Alleged album art for Styles P's long-overdue album, Time Is Money, now slated for November 14th. Good to see that Curtis finally gave the go-ahead on this one. I'm sure the art guy didn't run out of colored ink.

Back by popular demand.

Rizoh's Radio 11: Steal This Tape!
1. Rumble [Intro]
2. Where It Started - Hi-Tek ft. Talib Kweli, Papoose, Jadakiss & Raekwon
3. Crooklyn Dodgers - 9th Wonder ft. Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek
4. I Am - Diddy ft. Aasim
5. I Love It - Young Jeezy
6. Weight - The Alchemist ft. Ghostface
7. Watch How It Go Down (Rmx) - Termanology ft. Lil' Fame & Papoose
8. You Don't Know - Eminem, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks & Ca$his
9. Iceman - Lloyd Banks ft. Scarface, Young Buck, 8-Ball & MJG
10. Slash Interlude
11. Roof Top - Raekwon
12. Everything I Love - Diddy ft. NaS & Cee-Lo
13. **Mystery Track**
14. The Truth - AZ
15. Me, My Baby & My Cadillac - Sleepy Brown
16. My Love - JT ft. T.I.
17. Music For Life
18. Outro

| Download |

The Game - Hustler's Dream (poor quality)
Dre or no Dre, about 500,000 people will still go out and cop the Doctor's Advocate within the first couple of weeks. My only gripe with JT is that he's quickly morphing into the "Ludacris of the west coast"; His ability to soar is often grounded by his reluctance inability to push that potential of his to the limit. It's like duke takes two steps forward and 4 back.

Still, Game is 2/3 right now. Notice that there's barely any name-dropping on "Hustler's Dream"? Hopefully, we'll have a better version of later. Stay tuned.

Bonus:
Eminem, 50 Cent, Ca$his, Lloyd Banks - You Don't Know (CD Quality)
The first single from the forthcoming Re-Up compilation, out December 5th.

The Game - 1-800-Homicide
Taken from my current favorite album, Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip out October 17th.

Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles) - The King is Down (Rakim Diss)
Okay, this guy is not only dissin' Rakim for stuff that happened 50 years ago, he's also going at God's Son just because Nas won't do a track with him. Plus, what's with all the name-calling? I guess he lied about not calling Ra by name.

*Yawn*

-Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Bird Flu dance. "I called this bird flu because this beat gon kill everyone!" WTF!!!!

-Lost youths find hope in hip-hop, or so says Bakari Kitwana, former Source Executive Editor.

-Video: Fat Joe ft. Lil Wayne - Make It Rain. I actually like this song, but I can't say the same for the music video.

-Beyonce and Jay-Z join Snoop, Mary J., Ciara, Missy and others in Nigeria next month.

-According to WuTangCorp.com Raekwon has now signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath.

-Not hip-hop related, but international border volleyball is something the senate might wanna consider.

A guy who posts as "Lupe" on Atlantic Records message board claims that the 58,000 units reported by Billboard is missing Best Buy's figures:

hahahaha....hi my peoples...actually this weeks Billboards numbers are off because of an error!!!...Best Buy hadnt turned in their sales...I must remind I was the number #1 seller at Best Buy this week...the numbers without Best Buy stand at 57,000...the new numbers will be out this friday after they turn in...hahahahaha...GOD IS GREAT!!!!

Judging by the same user's previous posts, there's no doubt in my mind that Lupe truly made the above entry. I wonder why he didn't post this on his MySpace blog which is more popular and obviously has the capacity to reach more folks. Then again, I wonder why hitsdailydouble.com reported 85,000, while Billboard claimed it was only 58,000.

Not that it's impossible for him to have really done those shitty numbers--after all, he's not dissin' anybody or making up some gimmicky dance moves. However, according to Best Buy's official website, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor is the current best seller in the rap / hip-hop category.

UPDATE: Lupe was absolutely right. Not only did a recent Atlantic Records press release corroborate this claim, Billboard has also noted that "system failure at a significant chain made it impossible for data from that company's stores to be included when Nielsen SoundScan processed the sales charts that were released Sept. 29 on Billboard.com and Billboard.biz."

Caption this pic!

-Chris Martin raps on Jay-Z's album. But, it's not likely to make the cut.

-Finally!A hip-hop action figure that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

-How do you manage to write a best-selling book if you can't read and/or write?

-Foxy Brown reaches an agreement with former employee, charges dropped.

-New book to explore the Bible's influence on slavery.

-YBF has an interesting overview of some questionable media reports surrounding Rev Run's newborn daughter's death.

-Paul Wall picks the Phil Collins sampled "I Don't Care" as the first single from his forthcoming Get Money, Stay True. I bet you he'll what it do us to death as well.

-Download: The Game's "Let's Ride" Single [CDS-197kbps]. Includes a capella, clean, dirty, and instrumental.


Photo [Lil Keke] © Rizoh

You probably remember Ms Myles from Rhymefest's first video, "Brand New," with K-West. Since then, she's added more music clips to her resume including, but not limited to, Nelly Furtado's brand new video for "Promiscous Girl." The ever-smiling California-e native recently unveiled a multimedia CD available through her official website, BriaMyles.com. Move over, Buffie.

More Bria Myles Pictorial
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8

-Not that it's the first time I've noticed this sort of plagiarism, but, there's something unethical about jacking another person's piece word for word. I'm talking about these guys jacking this article. He eventually agreed to add the source.

-Will.i.am says he was nervous when he first met The Game. Duh, he jumped Ras Kass by himself. Who wouldn't be? s/c

Speaking of JT...

-He won't drive Maybachs or wear button-ups, but he sure looks awkward on this cover of the November XXL.

-You know the world is coming to an end when folks like Michael Jackson are getting dropped from their label. What's the word on that Method Man rumor by the way?

-Gnarls Barkley takes the "if it ain't broke..." approach on their second album. (Update: They're no longer sure if there'll be a second Gnarls Barkley album.)

-I was just about to exhale a sigh of relief at the sight of this headline before realizing that The Boondocks comic strip won't return anytime soon. Let me find out Aaron McGruder has joined Dave Chappelle in Africa.

-Bumpy Knuckles takes a break from dissin' Nah'Right.com posters to beef with Rakim...of all people.

-Shots fired atJim Jones concert, two men arrested.

R.I.P. Etta Baker

I'd be surprised if Esco drops earlier than the first quarter of 2007. Apparently, Def Jam wants us to pretend that Reggie is dropping an album anytime soon.

• Redman
  Red Gone Wild
  October 3
  
  
• Shareefa
  Point of No Return
  October 24
  
  
• Lady Sovereign
  Public Warning
  October 31
  
  
• Bobby Valentino
  Special Occasion
  November 14
  
  
• Jay-Z
  Kingdom Come
  November 21
  
  
• Young Jeezy
  Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration
  December 12
  
  
• Nas
  Hip-Hop Is Dead...The N
  December 12

(PSst: These things change by the minute, so I'll try to keep you posted, depending on how often UMG updates their shit.) Updated.

Contrary to popular belief, "It's a Love Thing" is a Pete Rock & CL Smooth throwback that first appeared on PR's Soul Survivor 2. I know you don't buy records, so I had to clarify that.

As far as American Me, Corey Penn's Soul Food kitchen is still open for business. Of course, it's nowhere near Mecca & The Soul Brother, but CL's spit game is still as smooth as ever. I'll have a review on it later. For now, listen to these three songs and let me know if it's 'yay' or 'nay'.

C L Smooth - American Me Track Listing
1. "American Me [Intro]" (Mike Loe)
2. "American Me" (Produced by Rsonist [Heatmakerz])
3. "I Can't Help It" (Produced by Mike Loe)
4. "Call on Me" (Produced by Kaygee & Tramp for Divine Mill)
5. "Black Heart Radio [Interlude]" (Produced by Mike Loe)
6. "CL Smooth Unplugged" (Produced by Squarta)
7. "Warm Outside" (Produced by Rsonist [Heatmakerz])
8. "Terrorism [Interlude]" (Produced by DonJoe & Del)
9. "Gorilla Pimpin'" (Produced by Kaygee & Tramp Divine Mill)
10. "The Impossible" (Produced by Mike Loe)
11. "It’s A Love Thing (Produced by Pete Rock)"
12. "Smoke in the Air" (Produced by Mike Loe)
13. "Travel Sometime [Interlude]"
14. "The Stroll" (Produced by Rsonist [Heatmakerz])
15. "American Me [Outro]" (Produced by Mike Loe)
16. "All We Ever Know" (Produced by Mike Loe)
17. Heaven Is Watching You (Produced by Kaygee & Tramp Divine Mill)

Release Date: October 31, 2006
Label: Shaman Works Recordings


See Also...
-Top 10 Rap Releases for October 2006

Daz Dillinger has quietly dropped a CD laden with "some West Coast G'd Down South flavor" (his own words), and managed to sell 23,000 units so far. Don't be No. 23,001, get it here for free on this west coast edition of the Weekly CD Contest.

Same rules as before.

1) What's Daz's real name?
2) Daz is Snoop Dogg's cousin. True or False?
3) 2Pac's "Got My Mind Made Up" was produced by Daz originally for _________.

Good Luck!

Visit The Rap Up Forums

In case you didn't know, The Rap Up message board has been up and running for about four years now. That's where I honed my craft prior to the whole blog thing. We don't do Cd contests there, but you're welcome to add to our collection of celeb mug shots and wack album covers.

JD, who recently turned 34, was seen celebrating his birthday at Hennessy Paradis in L.A. This showcase is nothing compared to Nas' birthday party in terms of hip-hop celeb turnout.

While you were busy googling that fake Kingdom Come tracklisting, the album art & tracklisting for Hi-Teknology 2 stealthily invaded the 'nets. I already love this album on paper.



















Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip Tracklisting

1. "The Oracle (Intro)"
2. "The Chip"
3. "Keep It Moving" (feat. Dion, Q-Tip & Kurupt)
4. "I Think I Got a Beat" (feat. Lil' Tone)
5. "Can We Go Back" (feat. Talib Kweli & Ayak)
6. "Josephine" (feat. The Willie Cottrell Band, Ghostface Killah & Pretty Ugly)
7. "March" (feat. Common)
8. "Where It Started At (NY)" (feat. Dion, Jadakiss, Papoose, Talib Kweli & Raekwon)
9. "1-800-Homicide" (feat. The Game & Dion)
10. "Money Don't Make U Rich" (feat. Strong Arm Steady)
11. "Baby We Can Do It" (feat. Czar*Nok)
12. "Let it Go" (feat. Dion & Talib Kweli)
13. "People Going Down" (feat. The Willie Cottrell Band)
14. "So Tired" (feat. Dion, Bun B, Devin the Dude & Pretty Ugly)
15. "Music For Life" (feat. J Dilla, Nas, Common, Busta Rhymes & Marsha)
16. "How We Do It" (feat. Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli & Slim Thug)
17. "Time is Now" (feat. Reflection Eternal)
18. "We Get Down" (feat. Mos Def, Raphael Saadiq & Bootsy Collins)

Release Date: October 17th

Good to see Slim back doing videos, but you already know how much I love the song. Seriously, how do you go from "Locked Up" and "Ghetto" to "Smack That"?

-Video: Young Buck - I Know You Want Me. All I can say is that it doesn't deserve its own post.

-Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor on pace to shift 100,000 units next week. Better than I expected. If you're one of those "hip-hop is dead" types, do yourself and the rest of us a favor: stop complaining and go cop this album as well as Game Theory.

-Mario Etheridge (man who shot proof) found guilty on two counts.

-Play and Dana Dane teach Hip-Hop Class

-Dave Mays and Benzino's new publication, Hip-Hop Weekly, gets a street date. Those guys are some comedians.

-Jay-Z adds a MOBO to his awards tally. But, he didn't show up for the obvious reasons.

-Hip-Hop Caucus to protest at the White House.

The Game - Strip Club (Let's Ride) [CD Quality]

A solid single once you get past the uninspiring title.

-Game's radio interview right before they premiered "Let's Ride."
-He runs through the list of producers and collaborators on The Doctor's Advocate which doesn't include Dr. Dre.

-Drops a subliminal diss to Black Eyed Peas, then turns around and says that the will.i.am-produced "Compton" is his favorite track on the album

-Interesting Allhiphop.com interview with Game. Apparently, he's still beefing with his brother. This guy really needs to switch to vegetarian.

-Again, he dodges the Dre factor tactfully in that AHH interview. Last I checked on UMG's site, The Doctor's Advocate was labeled "Aftermath"...Interesting.

-Oprah for President?

-Weird Al Yankovic murders Chamillionaire (on his own sh*t, that is.)

-Another teenybopper violates rap.

-Eminem expands his hu$tle.

-Speaking of Em, his divorce proceedings will now go through a mediator. Huh?

-Uncle LL will co-develop, poduce and star in a new TV series.

-DMC of Run-DMC to be honored for helping abandoned children. Who said hip-hop was all about negativity and violence.

(PSssst: Posts will be sporadic for a while, owing to Blogger's incessant hiccups + the death of my laptop's hard drive last week. Unless, of course, 'Pac returns from Cuba anytime soon.)

Take a crack at these three questions for a chance to snatch this week's CD contest. Same rules as before.

1) What's the name of Lupe's old group? Hint: The group disbanded after their first single failed to take off.

2) Former B.I.G. manager Mark Pitts helped bring Lupe to his current home at Atlantic. Name the three record companies that failed to put the Chicago emcee on the map.

3) What was the main thing Lupe said he wanted to have on his contract? (e.g. full ownership of his masters; an expensive Porshe; a $500,000 rolex, access to Mya's phone number, etc)

What better way to show off bling than to paste them on Bey's hangers?

-Video: Jim Jones - We Fly High

-The Doctor's Advocate pushed back, as Game readies a new Scott Storch-laced single, "Let's Ride."

-The Jay-Z/Water For Life site is up. There, you can view photos from Jay-Z's world tour as well as his diaries. Sample entry: I went jogging in the park and was being followed by kids in Roc-A-Wear T-shirts. They had their hats just right. The only way to tell they weren't from New York is when they spoke,"Yay Zee you are thee best, always."

-XXL needs a new Managing Editor. Four years of magazine managing editor experience required.

-Lupe says that the only guests on his album are Jay-Z and Jill Scott. (But you already knew that.) Watch him catch some flack for saying that he's not ready to work with "crazy, violent, shoot-'em-up" people.

-One of my favorite producers RjD2 says "F*ck Hip-Hop" and signs to XL. (spotted via spinemagazine.com)

-If Whitney has been undergoing rehab in Cali since April, then how did she find the time to file for divorce?

-Is the KKK dispanding because hip-hop is doing a better job of degrading/killing black people than they could ever imagine? True or not, there's an element of reality there.

-Xzibit: "Rap is a reflection of society. If society wasn't violent, then hip-hop wouldn't be violent." So, the only thing going on in society is violence? F*ck outta here.

Ras Kass - Hush Baby (The Game Diss) (mp3)
Considering the fact that Ras Kass is the west coast's last standing lyricist extraordinaire, I expected nothing short of an etherization. On the contrary, I imagine that this will horrible diss will barely deflate Game's ego. *Keeps an eye out for 1000 Bars.*

Raekwon - Roof Top (mp3)
Now that Jay-Z has decided to swing back and takeover the game, I doubt anybody is still checking for Cuban Linx II (or Hip-Hop Is Dead for that matter). Still, it makes me smile to see Rae in top form after 12+ years in the game.

Bonus Bites:

• Elliot Ness - Temptation
  
• Akon - Walk Away
  
• Michael Jackson - Escape
  
• Ras Kass - Get It In
  
• A.G. - Hip-Hop Quotable (Produced by J Dilla)
  

Like Food & Liquor, the album art is in perfect disagreement with the title, but it works.

(Via the other Rap-Up)

And here's Game on E! Channel sharing his thoughts on Jay-Z's comeback and what it means for hip-hop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ras Kass shows off his black eye from the fight gives Hip-Hop Police something to worry about.

-Ras Kass gets his jaw broken by The Game. Must have been a "nigga moment." (Where's Riley Freeman when you need him?)

-Jim Jones' new album, Hustler's P.O.M.E. is slated to drop in the some month as his best friend Nas' Hip-Hop Is Dead.

-If "Lonelygirl15" was black or hispanic, I wonder if it would have been such a big deal.

-Here's the Entertainment Weekly exclusive article on Jay-Z's return.

UPDATED
--More pictures from Nas' birthday party. They had an 80's theme going on there, I see. Surprised Capo didn't crash the bash to try and slap the kufi off Nas' head.

-Gawker launches a shitty music blog.

-Hardly Art, Hardly Garbage joins Nastack.com in blog retirement home...I think.

-Ghostface Killah loses $50,000 after failing to submit a manuscript for his book. (Look in the Side Dish section.)

(Props to Bill)

You should really see the evil smile on my face as I type this. Never mind that Ras Kass is a monster on the mic, he's an asshole in person. Turns out Game managed to pick up a few Publicity Stunt 101 tricks from his ex-boss, Fitty, and decided to break a bottle over Ras Kass' head.

Ras Kass sez:

"The n---a tried to jump me 30 to 2, yet I'm alive and chillin'," Ras Kass said in a statement. "My sweater is still white and all my jewelry intact. Game is a 'Change Of Heart,' stripping, fake-ass blood, who sold some records riding Dr Dre's shirt tails."

"I guess he thought this would help him sell some more records. I was so unfazed by it all that I went up to his car afterwards and challenged him right there. Game is no match for me physically or lyrically," explained the rapper.

The Game sez:

"Aint nobody hit that dude but me, he's crazy talking about 30 people," Game told AllHipHop.com. "I never had beef and never met Ras Kass, unless it was a quick exhange saying hello. He talked about my son by name. You can say what you want about me, but what does my son got to do with it? I seen the n***a in the club. I walked up to him in the club and it was my mans birthday, so I didn't want to mess up his party. When the lights came on, at the end I asked him about the freestyle. He said it wasn't nothing, but he started in on that 'it's whatever I'm Ras Kass and punched him in the face before he could finish."

I find it amazing that both artists were eager to speak on the incident afterwards.

Other than the fact that Young Hot Rod (worst rap name ever?) sounds like he's reading his rhymes directly from a sheet of paper, I don't have much of a problem with this song.

Everyone from Diddy and Dallas Austin to Jadakiss and Styles P came out to celebrate with the home Nas on his 33rd birthday yesterday (September 13th).


























Rosie Perez ― Marsha (of Floetry)












Jungle & NaS ― Mario & Nick Cannon












Styles P ― Sean Paul












Diddy ― Praz












Dana Dane & Slick Rick ― Dallas Austin












Chamillionaire ―Jadakiss & Carmelo Anthony

I noticed that some online retail outlets have changed Hip-Hop Is Dead's release date from Noveember 7 to November 21. I find it ridiculously disturbing that Hov plans to drop his post-retirement album, so-called Kingdom Come (WTFF!?), within a week of releasing Nasir's Hip-Hop Is Dead (again, WTFF!?). I don't like either album title, but I digress.

Billboard.com on Jay-Z's Kingdom Come

Details are beginning to surface about Jay-Z's long-rumored comeback album, which will be his first since announcing his retirement three years ago and becoming president of Def Jam. The new disc is reportedly titled "Kingdom Come" and due in November via Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. It is expected to feature production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Kanye West and Coldplay's Chris Martin.

In July, Pharrell Williams told Billboard.com the Neptunes are also producing tracks for the album. As previously reported, Hype Williams* will direct the music video for the first single, which is said to be "Show Me What You Got."

NaS on Hip-Hop Is Dead

"It's probably the best record I ever did," Nas told AllHipHop.com. "I mean, when you work in the studio for a while, sometimes you think its great, but you don't know what it is until the people hear it. So I hope the people agree."

"I'm just with Def Jam," Nas said. "I haven't worked with anybody but myself. A little bit of work with Jay [Z], just for the fans out there and just for us."
Nas said Hip-Hop is Dead will be available to retail outlets on Nov. 7.

There are several theories on what may have prompted Hov's decision to un-retire: he got fired, he's trying to carry Def Jam on his back to end their sales slump, Beyonce told him to step down, etc. The bigger issue, to me at least, is whether or not it's a good idea for him to drop around the same time as Nas. (Keep in mind that The Game is also eyeing that November release date.)

How do you think these two artists will fare in terms of sales / legacy / music quality / overral impression on fans? Will they deliver or will someone get pushed back for the other? Could they possibly be onto something that we're not aware of?



*You gotta love the way Billboard maintains that Hype Williams has been hired to direct Jay's first video, while everyone else insists that F. Gary Gray has been tapped for the job.

-"Hip-Hop Is Dead is my best album" - NaS. Yeah, whatever. Don't they all say that?

-Lil' Kim to pay tribute to MC Lyte at VH-1 Honors. Now, Kim goes ahead to say that Lyte influenced her. Um, someone help me out here.

-Beyonce's B'Day sells 541,000 to clinch the No. 1 spot on Billboard.

-Hip-Hop Class? Get that sh*t outta here, says a Cincinatti mom.

-Elsewhere in Ohioa math teacher is using hip-hop to help her students learn.

-Speaking of hip-hop, do we need Flava Flav expands his hu$tle. Do we really need another ear pollutant?

-Bobby Brown replaces my favorite white girl on the cover of the October Vibe.

Regardless of your opinion on how the man, there's a little 2Pac in everyone of us. Remember him for his spirit, not for his shortcomings. Rest in peace, Tupac Shakur.

• Greatest rapper ever? If you ask me, I'd say he was the most influential. Let's leave it at that.
  
• Download: 10 Tupac Albums
  
• 10 Years Later: HHNLive 2Pac Tribute
  
• AwesomeTupac video tribute.
• Another well-rounded 2Pac video tribute
  
• Plenty of 2pac magazine covers.
  
• BBC 1-Xtra commemorates 2Pac's death.
  

-More civillians have died (an estimated 72,000) as a result of 9/11 than Americans have been killed by any terrorist attack.

-F*ck Tall Isrealis. Island Def Jam is on top this time.

-Fat Joe is signed to Atlantic...no, Virgin...no, Koch. Nope. Fat Joe is signed to Fat Joe.

-Jay-Z sold nuclear weapons to Iraq.

-Hip-hop shop owner gets 10 years for raping a minor, family calls Oprah to help them seek justice.

-We could always use a Snoop Dogg headline that doesn't involve dragging women on leashes for a change. Snoop and Beyonce are headed to Africa to celebrate Nigeria's independence.

-Is there any such thing as a foiled terrorist attack, especially if someone died in the course of the attack?

-Is anyone surprised that this member of the Black Eyed Peas is a drug addict? (Ah, ok...didn't think so.)

Lupe Fiasco ft. Sarah Green - Real (mp3)
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool (mp3)
Lupe Fiasco ft. Jay-Z - Pressure (mp3)

I've never done this before, but I'll say this of Lupe's Food & Liquor: BUY IT!

-Diddy sued for changing his name.

-Janet Jackson gets 'naked'...again.

-Def Jam-mania at the 2006 Billboard Hip-Hop & R&B Awards.

-Queen Latifah thanks Oprah for helping her quit smoking.

-Juelz and Lil Wayne to release a collaborative album.

-Ian, the King of Links has an awesome 9/11 tribute for yo eyes.

-Beyonce pulls her biggest publicity stunt yet. Apparently, riding trains is a new way of promoting albums these days. At least we've moved from getting shot to riding the train. I can't keep up.

-On the latest episode of "Who Cares," Dipset's Freeky Zeeky speaks from behind bars.

-Download: Brand new Raekwon song.

Papoose | Kay Slay | Lupe
















Cam'ron | Ghostface













Flavaaaa Flaaaav | Diddy














Miss Info | Capo













Car Show Models

The Fader Blog recently sat down with Swizz Beatz and he played them a track that supposedly samples a line from Nasir's "Hate Me Now"--"when you on top there's envy." When asked if the track will appear on Hip-Hop Is Dead (Nas' upcoming Def Jam debut), Swizz replied that it's actually for Nas and Jay-Z.

Peep game:

"...last night at a party in NYC for toy company Kid Robot (where Swizz is a partner), dude got on the CD-Js to test out new material - namely, a moody banger sampling Nasir's "when you on top, there's envy" line. We asked if it was going on the new Nas record, and Swizzy said the track is for Nas AND Jay. Dunt dunt dunnnnn..."

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here, but this sounds like that dream collabo you've been holding your breath for. Now I really hope they don't end up forcing things in the studio just because we've had our hands out for five years wishing for this to happen. Kinda reminds me of Rakim saying that the ONLY way Nas is getting featured on his album is if the vibe is right and the song is spectacular.

The rest of the Fader interview with Swizz Beatz is definitely worth your 12 minutes, seeing as he talks about other stuff he's been working on, and how he was able to clear those Biggie Jay-Z samples for Cassidy and T.I.

The CD Contest is back.

This week, one lucky fan will walk away with a copy of Rick Ross' crack manifesto, Port of Miami. Same rules as before: leave your response in the comment section. US residents only. 1st correct answer wins.

Now take a shot at these two easy questions for a chance to win Port of Miami (crack not included).

Questions:
1) How many times does Rick Ross reference the number "22" on "Hustlin'"?
2) Port of Miami fell out of Billboard's Top 10 after ___ weeks.

Bonus Question:*
-Rick Ross could easily play _______ in a movie, and is often regarded as the bootlegg version of ________. His beard has also earned him comparisons to _________, while his weight is reminiscent of _______'s.

*Answer the bonus question correctly and miss one of the two main questions for a chance to snatch the contest.

Watch 50 Cent's Arrest Video (Real Player) (via Smartenupnas.com)

So, Fitty got arrested by his bodyguards hip-hop police for ridin' dirty: unsafe lane change, expired permit, unregistered vehicle, and lack of insurance. I wonder why my bullshit-o-meter suddenly turned red.

Update: As expected, Curtis is no longer in police custody. According to these guys, he was let go after a friend showed up with proof that 50 truly owns the silver Lamborghini (pictured above) he was driving when he got arrested. Like they really needed any proof.

Somehow Related: I've been reading Derrick Parker's Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from the NYPD's First Hip-Hop Cop (Parker is the grandfather of Hip-Hop Police) and he advises law enforcement to "approach the hip-hop community with more sensitivity," while stressing the consequences of making a high-profile rapper do the "perp walk" in public. One being a heightened sense of hostility towards po-po, causing them to cooperate even less with the police than they already do.

Interesting point.

I'll keep you updated with a book review when I'm done reading six months from now.



And just for kicks, here's Diddy celebrating* Fitty's arrest...




*Not really, but fun nonetheless. (Pic via: The Surface News)

Food & Liquor Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Real Feat. Sarah Green
3. Just Might Be OK (ft. Gemini)
4. Kick, Push
5. I Got'cha
6. The Instrumental (ft. Jonah Matranga)
7. He Say She Say (ft. Gemini and Sarah Green)
8. Sunshine
9. Daydreamin' (ft. Jill Scott)
10. The Cool
11. Hurt Me Soul
12. Pressure (ft. Jay-Z)
13. American Terrorist (ft. Matthew Santos)
14. The Emperor's Soundtrack
15. Kick, Push II
16. Outro

Credits For The Album:
Chill − Producer
Gemini − Featured Vocals
Lupe Fiasco − Vocals Writer
Matt Santos − Featured Vocals
Pharrell − Featured Vocals
Prolyfic (?) − Producer
Rudy Lopez PKA Soundtrakk − Producer
Soundtrakk − Producer
Wasalu Jaco (that would be Lupe)− Composer Writer

Say what you want about the Michael Jackson-esque album art, but the tracklisting looks encouraging. By the way, I double-checked...it's authentic.

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-Lupe Fiasco ft. Sway - We Love You
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-And on the latest episode of Publicity Stunt 101, Sissy Diddy and Fitty squash their so-called beef.

-Radio listenership up by 27% in India. My question, "What are they listening to?"

-Ludacris still trippin' on that Oprah sh*t.

-Beyonce gets a million-dollar Rolls Royce (from you know) who for her birthday.

-Charles Barkley for Governor.

-To the naysayers, here's another solid proof that the good doctor is on Game's new album. Who's the liar now, Curtis?

-A hilarious entry by my boy Joey on the stupidity of some PR folks.

Beyonce and Jay-Z






































Rihanna













Fergie [Black Eyed Peas]



























Vida Guerra - Dorm Daze 2 Signing

LeToya ft. Nas - She Don't (Remix)
I don't mean to be on a Nas roll lately, but I couldn't pass this one up. Plus, everyone seems to be craving some new Nas right about now. Enjoy.

Fat Joe, Scott Storch and Lil' Wayne on the set of Joe's video for "Make it Rain"

-Paris Hilton arrested.

-Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony dropping 2 albums this year. One will feature Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Ice Cube, and Akon.

-Lil' Scrappy's Money in the Bank game.

-Not that this should surprise anyone: experts predict that Beyonce will sell anywhere from 600,000 to 650,000 next week.

-"I want my marriage to work" - Snoop Dogg

-No marriage for Beyonce just yet.

-According to The Source magazine blog Rakim has hooked up with MySpace.com to find opening acts for his tour.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, the London-born actor who played 50 Cent's step-dad in the Get Rich or Die Tryin' movie has been arrested for driving without a license.

-Download: Raekwon - "Cuban Chronicles" (mp3)

Tentative November date, huh? More essentially, Game and Nas on the same day...Nice.

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Nas - Hip-Hop is Dead...The N Track Listing
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-The Game adds Lauryn Hill to the already star-studded lineup for The Devil's Doctor's Advocate.

-Free Gnarls Barkley concert at Houston's Warehouse Live September 14th, 2006.

-Speaking of which, check out some videos from Rakim's concert.

-Diddy and Kim Porter expecting twins. Kim is now set for life whether they eventually tie the knot or not.

-Janet Jackson backs Hillary Clinton for Presidency.

-Universal to buy BMG Publishing. Let the monopoly begin.

-Ice Cube on some hip-hop revolution sh*t. Now all he has to do is walk the walk.

-Two Def Jam releases debut in the Top 10 this week. Method Man at No.8 with 62,000 and The Roots at No.9 with 61,000.

A 2-minute video clip of Mos Def's "impromptu" performance and arrest at the 2006 VMAs. If this doesn't build any buzz for his forthcoming Tru3 Magic album, then nothing else will.

(Happy B'day)

-Video: Pharoahe Monch - Push (Windows Media) -- I've been saying it for a while, this is one of my favorite songs at the moment. Glad to see he was able to get a video for this. (Spotted via Spine Magazine) Update: Soomeone asked for the mp3

-HHHNLive.com chats up Ice Cube: "Anybody who thinks they're gangsta or tries to be gangsta all the time is probably an actor." No argument there.

-This week's Mixtape Monday is boring. As crazy as it sounds, I'm actually looking forward to that Ludacris track "Do Your Time" featuring Beanie Sigel, Pimp C and C-Murder.

-Details on the 2007 Africa Unite Festival

-Allen Iverson sued over a beat down.

-Steve Irwin's last moments were videotaped. I actually enjoyed his show, even though I found it a bit extreme at times.R.I.P.

-MySpace to start selling mp3s.

-The Fader Blog chats up DJ Drama

-The Village Voice fires well-known writer and music critic Robert Christgau.

-Shout out to Fox News own Isiah Carey for his flattery-enriched feature on Rizoh.

(Click to see pictures from the Rakim concert)

-I know...I know, he needs to hurry up and drop that disc, right? Depending on how you view it, he might actually have a good reason for delaying it.

-He didn't go into the specifics as much as I would have liked him to, but I'm starting to think that he's not even completely aware of the specifics himself. e.g. The Nas track hasn't happened yet, but it's still on the coffee table.

-Not revealing the guests (other than Nas) is less of a business move and more of a who-knows-since-we're-still-recording situation.

-Needless to say, the live show was off the pliers. Some kid damn near touched the sky when "Microphone Fiend" came on. Wonder why Ra's head stays wrapped up in a towel, though. I felt so bad for sleeping on V-Zilla; dude is one of the illest lyricisits out of Houston right now.

-Ras Kass gave a decent show, even though he forgot some of his lyrics. Off stage he was a complete asshole. I saw dude backstage and complimented him on his performance (even though Houston wasn't feeling him), and he shook my hands and all. Then when, I asked him for a photo, he looked at me like I'm crazy and walked away. Not that I expected him to get excited about anything, but at least keep it polite and / professional.

-On the other hand, Ra was cool the whole time. Even though he rocked the stage longer (and better) than Ras, he stayed up for a while and hung out with fans, whereas Ras never showed up for our planned interview.

-On the whole, I had a nice time, but I was tired as fuck, and ready to hit the road. I must have left Warehouse around 3.am.

-Shout out to J Butters for helping me out a bit on this. Thanks to Matthew Kemp for teaching me the essence of "patience and persistence."

Rakim Concert Videos:

Warming up the crowd


"Paid in Full"


"Microphone Fiend"


Interview
Concert Photos
Concert Review

"I'm a do like Boo-Boo and dis niggas right when the album's about to come out"

G-Unit Radio Pt. 22 - Track Listing

1)Hip Hop Is Dead Intro
2)50 Cent - Hip Hop
3)50 Cent feat Prodigy,40 Glocc -Serial Killer
4)50 Cent feat Tony Yayo -Watch Yo Back
5)Lloyd Banks - Survivor
6)50 Cent - skit
7)Diddy New shit
8)50 Cent feat Tony Yayo ,Hot Rod - Get Down
9)50 Cent - Dont Front
10)50 Cent feat Tony Yayo ,Lloyd Banks ,Hot Rod - Girl Gimme Yo Number
11)50 Cent - Superstar
12)50 Cent feat Fergie - London London
13)50 Cent Feat Hot Rod - I got Hoes prod by Whoo Kid/Dj Dirt T
14)50 Cent - Mind Sex
15)50 Cent -Puppy Love
16)Young Buck feat Jazze Pha - If you want Some
17)Drunk Diddy outro

In promotion of Dorm Daze 2 which features Vida Guerra. I heard she's also working on DMX-ing the game with her own hip-hop album. If Elton John and David Hasselhoff could do it, so can Vida. After all, she's collaborated with more rappers than Elton and Hasselhoff put together. (Spotted via CutieCentral)

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"F**k Kanye!"

Griffen - B-Boycott (mp3) (produced by Bionik)
They say it's the most important song of our generation, I say it's worth a listen. Every couple of years, a marginally talented rapper knocks down industry doors via a "fuck-the-whole-world" gambit. 50 Cent ("How to Rob"), Big Sty ("It's a Problem"), and now Griffen. Only difference being that this guy isn't slinging mud at every known rapper out there, and there's a wealth of talent building up here.

Black October (Riverside Drive Records / Female Fun)

Track Listing:
1) Black October (DJ Spinna)
2) Throw Tha Ball (Ayatollah)
3) Tha Post (Diamond)
4) If You feat. Boss Money, Big Meg & Tommy Gibbs (Marco Polo)
5) Million Dolla Deal (Scotty Blanco)
6) X Is A Machine (J-Zone)
7) Interlude (Spencer Doran)
8) Eternally Yours (The Asmatik)
9) Untraceable (Scotty Blanco)
10) My Mind feat. Greg Nice (Greg Nice)
11) Chosen Few feat. Brand Nubian (Gensu Dean)
12) On Tha Come Thru (Da Beatminerz)
13) Who (DJ paWL of Hangar 18)
14) Outro ...

The sad thing about Sadat X's new record is that it drops the same month he starts his jail term.

Needless to say, this year's VMAs is the worst award show of the year so far. Jack Black failed miserably.

T.I.














T.I. - Lil' Kim












Snoop Dogg - Chamillionaire












Beyonce - Wyclef












Fantasia - Kanye












Beyonce performs "Ring the Alarm"













Wyclef + Shakira - Rihanna + NeYo












The Jones Family: Nas - Destiny - Kelis












Hov & Nasty