in 2005, when JD spearheaded Carey's comeback with the stellar album The Emancipation of Mimi.

But that doesn't mean Carey can't playfully poke fun at her hitmaking friend.

MC took some playful jabs at Dupri after he 'kept her waiting' in the sudio.

"Where is JD? Because I know he had to go to Vegas and blah-blah-blah...must be nice," Carey 'complained' jokingly, before chastising Dupri.

"First of all, time out...here's my issue--don't talk over me." she 'snapped.' "Why do you feel the need to be on Global 14 constantly? Technology in the room when we're writing is not always 100% beneficial for productivity. Because it distracts people."

Ashanti On Life Post-Murder, Inc

2012-02-01T12:17:00.003-05:00

Ashanti is in the midst of her comeback, but she knows everyone still wants to hear about her messy split from her former label Murder, Inc. and her subsequent 'disappearance' from the music scene. The sexy star, however, wants to assure everyone that she has moved on from the past and that she needed a break to clear her head.

“The label I was with kinda fell under an indictment and that actually put a hold on everything," she told "Access Hollywood." "It was like a black cloud that I had to kinda come out of and we had to do a lot of damage control. I felt that I wanted to distance myself from that. I did Broadway, I did some films, I did John Tucker Must Die, I did Resident Evil. I just had to regroup and say we’re gonna have a fresh start and I’m gonna try to put my business hat on and try to look for a different angle to approach the music. The industry was changing dramatically in those past three years.”

Jennifer Lopez On Remarrying Mark

2012-02-01T12:15:00.001-05:00

Jennifer Lopez was coy about her 2011 divorce from former husband Mark Anthony during a recent appearance on David Letterman's "The Late Show." J. Lo's numerous failed marriages and relationships are well-documented, but when the late night guru attempted to 'go there,' Lopez showed that she can dance around a subject better than most.

Letterman asked her if she would ever reconcile with Anthony, to which Lopez replied, "Try the same one over again? I don't know what you mean."

When Letterman asked how many times she'd been married (as if he and everyone in America didn't know), she again side-stepped playfully.

"A couple ... I believe in love," Lopez replied.

Letterman asked her if it was difficult working with her ex-hubby on "Q'Viva" and she slightly opened up. "It's fun because we know each other so well, but it has its moments. The same things that didn't really work ... sometimes come up," she said, ramming her fists together for emphasis. When Letterman asked her to be specific, she said, "Communication. You're talking and you don't agree on something and then you're like, 'Oh, be quiet,' " Lopez explained, laughing.

Meek Mill Aims For December Release

2012-01-31T12:48:00.001-05:00

Meek Mill isn't saying much about his upcoming debut album, but the Maybach Music Group rapper did reveal few things about the project in a recent interview with Hot 97's Angie Martinez. Mill even gave fans an estimation for when the album will be hitting the streets.

"Actually, I'm working on my album, trying to get my album right for the beginning of December [2012]," he said. The rapper also revealed that having a young family to care for has helped him stay focused, but also has been stressful due to his hectic schedule.

"My baby's eight-months [old]," he explained. "I make it happen, though. You always gotta go home, at least once a week and make sure everything's straight…I'm in a relationship. It's rough sometimes, you know how it gets, leaving home for a month [to tour]…we make it work. I ain't married, I'm only 24 right now, but things gonna happen."

"My girl's a rider. I was in jail before [MMG blew up], locked up nine months. My girl was riding, com[ing to] see me every week…[that part of my life's] over. It was a learning experience, it was a good thing for me, though," he shared. "I just had to see it and know that's not what I want to be. I get to come out and tell some young boys that that's what they ain't want to be. It put me on a straight path."

will.i.am Album Details Emerge

2012-01-31T12:44:00.001-05:00

will.i.am has revealed that there will be a laundry list of A-list guest stars on his upcoming album #willpower. The rapper/producer has announced some of the guests on the project; he's already released the single "T.H.E." with Mick Jagger and Jennifer Lopez.

"#willpower is just a reminder to myself of staying contestant with the dream – keeping the dream alive," he explained. "It was all a dream when I was 15 years old – 20 years later I managed to take the dream from an idea to physicality. So #willpower is uplifting songs, encouragement for those that need it."

"I have a song with Alicia Keys – me, Alicia and Swedish House Mafia," he continued. "I have a song with The Beats, which is pretty grand. Me and Shakira have been trying to finish the stuff we started, and me and Britney is really crazy."

"So we got a song with me, LMFAO and Eva Simons," will added. "A song with me and Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz. I got a whole other bunch of collaborations."

Bow Wow's Tax Issues Worsen

2012-01-31T12:35:00.003-05:00

Rapper Bow Wow was revealed to owe the IRS more than $90,000 back in November 2011, but it appears the Young Money star is in more trouble than was reported previously. In what seems to be an ongoing problem for YMCMB artists, the rapper faces some serious tax issues.

TMZ reports that a new tax lien was filed on January 9 in Georgia, saying Bow Wow owes $15,279.62 for unpaid taxes from 2008 and another $19,700.91 from 2010.

Bow Wow owes a total of $126,086.14.

Maino Explains "I Still Love You"

2012-01-31T12:33:00.000-05:00

Maino decided to clear up the speculation surrounding his track "I Still Love You," which appeared to be about Lil Kim. Maino says the two's relationship was strictly platonic, and the song was about how they may no longer associate with each other but he will always love her for their bond.

"I think people are taking it way out of context," Maino said in an interview. "You know when you have relationships with certain people, you may have real genuine love for them but you just can't f*ck with them. That's all I was saying. ... I still got love for you, we don't really f*ck with each other but I still got love for you. You know the thing is, I saw the comments, 'Oh Maino's in love with Lil Kim.' They forgot in the song that I said, 'I was your brother.' ... You know when you got love for somebody but you can love them from afar, you want them to do their thing but y'all aren't built for close proximity. That's all."

Gabrielle Union Talks Relationships

2012-01-31T12:31:00.000-05:00

Gabrielle Union doesn't always talk about her relationship with NBA baller Dwyane Wade, but Gabby opened up in a recent interview about her life with the Miami Heat star and what her plans are for the future. Could babies be somewhere down the line?

"D and I have a life together, too. I love my life in Miami, I can't imagine functioning without both, I love the design district, I love Midtown, I love what's happening downtown now. I can be at People's Bar-B-Que or Sustain or Prime One Twelve, and I'm comfortable. It's rare for me to feel that level of freedom. Miami represents joy for me."

"I was never someone who thought about having kids – I mean, they're great in theory, but I never imagined having one [myself]. Maybe over the next five years I could wrap my brain around becoming a mother and what that would mean in terms of sacrifice and dedication. I don't do anything impulsively, so more toward the five years out than the one-year."

Machine Gun Kelly On Diddy's Rant:

2012-01-31T12:29:00.000-05:00

Diddy went ballistic on Twitter at the news that Bad Boy artist Machine Gun Kelly had been arrested in Florida this weekend. But MGK says that he talked to his boss and everything has been smoothed over.

According to Kelly, Diddy just didn't quite know everything that had happened.

"You can tell he's, like, playful with it, but there's a serious tone behind [it]," Machine Gun Kelly told MTV News. "I talked to Puff today, and he's like, 'It's all good. Do what you do. You did what you had to do.'"

Diddy also thought MGK was involved in a car wreck that did include one of the young rapper's friends. "He thought I was in the car too, so he thought I got arrested twice. It was like the first arrest was cool, like, all right, he'll let it slide. But when he [thought it was two arrests], he was like, 'What the f---? You got arrested two times? Something is wrong with you, man?'"

"He was, like, spazzing out," Kelly added. "I think all the label is on edge about how we rock."

Kim Kardashian Wants Tim Tebow?

2012-01-31T12:25:00.000-05:00

A strange rumor is floating around the web that a certain serial-dating socialite may have set her eyes on a virginal quarterback for the Denver Broncos. That's right, Kim Kardashian has reportedly sent her henchmen to fetch Tim Tebow.

But word on the street is Tim isn't interested.

“Kim needs to rehab her image to get her career revved up again,” explained a source. “Dating someone like Tim Tebow would certainly do the trick.”

“Tim’s been made aware of Kim’s crush, and although flattered, he’s not interested,” said another unnamed source. “He’s an avowed virgin who’s saving himself for marriage and is looking for a woman with similar values, not someone with two failed marriages AND a sex tape in her past!”

Amber Rose Slams Kanye AGAIN

2012-01-31T12:20:00.000-05:00

For someone who loves her current boyfriend Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose sure has spent a lot of time talking about her ex, Kanye West, lately. The buxom beauty was again slandering her ex during an interview this past weekend with the New York Post.

"He is your typical rapper in the industry," Amber said. "He can't be faithful, and it's not just with one person. He's just unfaithful with a lot of different women. I got to the point where I thought, my heart can't take it anymore. I don't deserve this. I don't care when people say that I owe him my life because I'm famous now. I don't owe him nothing."

Wiz is starting to sound more and more like a rebound. Is she over Kanye?

Cory Gunz Busted For Gun Possession

2012-01-30T17:23:00.002-05:00

Young Money rapper Cory Gunz was arrested for gun possession in the Bronx, New York this weekend. The star was busted this past Saturday (January 28) afternoon, and his father, rapper Peter Gunz, detailed to MTV News what happened to his son.

"The details are still sketchy, but I can confirm that he was arrested with a firearm yesterday in the Bronx," Gunz told MTV News. "They caught him around 2 p.m. in the afternoon with a loaded gun in his knapsack.

"It was definitely an illegal search," Peter Gunz added.

"I spoke to the arresting officer, and so far, what I'm hearing from him is that they got a phone call at the station saying they should 'look out,' " Gunz said. "According to [the officer], they didn't know he was Cory Gunz. They just saw a bunch of kids following him around. What I will say is that the officer that arrested Cory actually happened to be a cool dude. After arresting Cory, sitting down with him and talking, he felt bad about the situation."

"To go to a precinct and see your son, your junior, in handcuffs, it's heartbreaking," he said. "Anytime you see your child in jail, in the cell, in handcuffs, it's very hard. He's walked down some of the same paths that I walked down, but you never want to see your kids go through what you went through."

Nicki Minaj Performing With Madonna

2012-01-30T17:21:00.002-05:00

While it's been known for months that pop icon Madonna will be taking the stage at this year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Material Girl's performance details have been shrouded in mystery. At least, that was the case until last week, when it was announced that Cee-Lo Green will also play a part in the show.

Now it looks like another superstar from the world of hip hop could be onstage with Madge. Nicki Minaj gave an eyebrow-raising statement on Twitter about her busy schedule that revealed a Super Bowl performance alongside the Queen of Pop.

"Super Bowl rehearsals w/the Queen ;) ----> RT @HumbleNika: @NICKIMINAJ what does your agenda contain today Nic? :)," she tweeted.

Drake Performs At NHL All-Star Game

2012-01-30T17:17:00.002-05:00

Drake showed some love to his home country's favorite sport by performing at the NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa yesterday (January 29.) The Young Money star appeared at Scotiabank Place, wearing a custom NHL "Drake" jersey and performed his hit "Headlines."

He also let fans know that it was special for him to take the stage at the event.

"If you're proud to be Canadian tonight, I want to hear you make some noise one time!" Drake shouted to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Drake, I grew up on the sport that we are here celebrating this evening, and this is one of the greatest honors I've ever received. I grew up playing hockey. I used to play right wing."

French Montana Is A Bad Boy First

2012-01-30T17:13:00.000-05:00

Rapper French Montana joined Diddy's Bad Boy Records on his own terms. According to Montana, he has become the first artist in the history of one of hip hop's longest-running labels to own his publishing. In an interview with Real Talk NY, the rapper explained his situation.

“I think I’m the first person - and I ain’t tell this to nobody - I’m the first person in the whole history of Bad Boy not to sign my publishing to Bad Boy or Puff,” he said. “Everything I asked for, Puff kept his word. In my eyes, he a real n***a for that. So far, so good. I have no complaints.”

Montana also spoke on Diddy's reputation for not quite being square with his artists.

“I feel like a person, as a man, should never judge somebody on his situation with other people. You should always judge a person based on their situation with you. The situation you got with each other is the only way you can judge a man,” he continued. “I find it kind of weird. How can someone jerk you and give you the paperwork for your lawyer to see… It’s not like they’re tricking you. It’s not like words get up in the middle of the night and change on the contract. You just gotta get good lawyers. Of course, Puff is going to have the best lawyers.”

Drake Is Not Responding To Common

2012-01-30T17:09:00.002-05:00

Drake says that he's done with the Common feud. Common himself recently said that he was moving on, only to make a few more backhanded comments in interviews and freestyles about the Young Money star. But Drake says he will not be responding to anything Common says in the future.

“No," Drake said when asked about responding further to his nemesis. "Because despite how it’s been worded by him, that situation is not a ‘hip hop moment’ or a ‘battle for the sake of musical integrity'--it’s a ploy for attention around the release of an album."

“More than anything it was just disappointing cause what kid isn’t a fan of what Common has done for our genre," Drake continued. "A guy who made such an incredible career for himself based off expressing genuine feelings about life and love is now targeting me for sharing my story.”

"DRAKE" Tattoo Story Takes Weirder Twist

2012-01-30T17:02:00.002-05:00

This story just seems to never go away--and every week it gets weirder and weirder.

Everyone recalls that an obsessed Drake had the rapper's name tattooed across her forehead. The tattoo led to a strange feud between Drake and the artist, Kevin Campbell, that gave the woman the controversial tat. Well, now, an equally-ridiculous fan has one-upped that woman in the weird department.

A girl posted a Facebook pic of her latest tattoo--a tattoo of the original crazy woman with "DRAKE" tattooed on her forehead.

That's right. An obsessed fan got a tattoo of an obsessed fan's tattoo.

This is starting to feel like Inception.

Amber Rose's Relationship Stories

2012-01-30T16:58:00.000-05:00

Amber Rose loves talking about Wiz Khalifa. She doesn't care if you think she shares too much. She doesn't care if you think she's just a fame-chaser with a rapper fetish. She doesn't seem to care about much of anything other than loving her boo-thang.

"We both travel a lot, so when we do see each other, we lay up in the bed, get sticky with each other, and watch movies," said Amber. "If Wiz felt insecure about me dating Kanye, I wouldn't be with him today. Everyone is someone's sloppy seconds, unless you're a virgin."

"Like every poor person, I used to dream about winning the lottery," said Amber. "I didn't just get money, though. I got fame. And I got fame before I got money, and it was scary. It f---ing sucks."

Oprah Is NOT Blue Ivy's Godmother?

2012-01-30T16:55:00.002-05:00

Blue Ivy Carter has been the subject of more Internet gossip than celebrities that have been around for decades. The weeks old infant supposedly got the greatest of fairy godmothers last week, with Momma Beyonce and Poppa Jay-Z reportedly giving Oprah Winfrey the illustrious title.

Except there's no truth to it. At least that's what Oprah's longtime BFF Gayle King says.

"It's absolutely not true that she's the godmother," King said. "She's friends with them, of course, and likes them both very much. She's working on sending them a baby gift. She hasn't even had time to send a baby gift because she's been away. Let me just say, if (that report is) true, it is news to her. It is news to her. You know, she was heading to South Africa when the baby was born."2012.