R. Kelly Released From Hospital After Throat Surgery

According to Billboard.com, R. Kelly has been released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital today after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday. It is currently unclear if he will be able to resume touring and performing in the near future.

Mary J. Blige Recalls Childhood Abuse, Alcoholism On VH1's "Behind The Music”

MJB reflects on the dark periods in her life in her upcoming episode, airing this Sunday.

Mary J. Blige opens up about her troubled past in her upcoming episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” airing on Sunday, July 24th at 10 p.m. EST. On the show, she speaks on how sexual abuse as a child haunted her for years and how it gave way to self-esteem issues.

“When I was 5 years old I was molested and just, you know. I remember feeling, literally right before it happened, I just could not believe that this person was going to do this to me.…That thing followed me all my life. The shame of thinking my molestation was my fault. It led me to believe I wasn’t worth anything.”

The Queen of Hip Hop/Soul also touches on her struggles with alcoholism and how a near-death experience made her hit rock bottom. “The problem had snowballed into this thing that was bigger than me,” she says. “It was bigger than me. And it was definitely going to kill me. So I was like this is it and let’s go. And I remember sitting on my bed. I swear, I don’t know what death feels like, but I felt like my spirit was trying to leave my body. And I was crying, and I was going please God, no no, not now, I don’t want this. I prayed, like I remember saying a prayer I said God, send me someone to help me.”

Crediting her husband Kendu Isaacs as her savior, MJB shares her inspirational story of overcoming her adversity. “This could have been a tragic story. Every single chapter… I am the living proof that any person going through any kind of tragic situation in their lives. Any molestation, any self-hatred, anything terrible, you can get out, you can make it.”

Fashawn Talks J. Cole, Odd Future, Blu & Next Album

Fresno's Fashawn speaks on working with J. Cole, Odd Future's "refreshing" nature and more collaborations with Blu. The F also promises an album before 2012 and more.

During a recent stop in Santa Cruz, California, Fashawn spoke with Amadeuz TV about a slew of topics including J. Cole, Odd Future and rhyme partner Blu. The Fresno emcee also spoke about his upcoming performance at Rock the Bells and his forthcoming album, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed Boy Meets World debut.

When speaking about J. Cole, who Fash has worked with in the past, the Dirty Science crew member had pleasant things to say. He also shared his feelings about the "refreshing" nature of the Odd Future movement.

"J. Cole's one of the dopest artists out, as far as the new generation of emcees. I met him a few years ago and we've been in contact ever since," he said, before complimenting another act. "I think [Odd Future is] refreshing. I respect the audacity they have to be them. That's cool."

Fashawn supporters have been able to catch more of Fash on mixtapes, but his next full-length is something many have been waiting for. Fans won't have to wait long. According to him, he has been working on new material with the Dirty Science collective, a crew that also features Blu and Exile, among others. He has also started working on his next solo endeavor, an album set to come out later this year. In addition to all of this, he said he will try his hand at writing a movie.

"[Expect] more music from me, trying new things and experimenting. I feel like if it's not taking a risk, you shouldn't even do it. It's not even worthy enough to be called an idea. New innovative stuff from Fashawn, expect me to branch out. I might even do a movie. I might write a movie. I'm not a big actor, I write."

When asked about his performance with Blu and Exile at Paid Dues this year, he said fans can expect an even better set for Rock the Bells.

"It's going to be even crazier because I'm also bringing my band...It's going to be like the Paid Dues set but on crack.
We haven't stopped recording material. It's just a matter of time before y'all get the new music. We'll be performing some new shit at Rock the Bells, as well. Expect some stuff from the clan, man. Dirty Science is the crew. Exile is the general of that movement, I feel."

While promising an album "before this year's over," he also added, "I don't have an exact date because I'm still working on it."

50 Cent Explains The Benefits Of Delaying His Fifth Solo Album

Fif speaks on how he approached penning material with his upcoming LP.

50 Cent has been taking his time with his untitled fifth solo album, a tactic that’s allowed him to better focus on his material. During a press conference at the Festival de Casablanca 2011, Fif explained that he was always racing to meet deadlines with previous albums, but took the Eminem and Dr. Dre approach with this LP.

“I’ve worked longer on this album than any of my other projects. I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate the things that I created initially, and go back and revamp things and change things around a bit,” he said. “Both Em and Dre have had opportunities to critique themselves, when I was always on the shot clock. So this time, I get a chance to really make sure I feel like it’s going to be the right music for this time period.”

Like with his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin', the G-Unit general is looking towards his personal life for inspiration on his next release, but realizes the stakes are high.

“My material comes from my actual experience. In a lot of ways, the things that I’m saying, it doesn’t necessarily reflect my mind state at the time, but my first album had all of the dysfunction that I was being exposed to. It went on to be the largest debuting Hip Hop album, selling 12 million records. The task of recreating that came up. So I had to figure out new ways to write things or new portions of my experience to create music based on those things. Now, this album, it’s more creative, I feel like, because I’ve’ had to find things away from those things that I’ve done continuously.”

Wale To Release Sophomore Album "Ambition" This Fall

The Maybach Music Group member is in the studio working on the follow-up to his debut "Attention Deficit."

Wale is currently laying down his sophomore album Ambition, keeping fans hip to his progress during the recording process. According to XXLMag.com, listeners won't have to wait much longer to get the follow-up to 2009's Attention Deficit, with his sophomore set slated for release on November 1st.


Ambition comes on the heels of Attention Deficit, released in November 2009. The album, which featured guest appearances from Lady Gaga, Bun B, Pharrell Williams and more, debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 chart with 28,300 copies sold in its first week.

50 Cent Signs Genasis To G-Unit Records

Fif continues to expand his roster with another addition to his growing family.

After signing Shawty Lo to a partnership deal and adding Kidd Kidd to his roster, 50 Cent has another addition to his growing G-Unit family. The media mogul has signed Genasis to the imprint, with the West Coast native making the announcement on his Twitter page (via RR).

DJ Khaled Brands Rick Ross' Upcoming Album A "Classic In The Making”

According to Khaled, Rawse's next album will be one for the history books.

Taking a break from promoting his latest album We the Best Forever, DJ Khaled shed some light on his associate Rick Ross’ upcoming LP God Forgives, I Don’t. Speaking with MTV News, the Miami, Florida mogul explained that the upcoming Rawse album will defy expectations.

“God Forgives, I Don't is a classic-in-the-making. Let me tell you something right now: This album is so crazy from the beginning of what I've been in the studio hearing already," he said. "I can't give you too much because I'm going to let him do that, because that's his project, but I could tell you right now it's classic and he is talking that talk."

The follow-up to last year’s Teflon Don and the Maybach Music Group compilation Self Made Vol. 1, Ross’ impending release is a sign of the times, says Khaled.

“God Forgives, I Don't, it fits the time because right now it's no rules," he continued. "We don't see 'em; we going hard and that's what Ross is doin'."