Killer Mike To Release "PL3DGE" On May 17, Young Jeezy, T.I. Featured

Mike Bigga gets his third delay on the highly-anticipated third volume of the acclaimed series.

Adamsville, Georgia emcee Killer Mike is among the most respected independent artists in Hip Hop. After his major label Monster scored a gold plaque near the top of the '00s, Mike has found a cult following through I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind albums released through his Grind Time Official imprint, and SMC Recordings. With the third installment now planned for March 22, 2011, Mike Bigga says his best is about to come.

With the T.I.-assisted "Ready Set Go" presently on heavy rotation on MTV Jams, the album has been revealed to boast appearances from Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Twista. Just as the case with 2008's HipHopDX "Album of the Year" I Pledge Allegiance II The Grind, production duties will be handled by No I.D., The Bizness and DJ Speedy.

Young Jeezy In The Studio With Diplo, Making "Rap-Metal Post Rock"

The trap star gets the Hollertronix look, as Diplo reveals his latest Rap collaborator.

Atlanta, Georgia emcee Young Jeezy has worked with Timbaland and Kanye West previously, both of whom have worked with Electro songstress M.I.A. Now it appears that the Corporate Thugz Entertainment founder is at work with one of M.I.A.'s mentors, Diplo.

Yesterday the Florida deejay-turned-producer revealed that he was in the studio with the Def Jam star.

Killer Mike Speaks On Pill's Move To Maybach Music

Killer Mike says he's 'ecstatic' about Pill's move to Maybach Music, happy to see him with 'another fat guy.'

Rapper Killer Mike recently appeared on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club with Angela Yee, DJ Envy, and Charlamagne The God to speak on a variety of topics including his upcoming album Pl3dge, Bubba Sparxxx vs. Yelawolf, and fellow Atlanta rapper Pill and his recent signing to Maybach Music.

“I never understood what it was like to have people’s destiny in your hands and not be able to do for them in a way they deserve until I couldn’t get Pill and [SL] Jones a deal immediately,” Killer Mike explained. “I laugh when everybody be going crazy ‘Pill! Pill! Pill!’ And they be like ‘Mike, I didn’t realize that was the kid that was on the Grind Time records.’ And I was like ‘Cause you didn’t listen to them you liar.’”

Killer Mike later revealed that he was excited about Pill’s move to Maybach Music and that Rick Ross has been on his radar for quite some time.

“I’m ecstatic about it. First of all I been a Ross fan when all of you liars weren’t so I was already real big on Ross,” said Killer Mike. “I think Deeper Than Rap is a seminal classic and should be heralded with the best rap records ever made…So when I heard Pill was going over there I thought absolutely the right place to be. He’s with another fat guy, that’s always cool. He’s with Meek Millz who’s incredible. He’s with Wale who I like a lot. But I just think that he’s dope and this gives him the platform he deserves and I really hope the world opens up to my lil bro.”

Wiz Khalifa Projected To Sell Approximately 200,000 Copies Of "Rolling Papers"

Atlantic's big month may continue, as Lupe is followed with another six-figure first-week projection.

Wiz Khalifa's successful year is now getting another boost as his latest project, Rolling Papers, will reportedly sell 190,000 to 210,000 copies in its first week - according to HitsDailyDouble. This comes as news according to various projections and it has Wiz trailing only Brittany Spears, who will reportedly have the number one spot.

Rolling Papers is the major label debut for Wiz Khalifa, a young artist, a DXnext alum. This major label effort also features Too Short (as seen in video below) and production from E Dan and Big Jerm.

Busta Rhymes Recalls Roc-A-Fella & Terror Squad Beefing At A Club

Busta's hit "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" may have prevented Jay and Joe's crews from coming to blows.

Busta Rhymes recently sat down with Elliot Wilson for a Respect Magazine cover story and reminisced about his career and how he ended up where he is today.

In recalling the impact of his smash single "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," Busta revealed some details about the Roc-A-Fella and Terror Squad beef that was always bubbling under the surface.

"We were at the Roxy, and Kid Capri was DJing. I came in there with one of my mans, and Kid Capri played the shit for the third time, for the fourth time, for the fifth time, for the sixth time, for the seventh time, for the eighth time. By the eleventh time straight, no other song in between, I damn near started crying in the club, because I couldn’t believe that I’d done something that was so compelling that warranted that kind of love from the DJ. And the club was demanding that he keep playing it. Roc-a-fella and Terror Squad crossed paths in that spot that night, and you just started seeing bottles wildin’. Capri stopped the music: 'Yo, y’all niggas chill the fuck out, man. Don’t fuck up the party.' Niggas still wildin’. He was like, 'I know what’s gonna stop y’all from beefing'—[makes beat noises] for the twelfth time. That song stopped the beef."

Artwork & Tracklisting Revealed For Kool Keith's "The Legend Of Tashan Dorrsett"

Marley Marl, Ced Gee, TR Love, Domingo and more lend a hand to Keith's upcoming album.

Kool Keith and Junkadelic Music will release the latest addition to Keith's huge catalog on April 5. The Legend Of Tashan Dorrsett features exclusive remixes and features by Marley Marl, former Ultramagnetic Mc's groupmates TR Love and Ced Gee, Domingo, Mark Live and Agallah Don Bishop. The artwork below was done by Mode 2.

1. The Legend Of Tashan Dorrsett (Prelude)
2. New S**** Feat Champ / Dj Junkaz Lou Rmx
3. Supa Supreme / Marley Marl Rmx
4. Flow Smooth Feat Ced Gee / Dj Junkaz Lou Rmx
5. The Real Beginer Feat Chem / Ariel "The Cartel" Caban Rmx
6. Above The Sea Level / Agallah Don Bishop Rmx
7, Tashan Dorrsett… / Domingo Rmx
8. Track Runner Feat Marc Live, Raaddrr-Van & Tr Love / Tr Love Rmx
9. Glamour Life Feat Marc Live / Dj Junkaz Lou Rmx
10. Booty Clap Feat Big Sche Eastwood / Mr. Sche Rmx
11. Black Lagoon / Domingo Rmx
12. Magnetic Junkadelic Feat Ced Gee & D. Eazy / Dj Junkaz Lou Rmx
13. New S**** (Rmx instrumental)
14. Flow Smooth (Rmx instrumental)
15. The Real Beginer (Rmx instrumental)
16. Above The Sea Level (Rmx instrumental)
17. Tashan Dorrsett… (Rmx instrumental)
18. Track Runner (Rmx instrumental)
19. Glamour Life (Rmx instrumental)
20. Black Lagoon (Rmx instrumental)

?uestlove Explains Gluing Together Broken Grammy Award

The Roots' drummer explains how winning three new Grammys has given him motivation to glue together a long-ago broken Grammy award.

The Roots scored three Grammys earlier this year for their critically acclaimed collaboration album with John Legend, titled Wake Up! The trio of awards is the first since the group's previous Grammy in 1999 for the song "You Got Me" with Erykah Badu and Eve.

While their first Grammy is no doubt held in high esteem, ?uestlove told PhillyMag.com that, until recently, the award had been accidentally broken in two and set on a peculiar resting place.

"My Grammy was broken in two pieces and always a fixture on my toilet, simply because I was self-defeating and thought it would never happen in this lifetime again. Now that I have an additional three, I've invested in some Krazy Glue and a relocation to the living room."

The group, who continues to play as late night host Jimmy Fallon's in-house band, will join Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert in a performance of the viral hit "Friday," originally sung by Rebecca Black. The pending comical performance helped to raise over $26,000 for schools in need.

Curren$y’s Covert Coupe Album Artwork

On 4/20 Curren$y will be putting out a new album called ‘Covert Coupe’.

DJ Quik Talks Returning to Analog For Latest LP

DJ Quik talks to the LA Leakers about talking his latest album back to the old school by recording it in analog.

The LA Leakers recently caught up with the legendary DJ Quik in the studio to discuss his upcoming eighth solo album The Book of David, due out this April 20. The Comtpon producer and rhymer said that he decided to record his latest project using time honored analog equipment as opposed to a digital equivalent.

"The last three albums, if you're counting from Under the Influence, my first independent adventure, those were all digital records," he said. "That's I finally just decided to go Pro Tools and stereo like everybody else and do the digital things. I came from analog, all those Earth, Wind and Fire records, those Parliament records, and Arethra Franklin records and Curti Mayfield records Those records are all analog, so I came up in that era...the greatest era of music period. To switch over to digital and to lose that feeling [and] sound kind of make like I was almost cheating everybody...this record, The Book of David, is analog, just like where it continues from Safe + Sound and Rythm-al-ism.

The Book of David marks Quik's first solo project since 2005. His last release was with fellow Cali emcee Kurupt as BlaQKOut in 2009. The full interview can be seen below.

"Funky Drummer" Clyde Stubblefield Seeking Sample Royalties

James Brown's original "Funky Drummer" is seeking royalty with a new ready-to-sample project.

Ever since Biz Markie notorious sampling rights lawsuit over his 1991 song "All Alone," rappers and their lawyers alike have been keeping a wary eye what records producers chop up. Now, one of Hip Hop's most sampled sources Clyde Stubblefield is looking to gain back some of the money that he was snubbed for his widely sampled "Funky Drummer" break with a new project.

In a recent article in the New York Times, Stubblefield revealed that he has teamed up filmmakers Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod to release a special "Funky Drummer Edition" of their recent released sampling rights documentary Copywright Criminals, featuring ready-to-sample breaks from the legendary drummer. Although Stubblefield isn't seeking royalties for samples of the 1970 recording of his break, he is offering producers the right to sample these new beats for the cost of 15% of any commercial sales.

"All my life I’ve been wondering about my money," he said. "People use my drum patterns on a lot of these songs. They never gave me credit, never paid me. It didn’t bug me or disturb me, but I think it’s disrespectful not to pay people for what they use."

He added, "This differs from buying a sample pack for [Apple] GarageBand, because you know that what you are listening to and what you are sampling is the genius labor of this incredible musician. It's Clyde Stubblefield."

The drum recordings will be available to producers in both vinyl and electronic formats. The "Funky Drummer Edition" of Copyright Criminals is currently available for purchase.

Stubblefield's heralded break has been sampled by everyone from Public Enemy to Lupe Fiasco, and is by all accounts, the most sampled song in Hip Hop history.

Rap Release Dates

March 29
40 Glocc, Spider Loc, & DJ Drama – Graveyard Shift
67 Mob – T.I.M.E. [Digital Release]
A.Dd+ – When Pigs Fly [Digital Release]
Baron Zen & Tekblazer – Electrik Surgery [Vinyl Release]
Broken Bells – Meyrin Fields
Cyrus Malachi – Ancient Future
DJ Spinna & Mr. Thing – The Beat Generation [10th Anniversary Collection]
E-40 – Revenue Retrievin’: Overtime Shift
E-40 – Revenue Retrievin’: Graveyard Shift
Illvibe Collective – All Together Now [Digital Release]
Kap Kallous – I Should Have Kept My Mouth Shut [Digital Release]
Kyle Rapps – Re-Edutainment [Digital Release]
Lee Bannon – Bannon’s BigToyBox II: Circus Cuts [Digital Release]
Mac Miller – On And On And Beyond [Digital Release]
Mary Mary – Something Big
Maticulous – The Maticulous EP
Max B – Vigilante Season [Digital Release]
Snoop Dogg – Doggumentary
Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers

April 5
3:33 (Parallel Thought) – 3:33
Ab-Soul – LongTerm Mentality [Digital Release]
Avant – Best Of Avant [Digital Release]
Bizzy Bone & Layzie Bone – Bone Brothers IV
Blueprint – Adventures In Counter-Culture
Brotha Lynch Hung – Coathanga Strangla
The Cuf – Cuf Caviar Volume 1
Has-Lo – In Case I Don’t Make It
Heavy Metal Kings (Ill Bill & Vinnie Paz) – Heavy Metal Kings
Jim Jones – Capo
J. Rocc – Some Cold Rock Stuf
Kool Keith (as Tahsan Dorrsett) – The Legend Of Tashan Dorrsett
K. Sparks & Pajazo – Tomorrow Today [Digital Release]
Mint Condition – 7
Mr. Cheeks Presents… The Lost Boyz Mafia – The Lost Boyz Mafia [Revolver Edition]
Pastor Troy – H.N.I.C. [Physical Release]
Rapper Big Pooh – Fat Boy Fresh Volume One: For Members Only [Digital Release]
Snowgoons Presents… Savage Brothers & Lord Lhus – The Iron Fist [Digital Release]
Sunspot Jonz – Galaxy Of Dreams
Tarek & Luss – The Minds Of Tarek & Luss [Digital Release]

April 12
Atmosphere – The Family Sign
Brian McKnight – Just Me
Classified – Hand Shakes And Middle Fingers
The Day Laborers & Rain – Deep Space Soul
Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma: Alternate Takes [Vinyl Release]
Foreign Legion – Night Moves [Digital Release]
Jessie J – Who Are You
John Robinson & Robot Koch – Robot Robinson
Moke & Tone – Shot Heard Round The World [Digital Release]
Noel Gourdin – Fresh: The Definition
Swollen Members – Dagger Mouth
TV On The Radio – Nine Types Of Light
Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers [Vinyl Release]
Yukmouth Presents… Monsta – Pacific Coast Highway

April 19
Bizz – Prince Of Jersey 2.0
Berner – The White Album
Blu – Her Favorite Colo(u)r [Reissue]
Cam’ron & Vado – Gunz N’ Butta
Chipmunk – Transition [International Release]
Coalmine Records – Can You Dig It? [Digital Release]
Damu The Fudgemunk – How It Should Sound Volume 1&2 [Vinyl Release]
Dan The Automator – Lovage [Deluxe Edition] [Vinyl Release]
Daz Dillinger – D.A.Z.
Del The Funky Homosapien – Golden Era Triple Pack
DJ Quik – The Book Of David
Gorillaz – The Fall [Physical Release]
!llmind – Beh!nd The Curta!n
The Jacka – Mobbin Through The West
Just-Ice – Masterpiece [Reissue]
Les Nubians – Nu Revolution
Luck-One – True Theory [Physical Release]
Mac Dre & Johnny Cash – Romp In Peace / Thizz In Peace
MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday [Deluxe Edition]
Plan B – The Defamation Of Strickland Banks [U.S. Release]
Smigg Dirtee & Hollow Tip – Cocaine Cowboys
SNO (Lil Wyte, Jelly Roll, & BPz) – Year Round
Various Artists – Fillmoe To The Crest
Wayne Brady – Radio Wayne

Other Recent Announcements
Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame – The Ferrari Boys [Spring TBA]
General Monks (Planet Asia & TriState) – Each Step Becomes Elevated [April TBA]
Dennis Coffey – Dennis Coffey [April 26]
Boogie Down Productions – Criminal Minded [Reissue] [Vinyl Release] [May 3]
Curren$y – Muscle Car Chronicles [May 3]
Jennifer Lopez – Love? [May 3]
Megaphone (Moe Pope & Headnodic) – Megaphone [Digital Release] [May 3]
Sade – The Ultimate Collection [May 3]
CMG – The Jane Of All Trades [May 10]
Messy Marv Presents… Various Artists – Goon Vitamins Vol. 1 [May 10]
Pete Rock – PeteStrumentals [10th Anniversary Edition] [May 10]
Edo G – A Face In The Crowd [May 17]
Killer Mike – PL3DGE [May 17]
Nick Cannon – Mr. Showbiz [May 17]
Oddisee – Odd Seasons [May 17]
Rappin’ 4-Tay – Still Standing [May 17]
Z-Ro – Meth [May 24]
Big L – The Danger Zone [May 31]
Madlib & Frank Nitti – Madlib Medicine Show No. 9: Channel 85 Presents Nittyville (Season One) [May 31]
Slim Thug Presents… Boss Hogg Outlawz – Serve And Collect Part 3 (Immahogg) [May 31]
Hopsin – Haywire 2 [Summer TBA]
Lifesavas – TBD [Summer TBA]
Swizz Beatz – Haute Living [Summer TBA]
YG – Fresh On Campus [Summer TBA]
Trae Tha Truth – Street King [June 7]
Brisco – Street Medicine [June 14]
Glasses Malone – Beach Cruiser [June 14]
J. Period & Q-Tip – The [Abstract] Best [June 14]
Pitbull – Planet Pit [June 14]
Random Axe (Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, & Black Milk) – Random Axe [June 14]
Big Sean – Finally Famous: The Album [June 21]
Dorrough & DJ Drama – Gangsta Grillz: Silent Assassins [June 28]
Wale – TBD [July/August TBA]
Birdman – Bigger Than Life [July 5]
Jay Sean – Freeze Time [July 5]
Mayer Hawthorne – TBD [Early Fall TBA]

Necro Releases Limited Edition Eight-Inch Toy Figurine

Psycho+Logical-Records' founder and CEO gives himself the same treatment seen by Master P and Ghostface Killah.

Brooklyn, New York emcee/producer Necro announced this week that he has a new figurine available to fans. Titled "Morbid," the eight-inch poly-resin figure is reportedly made at very limited edition, and sold exclusively at NecroProduct.com.

The figurine, pictured to the right, finds the producer for Cage, Non-Phixion and Raekwon brandishing a machete, with his face covered and wearing a Necro logo hat.

Previously, Necro ventured outside of music to direct adult films such as 2003's Sexy Sluts: Been There, Done That. Last year, Necro released his latest album, Die!.

Previous Hip Hop artists to have official figurines include Ghostface Killah, Master P as well as the Paul Wall bobble-head doll.

Talib Kweli Announces Gutter Rainbows Tour Dates, Fashawn A Guest

Kweli is in Seattle tonight and crossing the country to show the fans the many colors in his Gutter Rainbow spectrum.

It has been announced that Brooklyn, New York emcee Talib Kweli will be launching a corresponding United States tour to his January album, Gutter Rainbows. The Reflection Eternal and Black Star member is on tour, beginning tonight in Seattle Washington.

Fresno, California DXnext emcee Fashawn will also be appearing at many of the dates, though the specifics have not been confirmed.

30-Mar Seattle, WA at Nuemos/Showbox

31-Mar Portland, OR at Crystal Ballroom

01-Apr Reno, NV at Knitting Factory

02-Apr San Bernadino, CA at NOS Event Center

03-Apr Los Angeles, CA at Club Nokia

04-Apr Costa Mesa, CA at Detroit Bar

05-Apr San Fransico, CA at Fillmore

06-Apr San Diego, CA at House of Blues

07-Apr Tucson, AZ at Rialto Theatre

08-Apr Phoenix, AZ at Venue of Scottsdale

09-Apr Ventura, CA at Magestic Theatre

10-Apr Flagstaff, AZ at Orphuem Theatre

11-Apr Albuquerque, NM at Sunshine Theatre

15-Apr Columbus, OH at Skully’s

16-Apr College Corner, OH at Hannon’s Camp America

17-Apr Indianpolis, IN at The Vogue

18-Apr Louisville, KY at Headliners

19-Apr St. Louis, MO at Pops Nightclub

20-Apr Lawrence, KS at Granada Theatre

21-Apr Milwaukee, WI at The Rave

22-Apr Urbana, IL at The Canopy

23-Apr Madison, WI at Capitol Theater

24-Apr Minneapolis, MN at Epic

26-Apr Boston, MA at Paradise Rock Club

28-Apr New York, NY at SOB’s

29-Apr Portland, ME at Port City Music Hall

30-Apr Albany, NY at SUNY Albany

01-May Newark, DE at Delaware U (Charity Event)

02-May Philadelphia, PA at The Note

03-May Washington, DC at Black Cat

04-May Baltimore, MD at Sonar

05-May Nashville, TN at Limelight

06-May Charlotte, NC at Amos Southend

07-May Orlando, FL at Firestone Live

Jim Jones Arrested In New York City For Suspended License

Another mark happens in Jim Jones' crazy 2011 storyline, with an album planned for next Tuesday.

Diplomats' emcee Jim Jones has been arrested in New York City today. TMZ.com has footage of the Harlem rapper being handcuffed outside of his Bentley coupe.

Details are still releasing, but reports indicate that Jim Jones has stopped for having a suspended license. The rapper remains in police custody through this afternoon.

Jones' upcoming album, Capo, is planned for next week, April 5th. Already in 2011, the rapper has been sued for topless scenes in his video last month, after surviving a car crash in January.

Ludacris Partners With Magnum Condoms For "Next Big Thing"

Rappers stand a chance to win $5,000 an on-stage appearance with Luda's and a year-long pocket-fulla-rubbers.

After working with Magnum condoms last year for the $5,000 "Live Large" contest, Atlanta, Georgia emcee-turned-actor Ludacris is working with the contraceptive company once again.

With competition in New York, Detroit, San Francisco and Miami, Magnum will be sponsoring Rap contests. Backed by online voting, semi-finalists will appear on stage alongside the Def Jam Records star Ludacris. The winner will also receive $5,000 and a year's-supply of Magnum condoms.

"Living Large is really the only way to live," said Ludacris in a press statement. "That's why I'm a part of this project for the second year. I'm a huge supporter of the product, I live the life, and I love how Magnum is giving other people the chance to shine and represent the gold standard."

Drag-On Leaves Ruff Ryders, Talks New Record Label

Drag-On splits ties with the Double R, and has big plans moving forward.

Once one of the Ruff Ryders' most promising young talents, Drag-On has moved on from the storied collective.

"I finally got my release from Ruff Ryders," said Drag-On to SOHH.com. "And now I got my own record label, Hood Environment. We're getting it popping. I have my own artists and we're putting out our own videos and shit like that. We're just working man. Word. Right now I'm feeling really good. A lot of people welcomed me back with open arms so at the end of the day, I'm just excited that the streets are excited [to hear new music from me]. A lot of people are really starting to catch on to my Hood Environment record label movement. Everything is gravy. I definitely cannot complain right now."

Drag, notable for his feature on the Ruff Ryder classic "Down Bottom," as well as a minor beef with Lil Wayne, intends on releasing a series of mixtapes.

"We're starting off by putting out mixtapes, The Crazies and The Crazies Part II, with The Crazies Part III coming. We got a lot of big artists on there."

Currently, DMX, the face of Double R, spends his time in and out of prison, while other Double R affiliates Eve and Swizz Beatz are working on music together.

Lil Jon Donates "Celebrity Apprentice" Winnings To Georgia Children's Home

Rapper/producer Lil Jon donates the $40,000 he won on 'Celebrity Apprentice' to United Methodist Children's Home.

Following his teams win on the NBC reality show Celebrity Apprentice rapper/producer Lil Jon donated his winnings a grand total of $40,000 to the United Methodist Children’s Home, a children’s home in Decatur, Georgia.

Two of Lil Jon’s siblings were adopted by his mother from the United Methodist Children’s Home.

"I have a sister and a brother who were foster kids," said Lil Jon. "My mother ended up adopting them. I feel children shouldn't have to suffer for faults of adults."

As part of the week’s competition teams on Celebrity Apprentice had to produce a 30-second long commercial for the new ACN video phone.

Among those on Lil Jon’s team was actor Gary Busey, former MLB star Jose Canseco, and reality star Richard Hatch.

On top of music Lil Jon was also one of the minds behind the CRUNK energy drink. He’s also had his music featured on various video games including Def Jam: Icon and Need For Speed.

His last project, Crunk Rock was released June of last year.

Gucci Mane Talks Ice Cream Tattoo, Upcoming Projects

After a rough 2010, Gucci Mane tells Billboard magazine about overcoming his problems through music and the "Ice Cream Man" album named after his face tattoo.

In 2010, Gucci Mane was arrested twice—once for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road and again during a raid on his protégé Waka Flocka Flame’s house. The charges in the moving vehicle violation case were eventually dropped, but Gucci found himself in custody. Gucci Mane eventually entered a plea of mental incompetency for his legal issues, and spent a stint in a Georgia mental institution. He emerged with new music, which he said is reflective of his experiences.

“When I was going through all the things I was going through…I just stayed in the studio,” Gucci told Jason Lipshutz of Billboard. “It definitely helped me. The studio is where I go to just let everything out. I can go and just speak my feelings and what’s on my mind—just get it off my chest.”

Upon his return, most were more interested in what was on Gucci’s right cheek—a large tattoo featuring three ice cream scoops with that generate red lightening bolts.

“Everybody wants to know why I got the tattoo, did it hurt...what it means,” Gucci added. “I jut tell them it’s my trademark. It represents being the coldest in the game.”

While Gucci’s boast is open to interpretation, the soft-serve tattoo sporting rapper did move 25,000 retail copies of what Warner/Asylum is calling the “soft-release” of his The Return of Mr. Zone 6 mixtape. And in the near future, Gucci says more of his time in the studio and the tattoo parlor will manfest itself on wax. In addition to a Ferrari Boys album with Waka Flocka Flame, Shawty Redd and FATBOI, Gucci will co-star in a movie with the original Ice Cream Man, Master P. He also says he wants to name his upcoming album The Ice Cream Man.

Jim Jones Talks Work With Dr. Dre, Dipset Reunion, And "Perfect Day" Sound

The Diplomats' capo discusses his crew's comeback, their recent recordings with Dre, the Pop-ness of "Perfect Day," and his "new face" Cosby Show.

Apparently, Dr. Dre doesn’t trust The Diplomats with possessing copies of the music the legendary left coast producer and the Harlem quartet recently recorded together.

“He actually took all of the songs,” Jim Jones revealed to HipHopDX on Thursday (March 25th). “He did some fly shit; he set up his shit and the songs were recorded directly to his hard drive and his computer, inside of my studio. … Smart dude.”

“He critiqued the way I did my verse,” Jim further noted of his studio time with Dre. “He helped me get my pronunciation right. He put me through a little bit of a schooling there, so that was kinda dope. We recorded about three or four songs in there. It was dope; a dope experience.”

While he doesn’t know the titles of the aforementioned songs because they are not in his possession, Jones did describe the sound of the tracks as being definitely “Dre-ish.”

Once The Diplomats began talks with Interscope Records to release the crew’s comeback effort, Diplomatic Immunity 3, Dipset were connected with Dr. Dre via Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine.

The Diplomats founding fathers, Jim Jones and Cam’ron, ended their three-year professional separation by repairing their fractured friendship almost exactly a year ago. And now, after completing their own respective music projects, they are finally about to put the finishing touches on their team’s reunion release, which Jones told DX he is aiming to have released on the 4th of July.

“It was more personally motivated than it was business,” Jim replied when asked how much professional and how much personal interests played a role in bringing the Dipset back together. “The business came after the personal. Above all, our brotherhood is the most important thing …. We grew up together. So that bond and that friendship means more to us than anything. And, the powerful music that we created, we created from within that brotherhood. So the music is the easiest part. The understanding was the hardest. And we got that together.”

Cam and Jim will next appear together on “Getting To The Money,” from Jones’ return to the independent Rap game, Capo (due April 5th).

“E1 [Entertainment] was the label that I was most successful with,” Jim explained of his decision to take his solo career back indie. “I did a gold record over there with my last record that I did with E1, [Hustler’s P.O.M.E. ]. So it felt better to go back with them and do another album. Plus, contractually I was obligated through my last deal that if [things] didn’t go right at Sony [Records]… then I would have to owe Koch an album - that they paid a shit-load of money to do.”

Things “didn’t go right at Sony” for what was supposed to have been Jones’ breakthrough release as a solo artist, 2009’s Pray IV Reign , due to a variety of industry politics according to Jim.

“The Columbia [Records] situation was a bit political,” he explained, “one of the most humbling experiences that I had in the industry. We not gon’ point no fingers or talk about it too much, ‘cause I’ve come to grips with politics. … But, for the most part, Columbia was good to me. I got to waste millions and millions of dollars on that last project. [I] did everything under the sun when it came to me recording at a major label. It was definitely a fun experience. Only towards the end of it when they started losing their staff and their infrastructure – shouts out to Al Branch and Hip Hop, who got fired five weeks before my album droppin’. They was handling my whole situation. So I went from shipping 350,000 records to like a 100,000 records. It was a lot of political shit that went on for me to get out the building that I had no control over. But one thing that was in my credit was that I signed a piece a paper that said I was free of debt, meaning I don’t owe them nothing. … They’re not attached to anything that I have to do in the future; I don’t owe them anything, so as far as a business move that was a great business move.”

Mixtape Release Dates

March 30
Mateo – Love & Stadiums
Yung LA – Tattoos & Jewelry

March 31
Co$$ – Sleep Walking (A Prequel To Being Awake)
Dela – Translation Lost
Nina B – Remember Me Bitch! The Bosstress Is Back

April TBA
Aleon Craft & DJ Smallz – Mothership Decatur
Apollo The Great – Apollo 21
A-Wax – Nightmare From Elm Street Volume 3: The Street Tape
Balance – Golden State Warriorz 2
C.B. News – Brief EP
Conrizzle – CranGrape & White Girls
Fly.Union – The Greater Than Club
Jon Connor – Salvation
J. Sands – K.R.Sands
K. Gates & DJ Scream – Walkin On Hellfire
King Just – All Hail
Mookie Jones – PAN
Outasight – Figure 8
Phene – God On A Greyhound
Punchline & Fokis – The Dessert
Reek Da Villain – Villamatic

April 1
DJ KaySlay – Strength Of A Gesture
Smoke DZA – T.H.C. (The Hustlers Catalog)

April 4
D/Will & Stik Figa – Happy Hour

April 5
Mac Lethal – TBD

April 8
Problem & LA Leakers – TBD

April 11
OBX – Rage
Skeme – The Statement

April 12
Blaqstarr – BLAQSTARR: The Mixtape
D-12 – Return Of The Dozen Pt. 2
Illmaculate & G_Force – The Green Tape

April 15
Omen – Elaborate Musik Orchestra

April 18
Chamillionaire – Major Pain 1.5

April 19
Killer Mike – Bang
Marky & Rockwilder – The Markwilder Show

April 20
Curren$y & The Alchemist – Covert Coup
Jigg – High Grade

April 22
Fonzworth Bentley – C.O.L.O.U.R.S.
Phil Ade – A Different World

April 25
F.T. – TGIFT
GhostWridah – American Alien
Whitefolkz – Year Of The Dogg

April 26
SMKA – The 808 Experiment Vol. 3

April 27
Rain – Magic Hour 2

May TBA
Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day In Hell
Noah Jones – Relationship Therapy
OnCue – Can’t Wait

May 7
Armageddon – The Journal Vol. II: Outbreak

Summer TBA
Co$$ – Being Awake
CyHi Da Prynce – Royal Flush 2
DaVinci – The MOEna Lisa LP
Dujeous – Day In, Day Out
Freeway – Diamond In The Ruff
Hollyweerd – On The Road To #Hollyville
Kid CuDi – A Man Named Scott
Kyle Lucas – Coolest Kid On The Playground
Mac Miller – TBD
Muggsy Malone – The TPK Album
The Kid Daytona – The Interlude Part II

July TBA
Mista Mista – The University

July 2
SeDrew Price – The New Regime

August TBA
CyHi Da Prynce – Allies

August 18
CURT@!N$ – A Beautiful Mind

September TBA
Jon Connor – Vinnie Chase 2

Lil B Signs Tour Deal With Live Nation

After establishing a viral presence, the "Based God" Lil B, signs an unprecedented regional deal with touring giant, Live Nation.

San Francisco Weekly reports Lil B has signed a tour deal with Live Nation for a group of shows around the East Coast and the Midwest. The Based God is no stranger to the East, having previously performed at Santo’s Party House. He also made his first appearance in Atlanta last year, but this deal will apparently also cover some uncharted territory as well.

“It's for sure the first [Bay Area] show of this new era of people being aware of Lil B,” Sebastian Demian, Lil B’s manager, told SF Weekly. “We hope to take it all over the country and spread the message of based thinking. [He made] over 100 MySpace pages…over 100 videos on YouTube last year. Now we'll do over 100 shows.”

Demian says representatives from Live Nation couldn’t remember making a similar agreement before. Lil B signed a deal with Amalgam digital in 2010, but most artists signed to Live Nation touring deals are usually connected to a major label. While nothing is official, Demian added that he and Lil B are in talks with several labels.

Big Boi At Work With Little Dragon, DJ QBert Talks Skratch University

Big Boi fans can rejoice as he speaks on recording with Little Dragon and aspiring deejays can learn as DJ Qbert discusses his DJ school.

Big Boi supporters may be excited to hear that he is currently working on new music. He acknowledged this when he noted that he has linked up with Little Dragon on new material for an upcoming project.

Supporters will also be excited to know that Big Boi will be featured at this year's Soundset Festival on May 29, 2011. Big Boi, De La Soul, Slaughterhouse, 2Mex, Brother Ali, Zion I & The Grouch, Curren$y and Atmosphere are also slated to be on the bill to perform in Minnesota.

In other news, DJ Qbert recently spoke with The Cut about a variety of topics including his Qbert Skratch University. While free lessons are offered for free on YouTube, he's also got his deejay school, which he says has "over 1,500 registered students around the world."

He also added that they discuss a variety of deejay-related topics including a variety of techniques that are useful for mixers

New Boyz Prep Release Of "Too Cool To Care" LP, Big Sean, Tyga Featured

As they ready their new project, "Too Cool to Care," the New Boyz plan on PSA's and a high school tour.

The New Boyz are gearing up to release their latest project, Too Cool to Care, an album that will be released in early May to coincide with a school tour and a series of public service announcements. The young men who helped popularize the Jerk movement through their hit "You're a Jerk," are now looking to get in on the electro-pop craze. As a result, The Cataracts will be producing on the album and they have their hands on its first single, "Backseat." However, you can also expect to find other producers on the boards. DJ Khalil, Bei Maejor and others will also be a part of this album also.

As it turns out, New Boy Ben J says this will be a surprising project for many.

“This album is very different from the first one,” he noted. “We really wanted to show ourselves as creative artists. A lot of people are going to be surprised.”

Fans will be able to catch this change firsthand as the Boyz tour through schools. In addition to their tour, the group plans on having public service announcements based on individuality and creative expression, as Legacy explained.

“Too Cool To Care is not just an album, it’s a movement," Legacy said in a statement. "It’s about how we’ve always gotten criticism from those who want to hate our fashion and style. But we’ve continued and will continue to do our thing and test our boundaries.”

A track listing for the album is below.

Tough Kidz featuring Sabi
Crush On You featuring YG
Active Kings featuring Tyga
I Don’t Care featuring Big Sean
Porn Star
Backseat featuring The Cataracs & Dev
Meet My Mom
Start Me Up
Better With The Lights Off
Magazine Girl
Break My Bank featuring Iyaz
Zonin’
Let U Leave
Can’t Nobody featuring Shanell
Black Dress
Beautiful Dancer featuring Charlie Wilson

Jay-Z Subject of NBA Investigation

Jay-Z's recent visit to the Kentucky Wildcats locker room has started an investigation.

On Sunday March 27th the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels in an Elite Eight match up between two legendary programs. Following the win at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Jay-Z visited the locker room to congratulate the winning team.

There wasn't a problem with Jay-Z the rapper being in the locker room, but it is against NBA policy for Nets minority owner Shawn Carter to be there. NBA personnel are prohibited from being in contact with amateur players until they have declared for the draft. The high-powered Wildcats have a likely pair of lottery picks on their roster as well.

It is believed that it is Jay's relationship with basketball rainmaker William Wesley that led to him being in the room. Wesley, also known as Worldwide Wes, also has a relationship with Kentucky coach and former Nets coach John Calipari. Based on past infractions around the league, Jay-Z will likely face a small fine.

Lil Wayne Talks Alcohol-Free Probation, Early Retirement

Having been denied any drugs or alcohol, Lil Wayne explains life after prison and his hope to retire in seven years at age 35.

Part of Lil Wayne’s post-prison probation calls for a provision that prohibits him from consuming or drinking “any substances containing alcohol” for three years. It’s a change for Wayne, who has been seen for years carrying a pair of Styrofoam cups filled with what is usually a mix of codeine and promethazine. While Wayne joked with Hot 97’s Angie Martinez that his court-enforced sobriety leaves him with little use for his sunglasses, he said it was more difficult to adjust to other things behind bars.

“The hardest part about it was just coming from the life we live…coming from having a chauffer, masseuse, this that and the third. That’s why it’s different for everybody that goes,” Wayne said.

During Wayne’s nine-month stay on Rikers Island, his Young Money artists Drake and Nicki Minaj enjoyed continued success. He explained that their accomplishments were expected, and hoped for continued success as part of a larger plan for himself.”

“People think when you say work hard it’s just, ‘Okay let me put two extra hours in.’” Wayne added. “No, this is my life. That’s why retiring at 35 would be a life lived, because this music thing is my life. I want their singles to be hotter than mine. That’s why Nicki comes out after me. It’s all part of a plan.”

Timbaland Wins Bollywood Lawsuit For "Put You On The Game" Sample

Due to an unorthodox Indian copyright law, Timbaland and Game win a lawsuit for allegedly sampling a Bollywood movie without permission.

On Tuesday, The Honorable Judge Jane A. Restani, from Florida’s Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling from a lower court in favor of Timbaland. The case was initiated when Saregama India Ltd. filed a suit against Timbaland, Game, Aftermath and Interscope Records alleging Timbaland sampled the 1967 Bollywood song “Baghor Mein Bahar Hai” without permission.

Tim and Game repeatedly looped three notes found in the aforementioned song for the melody of Game’s 2005 single “Put You On The Game.” The case was ultimately decided an unconventional loophole in Indian copyright law.

“Even if BMBH were covered by the agreement (a question we need not decide), Saregama would not currently own a copyright in the BMBH sound recording and thus lacks statutory standing to bring this copyright infringement action. We, therefore, affirm the district court’s order granting summary judgment for the Defendants,” Judge Restani wrote in a precedential ruling.

Essentially, it was irrelevant if Timbaland had permission to use the sample. Bollywood films may have up to two additional copyright holders besides the original publisher, whereas most licensed works do not. Saregama didn't have standing to bring the lawsuit, and the case may be pending further appeal by the plaintiff.

Birdman Reportedly Spends $50K at Strip Club

Birdman reportedly dropped 50 stacks at a New York strip club earlier this week.

Cash Money empresario Birdman is hardly a stranger to dropping large sums of cash at a single time. Now, the former Big Tymer is making headlines for a recent spending spree at New York's Club Perfection.

According to Rap Radar, Birdman supposedly dropped $50,000 at the popular Queens strip club while on the Young Money/Cash Moeny I Am Music 2 tour.

This is hardly the first time Birdman has made headlines for his wealth. The New Orleans rapper most recently claimed he made a million dollar wager on the Super Bowl earlier this year.

Big Sean's G.O.O.D. Music Debut Gets Delayed Until June

Rap-Up.com has learned that Big Sean's G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records debut Finally Famous is now planned for June 21 release.

French Montana Confirms Two Albums On The Way, Three 6 Mafia & Wiz Khalifa Featured

Rapper French Montana prepares for two album releases, waiting for release date and record label for one album.

In an interview with Mikey T, Bronx by way of Morocco rapper French Montana confirmed that he will be releasing two projects in the near future.

One album, Cocaine Mafia, will feature appearances from a number of Hip Hop stars including rappers Wiz Khalifa and Waka Flocka.

“Me, Three 6 Mafia. [Got] other collabs on there. Wiz, Waka, everybody on there,” said French Montana when asked about the Cocaine Mafia album. “It’s gonna be a crazy album.”

On top of Cocaine Mafia French Montana will also be releasing Excuse My French, but the rapper is looking for both a release date and a record label for that album.

“Excuse My French the album gonna come out real soon just looking for a date. And looking for a label to put it out through,” French Montana explained.

French Montana is currently signed to Akon’s Konvict Muzik.

Wiz Khalifa Talks About Curren$y's Move To Warner, "Rolling Papers" Lyrical Moments

Taylor Gang's finest talks about his homie going to his former label, and shares thoughts on if Rostrum Records can do for Pittsburgh what Cash Money did for New Orleans.

Today, Wiz Khalifa released his major label debut Rolling Papers. Among the guests on the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania emcee's anticipated release is Curren$y, a close friend and industry mentor who appears on "Rooftops" . Recently, HipHopDX spoke with Wiz at Philadelphia's Wired 96.5 FM studios about Curren$y, who just signed with Warner Brothers, a place that was home to Khalifa for over two years, despite not releasing a full-length from the rapper. Asked if he had any concern for Spitta's move, Wiz explained, "When I heard about [Curren$y signing to Warner Brothers Records], I told him congratulations. I know they've got new people over [at Warner]. That's one thing. And I rock with Curren$y; that's my people, regardless of what situation he's in or what he's doin'. I always want to see him do good. And I know, him as a person, he's not gonna set himself up for failure. So I just trust him with that." Although Wiz and Warner were never able to achieve much success together outside of hit single "Say Yeah" , that has little to do with Curren$y. "Even if it was a bad situation, he'd still be my man."

In the last year, Wiz Khalifa has ascended the ranks from a perceived rookie to one of Hip Hop's biggest stars. In December of last year, Wiz and Rostrum Records label-mate Mac Miller performed two sold out shows at Pittsburgh's newly-opened Stage AE, an American Eagle-backed venue on the city's North Shore. Asked about the impact of selling out a large venue back-to-back nights after years of opening for touring acts in his city, Wiz noted, "It was a big deal opening for Nas [at University of Pittsburgh in 2007], and it's a big deal doing my thing [as a headliner] at the Stage AE. When we do Mellon Arena, it's gonna be a big thing...when we do Starlake Ampitheater, it's gonna be bigger and bigger. I'm just glad that my fans and everybody who supported me from the beginning, we all get to grow together."

Looking back at his rise, Wiz was also asked about lyrical moments within Rolling Papers. While present hit single "Roll Up" might be more Pop than some Taylor Gang fans favor, Wiz maintains that he still busts down bars on his Atlantic Records project. "'The Race' is definitely a lyrical moment, 'Star of The Show'...I got a lot of different stuff when I go deep and say different things, but a lot of my growth and development as an artist has been taking things that are really complex and make them seem simple. So the way that I say things on [Rolling Papers] might come across as really easy to listen to, but if you dig deep or go back, I want people to find [my lyricism too]."

Lastly, with fellow DXnext alum and label-mate Mac Miller rising within Hip Hop, and also releasing digital EP On & On today, Wiz was asked if Rostrum Records can do for the Steel City what Ruthless Records did for Compton, or what No Limit and Cash Money Records afforded New Orleans. "I think Rostrum can be a vehicle for great music, period. [Rostrum founder and CEO] Benjy [Grinberg] works really hard and he knows what's really important. He's not just trying to sign artists before they blow up. We work hands-on with everything, so it takes a lot of time and a lot of attention," said Wiz. As far as joining those aforementioned dynasties, the humble emcee said,"It can get to that point."

Jay-Z And Red Sox's David Ortiz Settle 40/40 Club Lawsuit

One of Jay-Z's lawyers tells the NY Daily News the lawsuit between Jay-Z and David Ortiz over the 40/40 Club name has been settled in principle.

The battle between Jay-Z and Boston Red Sox slugger, David Ortiz, has been settled. One of Jay-Z’s lawyers, Peter Raymond, told the New York Daily News the only thing missing is the official paperwork.

“The case has been settled in principle,” Raymond told the Daily News. “We have agreed on the outlines of a settlement and need to reduce it to writing.”

After Jay slapped Ortiz with a $5 million trademark infringement suit, Ortiz’s camp claimed the suit was extremely excessive. Jay-Z owns several franchised 40/40 Club locations, and Ortiz opened a “Forty-Forty” club in his native Dominican Republic, which spawned the 2010 suit. The most recent ruling called for Ortiz to rename his club.

Federal District Judge Richard Berman was set to rule in the case Tuesday, March 29, 2011. He’d previously urged both parties to settle, and once they agree in writing the case could be dismissed in as little as 30 days.

“Seems like a sensible outcome,” Berman added

CyHi Da Prince Readies 2 Mixtapes Before G.O.O.D. Debut

With Royal Flush 2 on the way, CyHi talks about his plans leading up to his debut LP.

CyHi Da Prince is serious about getting his debut album on the shelves, even if it means resorting to text messages to higher powers. The Stone Mountain native spoke to MTV about his plans for 2011.

"At the end of April, I want to put out Royal Flush 2 and I wanna release The Allies when school is coming back in," CyHi said. "Those two projects, I want them to be my last mixtapes that I put out before my album. I'm speaking my album into existence this year. God says, 'If you ask, you shall receive,' so I'm asking, and hopefully I'll receive it sometime soon. I'm sending a pigeon or something, even a text message."

The G.O.O.D. Music artist is calling his debut The Hard Way Musical, and it is coming along. "My album is a lot of storytelling. It's heartfelt, but at the same time it's hip-hop to the T," he said of the songs he's recorded. "Royal Flush is more so the different parts of me, but my album is gonna be more the story of me."

Former HOT97 / "106 & Park" Mixer DJ Megatron Murdered

According to police, Corey "DJ Megatron" McGriff was shot down while talking to a friend on his cell phone on his way to buy some weed and a cigar. Police are still investigating the reason behind the shooting, if any. They're also seeking information on three young men who fled the scene.

McGriff, a father of three, allegedly left his four year old child home alone.

Online Petition To Get Stat Quo's Original "Statlanta" Released

His debut finally dropped last summer, but fans are still after the album that was supposed to come out in 2007.

There are a lot of great Hip Hop albums that never saw the light of days until years after their intended release. Large Professor's The LP, Freddie Foxxx's Crazy Like A Foxxx and I.n.I.'s Center of Attention to name a few.

Former Shady/Aftermath artist Stat Quo was nearly added to that list until his long delayed debut Statlanta hit shelves last summer. However, the Dream Big Ventures release was much different than the version that was supposed to come out on Shady/Aftermath years earlier. Most notably, it was stripped of all of Dr. Dre and Eminem's contributions.

Fans are now petitioning to have the original version released. You can sign the petition here. Below is a partial tracklisting for the lost album.

1) “Statlanta” Produced by Fire Dept
2) “Testify/The Next One” featuring Eminem Produced by Eminem
3) “Fire” featuring Bilal Produced by Dr. Dre
4) “The Way It Is” featuring Scarface and Dr. Dre Produced by Dr. Dre
5) “G.R.I.T.S.” Produced by Mark Batson and Che Vicious
6) “They Call Me” Produced by Dr. Dre and Nottz
7) “Pussy” featuring Devin The Dude Produced by L.T. Moe for Global Music Movement
8) “Finger to the Sky” Produced by Scott Storch
9) “30 Minutes” Produced by Eminem
10) “All Hood” Produced by Dr. Dre
11) “Goin’ Somewhere” Produced by K. Kane

Rick Ross Talks Wale Signing

Rick Ross says one of his first singees reminds him of Kanye West.

Fans were buzzing when Rick Ross signed Washington, D.C. emcee Wale to his Maybach Music Group. But perhaps no one is as excited as Rick Ross himself.

Speaking to MTV News, Ross explained that Wale reminds him of another emcee - Kanye West.

"After spending months of my summer working with Kanye, I learned and seen so many different visions and ideas come to light," explained Ross. "I was there for 'Flashing Lights,' when it was actually titled another title that me and Kanye went back and forth about. And when I think about Wale, I think about Kanye."

Ross continued the lofty comparison, and said that he sees potential in Wale to reach Kanye's heights.

The Miami rapper added that Wale's next solo album should drop approximately two months after MMG's Self Made compilation.

Ross was recently arrested for marijuana possession, but was released on a misdemeanor summons.

Jay-Z Biography Explains Success Of Rocawear & Failure Of 'Jay-Z Jeep'

Zack O'Malley Greenburg's unauthorized book "Empire State Of Mind" describes Jay-Z's successes as well as his lesser-known failures.

Jay-Z's evolution from street hustler to bankable businessman is chronicled in Zack O'Malley Greenburg's new book Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office. While Jay-Z declined to participate in adding to the content of the book, the work does an interesting job of explaining how the rapper earned more than all but seven public CEOs in 2010.

The book specifically points at how a failed business venture birthed the idea for Rocawear. In the early '90s, Jay became aware of his knack for trendsetting after many of his fans showed up to his concerts wearing Iceberg Apparel clothing, a clothing line he'd referenced in his music. He later approach Iceberg about an endorsement deal when the clothing line saw a boost in sales, but was turned down. The failed prospect prompted him to start his own apparel line, Rocawear, and would pave the way for several other business endeavors.

Although much has been said about Jay-Z's successes, the book also highlights some of his failures. His deal with Chrysler to create the "Jay-Z Jeep" fell through as did a venture with GMC Yukon for a "Jay-Z blue" painted vehicle. Greenburg says that many of the rapper's failures are well-kept under wraps. "He doesn't want to be seen as anything other than victorious…Even Jay-Z fails, but that doesn't make him any less of a businessman."

Foxy Brown Responds to Cruise Ship Allegations

Foxy Brown took to Twitter to respond to reports of rowdy behavior on a radio host's cruise line.

It looks like Foxy Brown's cruise ship debacle is far from over. The "Il Na Na" rapper recently went at radio host Tom Joyner via Twitter after reports surfaced that she was kicked off his Fantastical Voyage crew line.

She continued on to say that Joyner is is lying about she had to be "sent to her cabin" and ultimately removed from the ship. Foxy even posted a picture of her on the ship itself as proof.

Vado Signs With Interscope

Cam'ron's U.N. protégé follows The Diplomats and signs a solo deal with Interscope.

When the Diplomats eventually finalize their group deal at Interscope, they will have some company, as Cam’ron formally announced today that a familiar face would also be signing at his future label.

“[Vado] just signed a deal with Interscope,” Cam’ron told Hot 97’s Angie Martinez. “Shout out to DJ and Jimmy Iovine at Interscope; we appreciate that. I’m really excited that he’s getting the opportunity to do his thing on his own.”

Cam crowned Vado as the new voice of Lenox Avenue, citing Vado’s solo performance at the 2010 Summer Jam concert. He also praised Vado’s ability to cater to radio by revealing Vado was responsible for the chorus to the single “Hey Muma.”

Various members of the Dip Set have mentioned signing a deal with Interscope since the fall of 2010, and Cam also explained the reasons for the multiple delays.

“We working with DJ and Jimmy Iovine to get the deal over there at Interscope done for us as well,” Cam added. “It’s just a little more intricate, being that everyone is signed to a deal already. Everything’s still going, but we all just had prior obligations. Me and Vado got this Gunz 'N' Butta album coming out. Jim [Jones] has a solo album coming out called Capo, and Juelz [Santana] is working on his mixtape.”

Rihanna Covers New Rolling Stone Issue

That is all.

Lil Wayne And Paris Hilton Talk Music, Paparazzi And Prison

During a conversation for Interview magazine, Lil Wayne and Paris Hilton swap stories about the price of fame and being locked up in solitary confinement.

Interview magazine has a tradition of letting celebrities interview each other with mixed results. Pharrell Williams once interviewed the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and more recently, Kanye West interviewed Rihanna for the November, 2010 issue. For the current April issue, Dimitri Ehrlich oversaw Paris Hilton as she posed a series of questions to Lil Wayne.

The billionaire heiress opened up the interview by asking Wayne about his upbringing and his motivation for becoming a rapper before finding what she deemed more common ground.

“I had to do 24 nights in solitary,” Hilton told Lil Wayne, when the subject of prison was brought up. “Oh, so you know how it is,” Wayne replied. And, in what may have been his most entertaining exchange since Wayne told Katie Couric, “I’m a gangsta, Miss Katie,” Hilton replied, “Yeah, I know how it is.”

Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in jail in 2007 due to an alcohol-related reckless driving case used incarceration as common ground. Wayne spent nine months in Rikers Island in 2010 for a weapons possession charge. The pair also covered topics of Paparazzi and tabloids, with both stars being amused by rumors of their own deaths.

“The only time I ever really witnessed some crazy paparazzi was during my court experiences,” Wayne said. “Every time I rode up to court, as soon as I jumped out of the truck, they were there to snap, and all in our way to where we couldn't walk. It's nowhere near like that around here. But maybe I'm just not that caliber of person that they want to take pictures of me like that.”

In addition to them both being fans of the popular Miami nightclub LIV, Hilton added that she loved Wayne’s Rock/Alt album, The Rebirth. Aside from the randomness of the pairing, the Q&A between Weezy and Paris may or may not temporarily deflect best selling author Neil Strauss’ claim that Hilton refuses to date black men because of her feelings about their hygeine. In Strauss’ book, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead, he quotes Hilton as allegedly saying, “I can’t stand black guys. I would never touch one. It’s gross.”

E-40 Talks Working With Snoop Dogg, Embracing New Artists

For the latest pair of "Revenue Retrievin'" albums E-40 keeps it familiar with Snoop while also embracing a new generation of emcees.

During a career that has spanned nearly 17 years, E-40 now finds himself in an ambassador role for both the Bay Area and Hip Hop in general. While on the set of Snoop Dogg’s “My Fuc’n House” video, which also features Young Jeezy, 40 Water observed how things have come full circle. His latest albums Revenue Retrievin’: Overtime Shift and Revenue Retrievin’: Graveyard Shift find him embracing artists that may not be known to the casual Hip Hop fan, and 40 says that it’s no coincidence.

“Independent music is taking over right now, and a lot of people want to exclude the up and coming artists,” E-40 said. “But I’m gonna include the up and coming artists and producers.”

The talk of newer artists may have struck a nerve as E-40 reflected on his 1994 debut, Federal, and how he later befriended another legendary West Coast emcee who was also making his solo debut around the same time.

“Years ago Snoop told me, ‘We fuck with y’all,’” E-40 added. “So we’re all connected, and years later we’ve all bonded. Here we is, years later, putting together this classic music.”

Snoop Dogg added that the pair’s longevity can be attributed to being authentic and original at a time when many artists prefer to copy the most popular current trend. Snoop and E-40’s bond apparently goes beyond music, as 40 showed a older picture of Snoop, explaining how the whole Dogg Pound came to Vallejo to meet him years ago.

“Whether I got an album out or not, I’m gonna always bang some 40,” Snoop added. “We’ve always been down with each other, and we just love the fact that we’re still able to do it. Whenever he calls me, I’m there for him and the feeling is mutual.”

Eminem Expected To Gain Additional $30 Million From Royalty Lawsuit

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear Universal Music Group's appeal of an ongoing digital royalty lawsuit could boost the value of Eminem's digital catalogue.

Eminem was not a participant in the landmark lawsuit against Universal Music Group that named him as a plaintiff, but he will most likely see his net worth significantly grow after the Supreme Court refused to hear the case last week.

“As of now it’s worth $17 million or $20 million, but on a future accounting basis, five or 10 years from now, it could easily be a $40 million to $50 million issue,” F.B.T. Productions’ manager Joel Martin told the New York Times. After initially signing Em, F.B.T. continues to collect royalties on his music; the Detroit-based production outfit initiated the digital royalty lawsuit against Aftermath, Interscope and Universal Music Group.

Representatives from Universal stated the case would not set a legal precedent when UMG appealed the initial ruling in September of 2009. But older artists, who didn’t originally have digital royalty clauses in their contracts, are hoping otherwise.

“This is life-changing,” Joyce Moore, the wife of Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, told the Times. The song “Soul Man” is just one of the songs from Moore’s catalogue that is getting royalties at the old 12% rate. “If we were being paid a nickel a download, as opposed to 35 cents—that’s a huge amount of money for a guy that is on a fixed income or has to run up and down the road at 75 years old.”

Despite dwindling overall sales, many labels still bring in tens of millions annually from music contained in older catalogues. But the advent of digital downloads and the legal language over how their royalties are split has been a major sticking point. In addition to F.B.T.’s suit against UMG, The Allman Brothers and Cheap Trick sued Universal and Sony BMG over similar royalty issues.

Mack 10 Sued Over $2,000 Due To Unpaid Studio Time

Mack 10 hit with a lawsuit due to 30 hours' worth of unpaid studio time at Los Angeles' The Doghouse Studio.

California rapper Mack 10 is just the latest artist to be added to the growing list of Hip Hop stars facing lawsuits. Just days ago Lil Wayne and Young Money were hit with a lawsuit from New Orleans producer Deezle over unpaid royalties.

According to TMZ, Mack 10 is being sued over $2,000 by Rodger Carter the owner of The Doghouse Studio in Los Angeles because of unpaid studio time.

A lawsuit filed in a Malibu small claims court by Carter last month states that Mack 10 did not pay for 30 hours’ worth of studio time. Each hour in the studio cost Mack 10 $75 for a grand total of $2,165 owed.

Mack 10’s last studio album, Soft White, was released in 2009. He’s currently preparing for the release of Money Music, a joint project with Los Angeles rapper Glasses Malone. Money Music is scheduled to be released on April 12, 2011.

The rapper has yet to respond publicly to Carter’s lawsuit.

Freeway Speaks On Negative Islamic Stereotypes

As congressional hearings on the radicalization of Muslim Americans are being held, Freeway tells CNN about the positive effect his faith has had on him.

The perception of Islam has changed for many Americans following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the country’s subsequent “war on terrorism” with Al Qaeda. Earlier in March, as US Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King spearheaded a congressional hearing on the radicalization of Muslim Americans, Philadelphia emcee Freeway explained the positive impact Islam has had on his life and his Rap career.

“It definitely hurts my feelings when I hear Islam being put in a negative light,” Freeway said, during an interview with CNN. “You can’t judge a whole group of people by a few people making mistakes. I just want people to know that Islam is a beautiful, peaceful religion. It’s more than a religion, it’s a way of life.”

Since the events of 9/11 there have been highly publicized Qur’an burnings and protests to prevent the building of Mosques in other communities. Freeway, who says he took the Muslim confession of faith—or Shahada—at age 14 said his Islamic faith changed him both as a man and as an emcee.

During his 2003 Roc-a-Fella debut, Freeway focused a significant portion of his rhymes on drugs and violence, but he said his faith and maturation has led to a conscious effort to be more accountable about his lyrical content.

“My faith means everything to me,” Freeway added. “It’s the thing that keeps me going everyday. It’s my core; it’s my soul.”

Wu-Tang Members, Sean Price & More To Perform At New European Hip Hop Festival

Bridgin' The Gap was going to be largest indoor Hip Hop festival in Europe, but disappointing ticket sales put an end to that. Organizers have announced that the event has officially been cancelled.

“The event received an enormous amount of attention as well as the support of our (media)partners, it just wasn’t enough to generate sufficient ticket sales. The financial risks have become too great, and we are faced with a difficult decision, however, the only responsible choice is to cancel the event”. said Monique Van Melle, one of the directors.

If you have already purchased a ticket, please contact organizers via email at info@bridginthegap.nl.

Ludacris To Perform As Part of MLB's Civil Rights Game Week

Luda will be performing in the ATL's Turner Field during MLB's Civil Rights Game Week. The emcee shares thoughts on the week's celebrations and what it all means to him.

On May 14, Ludacris will be performing in Atlanta, Georgia's Turner Field after an Atlanta Braves/Philadelphia Phillies matchup. The performance will serve as part of Civil Rights Game Week where Major League Baseball will honor activists who fought for equality.

Luda spoke about this performance in a statement explaining what it means to him.

“I’m a fan of baseball, and I am honored to be a part of MLB’s family and tradition of being a pioneering organization for civil rights, social justice and equity. I have studied the strides made in baseball and in sports, and the impact they have had on social issues affecting race and race relations in America. The Civil Rights Game Week is a celebration of those achievements and a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to continue leveling the playing field for all.”

Below is a schedule of the week's events according to MLB.com.

Thursday, May 12
Business Conference - Conference Diversity Workforce and Supplier Diversity Trade Fair
Chasing the Dream: A Red Carpet Tribute to Hank Aaron
Friday, May 13
Business Conference - Leadership Panels and Award Luncheon
Baseball & the Civil Rights Movement Roundtable Discussion
Saturday, May 14
Civil Rights Game Youth Summit/"Wanna Play?"
MLB Beacon Awards Banquet
Sunday, May 15
Fifth Annual Civil Rights Game: Phillies at Braves

Ice Cube To Appear In Upcoming Coors Light Advertisements

The former St. Ides endorser will be clapping off "silver bullets" in the near future.

In 1993, South Central Los Angeles emcee Ice Cube appeared on "King Tee's Beer Stand" from the rapper of the same name's Tha Triflin' Album. Endorsing St. Ides malt liquor, the iconic rapper proclaimed, "Ice Cube in the glass house, headed for the sto' . / To get a beer that's better than the rest / The S-T-Period-I-D-E-to-the-S."

Eighteen years later, the former N.W.A. member will be endorsing a new brand of beer in Coors Light. According to Advertising Age, Cube will appear in an upcoming campaign for the "silver bullet" beer, whereby the furrowed brow-emcee stares down several beers to see which is the coldest.

Drake Shut Out At Canadian Grammys

Despite his international success, Drake goes home empty handed at his local Juno Awards

Last night Canada held the 40th Annual Juno Awards at the ACC in Toronto, where international star Drake was nominated for six awards.

The Toronto native was nominated for the Fan Choice Award, which was taken home by Justin Bieber to little surpise. Drake lost the best Rap Recording category to Shad for his critically acclaimed TSOL, and dropped Single of the Year honors to K'naan and Young Artists for Haiti for "Wavin' Flag."

The Young Money artist was bested by the legendary Neil Young in the Artist of the Year category and was beat by Arcade Fire for both Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Black Milk, Sean Price & Guilty Simpson's "Random Axe" To Release June 14

Last week, Duck Down Records released a word-scramble that revealed that Black Milk, Sean Price and Guilty Simpson's Random Axe will release on June 14, 2010.

Ras Kass Talks HRSMN Album

One-fourth of The Four Horsemen talks the pending release of the group's first album since 2003.

Recently, Ras Kass called into Conspiracy Worldwide Hip Hop Radio to discuss the highly-anticipated album from HRSMN, the supergroup consisting of Ras Kass, Canibus, Killah Priest and Kurupt.

Doing a track-by-track breakdown for show hosts Mista Montana and Menace, Ras Kass also discussed the group's chemistry. "Yeah, I think we work well. Everybody is separate - Kurupt may be gone with Snoop on tour for two weeks or three weeks...but you know, we make the time, and I say 'I'm comin' over.'...and we're recording HRSMN records."

"We just dropped what we call a trailer...it's called 'The End is Near.' It's a pretty dope track that's actually our 'Sintro.'...there are no vocals, it's just words. You gotta read it."

The interview highlighted that RZA would be executive-producing the project, and Ras Kass indicated that the group hoped to land a track from DJ Premier.

Ras Kass says that the group has completed about seven tracks, and hopes to do about seven more. He estimates that RZA will do about two or three, and Premier will produce one. Among the tracks are "Impossible," which features RBX. Prodigal Sunn will also be featured on a track, as will RZA and Ghostface Killah. Pharoahe Monch and Mos Def have been listed as possibilities as well.

Finally, Ras Kass revealed that projects on the horizon for him include collaborations with David Banner and Xzibit.