T.I. and Tiny weren’t the only ones getting hitched this weekend. Another one of music’s high-profile couples, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, was married in an intimate ceremony in Italy.
Miss Info was first to reveal the couple’s union, which took place aboard a 260-foot yacht on the Mediterranean Sea, near Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda enclave. The celebration was attended by close family and friends.
Before breaking out the champagne across the Atlantic, the couple legally wed in the Tri-State region. During those nuptials, Keys reportedly wore a Vera Wang gown, Swizz was outfitted in Tom Ford, and both rocked footwear personally designed by their friend Christian Louboutin.
Prior to walking down the aisle, Swizz celebrated with two bachelor parties, one in New York and one at Sardinia’s opulent Billionaire Club on Friday (July 30).
Keys is pregnant with the couple’s first child, due later this year. This is the first marriage for the Grammy-winning singer and second for Swizz, who was previously married to R&B singer Mashonda.
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West invaded the Rolling Stone office this week to preview cuts from his upcoming solo album and explain the comeback process.
Details and footage of his latest cross-country stop hit the Internet Friday (July 30).
After gesturing for all the office's interns to join him and ask questions, West said he'd love to work with Lauryn Hill ("she's last of a dying breed") and Thom Yorke, made frequent references to Anchorman, Dodgeball and Semi-Pro, and joked that Twitter was designed with him in mind. "Rock stars just get scared and just run away from popular culture," he said. "It takes so much for me and Eminem to come back and embrace [it] and say, 'You know what? We have to deliver this on a major level to make a difference.'"
Earlier this week, West visited the office of social network site Twitter.
Kanye West's tour of Silicon Valley continued. After meeting withFacebook on Tuesday, the newest celebrity to join Twitter stopped by the micro-blogging service's headquarters for a visit that included him rapping new material from his as-yet-untitled album. "I admit my first watch was a Fossil, now I'm in the Louvre looking for fossils." "Lyrically can't none of ya'll murder 'Ye 'cause y'all raps ain't got no vertebrae/ And we all know the beats is like a mix between Fergie and Jesus."
A day prior, Yeezy shocked fans by showing up at FaceBook and freestyling new material.
Remember when Kanye first debuted he repeatedly said how much he wants to get respected as a rapper? Well, by now anybody with ears for rapping can attest to Mr. West's lyricism. Thanks to continuous reports and co-signs from hip-hop heavyweights who heard tracks off Good A** Job, the anticipation for the album continues to rise. Adding fuel to the fire, this clip of Yeezy humbly spitting several verses off his upcoming LP at Facebook HQ just adds a smile to our faces. "I am the day Ice Cube meets Mike Jackson. Keep them away, huh? Something might happen." Yea, son hear it for yourself.
Following his set, West blogged about the experience.
"To all my friends at Facebook, Many times in life I've had to deal with moments of doubt. And as it's been a minute since I've performed any fresh material in front of an audience, this could've been one of those moments... but it wasn't. Your energy was a gift so electric, so genuine, that it really helped me give my best. The energy was so inspiring I had to keep going! I just hope you got as much from me as I got from you...which was everything! Love to all my fans, especially at Facebook. Kanye West."
Check out footage of Kanye West at Rolling Stone below:
Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa has turned down an opportunity to sign with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Def Jam imprint for a deal with Atlantic Records.
Wiz made the move official via a broadcasted announcement on Friday (July 30).
"Yeah, I'm signing to Atlantic," Khalifa said. "We've been working on it for a minute. I wanted to make sure that I had records that I was comfortable with before I went to any label or any situation. I wanted to make sure I had my direction so when I take it to them it's like, 'Let's go.' ... It's a huge honor for [Ross] to even extend a hand like that. [It's] crazy for him to even look out like that. Me and Ross is always gonna be working. He sees my vision. I think he gets what I'm trying to do. Even if it ain't no paperwork between me and Ross, it's gonna be work done between me and Ross."
Ross publicly offered Wiz a chance to join a roster which includes his rap crew, Triple C's.
"You know, Wiz, what's happening, this is the Boss, Ricky Ross, Teflon Don," the rapper said in an interview. "You know we spoke of this in the last week or two, but my question is even more personal that I'd love to ask you right now. What would it take for us to close the deal, Wiz Khalifa and Maybach Music? I feel like the homie is a superstar. We discussed this last week. He's most definitely loyal to his team. But like I told him, there's always more to get."
Recently, both emcees hopped on the "Super High" remix.
"Ross just kept it G, dawg. He seen my movement, he seen Curren$y's movement. He recognized what we do together, but he recognized us as individuals as well as a team," Wiz said about the experience. "He reached out in a real way. Spiff [TV] called us. I think he reached out to Spitta first. Then Spiff, he reached out to me. I was still on another leg of my tour. So as soon as I got done with the last leg of my tour, soon as I got home, I went straight to the studio and knocked out the verse, sent it to Ross. He was like, 'I love it. I'm flying you out next week. We doing the video.'"
After Wiz's Deal Or No Deal album dropped last year, the rapper's label, Rostrum Records, hit up SOHH to speak on his movement.
"We have built a strong fanbase for Wiz," representative Arthur Pitt explained to SOHH, "even after leaving [Warner Bros. Records] and continue to do our thing grassroots. We dropped the album at a tough time too with no radio presence, major network video coverage, etc. 86 percent of the sales were digital which indicates the grip he has on the net which is the future of the business. We barely shipped more than a few thousand into stores...The impact that this album has had is just another stepping stone in Wiz's career. We are more concerned about artist development and building a real fanbase rather than have overnight success. This is my 5th year being a part of Wiz's career and we all couldn't be happier with the results. "
Kelly Rowland has been swept up in the latest round of album pushbacks. The Destiny’s Child diva has yet another release date.
The as-yet-untitled third album from Rowland is now scheduled to arrive on November 2, Rap-Up.com has learned. The project, for which she’s collaborated with Ne-Yo, David Guetta, and Bangladesh, was previously set to drop a week earlier on October 26.
Ms. Kelly is currently in the Land Down Under for an international promo tour. She performed at the Optus Love Lounge in Sydney for the Australian launch of the iPhone 4 and has been visiting radio stations.
She was interviewed by The Daily Telegraph where she spoke about a new girl power anthem she recorded called “I’m That Chick.” She also hopes to write with “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert.
There’s no place like home. Nicki Minaj tapped her red heels on set of a promo for the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. The Nickster channeled Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, but with a British accent. This ain’t Kansas, baby.
New York rapper Foxy Brown has shared her reaction to movie actress Lindsay Lohan's 90-day jail sentence and explaining how she can relate to being a jailed celebrity.
Brown said Lohan's stint behind bars reminded her of being sent to Rikers Island for a year on a parole violation in 2007.
"My heart goes out to Lindsay Lohan. I watched her being taken to jail and it brought back tears and memories. It wasn't all negative, I have to say that," Brown said in an interview. "People just automatically think that prison stereotypically is the worst place. I was unlawfully sent to prison for a year, but I kind of welcomed the serenity when I was sentenced and I knew I had to deal with this...When Puff says 'Mo money, mo problems,' it's really true. It's such a blessing being a celebrity. There are a lot of perks to being a celebrity, but the downside of it? Oh, man. You're constantly targeted. We all need to be law-abiding citizens, but I think each case needs to be ruled by the law, as opposed to this is a celebrity who is doing this and needs to be taught a lesson."
New York rapper Lil Kim recently vowed to support Lohan through her bid.
Lil' Kim whipped up her very own milkshake to mark her 35th birthday at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood on Sunday (July 11). The Queen Bee, who spent her own time behind bars, also weighed in on Lindsay Lohan's 90-day jail sentence. "There's a lot of bigger fish to be fried when it comes to the justice system," she shared. "Lindsay, she's my friend and I will be there for her and I will help her. I love you, Linds."
Prior to beginning her sentence earlier this month, Lohan hit up Twitter and channeled 50 Cent's "Patiently Waiting" 2003 record.
"in the words of 50 cent.. 'You shouldn't throw stones if you live in a glass house and if you got a glass jaw, you should watch yo mouth," she wote Tuesday (July 13).
Lohan may be released as early as this weekend.
Lohan, 24, is expected to be released by Sunday or Monday after serving two weeks of her 90-day sentence for violating probation in a drunken driving case. She'll next be headed for an L.A.-area residential rehab center.
Check out Lil Kim speaking on Lindsay Lohan down below:
Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj has begun cooking up titles for her long-awaited debut album, tossing off one unmistakeable name, The Album.
While a definitive title has not been determined yet, Minaj confirmed reports that November is when her debut will hit stores.
Nicki's fans will be crying tears of joy when her long-anticipated debut album hits stores. She promises the project will be out before the end of the year, and she's focusing heavily on recording her own songs. "Maybe a few things cooking," Nicki answered with a smile when asked if she has any more guest appearances coming up. "But right now, it's all about the album. November 23. Nothing comes before that." Then Nicki contemplated the title of her project. "Maybe we should call it ... The Album," she ruminated. "Nicki Minaj: The Album," she continued before dismissing the idea. "I don't know, it'll come."
Recently, Minaj revealed that Black Eyed Peas' frontman Will.i.am will be involved in the project.
"I don't want to say too much, but I just did some work with will.i.am," Minaj said in an interview. "Just something for my album that I'm really excited about. The album is much more emotional than you anticipate, which is a great thing. And I know women are gonna connect to the album so much. I felt like for so many years I was the girl who did the catchy little raps, and it's time for me now to tell my story, and in telling my story, I'm really telling every girl's story. We all go through the same thing. So the album is gonna feel very personal to every female."
Last spring, Minaj hinted at linking with Grammy-winning producer/rapper Kanye West for the LP.
"I'm probably definitely going to work with Kanye," she revealed in an interview. "On my debut, I worked with Sean Garrett. And probably Swizz Beatz, he's gonna send me something. I like to work with unknown producers as well, so I accept beats from everybody."
The animated rapper's originally announced her debut album date hit via twitter. .
Barbie fans across the world can rejoice. Nicki Minaj's as-yet-untitled debut album will officially hit stores on November 23. The news comes just four days after the Jamaica, Queens rapper took to her twitter account to alert fans about the special day. "Yes. It's time. November 23rd," she wrote last Thursday afternoon. At the time, XXLMag.com spoke to reps for her label at Young Money/Cash Money, and they couldn't confirm the date. But today, they informed us that the date is indeed set in stone.
Check out a recent Nicki Minaj interview down below:
Former Cash Money Records producer Mannie Fresh has revealed his top five favorite hitmakers of all time including legends like Timbaland and Roc-A-Fella beatmaker Just Blaze.
Also included in his list is iconic West Coast producer Dr. Dre.
"Probably would be Mantronix, one of them. Well if you got a couple of Mantronix songs you would know, even my patterns and stuff is based around it, his energy and that music was just always energy you know...T-Mix is the dude that did all of the Suave House stuff, all the early 8 Ball & MJG stuff...Just Blaze, I'm a fan of dude, what he do establishes just crazy to me...Who else would I think in this lifetime, dead or alive, probably Timbaland. Yeah I mean this dude won't go away...[Dr. Dre] is all around to me he just found phenomenal samples and he forced you to do your homework in Hip-Hop because you wanted to know where that song came from."
Fresh is known for pioneering the Cash Money sound as the group's main producer.
Mannie Fresh is currently an artist and hip-hop producer who records for Def Jam South. He is probably most famous for his time producing tracks for Cash Money Records from 1993 to 2005, and one half of the hip-hop duo, the Big Tymers with Birdman. In 2005, he split from Cash Money for financial reasons, and later joined Def Jam South, to which he is currently signed.
Last October, Juvenile told SOHH a Hot Boys reunion could not take place without Mannie Fresh.
"I always say that when people ask like, 'Man, they already paid me on the Hot Boys album,' so you know, with me, I'm already in. It's just a matter of everybody else being in. I don't think it would be right if we left Mannie Fresh out. Don't you think? He was the producer, he did all the music for Hot Boys, so we gotta have him involved, if he don't do the whole album [then] he gotta do something on there."
In the past, Fresh talked about his issues with Cash Money and why he left to pursue a solo career.
"On my way leaving out I said everybody can't be wrong but I don't wish that for nobody. I been in that place before and I know why Bangladesh feels that way. His life depends on it so it's like if you sold all these units then give me my money...Now, when something serious comes up and you think they got your money but they don't -- that's an eye opener for you. It was a learning lesson more than anything. Homeboy's business is never good. It's like having a friend and thinking you can trust them to do something. You should entrust your money the right way. Money makes everybody evil when you think about it."
Check out Juvenile speaking on Mannie Fresh below:
New York rapper Shyne recalls the publicized December 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting that landed him behind bars for a ten-year sentence. clear pixel
Based on an excerpt from his cover story, Shyne's decision to use a weapon around civilians was an act of self-defense.
"I can tell you I was defending myself and the muthaf*ckas that was with me," Shyne explains. "Listen, I live my life for what's right. When I grew up, death and harsh consequences and spending the rest of your life in the pen is a matter of fact. It's not somethin' that you read about in the newspaper...In my life, when I make decisions to roll, I roll. And I don't give a f*ck what the consequences are. If I'ma defend myself, I'ma defend myself. If somebody tryna kill or hurt one of my partnas or my comrades that's with me, there is no, 'Yo... or D*mn, well, if I pull this sh*t out, this is what's gonna happen.' No! I don't wanna die. I don't wanna be laid up in no f*ckin' hospital with a tube runnin' through me, hurtin' and sufferin'. Pain is real. So you know what? I'm not doin' that. You gon' do that, muthaf*cka. You gon' roll and say hi to Satan, not me. And that's that. After the fact, you deal with it. Your survival instincts tell you to protect and preserve, and you deal with whatever later."
Shyne's shootout took place in 1999 at the height of the rapper's popularity.
The fracas broke out on December 27, 1999, at a Manhattan nightclub where Shyne, Sean "Diddy" Combs with then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and their entourage had been partying. Around 3 a.m., Combs and Shyne allegedly began arguing with another group of patrons. Someone threw money at Combs, a gesture of disrespect, and guns started going off. Three bystanders were shot. Shyne, who police found with a pistol in his waistband, was arrested after bystanders identified him as one of the shooters. Shyne received a 10-year prison. Barrow has always claimed he acted in self-defense and only fired his gun after the other group, Matthew "Scar" Allen and his crew began shooting.
Despite being imprisoned, the rapper released an album in August 2004.
Jailed rapper Shyne, who signed a $3 million record deal and recorded part of his new album while in prison, had his phone privileges revoked and was barred from conducting in-person interviews as authorities investigate whether he may have violated prison rules in making about 100 phone calls.
Shyne's rise to fame came from his association with Diddy's Bad Boy Entertainment.
Shyne was well-known among the public before Bad Boy Records even released his debut -- which was, for many years, his only -- album. That album charted well, thanks in part to all the media attention he'd garnered over the years, and he showcased a remarkable talent for rapping despite his young-twenty-something age. The album wasn't an especially memorable work, however, and Shyne remained far better-known for his story than for his music.
Shyne was eventually released from prison in October 2009 and deported to Belize.
The September XXL Magazine drops Tuesday, August 10th.
Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco has opened up about a recent fan-launched online petition demanding Atlantic Records to put out his long-delayed Lasers album.
Calling the move a sign of progression, Lupe revealed how much of an impact his fans had on him.
"I love to see progression," he said yesterday via phone. "I love it. I love to see this petition. It brought me to tears a couple of times like, 'these n---as really f--- with me. All these kids and these fans f--- with me and it's some positive sh--. Go to Wearenotlosers.com and see what Lasers really is. ... That's what they're petitioning for. Listen to 'I'm Beamin,' the song. It reaffirms what we're doing...I don't think the label cares about an album. I don't think n---as care. People just want their number-one record. They don't care about the rest of the album. I was talking to an engineer the other day and he said, 'These n---as don't even care about mixing an album no more.' They just want the first three songs. Three singles. They get them, one, two, three, they don't care what's on the rest of the album. I know this for sure. I've seen it. You can't blame them because of the attention span of the game and the attention span of music, how fast things are going. You only got them one, two, three shots. I'm not no fool. I'm looking at it like 'Yeah, you're right.'"
The petition was aimed at Lupe's label home, Atlantic Records, and demanded a release date for Lasers.
"Dear Atlantic Records: The fans below have been waiting for the release for Lupe Fiasco's album 'Lasers' for over a good year now. Since when it was originally announced last summer, there has still yet to be a release date announced. It has even been stated by Lupe Fiasco the artist himself, that the album si in fact completed. Enough is enough, we demand that you stop playing around and give us the album that we have been highly anticipating since the release of The Cool."
Lupe's ex-producer Prolyfic called him out last week over the album's delay.
Prolyfic, born David Lemar Ewing Jr., took to Twitter last week (July 23) to express his sentiments regarding the Chicago emcee's oft-delayed album, to be released on Atlantic Records. According to the beatmaker, who produced a bevy of songs for Fiasco, including 'American Terrorist' and 'Pressure' off his debut effort, Food & Liquor,' the album fans are petitioning for is a lost cause. "Ain't no release date on #WeWantLazers cuz ain't NO F*CKING HITS on it! cuz @LupeFiasco REFUSES to makes hits.. not that he cant.. he wont!" Prolyfic wrote via Twitter.
Lupe has since responded and pointed out Prolyfic's inability to understand his situation.
While Prolyfic blamed the delay of Lasers on his belief that it had no hit singles for AtlanticRecords to get behind, Lupe stated, "PRO!...my man...[you're] not my manager...fall back...take all that 'advice' and further your career with it." As the two Chicago artists haven't worked together since 2006's Food & Liquor, he continued, "You put yourself on the outside...so don't be salty now that [you're] being treated like an outsider...My career is mine. And I'll proceed with it how I wish. [You're] ignorant to my situation and why WE move how WE do. Speak what you know, not what you think you know." Fiasco added, "Frankly you know very little. But I KNOW you lil bro, I'm the reason they even know you at all...I pray you sell a few beats the same way [you're] selling yourself right now. When the music stops who's gonna have a chair to sit in?"
Check out some past Lupe Fiasco footage down below:
Footage of Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West freestyling records from his upcoming Good A** Job album has landed online.
In the footage, Ye is seen at social networking website FaceBook's California headquarters.
Remember when Kanye first debuted he repeatedly said how much he wants to get respected as a rapper? Well, by now anybody with ears for rapping can attest to Mr. West's lyricism. Thanks to continuous reports and co-signs from hip-hop heavyweights who heard tracks off Good A** Job, the anticipation for the album continues to rise. Adding fuel to the fire, this clip of Yeezy humbly spitting several verses off his upcoming LP at Facebook HQ just adds a smile to our faces. "I am the day Ice Cube meets Mike Jackson. Keep them away, huh? Something might happen." Yea, son hear it for yourself.
Song titles from Ye's performance have also been revealed.
Kanye West has been showing up in all sorts of random places including LeBron James' NBA announcement, alongside King Tut's great-grandmother, and now the Facebook headquarters. Mr. West, in a designer suit, stopped by the social networking website's Palo Alto, Calif., offices on Tuesday (July 27) to perform four songs from his fifth album, including "Mama's Boyfriend," "Lost in the World," "Chain Heavy," and "Sweat on My Face."
Rick Ross recently opened up about observing West in the studio working on the forthcoming album.
"I was just like, Wow. I listened to [Kanye's] beats, and we working on what I'm doing, but then he's in another room cooking up something ... and just the intensity that you have to have to create albums that are gonna stand the test of time for years. He's such a great producer himself, and to have a Pete Rock over your shoulder just working on a particular sound and DJ Toomp, No ID, and Nicki Minaj, I see what's going on. It's The Chronic all over. That's exactly what I said when I walked into the room: This is The Chronic, this is how it had to be."
Earlier this summer, Young Money's Drake said West's new album would be memorable.
"I'm very much looking forward to the Kanye West album because I need to be scared and inspired for my second joint," Drake told radio personality Funkmaster Flex. "That ['Power'] record just had to happen. Kanye's a genius and I'm super excited for the rest of the album because I've heard some things that people haven't heard."
Kanye West's Good A** Job is scheduled to drop Tuesday, September 14th.
Check out Kanye West performing new songs down below:
Kanye West has finally been bitten by the Twitter bug. Fresh off his visit to Facebook’s offices, the rapper has signed up for the competing social networking service.
Mr. West surprised many when he joined the Twitterati on Wednesday (July 28). Instead of using a nickname like his rap peers @LilTunechi or @RickyRozay, he opted for a handle everyone knows and recognizes, @KanyeWest. His account has been verified and he currently follows no one.
“Up early in the morning taking meetings in Silicone Valley,” Yeezy wrote in one of his first tweets, later correcting himself. “Lol I spelled Silicon wrong ( I guess I was still thinking about the other type silicone ITS A PROCESS!! : )”
Kanye hasn’t always taken a liking to Twitter. In May 2009, he blasted the micro-blogging service for giving its users too much information. “WHY WOULD I USE TWITTER???” he asked in one of his all-caps blog entries. “I ONLY BLOG 5 PERCENT OF WHAT I’M UP TO IN THE FIRST PLACE. I’M ACTUALLY SLOW DELIVERING CONTENT BECAUSE I’M TOO BUSY ACTUALLY BUSY BEING CREATIVE MOST OF THE TIME AND IF I’M NOT AND I’M JUST LAYING ON A BEACH I WOULDN’T TELL THE WORLD. EVERYTHING THAT TWITTER OFFERS I NEED LESS OF.”
But maybe now he sees the benefit of using Twitter as a promotional vehicle for his new album, due September 14. Either way, Twitter just got more interesting.
Kanye West no longer wants a Good Ass Job. After much speculation, the hip-hop star has revealed that he is cooking up a new album title.
West took to his new Twitter page to answer the question his fans have been asking, what will he name his fifth album? “The album is no longer called Good Ass Job I’m bouncing a couple of titles around now,” he wrote.
He earlier announced that he would continue the college theme of his previous albums The College Dropout, Late Registration, and Graduation. Good Ass Job was to be the last installment in the series.
Kanye West’s fifth album is scheduled for a September 14 release.
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Recovery was able to fend off initial speculation of being topped by Rick Ross' Teflon Don and remained at No. 1 for his fifth consecutive week on the sales chart.
Although this represents Ross' first non-number one solo debut, the "Boss" still managed to land in the Top 3.
In this week's "Sales Wrap," Eminem's Recovery remained at No. 1 selling 187,200 copies. His latest effort has now sold 1,669,600 records to date. Rick Ross' Teflon Don opened at No. 2 with 176,700 sold units after its first-week in stores.
Initial estimates showed Ross' Teflon Don edging out Em's new album.
1. Rick Ross' Teflon Don: 188,816. 2. Eminem's Recovery: 187,968. 3. Sheryl Crow's 100 Miles From Memphis: 55,467. 4. Drake's Thank Me Later: 49,118.
Last week, Eminem's Recovery continued its reign on the charts.
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Recovery has shown no signs of slowing down as it scanned 195,500 records this week. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Slim Shady's latest offering has sold 1,482,500 records in one month of availability.
Ross celebrated his new album's release on Twitter late last night.
"no.1 album in the country..#TEFLONDON!!!!->http://tinyurl.com/23ykhvo," he wrote.
Rapper Common and video vixen Rihanna have both landed opportunities to show-off their acting skills in a new television pilot and upcoming movie.
Common has been cast for a lead role in a new AMC show called "Hell on Wheels."
Common will star as a half-black, half-white freed slave in "Hell on Wheels," a show about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s. The role of Elam is Common's first leading role on television, according to AMC's press release. The two-time Grammy winner has also had roles in the films "Just Wright," "Date Night," "Terminator Salvation" and "Smokin' Aces." The pilot will be shot in Alberta, Canada, next month.
An AMC executive has confirmed the network's decision to tag the rapper-turned-actor.
AMC's senior vice-president of programming Joel Stillerman said: "Common brings a layered intensity to a very complex role. This part required someone who can transcend the stereotypes of the period and bring the character to life in a truly unique way, and he brings that."
Rihanna will make her move into Hollywood in a blockbuster set to drop in 2012.
The 22-year-old pop star is set to make her film debut in Peter Berg's "Battleship" movie, set for release in May of 2012. Variety reports that Rihanna's deal was closed on Monday, though her role has not yet been confirmed. Filming on the summer tentpole will begin shortly in order to meet its release date. "Battleship" offers a fresh take on the classic board game, where naval forces unite on the high seas to battle an alien armada. Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights") and Alexander Skarsgard ("True Blood") have already been cast as two sailor brothers who partake in the fight.
Common's last movie, Just Wright, opened in theaters last May.
"Iron Man 2" has fought off all competition at the box office for a second weekend, boasting new earnings of $53 million. Ridley Scott's epic "Robin Hood," starring Russell Crowe as the legendary British outlaw and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian, settled for second place with $37.1 million on its debut weekend. Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave's romantic comedy "Letters to Juliet" debuted at three with nearly $13.8 million in earnings, while new basketball comedy "Just Wright," starring Queen Latifah and hip-hop star Common, debuted at four with takings of $8.5 million.
Rick Ross' Teflon Don will reportedly out-sell Eminem's Recovery and debut atop the sales charts this week.
According to estimates from Hits Daily Double, Ross will just barely out-sell Em.
1. Rick Ross' Teflon Don: 188,816. 2. Eminem's Recovery: 187,968. 3. Sheryl Crow's 100 Miles From Memphis: 55,467. 4. Drake's Thank Me Later: 49,118.
Last week, Eminem's Recovery continued its reign on the charts.
Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Recovery has shown no signs of slowing down as it scanned 195,500 records this week. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Slim Shady's latest offering has sold 1,482,500 records in one month of availability.
Def Jam Senior Marketing VP Chris Atlas recently said the label fully backed Ross' new album.
"We took the fact that he had so many people working with him on the record and captured it on film and video, which we are releasing around the Web," Atlas says. "Rick has been working nonstop since the last record feeding stuff to his lifestyle and street base. He's put out three or four mixtapes, and there is constant messaging to his core." Atlas says Ross is on a 10-city promotional tour and making club and radio station appearances. Atlas adds that Ross is starting to work with brands, due in part to his recent co-management deal with Sean "Diddy" Combs. "We're opening him up to working with brands," Atlas says. "He did some smaller stuff before, and he's been doing some things with Ciroc [a vodka brand Combs endorses]. But now he's starting to attract attention from some bigger names. For instance, he's using the nickname 'Ricky Rozay,' so some champagne brands are expressing a desire to do something."
In May 2009, Ross' Deeper Than Rap debuted atop the charts.
Rick Ross' Deeper Than Rap led the way this week landing at No. 1 with 158,000 scanned discs followed by the Hannah Montana soundtrack which landed at No. 2 with 104,300 copies and Depeche Mode's Sounds of the Universe at No. 3 with 80,100 copies. Asher Roth's Asleep in the Bread Aisle debuted at No. 5 with 62,000 copies while Chester French's Love the Future opened at No. 77 with 6,300 copies.
Listen to Kanye West & Rick Ross' "Live Fast, Die Young" song below:
Young Money's Drake recently weighed in on Lil Wayne's upcoming I'm Not A Human Being EP and revealed his guest appearance on the project.
Drake is also confident that rap fans are anxiously awaiting the new project.
"I'm on it," Drake said in an interview. "It's gonna transfer over to whatever he does. They're waiting for that new Wayne. I don't know if people are waiting for that new Drake. Thank Me Later was great -- it was phenomenal things I've never seen, like people lining up. But it might have just been the moment -- that's yet to be proven. But Wayne is just a proven artist. There's no doubt in my mind that people are waiting for that I'm Not a Human Being, that Carter IV, that Wayne and Drake album. All that!"
According to Wayne's co-manager and Young Money CEO Cortez Bryant, the EP will hit stores in late September.
"I'm putting out a [Wayne] album called I'm Not A Human Being and I'll probably drop it on his birthday, September 27...We not about to roll out no three month set up. I'm not even putting it out in stores. We just gonna put it out virally and maybe package it up for Christmas. Give 'em a hard copy later for fan appreciation."
Prior to going to Rikers, Wayne publicly announced an interest in continuing his music career from jail.
Ironically, before Wayne went behind bars, the rapper told Rolling Stone that he planned to keep working while in prison: "I'll have an iPod, and I'll make sure they keep sending me beats." Guess the lack of one turned out to be more a burden than he could bear--no surprise for a guy who recorded at all hours of the day and night back when he was a free man.
Despite being given a one-year sentence for a gun conviction, Wayne is expected to be released in November.
The rapper was jailed for 12 months in March after he pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession. But prison records obtained suggest that the rapper's projected release date is November 4 - four months early.
Check out a pre-jail Lil Wayne interview down below:
Foxy Brown has reportedly lost her attorney at Bruce Baron Associates, in the midst of an assault case that took place last week.
According to reports, the legal firm's assistance was terminated Tuesday (July 27) morning.
Foxy Brown, the rapper who has recently had very public run-ins with the law, faced even more problems this morning as her attorney dropped her as a client. The New York Post reported that Bruce Barron Associates withdrew their services right before Ms. Brown was scheduled to make a court appearance this morning. Sources did not explain the sudden drop.
Upon entering her court appearance, Brown's camp accused victim Arlene Raymond of being a stalker.
Foxy Brown asked a Brooklyn judge for a protection order today against a neighbor after a sidewalk showdown with the woman landed the raunchy rapper in jail. But Judge Geraldine Pickett had a better idea: "Walk the other direction." Picket, instead, extended the order of protection already in place against Brown who was arrested last week after she allegedly mooned neighbor Arlene Raymond during a profanity-filled tirade outside her Brooklyn home. "She's a stalker," said Brown's manager, Bernadette Brennan, of Raymond. "Foxy just lives her life."
Details on what allegedly took place hit the Internet last week.
Foxy's camp says she was minding her own business and "has never been more focused," but victim Arlene Raymond claims the rapper called her a "dirty b*tch" and then pulled up her skirt and mooned her while yelling "kiss my a**"! What does Foxy's lawyer have to say about that? "Foxy [pictured] would never lift her dress, not in a million years." It's true, only classy ladies get charged with Class E felonies.
An ex-therapist for Brown has also come forward to speak on the rapper's past problems.
"It doesn't surprise me," said the therapist, who requested anonymity. "She's obviously got a lot of issues and needs ongoing help, and I hope she gets it." The counselor said Brown has struggled to cope with a loss of hearing while trying to launch her comeback. "I think she's got a lot of frustration and a lot of sadness, and she's trying to grab power where she can," the therapist said.
Rapper Charles Hamilton has reportedly checked into the NewYork Presbyterian Mental Hospital in an effort to gain control over his life.
Speaking in an interview, Hamilton explained his decision to seek medical help.
"Basically my stay here [NY Presbyterian Mental Hospital] is like identical to my stay in the industry. As far as being the new guy in here having to deal with politics & people trying to control you. The critics would have to be the doctors and the rounds [medicine guys]. So you can say this is like an experiment to see if the industry is really like an asylum or if I was the one bugging. Some say the Industry is like High School but it's just like a [mental hospital]."
Hamilton is also determined to prove a point while being closely looked after.
"My fellow artists would have to be my fellow patients, and they're just as frustrated as [rappers] cause they have to take their meds and the patients in the Industry [rappers] have to take their medicine which is Industry politics. I'm the retard who takes off my med bracelet and I just do exactly what I'm not supposed to do. All I would normally do, like the stuff I do people think it's irregular and people that really know me are like what's everyone mad about he's just being himself. In this hospital I can really be my natural self. Just like I am in the Industry but everyone is so content with putting up this fake imagery that feel like being yourself ruins your image. Everything I've done in this industry, whether it was based on outside speculation, peer pressure, or the outside feeling I was being extorted or the outside feeling I was buggin out, I remained true to me. I do it like I've done everything else in my life, it's just like I'VE ALWAYS BEEN VALEDICTORIAN MATERIAL BUT I'VE MADE SURE I WAS THE CLASS FAILURE just to prove a point to administrators and the people who make money off students in the school. I'm the kid in the back of the class that will probably get beat up by all your favorite bullies and is smarter than any kid that's ever stepped into the school but is failing..."
According to Presbyterian, the faculty and hospital is among the top in the country.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is one of the most comprehensive university hospitals in the world, with leading specialists in every field of medicine. We are composed of two renowned medical centers, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and affiliated with two Ivy League medical institutions, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College.
Recently, the rapper spoke on finding new life and interest in music.
"While all this is going on, I'm on a very serious spiritual journey," Hamilton revealed in an interview. "Everything that is to come, is TBA (to be announced) because, like, what it all boils down to is, if I'm not satisfied with who I look at in the mirror, both as an artist and as a public figure, you're just not gonna see me. So interviews and everything, I love them, this is great, the spotlight is great...this time out, I'm letting everybody know, because I take music and art so serious, there's a chance I'll be scarce just to get music and I feel like I needed to say that now. The projects aren't TBA, it's just how long I'm gonna be in the limelight and this isn't to sound like I'm threatening to leave or trying to stay or anything like that, there's a bigger picture and a lot of artists hit this crossroads -- I'm so dedicated to my art that we'll talk about any project it's just that I need to make sure I'm right, within, first and that goes out to any and every aspiring artist or whatever it is that you do. Make sure you are right, within, before yougo out and say that music or your art form -- this experience is a lot bigger for me than selling some records and performing in front of a crowd."
Check out a recent Charles Hamilton interview down below:
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West has recruited T.I. to assist him on his upcoming Good A** Job album, which is set to drop this fall.
According to Grand Hustle's DJ Drama, T.I. traveled to West's studio to help contribute to the project.
"He just got back from Hawaii," Drama told radio personality DJ Whoo Kid during a broadcast on Saturday (July 24) referring to T.I.. "He was out there with Kanye, working on Kanye's album. [His] movie's coming out August 27th. Takers."
Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj is also reportedly featured on the album.
BET's Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming Stephen Hill was one of the lucky few invited to hear Mr. West's eagerly-anticipated new project. "He's got a track with Nicki Minaj that's so dope," he exclusively revealed to Rap-Up.com. "You won't believe it when you hear it." The executive has heard four cuts from the album, tentatively titled Good A** Job. "He comes back unapologetic and his performance [at the BET Awards] was stellar, absolutely stellar," he said. Hill described the direction as more reminiscent of the rapper's first three albums. "It's less like 808s & Heartbreak and more like Graduation."
Young Money's Drake recently shared his views on the rap star's forthcoming release.
"I'm very much looking forward to the Kanye West album because I need to be scared and inspired for my second joint," Drake told radio personality Funkmaster Flex. "That ['Power'] record just had to happen. Kanye's a genius and I'm super excited for the rest of the album because I've heard some things that people haven't heard."
Earlier this year, G.O.O.D. Music's Big Sean revealed that West's new album will hit stores in September.
"September 14, 2010 My album Finally Famous x Kanye West album Good A** Job x Kid Cudi album Man on the Moon pt 2 RT #GOODMUSIC," he wrote on Twitter.
Check out DJ Drama announcing T.I. on Kanye West's album down below:
Terror Squad leader Fat Joe has already announced plans to prepare follow-ups to his new album, The Darkside, Volume 1, which hit stores today.
Joe believes his new album can spark a line of albums and ultimately become its own brand.
"The Darkside, Vol. 2, we already started the intro," Joe said in an interview. "We're just trying to make The Darkside its own brand. It's Fat Joe, but it's The Darkside. We come with Vol. 2, make it crazier than Vol. 1, by the time Vol. 3 come, we got a problem on our hands...Your man Raekwon, without a radio single, banged out numbers on that Purple Tape [a.k.a. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. II] because that was already an established classic. It was a brand itself. People knew 'I gotta hear that next album.'"
DJ Premier is one of many producers whose signature sound is featured on the hip-hop heavyweight's new solo project.
"Speaking of Fat Joe, I'm on his new album," Preemo recently told radio personality Tim Westwood. "He called me and said 'Preem, this album is straight gutta' so I gave him a nice little nasty head-nodding evil Premier joint. Be ready for that. That's just the warm-up."
Joe says the album features both commercial hit records and street tracks inspired by his fans.
"This album, I just wanted to take it to the streets crazy," Joe said in an interview. "When I go on tour I see a lot of my fans that are real loyal. They all kept telling me, 'Yo, Joe we want you to come back to the hardcore.' I tried to make them happy so I just took it all the way to the dark side. I'm just trying to give 'em that balance of that real street gritty Fat Joe -- the gangsta early Fat Joe -- but at the same time who also knows how to make hit records."
Joe's latest effort follows 2009's Jealous Ones Still Envy Part II.
Terror Squad leader Fat Joe's Jealous Ones Still Envy Part II got off to a rocky start landing at No. 73 this week. With seven days to his name, Joey Crack's latest effort has sold 8,300 copies.
Eminem and Rihanna’s chart-topping collaboration “Love the Way You Lie” touches on an issue close to home for both stars—domestic violence. Despite the song’s content, Rihanna had no second thoughts about jumping on it.
“It’s something that we’ve both experienced on different sides, different ends of the table,” she told “Access Hollywood.” “[Eminem] pretty much just broke down the cycle of domestic violence and it’s something that people don’t have a lot of insight on.”
A victim of abuse herself, Rihanna knew the rapper reached out for reasons other than the obvious. “Eminem is an artist of class and I knew if he sent me a record there must be something to it. It couldn’t just be, ‘Oh, duh! She was in that relationship so we have to get her.’”
The words resonated with the pop star, plus it didn’t hurt that she thought the track was a hit. “The lyrics were so deep, so beautiful and intense. It’s something that I understood, something I connected with, which made me think it was a hit and I want to be a part of a hit, so of course I couldn’t say no to Eminem.”
The video for “Love the Way You Lie” was shot last week in Los Angeles and co-stars actors Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan. It is expected to premiere sometime this week.
Troubled rapper Earl "DMX" Simmons has headed back to jail to serve time on a crime he committed around 2002.
Details on X's decision to turn himself over to authorities landed online Monday (July 26).
DMX turned himself in to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Courthouse on Monday afternoon (July 26) at about 2:30 p.m. to begin serving a 90-day sentence stemming from a 2002 reckless driving charge, according to his attorney. X was arrested for DUI way back in '02, but reached a plea deal for a lesser charge of reckless driving, the rapper's lawyer, Aja Southern, told MTV News on Monday. Southern alleged that a series of events, including X having to serve time in an Arizona jail on an unrelated charge, had caused her client to postpone his L.A. sentence.
According to initial reports, X would turn himself over to the authorities sometime this week.
TMZ has learned rapper DMX is planning to surrender to authorities in a Los Angeles courtroom and begin serving jail time in connection to a crime he committed "5 or 6 years ago" ... this according to X's manager. X's manager tells us she's not sure about the nature of the crime -- but insists that DMX is "focused" on taking care of all of his past legal issues so he can move on with his life.
The rapper was freed from behind bars after serving three quarters of a six-month sentence earlier this month.
DMX is finally out of the dog house. XXLMag.com has learned that the troubled rapper, born Earl Simmons, was freed from an Arizona jail today (July 6). X's criminal defense attorney, Glenn Allen, confirmed with XXL that the Yonkers-bred MC was released after serving four months of a six-month sentence. As previously reported, the Yonkers MC was locked up on March 9 for for five counts of violating his probation, all of which were related to cocaine abuse. The Ruff Ryder was on probation for throwing a food tray at an officer while locked up on drug, theft and animal abuse charges last year.
He also came out as a surprise guest for a Lil Kim Arizona concert in mid-July.
Lil' Kim added some bark to her sting when she brought out surprise guest DMX during her show in Scottsdale, Arizona, over the weekend. X, who was released from jail earlier this month after violating his probation, performed The LOX's "Money, Power, & Respect" with the Queen Bee. "New York is in the motherf#&$ing building!" shouted the Yonkers rapper.
More bad news follows X as his wife officially divorced him this month.
DMX's wife Tashera Simmons has officially separated from the chart-topping rapper and is planning a reality show focusing on her rebuilding their family without him. According to Simmons, the reality show is titled "Tashera Simmons....Life After X" and will give a firsthand account of how their family is coping with the rapper's legal and drug problems and how they "cope with a husband and a father that has let them down over and over again."
R&B singer Omarion recently opened up about his personal life and said he would pass on an opportunity to link with Kanye West's former girlfriend, Amber Rose.
While attempting not to diss her, O said she did not fit his level of class.
"No disrespect, but no Amber Rose for me. Everybody has their past - and don't get me wrong, I'm not judgemental at all - but I do like a certain amount of class...I'm not married. I'm chilling. At this moment I'm not (dating). I have friends that I converse with, and I have that male-female camaraderie, but there's no girlfriend at the moment."
After being considered Kanye West's girlfriend for the past two years, the couple have reportedly parted ways.
"They are still good friends," a source tells Us. "Kanye is consumed with recording his comeback record in Hawaii and had to shut it all off. When he's in work mode, he can't handle a relationship. He told Amber he needs to devote everything right now to his craft.... I wouldn't say it's over for good [for West and Rose.] It's always off-and-on when it's convenient for these two. He doesn't go out anymore and she loves it, so he lets her."
She is now rumored to be dating NFL superstar Reggie Bush.
Football star Reggie Bush reportedly has a new tight end. The Saints running back and ex-flame of Kim Kardashian was spotted getting cozy with Kanye West's former gal pal Amber Rose at AXE Lounge in Southampton over the weekend. "They even took bathroom breaks together," reported PerezHilton.com
Recently writing on Twitter, Rose told followers to stop hating on one another.
"Women hate on Strippers so much then go take pole dancing classes. :-/"
"Look, I'm trying to school u Ladies It's all about GIRL Power don't know a b*tch for what she does. Understand it & don't be Judgemental."
Check out some past footage of Amber Rose down below:
West Coast rap veteran Ice Cube has announced plans to debut his new song, "Drink The Kool-Aid," on the Internet tomorrow.
Cube revealed that the project will be released on his IceCube.com website.
"It's official, 'Drink the Kool-Aid' will drop on Tuesday July 27th. You can get it right here on icecube.com or itunes. The ringtone will be availible everywhere. Our viral video will drop the following Tuesday August 3rd. I wish I could release a single in store for all my true CD fans, but nobody will stock a single nowadays. Sign of the times. Music is under attack. The video is raw, black and white shot by Dah-Dah. I promised you a song a month and here we go. The first one. Right now I'm in the studio mixing a song called "Soul On Ice" produced by the Bizness. Dope as the title. As the album gets closer I'll be blogging more and more for all my die-hards out there. Keep pushing the progam and keep it 100."
Earlier this month, Cube confirmed reports of his album being pushed back to September.
"Mark it on your calender," he wrote July 15th. "Sept. 28th is the new release date for I AM THE WEST. But I'm still droppin' song after song so look for "Drink the Kool-Aid" later this month. I want to give you the song wit visuals."
Recent reports showed that the follow-up to 2008's Raw Footage was previously delayed to September 24th.
Ice Cube's first album in two years, I Am The West will no longer be a summer release. The N.W.A. alum's latest solo offering has appeared to have moved to September 24. The release is coming courtesy of Cube's own Lench Mob Records, also home to his Westside Connection partner, WC.
He recently revealed the underlying themes behind featured songs "Man vs. Machine" and "Hood Robbin."
"['Man Vs. Machine'] is talking about our obsessions with machinery and how it's taking over," he said in an interview. "Automation is taking over human beings in all our relevancy in this world. Pretty soon, machines are gonna take over and that's just real...['Hood Robbin'] is talking about how big corporations is now stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. It's a whole thing about the things we're going up against with housing and medical insurance ... just everything people are going through. Real sh** that ain't got nothing to do with money, cars, [and] all the sh** most rappers talk about."
Check out some recent Ice Cube footage down below:
