Kid Cudi’s Debut Named Best Hip-Hop Album of ’09 by Entertainment Weekly

Weeks after being nominated for three Grammy Awards, Entertainment Weekly has named The Man on the Moon: The End of Day, Kid Cudi’s concept-driven Universal debut, the best Hip-Hop Album of 2009.

Led by the breakout hit, “Day ’N’ Night,” the dark, concept album sold an impressive 103,900 copies in its first week on shelves.

EW also named the G.O.O.D. music artist as one of the five “Breakout Stars”of the year. Songstress Keri Hilson and fellow Universal rapper Drake were also among the acts named on the list.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ chart-topping New York anthem “Empire State of Mind” was named Best Single of ‘09.

The Year-End Double Issue of Entertainment Weekly is currently in stores now.

Willie D Pleads Guilty to iPhone Scam

Houston MC Willie D of famed rap group the Geto Boys plead guilty last Friday (December 18) to wire fraud.

According to the Associated Press, the rap vet, born William James Dennis, admitted to selling iPhones and other electronics through his bogus company, Texas One Wireless. Investigators claim D has made around $132,000 through the scam, where he would sell the phones online and never deliver the merchandise.

Willie faces up to 20 years in prison once he is sentenced on April 23. He is currently out on bond.

Nicki Minaj, Birdman & Shanell Hype Young Money Album Release, "We Need All The Real YM Fans To Stand Up"

Young Money's Nicki Minaj, Shanell aka SNL and Baby have made last minute Twitter announcements for their fans to go out and support the new compilation project, We Are Young Money.

The female R&B head of the crew, Shanell, told fans to send photos of themselves posing with the purchased album.

"We need all the real YM FANS to stand up and stand out!!! lets make tomorrow a day we never forget!! cop the album!!!! mmmwwwaahh!," she wrote Sunday (December 20) night. "send me your twit pic of you and the hard copy of the album tomorrow!!! @freddyb87 lol yes crazy!!"

Nicki also reminded fans to get the album today.

""WE ARE YOUNG MONEY" DROPS THIS MONDAY!!!! #WEAREYOUNGMONEYDEC21," she added. "YOUNG MONEY's ALBUM drops tonite @ MIDNIGHT!!!! Itunes, amazon, etc. #WEAREYOUNGMONEY...YOUNG MONEY's ALBUM drops @ MIDNIGHT!!!! Itunes, amazon, etc. #WEAREYOUNGMONEY."

Cash Money Records co-founder Baby displayed his support for the album.

"GOOD DAY SOOOOWOOOOO.YM CMB," he wrote over the weekend. "@kingrashee713 i c u playboy reppn ymcmb. ym cmb boss godfather birdman billionaire minds my life im be a billionaire ym cmb money 2 blow we are young money in stores 2morrow ym cmb billionaire minds."

The album includes guest slots from Lloyd and Gucci Mane.

We Are Young Money tracklisting: 1. Bedrock featuring Lloyd 2. New Sh* 3. Pass Me the Dutch 4. Wifebeater 5. F*ck the Bullsh*t featuring Birdman 6. Ms. Parker 7. Target 8. Sacrifice 9. Every Girl 10. She Is Gone featuring Pleasure P 11. Girl I Got You 12. Gooder 13. Roger That 14. Steady Mobbin' featuring Gucci Mane

Initially slated to arrive in mid-December, the project was recently pushed back by Cash Money Records' Baby.

"*ATTN RT TO ALL LILWAYNE 'REBIRTH' AND THE YM ALLSTARS ALBUM HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO DEC 22..CMB/YM," Baby wrote via Twitter on Thursday (November 19). "RT @ceelowthegr8t: attn rt this lil wayne 'rebirth' and the young money allstars has been pushed back to Dec 22... 'PRICELESS' NOV 23 'ALL OR NOTHING' @JAYSEAN....COP DAT YM/CMB."

Check out Gudda Gudda speaking on the Young Money tour below:

Ashanti Sex Text Stalker Pleads Innocence, "Sending Pictures & Texts Is Not A Crime"

The Indiana man accused of stalking R&B singer/actress Ashanti Douglas has pleaded his innocence to the media.

According to Devar Hurd, his lewd sex-based text messages and photos do not constitute as criminal action.

Ashanti's mother, Tina Douglas, testified Hurd was a stranger who bombarded her with disgusting messages, though she told him to stop. She says he didn't. Defense attorney Richard Verchick said Hurd was misunderstood. "Sending pictures and texts is not a crime," he said. "The intent was never to harass Tina or Ashanti. ... What he wanted was what we all want in life -- love." (CBS News)

According to new reports, the suspect sent over 30 inappropriate text messages to Ashanti.

Devar Hurd sent more than thirty lewd messages, in which he described pleasuring himself while thinking of the sultry singer and members of her family, including mom/manager Tina Douglas. Reportedly behind bars in lieu of paying up $50,000 in bail, sources say Devar Hurd is expected to go on trial as early as next week on misdemeanor charges of stalking and aggravated harassment. The lewd messages, which began in May, reached Ashanti's mother on numerous occasions, describing locations where the singer or her sister were present for rehearsals and other events. (Singers Room)

Details on the messages have also been exposed to the public.

In just his third text -- and between references to the superstar's upcoming appearances, and mentions of such Ashanti hits as "Girlfriend" and "So Over You" -- Hurd allegedly zips the mom a picture of a car belonging to her 29-year-old singer-actress daughter. "Shani baby I saw U parked yesterday when I showed up to the Wiz," he allegedly says in that text, from June, going on to graphically describe masturbating to a video of one of the star's concert performances. Cops say he ended that text by typing -- perhaps with just one thumb -- "Oh ashanti ashanti ashanti, yes baby woooo lol." (New York Post)

In light of the seriousness behind the situation, Hurd has proclaimed his innocence.

Prosecutors say they received dozens of messages on their cell phones before Hurd was arrested in July. They say the messages included lewd comments about Ashanti's performances and her relationship with rapper Nelly. Hurd has entered a not guilty plea and is being held on bond. (ABC News)

No further details have been released as of now.

Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli & Lauren London React To "8 Mile" Actress' Death, "This Is Too Sad"

Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli, Lauren London and more have shared their reactions to 8 Mile actress Brittany Murphy's unexpected death over the weekend.

Simmons took a spiritual approach in speaking on the actress' death.

"I met britney murphy before her star rose," Simmons wrote Sunday (December 20) night, "its tough to find peace in fame. I wish her peace and happiness in her next lifetime."

Kweli reflected on her big screen and television accomplishments.

"RIP Brittany Murphy. Gifted actor who I truly enjoyed watching. Passed last night, cardiac arrest, 30. Call some1 u love, remind them. From Clueless to King Of The Hill to 8 Mile, Brittany Murphy contributed a lot to our entertainment."

Actress Lauren London applied religion in speaking on Murphy's passing.

"RIP Britney Murphy.," she wrote. "This is too sad. May God give her loved ones strength right now. Prayers go up. #Clueless one of my all time fav movies."

New York radio personality DJ Clue expressed his condolences to Murphy.

"R.I.P. Brittany Murphy..Such A Nice Person. Rest In Peace Miss."

While details are still being uncovered, the actress passed away Sunday (December 20).

Brittany Murphy died of cardiac arrest early Sunday morning, after her mother had found her unconscious in the shower, according to a report by TMZ. The actress was 32. It is reported that a call went out to 911 from Murphy's Los Angeles home at 8 a.m. Attempts to revive her were not successful. A spokesperson for Cedars Sinai Medical Center confirmed to People that Murphy died at the facility Sunday at 10:04 a.m.

Check out Brittany Murphy & Eminem in 8 Mile below:

Eminem Plays Shady Claus, Offers Personalized Autographs For Fans

Eminem has gotten into the holiday spirit by offering fans an opportunity to purchase a personalized autograph with all proceeds going to his Marshall Mathers Foundation charity.

According to the rapper's website, fans will have up until President's Day to make the deadline.

Get a high quality-suitable for framing - AUTOGRAPHED - photo print of you on Shady Claus' lap! Just upload your face to the Santa shot of your choice, pick a photo size, and the deranged elves will pass it to Shady Claus' hand for his REAL signature before they have the reindeer fly it to you sometime before President's Day. All proceeds from the sale of Shady Claus autographed photos will go to The Marshall Mathers Foundation, Eminem's charitable organization for the support and development of disadvantaged youth. Please allow 4 -6 weeks for delivery. Happy Holidays and a Shady New Year!

Slim Shady is known for participating in various charity-based events.

When Eminem appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for a rare interview and performance Friday, he'll have about 200 laid-off autoworkers from the Detroit area in tow. Eminem and Kimmel are flying the unemployed workers to Los Angeles for the show's taping. It was unclear how the unemployed autoworkers were being selected for the performance, but according to the publicist, they are UAW members. After the Hollywood visit, they will be invited -- with a guest -- to a secret show in metro Detroit the following week.

The rapper said his decision was based on Detroit's contribution to the auto industry.

"In all the media coverage Detroit is getting, everyone forgets about the people that have lost their jobs without getting big cash payouts after dedicating themselves to the auto industry," Em said in a statement. "Jimmy Kimmel and I got to talking, and we wanted to remind everyone that there are real people affected by what's going on in Detroit, and try to show some of them a good time while we're at it."

Aside from being crowned the top-selling artist of the decade, Em earned a spot on iTunes 2009 year-end album charts.

Top Albums of 2009: 1. Kings of Leon (Only by the Night) 2. Twilight 3. Lady Gaga (The Fame) 4. Taylor Swift (Fearless) 5. Dave Matthews Band (Big Whiskey & the GrooGux) 6. The Essential Michael Jackson 7. The Fray 8. Jay-Z (The Blueprint III) 9. Eminem (Relapse) 10. Black Eyed Peas (The E.N.D.)

For more details, check out www.eminem.com

Check out a recent Eminem interview below:

Young Jeezy Finds "Motivation", New Album Release Date Emerges

The release date for Young Jeezy's upcoming Thug Motivation 103 has reportedly landed online showing it projected to drop in early 2010.

According to reports, the new album will be released in February.

Word is this came from the back of a ticket for an All-American High School football game that will be held on January 2nd which Jeezy is scheduled to perform at half-time. "Jeezy TM103 in stores February 9th This ticket is a revocable license, which may be withdrawn, and admission refused anytime upon refunding the printed purchase price."

Last August, Jeezy updated fans on the record's status.

"I have some new producers I'm going to introduce to the world," Jeezy promised. "I like to set trends. I'm going to keep those names in the bag. I want it to be a big deal when you first hear them. There will be a few of the producers I worked from Thug Motivation 101 and The Recession such as Shawty Redd and Midnight Black. I'm just working, man. I'm not really picky when it comes to the production. I just like good music...I have the studio bus and the whole nine. I was already working on it, so I was where I wanted to be on the new album before I left. I recorded most of it at the crib in Atlanta. I'm just putting the icing on the cake, now. I'm going to do the rest on the road and just knock it out. The album will be out sooner than later...I'm going to take my time. That's what the label people tell me. "Yo, hurry up, but take your time, because we want that sh*t to be right.' Soon as my stuff jump off the stove I'm going to put it in the streets."

He previously stressed the importance of not rushing its release.

"I'm taking my time this time," he said in an interview. "I know where I really wanna go. This is my fourth time over. I did it three times -- I'm gonna do it again...No matter what they think, I go harder to be an example for my homies and everybody around me. I'm trying to make cats better. So if you feel the rapping part is that serious to you, then you go with that. When you go with motivational speaking, you don't want it to rhyme -- you want it to make sense. If he sounds like he's rhyming, it sounds like a jingle -- like he's trying to sell you a turkey burger or something...I got a joint called 'I Got This.' Then there's 'Suicide Music.' I don't wanna give it all up, because you'll probably figure out where I'm going."

The "Snowman" announced Kanye West's involvement on the project last summer.

"Mixtapes, you know, I got a few coming out but I'm really more focused on this album," Jeezy said in an interview last month. "I wanna change the way people think about stuff so I'm focused this album. The mixtapes, that's gonna do what it do, but I want the album to be like, when you get it, 'Ah, that's crazy.' I'm about 75 percent [done.] I wanna work with a couple more people and that's about it. Kanye did about maybe six, seven joints on there."

Check out a past Young Jeezy & Kanye West "Amazing" performance down below: