GLAAD Lashes Out At MTV For Awarding Tyler, The Creator At 2011 VMAs

The gay rights organization says that MTV should be more responsible in educating the masses.

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has issued a statement addressing Tyler, The Creator’s recent win for Best New Artist at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

The organization claims that MTV should be more responsible in educating viewers on the homophobic slurs and misogynistic lyrics found in contemporary music.

“Rather than providing simply a larger platform, MTV and other networks should educate viewers about why anti-gay and misogynistic language has no place in the music industry today,” said Senior Director of Programs, Herndon Graddick. “Given Tyler’s history of such remarks, viewers and potential sponsors should refrain from honoring homophobia and in the future look to a more deserving artist.”

Back in July, a number of women’s rights and LGBT organizations in Chicago, Illinois protested Odd Future’s performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival.

Drake Talks Working With Stevie Wonder, Evolution As A Rapper

Drizzy talks about recording with the legendary Stevie Wonder and how he's grow as an artist since he first burst on the scene.

With as many hit songs as he's appeared on this summer alone, it's hard to imagine that Drake had enough time to record his own music. Now, however, in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Young Money reveals that his sophomore LP Take Care will arrive on schedule this October 24, and that it's picked up a few key collaborations along the way.

Drizzy explained that he was able to enlist R&B legend Stevie Wonder to record a song with him, titled "Doing It Wrong." According to Drake, the song found him venturing out of his pop-oriented comfort zone and looking back to Stevie Wonder's discography for inspiration. He also said it's the first song he's recorded that's made listeners actually tear up in front of him.

"I had a song that’s very powerful, it’s called 'Doing It Wrong,' and Stevie [Wonder] boosted it to another level," he said. "[Noah '40' Shebib] produced it, but Stevie has a solo on it that he plays. It’s a great piece of music...He brought life to it. I was only trying to use extremely strong R&B songs on this album if I’m going to use R&B at all. Before I’d have scattered interludes and songs where I’m experimenting with things. Here I wanted to get back to 'Brand New,' 'Bria’s Interlude' days. It’s going to be really tight writing and shit that’s sexy as fuck. That’s my thing. I’m going to do the type of R&B I’m good at. With Stevie it’s hard for me to explain. It’s an incredible thing I witnessed that night. He heard a song that he saw some potential in and he added some key pieces that made it come to life.

He added, "I’ve never played a song for people and they’ve cried and gone into their own private zone in their mind where they’re really thinking about some situations that hit home. And this song has done that for me. I’ve never seen that before. I’ve heard stories where it’s like, 'So and so cried when they heard this.' And I’d be like, 'Yeah, okay, cool.' But I’ve seen people tear up listening to this song that me and Stevie did...I think me and Stevie immediately formed a relationship where he wants to see me do well. He’s expressed to me adamantly that he wants to see me succeed. He wants to see me on the moon. It’s boosted my confidence."

Drake also spoke on his evolution as an artist and as an emcee. He said that many fans tell him that he's not the same artist as he was on his smash mixtape So Far Gone. As much as he wants to cater to his fans' needs, however, Drake recognizes that he can't stay stagnant as a lyricist, and that in order to grow as a person, his approach to music will have to change as well.

"[P]eople always say 'I miss the old you.' And I take it. I go, 'I hear you man,'" he said. "I don’t ever lash out online or whatever. What’s interesting is that they don’t really miss the old me, because any real fan would want me to evolve and get better. And I think what people miss are the time markers. For a lot of people our albums are time markers...[s]o when people say that, I just think they’re saying they miss that time in their lives...With this record, I knew I couldn’t talk about 'Oh, I miss my old friends.' On Thank Me Later I said something like 'I wish wasn’t famous. I wish I was still in school.' At that time that was really how I felt. But when I listen back to it...I’m more confident now...This album is about living it and owning it and letting you know exactly what I go through. It’s not Drake on So Far Gone and it’s not Drake on Thank Me Later. I can’t go back to the old me. It’s impossible. I’m proud of who I’ve evolved into, for sure."

He added that his personal growth has factored heavily into the manner in which he writes and delivers lyrics, saying, "The other day me and 40 found a box of So Far Gone CDs - like actual CDs that we gave out around the city when I dropped the mixtape. That night I drove home listening to it and it hit me right there. As well put together and different as it was, it hit me that, 'You can rap better than this now.' It was like I told myself, 'Congratulations, you can spit better than this now.' But it’s hard for me to pat myself on the back. My arms don’t reach that far. I can’t really get a good pat. [Laughs] I’m pushing myself. I’m 24 and there are a lot of eyes on me, a lot of pressure on me. And I just want to be someone they remember. I want to speak for this generation."

The full article can be found on Entertainment Weekly's website.

Phonte Speaks On Drake Dedicating His BMI Award To Him

Drizzy named Phontigallo as one of his inspirations, but Phonte says a collaboration in the near future isn't likely.

During his acceptance speech for Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Urban Awards this past weekend, Drake thanked Kanye West, Andre 3000 and Phonte for inspiring him. Speaking with The Source, Phontigallo spoke on being named by the Young Money rapper, explaining that he’d like to collaborate for Take Care but can't seem to link with the rapper.

“To my knowledge, it’s not happening. We’ve made contact with each other but all of my attempts to make something real happen have led to a dead end,” he said. “I saw that he dedicated his BMI award to me and while that was a very noble and thoughtful gesture, I’d much rather he had dedicated himself to finishing a verse for one of me and 9th’s songs. That, to me, seems like a more tangible way of showing gratitude. But with that said, I’m still a fan and I think he’s an incredibly talented artist. When Take Care drops, he’s got my money.”

Phonte is currently gearing up for the release of his solo debut, Charity Starts at Home, releasing September 27th.

Read the full interview at TheSource.com.

DJ Pauly D Recording Album With 50 Cent

The "Jersey Shore" star reveals he's working on an LP with Fif.

DJ Pauly D is the latest to sign to 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records, revealing that he inked a three-album deal with the imprint earlier this month. Speaking with Billboard.com, the “Jersey Shore” star confirmed that he’s working on an album with Fif that channels “DJ Khaled” and “David Guetta.”

“I'm focusing on music. That's my my passion. I'm working with 50 Cent now. I'm gonna do an album with him,” he revealed. "It's going to be a little bit of everything. It's almost like DJ Khaled and kind of David Guetta but my own DJ Pauly D style."

Pauly D is currently on tour with Britney Spears as part of her “Femme Fatale” tour.

Rap Release Dates

August 30
BK-One - Tema Do Canibal EP
Blu - J e s u s
Braille - Native Lungs
DJ Drama - Third Power
Glasses Malone - Beach Cruiser
Ja Rule - Pain Is Love 2
Skyzoo - The Great Debater
Slim Thug Presents...-Boss Hogg Outlawz - Serve And Collect Part 3 (Immahogg)
Soopafly - Best Kept Secret
Timbo King - Babylon To Timbuktu
Uptown XO - Monumental II
Smoke DZA - Rolling Stoned

September 5
DJ Shadow - The Less You Know, The Better

September 6
Oddisee - Rock Creek Park

September 13
Bronze Nazareth - School For the Blindman
Kurupt Presents - The Academy
Shawn Chrystopher - Silent Films For the Blind
Swizz Beatz - Haute Living

September 20
Cormega - Mega Raw/Greatest Hits
DTMD - Makin' Dollas
G-Macc - The Opera/Angels & Demons
Hollywood FLOSS - One Fan At a Time
Mary J. Blige - My Life II: The Journey Continues
Tragedy Khadafi - Thug Matrix 3
Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 103

September 27
9th Wonder - The Wonder Years
Big K.R.I.T. - Live From the Underground
J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story
J-Live - S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability)
Phonte - Charity Starts At Home
Pusha T - Fear Of God 2: Let Us Pray

October 4
Drake - Take Care
Exile - 4TRK MIND
Freestyle Fellowship - The Promise
Maino - The Day After Tomorrow
Styles P - Master Of Ceremonies

October 5
Cam'ron & Vado - Boss Of All Bosses 3

October 11
The Away Team - Scars & Stripes
Icebird (rjd2 x Aaron Livingston) - The Abandoned Lullaby
Roots Manuva - 4Everevolution

October 18
Witchdoctor - The United Race Ov America

October 25
Yelawolf - Radioactive
Statik Selektah - Population Control
Melanie Fiona - The MF Life

November 1
Bow Wow - Underrated
Torae - For the Record
Tyrese - Open Invitation
Wale - Ambition

Kanye West Welcomes D'banj To G.O.O.D. Music, Awards Him His Chain

After getting off a PJ, West introduces fans to the newest member of the G.O.O.D. Music team, D'banj.

Fresh off the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West surprised a London crowd with a performance and announcement as he welcomed D'banj into the G.O.O.D. Music family. In a moment that was reminiscent to his own induction to Roc-a-Fella, West also gave his new artist his G.O.O.D. Music chain in front of the crowd.

Before speaking about D'banj, who is a respected Nigerian singer-songwriter, West took the stage to perform "All of the Lights" with a harmonica backing. He then told the crowd, "I don't know if y'all heard or not, but D'banj is a new artist on G.O.O.D. Music."

As West took his chain off to hand to D'banj, the latest G.O.O.D. Music member bowed and hugged him. The moment may seem familiar to fans who have seen West's "Through the Wire" music video, where footage shows him receiving the Roc-a-Fella chain in front of a crowd when he was first signed.

D'banj's signing has been official for some time now, with the announcement first surfacing in June.

Glasses Malone Talks Dr. Dre, Debut Album "Beach Cruiser"

The Hoo-Bangin artist speaks on his upcoming album and meeting the Good Doctor.

As Glasses Malone's debut solo album, Beach Cruiser, drops in stores today (August 30), the emcee has taken the time to discuss what the project means to him.

"I've never worked so hard on anything in my life," explained Malone in an interview with KarmaLoopTV. "I was that person in high school that got good grades, so I ain't been a loser my whole life. To see it just get finished, finally, I feel good. It just feel like I finally get the chance to start my career."

Malone, who is signed to Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin Records, also spoke on meeting legendary producer Dr. Dre. "When I met Dr. Dre, and he told me I was dope, I think that's when I decided I'd take it real serious. Dre tells me that, that's just really crazy. That's all I needed. For someone of his caliber to say, 'You know what, you can do this shit for real.' You gotta think, like, damn, what'd he tell Eazy-E? What'd he tell Ice Cube? What'd he tell Snoop Dogg? I mean, if he tell you you can do this, you probably bet your bottom dollar you got a good shot at being someone great."