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Swizz Beatz Confirms Baby on the Way With Fiancée Alicia Keys

Hip-hop fans knew that Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys were engaged, but up until recently it was only speculation that the two have a baby on the way.

Ends up the rumors are absolutely true. The Associated Press reports that the singer is pregnant after reps for the couple confirmed the news last night (May 27).

This will be A. Keys’ first child and Swizzy’s third. The superproducer already has two sons, one from his previous marriage with Mashonda. As previously reported, Swizzy will head to court before his upcoming wedding to fight his ex-wife’s claims that he owes her $344,000 in missed payments.

The former lovebirds are scheduled to go to court next month.

DMX Being Considered For "Celebrity Rehab" TV Show

Rapper Earl "DMX" Simmons is reportedly being considered for a television appearance on the upcoming "Celebrity Rehab" series.

Based on reports, X was requested following his arrest earlier this week.
DMX's attorney, Gary Jenkins, tells TMZ reps for "Rehab" contacted him after X was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly violating his probation by using drugs. Jenkins says the "Rehab" team is considering sending someone to DMX's next court hearing to speak with the judge -- just like Dr. Drew did with Jessica Sierra from "American Idol" -- to try and get X placed in their care instead of being locked up.

Last April, there were reports that X was being requested to appear on the show.
The 38 year-old hardcore rapper will join the cast of the VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" show for its upcoming third season. The show's resident drug counselor, Bob Forrest has told RadarOnline.com exclusively. DMX is the first celebrity named in the new cast.

However, this was later denied by his publicist Pam Pinnock.
"Several media outlets have reported that my client Earl Simmons, aka DMX has signed on to appear in VH1's 'Celebrity Rehab Reality Show,'" a statement reads. "These reports are false and Mr. Simmons has not greed to appear in any reality show. Mr. Simmons is currently serving a 90 day jail sentence at Tent City Jail in Arizona . He has expressed great appreciation to the overwhelming amount of support he has received from his fans during this difficult time. He would like his fans to know that he is taking this time to focus on his personal as well as spiritual growth, and is looking forward to being released soon."

Awaiting a court hearing next Tuesday (March 16), the rapper was arrested earlier this week on a parole violation charge.
"He admitted to using cocaine, so he's back in our jail," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "I think it's about time to give him hard time." The get-tough sheriff said if the rapper is serious about kicking his drug habit, the Arizona jail system -- where X has already logged time on animal cruelty and drug possession charges -- could help him get clean. "We do have a great drug prevention program in the jail, so if he stays in our jail system I will consider (letting) him go through our program," Arpaio said.

No further details have been revealed as of now.

Jay-Z On Lil Wayne's Surprise NYC Concert Appearance, "He Came Out To An Incredible Reaction"

Rap mogul Jay-Z has opened up about Lil Wayne's surprise appearance at Madison Square Garden during his Blueprint III tour stop in New York City last week.

Jay was happy that Wayne could perform one final time before heading into jail for a one-year sentence.
"It was fantastic," Jay said in an interview. "Again, any time you play the Garden is a special moment. It's special. Wayne, how that worked out, he was supposed to go away for a year. Somehow he was able to perform that last show. He came out to an incredible reaction. Then Drake, Nicki Minaj -- all on Jeezy's set, which was fantastic. Then Trey Songz and Fabolous. It's one of those magical nights at the Garden. Once again, one of those magical nights."

New York radio personality Angie Martinez shared her thoughts from the venue.
"I called it!!!! ;) weezy on stage at the garden!!!!!!!! W/jeezy they goin iiiiiin!!!!!! Crowd goes crazy!!!!!!!!," she wrote. "Oh, drake and nicki too!!!!!!!"

Diddy also talked about the concert and reaction to Jay's set.
"Hov is tearing this sh*t down!!!!! I'm a fan. F*ck that!!!! Give respect where respect is due!!! Let's goooooo!!!!!," Puff wrote. "RT @questlove: whooooo! "on to the next one" intro got us hype and me and @iamdiddy standing next to each other tweetin<--hip-hop unity FTW."

Fabolous Tweeted his post-performance reaction from the Garden.
"Did Say Ahhh wit @songyuuup at Madison Square Garden.. Watchin Hov show now.. What'd u do 2day..?? lol."

Lloyd Signs With Interscope Records

Former Murder Inc. recording artist Lloyd has opted out of a possible Young Money record deal and signed a contract with Interscope Records.

According to the singer, Cash Money/Young Money were the initial front runners.
"Baby and Wayne were definitely the first people to reach out to me," he revealed in an interview. "I talked to them about a deal. That's who I thought I'd end up with in my heart. The problem is that Young Money/Cash Money is exclusive to Universal Motown. As you and I know, that's where I did my last two albums. I wasn't excited about going back. I tried to do a Young Money/Cash Money deal through another distributor, but it couldn't be done. At the end of the day, I'm still family, though."

Last December, Lloyd killed rumors that he was already signed to Young Money.
"A lot of people think I'm already signed over there, but the truth is that I'm still a free agent and I haven't signed with Young Money/Cash Money," he said in an interview. "I don't want to get into specifics, but I have been talking to them and to some other labels. It's an important decision and we're not gonna rush it. We're both working, but not on anything specifically together. He has The Rebirth and The Carter 4, and I'm working on my new album and a couple mixtapes. There were rumors about us doing a project together a few years back, but that was just wishful thinking by the fans."

The singer addressed rumors of leaving Murder Inc. for Wayne's Young Money last year.
"I think that's the question on everyone's mind," Lloyd said about the possibility of signing to Young Money. "No, I wasn't offered a deal, uhm, if anything I think about it because I'm big fans of their work and we all good friends. We've worked [together on songs] a lot in the past, you know, we broke bread together and I think a lot of fans would probably want to see that happen. I just wanna win, I just wanna be successful. I think wherever I go, I'm gonna be successful."

Lloyd said his recent collaborations with Wayne and Drake have helped him keep his name relevant.
"I mean, it's not hard, you just gotta work," Lloyd explained in an interview. "The way I stay relevant is to make more music. There's so many different avenues to get music out now that it's pretty rare for you to make a song and not be heard one way or another and by working with other artists, that plays a big part. So when I'm not on the scene or I'm going through label problems and you give me a Drake mixtape, it kinda reminds you of who I am."

Drake Reportedly Shooting "Over" Music Video In Los Angeles

Young Money's Drake is reportedly recording a music video for his new single "Over" in California from the upcoming album, Thank Me Later.

Filming reportedly began on Friday (March 12) at a location based in Los Angeles.
Drake hopped a plane from his hometown of Toronto to sunny Los Angeles, where he is shooting the video for "Over" today. Rap-Up.com has learned that Anthony Mandler is directing the clip for the first single from Drizzy's debut album Thank Me Later. The filmmaker has helmed videos for Rihanna ("Russian Roulette"), Beyoncé ("Irreplaceable"), Jay-Z ("Run This Town"), and Mary J. Blige, for which he teamed up with the Canadian artist on "The One." The Boi-1da produced "Over" is currently No. 15 on the iTunes Top Songs chart, while the album is tentatively scheduled for a May release.

The song's producer Boi-1da recently talked about its creation.
"He's a dude that makes sample quality music that people think it's a sample," Boi said in an interview. "Like 'Over' sounds like a sample but it's not a sample...That's the way Drake envisioned himself coming out, it described exactly how he was feeling at this moment. You know, the first line, the hook, he comes out saying 'I know way too many people in here that I didn't know last year.' It's explaining that his life, he has all these people around him now, but at the end of the day, he's going to prevail, it's not over yet. He has a lot more time to go, that's what it is you know. He felt like this is the moment that he wanted to capture for his first single."

Drizzy's track landed online last week.
"Bottles on me, long as someone drink it," the 23-year-old raps in a slow, aggressive flow. "Never drop the ball, f--- is y'all thinking?/ Making sure the Young Money ship is never sinking/ 'Bout to set it off in this bi---, Jada Pinkett/ You too fine to be laying down in bed alone/ I can teach you how to speak my language, Rosetta Stone..." 'Bout to go Thriller, Mike Jackson on these n---as," Drake later raps. "All I need is a f---ing red jacket with some zippers."

Prior to the song debuting, Drake spoke on its overall motivation.
"This is my first song," he told radio-show hosts Jus Red and Jwyze. "This is still my first single off my first album. This is still the beginning, as great as everything has gone...I went with 'Over' as the first look because of the words in the hook...The hook being the most repetitive part. I got a lot of great songs on my album. I got songs for women who wanna feel special. I got songs for dudes -- if you ever thought my music was too soft, this is one you will enjoy. I got a lot of variety on there, but the biggest thing was that opening line on the hook."

Jim Jones Previews New Mixtape, Confirms Movie With Asher Roth

Last night (March 11) LatestWorldWide team was on hand to preview Jim Jones’s long-awaited mixtape, The Ghost of Rich Porter.

Tentatively scheduled to be available for free download on March 23, the 19-track project features appearances by Gucci Mane, Juelz Santana, Shawty Lo and Joell Ortiz, among others. The tape includes all new, original beats, except for “Harlem Forever,” which finds the Capo, Santana and Tobb Cobain over Drake’s smash single “Forever.”

Along with the mixtape, Jones is also working on a movie called The Ghost of Harlem. “It’s a love story about Harlem,” he told LatestWorldWide. “…It’s a fast paced world,” he said of his hometown, “from the money to the girls to the jewelry to the drug dealing to the fast cars…[yet] getting on the flip side it’s still a hood. There’s a lot of crack abuse, there’s a lot of drug abusers, single parent homes, project living.”

Jimmy confirmed that he’s trying to get Asher Roth involved in the DVD, which he hopes will be ready to hit stores by September. —Elan Mancini with reporting by Rondell Conway

Peep The Ghost of Rich Porter Tracklisting below

1. Intro
2. Oh Yeah[Intro]
3. Hit ‘Em Up feat Mel Matrix, N.O.E. & Chink Santana
4. Haunted feat. Gucci Mane & Sen City
5. Alchemist Freestyle
6. Coke Rush [2 Da Connects]
7. Bussa Move feat. Mel Matrix, Shootah & Hard Luck
8. Harlem Forever feat. Juelz Santana & Tobb Cobain
9. How Life Go feat. Sen City, Rell & JR Writer
10. Skit
11. Black on Black feat Sen City & ATM
12. Cocaine Dreams feat. Chink Santana & Joell Ortiz
13. Legends feat N.O.E.
14. Money on My Mind feat. Sandman & Young Handsome
15. Penicillin feat. Sen City& Shawty Lo
16. Chasin’ the Paper feat. Shootah, Hard Luck & Oshy
17. Younger feat. Sen City
18. Paper Chase feat Mel Matrix & Chink Santana
19. Rosary feat. Oshy

Lil Wayne Can't Sign Autographs In Jail, "He Is Not A Celebrity Here"

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne has reportedly been forbidden from signing autographs while he completes a one-year jail sentence in New York's Rikers Island.

According to reports, the restriction is an attempt to hide Wayne's celebrity status.
A rep for the Correction Officer's Benevolent Association tells us officials issued the no autograph mandate because "Lil Wayne is not a celebrity in here." The rep also tells us Wayne isn't getting any special treatment while at Rikers -- but we're told the rapper really hasn't requested anything out of the ordinary.

He was officially sentenced to a year behind bars on a gun possession charge earlier this week.
Lil Wayne has been sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty in a New York City gun case. The Grammy Award-winning rapper was taken away in handcuffs to start serving his term immediately after his sentencing. He'll serve his sentence in city jails, not a state prison. He could be released in about eight months with good behavior.

The night prior to beginning his sentence, Wayne bid a final farewell to fans via a UStream broadcast.
"Shout out my n---a Justin Bieber," he said, continuing his public conversation with the teen sensation. Wayne also revealed a new addition to his label of talented artists. "Shout out to my n---a Cory Gunz, about to be the newest member of the Young Money team."

He previously had his sentencing delayed for tooth surgery and due to an electrical accident at the courthouse.
A fire that shut Manhattan's main criminal courthouse for a second day - delaying a slew of cases, including the sentencing of Lil Wayne - was an electrical accident, officials said Wednesday. Cases from the massive 17-story complex at 100 Centre St. were jammed into the much smaller courthouse across the street, with some arriagnments being shifted to the Midtown Community Court.

Lil Wayne Signs $200 Million Dollar Clothing Deal

If you thought 50 Cent’s Vitamin Water deal was big, well hold your horses. We just learned from a VERY CREDIBLE source that rapper Lil Wayne is about to become one of the wealthiest rappers in music history. The business insider told us that Weezy just signed a deal which will be announced in the next few days - for a new Young Money clothing line. But we're not talking about just ANY clothing line. The line will be inspired by Lil Wayne and his Young Money artists.

The general line will be Weezy's domain, but there will also be a preppy line of clothes that will be inspired and modeled by rapper Drake. And there will even be a ladies line, fashioned in the style of Young Money's first lady Nicki Minaj.

But get this, the deal will be worth a reported $200 million to Lil Wayne.

Ludacris To Debut At #1 With Battle Of The Sexes

Ludacris seems to be everywhere these days, and next week, he’ll be atop the Album Sales Chart, according to one-day sales reports from retailers. Riding high on hit collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber and labelmate Taio Cruz (the #1 download, "Break Your Heart"), the DTP/Def Jam/IDJ hip-hop superstar-turned-actor will debut at #1 next Tuesday, with approximately 120k in sales for his latest, Battle of the Sexes. To put that into perspective, Weezy's Rebirth pushed 176K it's 1st week and Khaled's Victory flopped hard with less than 28k. The rumors that Khaled will rename his label from "We The Best" to "We OK" arent true though. The album boasts current hit singles “How Low” and “My Chick Bad,” the latter featuring Minaj. His seventh studio album also includes cameos from Shawnna, Lil Scrappy, Trey Songz, Lil’ Kim, Gucci Mane, Monica and Ne-Yo, among others.

Ludacris Saves The Rap Game, Alfamega Snitches On T.I., DMX Misses His Pink Stripes

In this week's LWW's Report, doggies, we got this motherf*cker rolling as we look back at the past seven days as Ludacris saves the rap game, Alfamega returns to his snitching on T.I. roots, DMX turns pink, and hip-hop waves good-bye to Lil Wayne. Also, make way for some "Shut The F*ck Up" first-timers.

T-Pain Blames Lil Wayne Duet Album Delay On Jail Bid, "We're Actually Gonna Wait Until He Gets Out"

Grammy-winning singer T-Pain has updated fans on the status of his duet album with Lil Wayne and said the rapper's one-year jail sentence has pushed the project's release into 2011.

In addition to Wayne's legal woes, Pain also said he did not want to drop the album while the rapper's Rebirth is currently available.
"The T-Wayne album, we're actually gonna wait until he gets out," Pain said in an interview. "He has so much going on. He has Rebirth out right now. I don't wanna interrupt that. We just gonna wait until he gets out to really get in on that. We recorded a bunch of songs. But, right now, it's time for him and his personal sh--. We definitely got an album's worth of material, but it's only an album's worth. It's nothing to pick from. We just got an album. We can put out whatever we feel like and say, 'Hey, this is T-Wayne's album,' or we can actually try to make it good. Like we're actually trying to make an album and say, 'This is the good T-Wayne album.' Rather than just record 12 songs and say, 'Here you go, mutha----as! I know you want it. You gonna buy it anyway, just 'cause you think it's good.'"

Cash Money Records co-founder Ron "Slim" Williams addressed the duo's compilation album last summer.
"They've been speaking on it," Slim said in an interview. "I wanted to get past Tha Carter III. Now we can sit down and get to the business of different collaborations. I just want to make sure that we have a good record."

Aside from Pain, Wayne also has a Juelz Santana collaboration album set to drop.
"The album is done," Juelz previously told LatestWorldWide. "It's like the situation I had that stopped me from doing a lot of things before, was one of the same situations why the album ain't come out. But the album is done. It's not like we gotta go in and do a bunch of songs. We got about 35 records done so we just waiting for the politics and bullsh*t to get out the way and then we gonna put the album out."

The rapper began serving his one-year jail sentence on Monday (March 8).
Lil Wayne has been sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty in a New York City gun case. The Grammy Award-winning rapper was taken away in handcuffs to start serving his term immediately after his sentencing. He'll serve his sentence in city jails, not a state prison. He could be released in about eight months with good behavior.

T.I. Recruiting Andre 3000 For New Album

As T.I. preps his much anticipated comeback album, due August 24, he’s got a lot of friends to lean on for support. And if he has his way, he might be linking up with Andre 3000. Atlanta producer DJ Toomp—best known for crafting T.I.’s “What You Know” and “24s”—revealed that the King is looking to get a verse from Big Boi’s reclusive other half.

“Different people have been reaching out to Dre [because] he’s still one of the greatest around,” Toomp told VIBE, adding that T.I. has the advantage of Dre’s being a fan of his. “If they do [the song] I would really love to produce it. Dre is a fan of T.I. and [Young] Jeezy. And [T.I. and Jeezy] be like, ‘Dang, he really dig me like that?!’”

Although Toomp said he rarely spoke to T.I. during his jail stint, he was one of the first people the rapper called after being released to a halfway house in December (his sentence ends officially on March 26). Their first conversation consisted of the two playing music over the phone.

“I got two or three strong ones on [the album] right now,” said Toomp. “Right now he’s just putting a feeler out in the streets, letting people know he’s back.”

Trackslayerz produced the first record to hit the streets, "I'm Back." While the album’s concept is still being hammered out, it’s expected to include new songs, as well as some recorded in the past few years.

“He got songs from the last two albums that didn’t make the album but were hot songs. So sometimes we go back and pull songs from 2007 and upgrade it a little bit,” explained Toomp. “After we do a certain amount of songs, that’s when we figure out the whole theme of the album.”

Other producers on the disc include Jim Jonsin, Swizz Beatz and T.I. himself.

Toomp, who’s splitting his time between T.I.’s and Young Jeezy’s new projects, said he plans to “mail [T.I.] at least five more [beats] before the door is closed.”

Chris Brown Returns To Twitter

R&B singer Chris Brown has had a change of heart and has re-joined the popular public social network Twitter.

Writing in his first new Tweets as @ChrisBrown, the singer updated fans on his status and requested followers.
"Everybody hands go up...And they stay there," he wrote Thursday (March 12) night. "Just left a school in Harlem reading to 3rd graders a book called superhero school Im bout to get verified soon.lol listening to tpain's "reverse cowgirl".... its a smash FF: follow me follow me!!! "too freaky"... mixtape on fire right now."

Last December, Brown reportedly made a brief Twitter comeback as @MechanicalDummy.
"Please Follow me back, Im back on twitter for good now....I was going thru some things but ya boy is back 2010 Lets Go!," he wrote on New Year's Eve. "It might telling you that ur following me & when you click my page ur not because I reactivated my page...so Re Click the FOLLOW button Yes this is really me, I decided to come back & connect with the fans for 2010 its only right because I LOVE yall....So Please ReFollow me My account will be verified again soon!"

He deleted the page in mid-December.
Chris Brown is the latest artist to abandon the service completely, following the precedent set by Miley Cyrus and Lil Wayne. Brown's exit came after a week's worth of Twitter-based ranting about stores not stocking his new album Graffiti. Only a few hours after that revelation, Brown issued his finally tweet: "I wanna thank my fans for all the support," he wrote. "Goodbye!" The old address for his Twitter page now leads to the dreaded "Sorry, that page does not exist!" screen.

Rapper and close friend Soulja Boy Tell Em shared his reaction to Brown's unexpected move last year.
"I was thinking about that last night man," Soulja Boy told radio personality Tim Westwood. "I just think, I don't know man, you see Miley Cyrus deleted hers and then when he did it I was just thinking like 'Who's gonna be next to delete their Twitter?' I don't never say never because you never know, one day I might just wake-up and be like I don't wanna be on Twitter no more but right now, nah, I don't think I'd ever delete my Twitter. I work hard for them followers, the 1.9 milli's baby. They gonna be disappointed in me man."

Lupe Fiasco Explains Not Wanting Jay-Z's Fame, "You're A Fool Trying To Chase That Success Down"

Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco has explained his recent comments about not wanting to reach Jay-Z's level of fame.

According to Lupe, artists like Jay and Lil Wayne should not be measuring tools for a person's success.
"Jay-Z's a personal friend of mine," Lupe said in an interview. "[He] executive-produced my first album. [My comments were] just an example using him of how people rate success. There's an idea of the status quo that every rapper wants to be Jay-Z. Nah. Every rapper does not want to be Jay-Z. Every rapper don't wanna be Kanye West. Everybody don't wanna be Lil Wayne. They wanna be who they are. ... You're a fool trying to chase that success down and manage it like that. I always look at my success as further than a dollar sign, further than record sales. ... Everybody thinks because you're black and you're from the 'hood, you wanna be Jay-Z. There's kids who wanna be astrophysicists and don't care about rap. That should be OK. You should be OK just being you, working your regular job and being happy. That's why I made that statement. I felt it need to be said."

In Lupe's original statement, he shared his views on what success is to him.
''There's a misunderstanding with my fanbase,'' he said in an interview. ''People [at Warner] feel they know my fans more than I do. They want me to step out of my comfort zone and step into theirs. I don't have necessarily the celebrity success they want me to have but it's more social success and being able to speak at a college about world affairs. That's a success, to me. 'I don't want to be Jay-Z and be worth $400 million and perform on every awards show. It's getting in touch with somebody who needs to improve their self-esteem. As opposed to driving a Bentley and putting some chains on.''

Last December, Lupe addressed the accusations that he "sold out" by contributing a rock influenced track to the New Moon soundtrack.
"Hi guys...Lupe Here...," he wrote. "There seems to be a lot...A LOT...of misconception and misguided info floating around the net...so for the sake of clarity and so that everyone (HOPEFULLY) will be on the same page let me reaffirm and debunk some things and just turn down the general noise that is surrounding Lupe Fiasco...thats me..."SOLAR MIDNITE" is NOT a single off of "LASERS"...Nor was it intended to be apart of "LASERS" project..."SOLAR MIDNITE" was exclusively done at the request of the Twilight: New Moon Team to be apart of their film, motion picture soundtrack and as a vehicle to promote the film...NOT TO PROMOTE "LASERS"...I produced "SOLAR MIDNITE" I'm not SELLING OUT by doing a song for NEW MOON...People thought I "SOLD OUT" when I did "Kick, Push"...I LOVE "SOLAR MIDNITE"..."SOLAR MIDNITE" is NOT a HIP-HOP RECORD..."

Lupe is most known for entering the rap game around 2006 with close ties to Jay-Z and Kanye West.
Thanks in part to the vocal support of Jay-Z, L.A. Reid signed Fiasco as a solo artist to Arista, but before anything of significance was able to happen (only a promo single and a couple guest appearances were set up), Reid was fired, leaving the MC without a label. Fiasco eventually landed at Atlantic. Preceded by the single "Kick, Push," as well as several mixtapes and an appearance on Kanye West's "Touch the Sky," the album Food & Liquor was set to surface during early 2006, though an unfinished version leaked during the spring, pushing its official release back to September instead. The album earned Fiasco three Grammy nominations. A highly conceptualized follow-up, The Cool, was released in December 2007.

Nas & Damian Marley Snag Lil Wayne for Collabo LP, New Tracklisting Revealed

Last night (March 10), LatestWorldWide team previewed the collaborative project from Nas and Damian Marley, Distant Relatives, and it seems as if is the long awaited album is almost ready to see the light of day.

The disc, set to come out through Universal Republic in either May or June, features cameos from Lil Wayne, Joss Stone, K’NAAN and Jamaican music legend Dennis Brown, as well as a bonus track with Junior Reid. All 14-songs, which were dedicated to the hoods in America and Africa, were produced by Marley, who seamlessly merges the worlds of hip-hop and reggae.

Distant Relatives singles, “Strong Will Continue” and “As We Enter,” have already made their way online.

Nas and Damian previously worked together on “Road to Zion” for Marley’s 2005 solo effort, Welcome to Jamrock —Brooklyne Gipson

Peep the official track listing below:

1. As We Enter
2. Tribal War (feat. K’NAAN)
3. Strong Will Continue
4. Leaders
5. Wisdom (Sabali)
6. Count Your Blessings
7. Disappear
8. The Promised Land (feat. Dennis Brown)
9. Nah Mean
10. Angola (Friends)
11. My Generation (feat. Lil Wayne and Joss Stone)
12. Africa Must Wake Up (Feat. K’NAAN)
13. BONUS TRACK Ancient People (feat. Junior Reid)

[Editor's note: LatestWorldWide has learned that one more song, "In His Own Word," will also be included on the album]

DMX’s Manager Speaks on Rapper’s Arrest

DMX is back in the doghouse. The troubled rapper was arrested and brought to a Phoenix jail on Tuesday (March 9) for using illegal drugs.

According to Reuters, the Yonkers-bred MC, born Earl Simmons, admitted to a probation officer that he had been abusing cocaine since he was released from jail nine months ago. He is currently facing five counts of violating his probation and being held without bond.

“Of course it is unfortunate and painful to see Earl incarcerated, as there are a lot of rumors and lies surfacing regarding the details of his personal and professional state,” X’s manager, Nakia Walker, said “However, thank God for a great team—family, friends, pastors and doctors. Collectively, I am excited to say that X’s team is putting forth every effort to ensure the success of Earl’s health and career. We appreciate the support of his fans. Please stay prayerful, as X will return.”

DMX’s attorney, Gary Jenkins, spoke to tmz.com, where he revealed that the rapper is seeking the help of Celebrity Rehab doctor, Drew Pinksy. “[DMX] has been battling addiction for some time, and he’s in need of treatment,” he said. “We’re hoping that maybe Dr. Drew might be able to help him.”

DMX served 90 days in a Phoenix’s Tent City prison last year on drug, theft and animal abuse charges. While locked up he was sentenced to probation for throwing a food tray at an officer.

Fabolous Wants Nas To Rise From The Dead, "I Wish Nas Would Just Let These Young Boys Know He's That Dude"

New York rapper Fabolous has made a public calling for Nas to prepare a strong comeback and remind younger hip-hop generations of his rap pioneering skills.

From Fab's perspective, young hip-hop heads tend to be unaware of Nas' early 1990's contributions.
"Nas, Nas, like Nas is so ill," Fab told interviewer Karen Civil. "I think this younger generation of hip-hop really don't know, like, I got a dude who rolls with me, he's like 21, 22, he don't know any of the ill Nas, he don't know Illmatic, you just don't know that Nas that I grew up with. I wish Nas would just let these young boys know he's that dude."

Rapper Bow Wow recently said he was prepared for Nas to drop a new LP.
"I'm ready for a new Nas Album," he wrote yesterday (February 4). "1st day starting on my new album. @RealDjKayslay @bowwow614 when u got tht banger.. ima blow it up in NY<== yessir big homie. thank you. anything you need from me let me kno."

Nas recently spoke on his role in hip-hop and why he must be the voice for rap.
"A lot of people are fronting, like, 'I'm from this. I'm from that,'" he said in an interview. "Even the so-called [socially] conscious rappers, they claim ghetto. I love jewelry. I love cars," he said. "And part of it is because cars fascinate me. Part of it is because of what social status it represents. ... So I do talk about it [on recordings]. Every gangster I've ever known or every street dude I've ever known has a heart. They know about ... more than girls and booty-shakin'. And that's who I'm here to represent. All my peers are dead, fugitives or locked up."

According to rapper Jay Electronica, a collaboration project with Nas is in the works.
Me and Nas have a project that we're doing. I'm just trying. I'm in the process of working and connecting. I don't really feel like a song or an album is the end-all, be-all to what we're doing. You can expect my album this year. You can expect multiple projects this year. We're going to do a lot this year."

Nas Adds Lil Wayne To "Distant Relatives" Album

Rappers Nas and Damian Marley have reportedly added incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne to their upcoming Distant Relatives album.

Based off a new tracklisting, Wayne will be featured on a track called "My Generation" with singer Joss Stone.
1. As We Enter 2. Tribal War (feat. K'NAAN) 3. Strong Will Continue 4. Leaders 5. Wisdom (Sabali) 6. Count Your Blessings 7. Dispear 8. The Promised Land (feat. Dennis Brown) 9. Nah Mean 10. Angola (Friends) 11. My Generation (feat. Lil Wayne and Joss Stone) 12. Africa Must Wake Up (Feat. K'NAAN) 13. BONUS TRACK Ancient People (feat. Jr. Reid)

Nas recently spoke on the underlying theme behind his new joint album.
"Reggae and hip-hop are cousins,'' he said in an interview. "Go back before the '90s and think about the music that was playing on the ghetto blasters and you'll hear it...The whole world is like family, split up all over the place. It's overdue, and I want to help build whatever we can [in Africa]. I've worked with a lot of reggae artists, like Sizzla and Supercat, but not until [2005's] Jamrock did I get a chance to work with Damian. I love his music and I'm a big fan of Bob Marley and the whole family. We haven't worked out any tour dates yet. But I'm sure Damian and I will do something soon."

Last year, the rapper said he was unsure of how the fans' would react to the new project.
"I feel good about it," Nas said about the album and his legacy. "So I can't say how it's gonna affect my musical legacy. I just think that with everything I do, I want it to mean something. Like ['Tony Montana'] said, 'I tell the truth, even when I lie.' What he was sayin' is, he never lies. He's honest, even when he makes mistakes or misjudgements, he did it in truth. Everything I'm doing is because I feel right about it. The benefit of it [is] we contributed something to the world. Something like this...I don't know who's gonna like it, who's gonna hate it or whatever, but it's another contribution to the world. One more thing to just listen to."

The album is slated to drop this May.
This time, Nas and Damian focused on a common theme: Africa. "We always thought we'd give something back to Africa," says Marley, who will donate proceeds from the disc to various charities. Highlight: the funky, horn-driven "As We Enter," which samples Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke and features Nas rhyming "Ghana" and "Obama."

T.I. Recruits DJ Toomp For Post-Prison LP, "Right Now He's Just Putting A Feeler Out In The Streets"

Grand Hustle associate DJ Toomp has reportedly been recruited to help produce on T.I.'s forthcoming untitled album.

According to Toomp, the solo project will likely feature re-mastered tracks dating back to 2007.
"I got two or three strong ones on [the album] right now," said Toomp. "Right now he's just putting a feeler out in the streets, letting people know he's back. He got songs from the last two albums that didn't make the album but were hot songs. So sometimes we go back and pull songs from 2007 and upgrade it a little bit. After we do a certain amount of songs, that's when we figure out the whole theme of the album."

Grand Hustle's B.o.B. also said he has a collaboration locked for T.I.'s new album.
T.I. announced his return to music this week with the street single "I'm Back."Now his Grand Hustle affiliate B.o.B reveals another new track that may appear on the King of the South's first album since serving time behind bars. B.o.B aka Bobby Ray has heard material from his label chief's new project and is actually featured on one record titled "Dream Me Up" produced by Cut the Check. "Me and T.I. have a song that can potentially go on his album," he tells Rap-Up.com. "I think it'll definitely be a smash."

Earlier this week, T.I. confirmed plans to drop a new album in the summer.
"I really do appreciate the support and how hard y'all was going in during the brief hiatus," T.I. said during a conference all. "The support don't go unnoticed and I don't take it lightly. This marks a special day for us, because we putting out the first song off the album, not an official first single, just something to keep the streets warm. It's properly entitled 'I'm Back.' It's a lot of things that needed to be spoken on, you know. In my absence, it was a lot of things that went down, a lot of matters that needed to be addressed and this was the greatest platform for me to do it...Album drops August 24th, title? I got one but I ain't gonna say it yet. It was the first song I did when I came home. You get me fresh out the box going in. I'm sure you guys will enjoy it...Middle of April, beginning of May. Y'all gonna start seeing me. Y'all already know, once again it's on. Like we always do this time."

Producer Swizz Beatz is reportedly ready to lend his hand and help produce.
"[T.I.], that's the homie. I don't have nothing for him yet. His mind and his thought pattern before he went [to jail] is gonna be different from when he gets out. That man has been in the penitentiary at a time that was the height of his career -- he might come out and not wanna use curses no more. He might come out and use more curses. I don't know. I can't create the sound for Tip that's based on 'Swing Ya Rag' and 'Bring Em Out' and all these things we've done unless it's his plan. He's gotta come out, [I] sit down with him, chill how we chill. I gotta do a couple ofrecords with him. I can't be the first thing coming out."

50 Cent Talks Overseas Domination, "I'm Probably The Largest Touring Hip-Hop Artist"

G-Unit leader 50 Cent has called himself the biggest hip-hop touring act and said he has not been back home since last year.

According to Fif, Eminem and Dr. Dre also have high touring profiles.
"I've traveled all over the place, I'm probably the largest touring hip-hop artist," 50 said in an interview. "Em and Dre, Em would be the largest hip-hop artist but he doesn't travel to see the fans after creating the material. He just puts it out, bam, and everybody loves it and he stays home. It's because it's to a point where your career can consume you. I'm allowing myself to be consumed, I haven't been home this year, to my house. I haven't been to my house this year, 2010. I probably won't make it until late this year if I actually get a chance to go back. I'm gonna be on tour for another four weeks, I start filming a film project called Things Fall Apart -- I'm excited about that..."

The Unit's Tony Yayo recently talked about wanting Fif, Em and Dre to hit the road together for a tour.
"You know what? I would love to see Eminem, Dre and 50 do a big tour, so I could make millions of dollars," he said in an interview. "I'll be a stagehand and work in the back. I wouldn't even care. I know I'll make a million dollars lifting stuff. It's an honor to be in their presence. With guys like Em and Dre and Fif, these guys got busy schedules. Em is working on another album. Fif got about 15 movies; he's working on another movie right now called 'The Gun.' Dre -- come on, man, you see them Dr. Dre headphones selling like hot cakes everywhere you go. Those guys are busy guys. I feel blessed I could say that I know Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent. A lot of artists beg to do a song with Eminem, beg to do a song with 50 Cent, beg to do a song with Dre -- I've experienced all those worlds."

Preparing to tour in a few weeks, Lloyd Banks recently spoke on the G-Unit brand.
"Well the status is, I am the present, the past and the future," Banks explained in an interview. "So they can definitely look forward to that. Tony Yayo, of course. The founding members are always gonna be there. We built this up, gave opportunities to other artists that were signed including [Young] Buck and Game and so on. But as long as that structure is there, we're good. We're solid. You can look forward to me, I'm the future. This summer [for my album]. It's a tight schedule...hopefully we can push for late summer."

Rapper Soulja Boy Tell Em talked about conquering the United States touring market earlier this week.
"Right now, I got dates then I'm going overseas, like, I'm going to Brazil for like three days but that's like it," Soulja Boy explained in an interview. "But when I do the tour, I'm really just trying to conquer the whole United States because I be checking myTwitter and I be checking all my little FaceBook messages and it be like a lot of people that ain't seen me perform that really wanna see me...So I got to get every city, for the people, just cause. And then after I do that, I'm gonna branch out overseas."

Chris Brown Begs For Fans Support, "A Lot Of Radio Stations Aren't Playing My Records"

R&B singer Chris Brown has asked his fans to help get his music played on the radio by calling into stations and requesting his records.

Chris explained his situation during a SayNow broadcast.
"I ain't never really did this but right now I need all of my fans help," he explained. "A lot of radio stations aren't playing my records. They are not being that supportive and I wouldn't expect them to. It's on the fans and what you guys do in your power to bring me back. That's all I need is you guys and nothing else will do that except for the fans...I don't know what else to say. It's nothing else that I can do. I'm doing everything that I need to do. I'm doing me as a person and I'm a better guy...It's on ya'll. My singing and my music I do it for you guys and everything else but it won't be possible if I'm not relevant on the radio and it wouldn't be possible for me to be an artist if I don't have the support. I can't be an underground mixtape artist. That's where we are. I just want all my fans to help me. I love ya'll. Peace."

Last December during the promotion of his Graffiti album, Brown accused retailers of blackballing him.
"JUST WAS AT WALMART IN wallingford CT,844 north colony.. the didnt even have my album in the back... not on shelves, saw for myself," he wrote Saturday (December 12) night. "we talked to the managers and the didnt even know anything. wow!!! but they had alicia keys album ready for release for this tuesday comin. the manager told me that when there are new releases its mandatory to put em on the shelves.. BUT NO SIGN OF #GRAFFITI. BS no disprespect to alicia at all.. just givin an example to whos album is loaded and ready to go next week."

Prior to that Tweet, the singer said he was being intentionally targeted by retailers.
"im tired of this sh*t. major stores r blackballing my cd. not stockin the shelves and lying to costumers. what the f*ck do i gotta do...," he wrote Friday (December 11). "WTF... yeah i said it and i aint retracting sh*t im not biting my tongue about sh*t else... the industry can kiss my a** thx again to my real fans. u dont go unnoticed .love yall."

However, retailers later responded to the accusations.
A survey and store visits find that Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Trans World, Newbury Comics are all carrying the Brown record and sources say that his album received widespread distribution and promotion by his label, Jive Records, and his distributor, Sony Music Entertainment. Jive shipped over 400,000 units of "Graffiti," and also had it positioned in prime stores space at all key accounts, according to sources. In fact, sources suggest that Jive may have overshipped his record, as sales are slow. "Not only am I carrying it, I am over carrying it, because it isn't selling," says the head of purchasing at one large chain. "I wish I could return it." He says the album's first week sales only reached 40% of expectations. At 27-unit Newbury Comics, Carl Mello head of purchasing, echoes that sentiment. "We have it; it's not selling much."

Lil Wayne's Ex-Wife On Rapper's Jail Bid, "He Just Told Me To Be Strong & Don't Really Trip"

Lil Wayne's ex-wife, Antonia "Toya" Carter, has shared her family's reaction to the rapper's one-year jail sentence.

Toya expressed the emotional toll that constant delays took on Reginae, her daughter with Wayne.
"It was up and down, you know," she revealed in an interview. "One minute we thought he was going and she'd be sad and then he don't go. We [were] in New York like two times and we ended up turning right back around because he didn't go...The last day he finally went in, we didn't go, so my daughter was like, 'I wish I would've went.' It was just too much. I just didn't want to let her see that again 'cause both times she took it real hard. So I was like, I'm not gon' let her go this last time. I'm just gon' make sure he talk to her 'cause I didn't know if he was really gonna go. They kept pushing back...He just told me to be strong and don't really trip. Don't let her see me down. At first my daughter would see me a little sad and you know kids they react off of your feelings sometimes, so he was just like, 'Be strong, make sure you take care of her. Make sure she straight and keep her phone on all the times so I can call her. The time is gonna fly by.'"

Last October, Toya discussed the relationship she has with Wayne.
"We talk," she said in an interview. "We have a great relationship. He's a great father. He tells [our daughter] about [his other kids], so I just go along with the flow. I'm good with all of [his children's mothers]. I try to keep the kids cool because they're all in the same situation, so we don't have time for any drama."

Reginae joined her father and Drake onstage last summer's BET Awards 2009.
According to my source, what happened was Wayne's daughter Reginae, 9, was upset that she didn't get the chance to accompany her father, Lil Wayne, to the stage to accept his award because she was sitting too far back in the audience. Once backstage, the youngster began to cry. And Wayne, who they say is a great dad, hated to see his little girl cry. So he told Reginae she could come out onstage during his performance with Drake. Reginae, being the team player that she is, asked the other members of her group to go out on stage with her.

Wayne began serving his time after being sentenced last Monday.
Lil Wayne has been sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty in a New York City gun case. The Grammy Award-winning rapper was taken away in handcuffs to start serving his term immediately after his sentencing. He'll serve his sentence in city jails, not a state prison. He could be released in about eight months with good behavior.

Ludacris' "Battle of the Sexes" Projected To Sell 120K In First Week Sales

Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris' Battle of the Sexes album is reportedly en route to sell up to 125,000 copies next week.

Based on one-day estimates, the Disturbin' Tha Peace leader will dominate his competition.
Riding high on hit collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber and labelmate Taio Cruz (the #1 download, "Break Your Heart"), the DTP/Def Jam/IDJ hip-hop superstar-turned-actor will debut at #1 next Tuesday, with approximately 120k in sales for his latest, Battle of the Sexes. The album boasts current hit singles "How Low" and "My Chick Bad," the latter featuring Minaj. His seventh studio album also includes cameos from Shawnna, Lil Scrappy, Trey Songz, Lil' Kim, Gucci Mane, Monica and Ne-Yo, among others.

The rapper recently spoke on his album's importance for women.
"It's such a male-dominated industry that I feel like females need more of a voice, so we wanted to hear more of what the hell they had to say," Luda said in an interview. "With that being said, I went out and got women from the past, the present and the future -- everyone from Lil Kim, Eve, Trina, Nicki Minaj. I got records where I'm talking about women ... and where women are talking back to me."

The project features multiple collaborations from artists including Lil Scrappy and Gucci Mane.
1. "Intro" 2. "How Low" 3. "My Chick Bad" feat. Nicki Minaj 4. "Everybody Drunk" feat. Lil Scrappy 5. "I Do It All Night" 6. "Sex Room" feat. Trey Songz 7. "I Know You Got a Man" feat. Flo Rida 8. "Hey Ho" feat. Lil' Kim and Lil' Fate 9. "Party No Mo'" feat. Gucci Mane 10. "B.O.T.S. Radio" feat. I-20 11. "Can't Live With You" feat. Monica 12. "Feelin' So Sexy" 13. "Tell Me a Secret" feat. Ne-Yo 14. "My Chick Bad (Remix)" feat. Diamond, Trina, and Eve

He recently explained why the album was pushed up a week ahead of schedule.
"The release date on the new album is officially March 9th, it was March 16th, it's been pushed up a week due to the anticipation, feeling good, Battle of the Sexes, just got picked up on the Black Eyed Peas tour, so we'll be promoting that starting Thursday all the way until the end of April," Luda said in an interview. "So look for Battle of the Sexes on March 9th."

Dr. Dre Headphones Becoming Favorites Of Athletes

Dr. Dre's brand of headphones, Monster Cable's Beats By Dre, have received some very high-profile product placement, from talk shows to music videos (Keri Hilson's and Lady Gaga's, just to name a few).

Now, some of sport's biggest stars will be rocking the high-end headphones, as the entire Cleveland Cavalier team was given custom-made Beats By Dre gear.

According to ESPN.com, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Lebron James also teamed up with the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant to purchase custom-made Beats By Dre for every member of the East and West NBA All-Star teams. James also gave the headphones to his U.S. Olympic teammates in 2008.

"I had high expectations," said Kevin Lee, Vice President of Brand and Business Development for Monster, of the headphones. "We surpassed my expectations. We released the Beats by Dre in 2008, and it took a good 12 months for it to hit the masses."

Lee spoke of the line's futristic and visually appealing side, but also noted their audio quality. "They give you full studio sound, because Dre is very particular about sound. It really does matter for athletes. That's why LeBron and Kobe rock our headphones."

"Athletes have always used music for some type of inspiration," said Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers running back and owner of Beats By Dre headphones . "We travel and do things that are active when we listen to music. We want the best product."

Indeed, headphones are a worthwhile investment for athletes, according to Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horfor, who had a pair of blue and white custom-made Beats By Dre headphones with the phrase "El Jefe" (The Boss) inscribed on the side made for him and his teammates.

Other athletes who've had custom headphones made for themeselves include Chad Ochocinco and Nate Robinson.

DMX Arrested, Battling Addiction

DMX's penchant for getting in trouble with the law continues, as the once-superstar rapper was once again arrested.

According to TMZ.com, the Yonkers rapper was arrested yesterday (March 9) in Arizona for violating the terms of his probation by using illegal drugs over the past nine months.

"He's been battling addiction for some time and he's in need of treatment," says X's lawyer, Gary Jenkins.

"We're hoping that maybe Dr. Drew might be able to help him," added Jenkins, referring to Dr. Drew Pinsky, a radio and television personality who specializes in addiciton medicine. In addition to hosting the syndicated radio talk show Loveline, Pinsky produces and stars in the Vh1 show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.

The Ruff Ryder has been arrested for countless charges in recent years, including having a warrant for having no vaild driver's license, as well as drug and animal cruelty charges.

UPDATE: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio revealed to MTV News today that the Yonkers emcee admitted to using cocaine, as drugs were found. As a result, the once-platinum superstar rapper remains in Maricopa County Jail. The sheriff was quoted as saying, "I think it's about time to give him hard time."

The sheriff did also suggest a behind-bars drug program that could allow DMX more leniency to expected parole violation sentencing

T-Pain & Jay-Z Lay Beef To Rest

When Jay-Z released "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" on last year's Blueprint 3, T-Pain was offended. Although he didn't immediately react in a negative way, he later insulted Jay-Z during a show in Las Vegas. Recently, T-Pain spoke on the subject and noted that the feud has been over since the two spoke earlier this year.

"We talked at the Grammys," he recently told MTV. "It was a pretty big thing. Word for word, he said, 'That's fucked up the way you took that song.' I'm a [crazy] nigga, so we gonna take the song like that. That's how we take songs. He was like, 'I didn't mean nothing by that.' I was like, 'I already put out my apology song ["More Careful"]. So there you go. My bad. I apologize. Apologize for taking the song like that.' We shook hands, did the little chest bump. That was the end of that."

Moving away from this feud, T-Pain is also preparing the release of his forthcoming album titled Revolver. Unlike his last effort, this disc will not contain many guest appearances.

"I had to slow down on guest appearances, because a lot of people were saying that Thr33 Ringz was only as good as it was because it had a lot of people on there. I just wanted to prove some people wrong. I wanted to test myself to see if that was the case. It was so many people on the last album, it should have been a DJ Khaled album."

Lil Wayne Serving Jail Time in General Population

Lil Wayne is a man of the people. Prior to(March 8) reports from tmz.com that Weezy would be serving out his one-year gun charge at Rikers Island under protective custody, it ends up that the rap superstar will be treated like any other inmate.

According to New York’s Daily News Wayne’s lawyer, Stacey Richman, originally claimed that the rap superstar was being forced into protective custody. Stephen Morello, a spokesperson for the Correctional Department, cleared up those allegations, saying that the New Orleans-bred MC will have “general population escort” status. This means that whenever Lil Tunechi is outside of his housing unit, he will be accompanied by a correction captain; similar to how authorities handle gang members.

Inside his housing unit, on the other hand, he has the option to socialize with the 17 other men sharing his cell block.

Wayne was arrested in 2007 when a police officer boarded his tour bus, after smelling marijuana. Once inside the vehicle she caught the rapper with a .40 caliber handgun. Last October he entered a guilty plea in order to receive lesser jail time. He was sentenced and immediately shipped off to Rikers yesterday, after several failed attempts. With good behavior the Young Money general may be home in eight months.

DJ Khaled Fails to Break Top 10 on The Billboard 200

Ever since DJ Khaled put out his first compilation, Listennn: The Album in 2006, the Miami-based DJ has always debuted in the top 10 on The Billboard 200. This go-round the Def Jam South president barely managed to land in the top 15.

According to today’s (March 10) Nielsen SoundScan report, Khaled’s fourth album, Victory, grabbed the No. 14 spot on the charts, after selling 27,800 units in its first week. Despite featuring such big name artists as Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross and Usher, among others, the disc was the Terror Squad rep’s lowest earning first week effort to-date.

Six spots above the Miami radio DJ at No. 8 is the unstoppable Black Eyed Peas. Cashiers rang up 46,400 copies of The E.N.D. this week, making the group’s overall numbers stand at 2,227,800.

Recently incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne fell six slots to No. 12 this sales cycle. Rebirth added 31,900 to its total tally, making Weezy’s total numbers equal 393,300 in the album’s fifth week on the charts.

Birdman Jr’s crew Young Money slid three places down to No. 32 this week. Nicki Minaj, Drizzy Drake, Mack Maine, Tyga and company moved 15,500 additional copies of We Are Young Money, bringing their 11-week tally to 361,300.

Next week look for Ludacris’ Battle of the Sexes to top the charts.

Rick Ross, Fabolous & Busta Rhymes Join Diddy in BK B.I.G. Tribute

Rick Ross, Fabolous, Red Café and Busta Rhymes all hit the stage yesterday (March 9) to honor the memory of The Notorious B.IG. on the 13th anniversary of his death. The party, hosted by Diddy, took place at the LAB Bar in the neighborhood that Biggie called home, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.

According to MTV News, Puff addressed the crowd donning a black t-shirt that read “Invisible Bully”—referencing B.I.G.’s line on the “Flava in Ya Ear” remix. The Bad Boy founder performed “Victory” alongside Busta, while enthusiastic fans screamed along to Big’s verse. When Fabolous took the stage he lead the audience as they chanted “Broooooooklyn, Broooooooklyn,” before jumping in to his song “I’mma Do It”

“That man had a special love for Brooklyn,” Diddy said about his beloved friend. “No matter where we was at, London, Japan, Africa, he would always represent Brooklyn to the fullest.” And so the night continued with BK DJ Mister Cee spinning all the Biggie catalog classics: “One More Chance,” “Playa Hata,” “Warning” and Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Get Money.”

Jadakiss showed up late, after Diddy and other performers had gone of stage, to show love as well.

Ludacris to Debut Atop The Billboard 200

Ludacris should change the name of his tune from “How Low” to “How High” after hitsdailydouble.com released their latest sales projections.

According industry insider’s estimates, based off of the one-day sales figures, Luda is believed to sell around 120,000 copies of his new disc Battle of the Sexes in his first week on shelves. The numbers should be enough to take him to the top of The Billboard 200 album charts this coming Wednesday, March 17.

If the estimates prove to be true, it will be the fourth time that Luda has held down the No. 1 spot. 2003’s Chicken-N-Beer, 2004’s The Red Light District, and 2006’s Grammy-award-winning LP Release Therapy all held the coveted spot in the past. At the same time, Luda’s last album, Theater of the Mind, earned the No. 5 position in 2008, after selling 214,000 units in its debut week—a significantly higher amount than the BOTS approximations.

Battle of the Sexes is the Atlanta-based rapper’s seventh studio effort for Def Jam, and features appearances by Nicki Minaj, Eve, Lil Kim, Trina, Trey Songz, Ne-Yo and Gucci Mane among others.

Moms of Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo and T-Pain Win Humanitarian Award

Score one for the super moms. Jacinda Carter, Aliyah Najm and H. Loraine Smith, mothers of Lil Wayne, T-Pain and Ne-Yo respectively, have been presented with the first annual 'Queens in Our Communities' award. The honor cites their work empowering women across the United States and an award ceremony is taking place this weekend in Atlanta.

"We are honored to receive the humanitarian award," said Smith. "We appreciate being acknowledged for our efforts towards making our corner of the world a little better. We believe that all of us have something to contribute to the betterment of our community. We chose to use education and empowerment as our vehicle towards that end. It is amazing and gratifying to be recognized by your peers for attempting to accomplish the same goals."

If you're in the ATL area, you can check out the ceremony live March 7 at 7PM at the Historic Highland Inn & Ballroom. According to Carla Barnes, the award program director, all three mothers encourage young women to focus on education and become ethical entrepreneurs.

"These women we will honor have an above average entrepreneurial spirit, high ethics and community spirit, financial and management skill coupled with creativity and out of the box thinking," said Barnes. "The event is designed to ignite the fire and inspire a whole new generation of empowered women across the country."

T-Pain Show Debuts On Cartoon Network

Rapper/producer T-Pain, who is currently wrapping up work on his latest album, RevolveR, has made his debut appearance on the cartoon scene.

The one-hour cartoon extravaganza, Freaknik: The Musical, made its debut on Sunday night on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The show is about teenagers who want to attend a spring break party in Atlanta that was canceled back in 1999.

Rappers Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and Big Boi were all involved in the show, as well as Saturday Night Live personalities Andy Samberg and Bill Hader.

"There's so many more dimensions you can cover in a cartoon," T-Pain told Billboard.com. "You don't really have to deal with any actors; you don't have to get locations or set times. You can just express more . . . and it's funny as hell."

Meanwhile, RevolveR will be released later this year. T-Pain was also involved in the "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" production, which was released in February and raised money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Ja Rule Falls "In Love With A Church Girl" In New Movie

Rapper/Actor Ja Rule has been chosen to co-star in the upcoming film I'm In Love With a Church Girl alongside R&B singer Adrienne Bailon.

According to reports, Rule's new movie will go into production this May.
Ja Rule has signed on to star opposite former 3LW/Cheetah Girl member Adrienne Bailon in the upcoming movie I'm In Love With A Church Girl. The movie is being produced by independent movie company Reverence Gospel Media and directed by Steve Race. Ja Rule will play a big time drug dealer who has turned his life around, but still associates with his former colleagues and friends. He meets the girl of his dreams and has to choose between returning to his old way of life or continuing down a legitimate path.

Aside from Hollywood, the rapper recently spoke on his forthcoming Venni Vetti Vecci comeback album.
"I wanted to do a three disc set but I'm thinking about changing the idea of how I want to do it," Rule told interviewer Lola. "One set was gonna be all hip-hop. Straight back to the roots hip-hop was gonna be the first disc, then the second one was gonna be when I came into the game and kinda transformed, learned being in the business doing duets and stuff like that. The third disc was gonna be Rule, my new sound and that was gonna be that but the album is coming out crazy so I think I wanna give 'em, maybe a double. Or I might just give 'em 14, 15 bangers...This time, it's more of the content of myself, what I've been through, what I've seen...It's coming in the summer time, I was pushing for a June date but I don't know if I'm gonna make that date or not. So it'll definitely be here this summer."

Last September, Rule announced the upcoming album title.
"I'm trying to take it up a notch, something a little more different," Rule said about Venni Vetti Vecci 2010. "Maybe I can have some of these spaces in time where -- this album, I really wanna make this album for the people, for the public so they can enjoy. This album's not about, we ain't getting money off rap records like we used to. So when I'm doing it now, it ain't for the money. It's for the love because it ain't out there like that."

Rule previously spoke on the status of his solo project and what role the fans would have on the project's title.
"New album coming soon," Rule promised in an interview. "I think I'ma do something for the people where y'all help me with the title of my next album because I was gonna name my sh*t The Mirror but...the album got leaked...I think I'ma do a contest or something where I get the people to give me their feedback on what the album should be called...Keep talking, the album's coming. All y'all hater n*ggas, I love y'all. Keep running your mouths. Y'all n*ggas are helping my cause, keep up the good work."

No further album or movie details have been revealed as of now.

T.I. Says "Recognize I'm Back!" On First Post-Prison Single

T.I., the self-proclaimed "King of the South," has kept his word by releasing a new song called "I'm Back"(March 8).

Released online Monday afternoon, Tip reminds fans and critics of his return into the music spotlight with his post-prison first release.
"N*gga probably seen Wayne, Gucci Mane, me and Boosie all go to prison, now he flippin'," Tip raps, "Nowadays I don't know what's up with n*ggas in the 'A,'/Guess they think he's in the game but he really in the way/Violatin -- I'm disappointed in you dog, you ain't hold it down at all/But I ain't going in ya jaw just to show you how to ball/Standing tall through the storm, on the yard or in the dorms/cats in prison who's expecting me to rep for 'em..." ("I'm Back")

Produced by duo Trackslayerz, the track was set-up to place emphasis on Tip's lyrics.
"This record right here kinda reminds me of the Urban Legend T.I.," said Trackslayerz's Price, referring to the rapper's 2004 album. "But it's from the point of when he got locked up. It's no fall off [with] the lyricism. It's like he's completely focused. T.I. went extremely hard. He went in."

Trackslayerz's Inf also said fans would appreciate the record's street feel.
His production partner, Inf, added, "The track is hard. It brings you back to the old T.I. It's like a 'U Don't Know Me' type track. It's pretty hard. He's coming back with the aggressive, mean kind of swag. It's definitely a [street single]. It's a combination of things. He's kinda addressing that he's been on a little hiatus with the jail sentence and don't worry about that [because] he hasn't fallen off. [Some] people feel a certain way about his situation and his sentencing and that he may have gotten off easy, but really it's just the man saying don't even worry about that, he's the King of the South."

T.I. is expected to be released from criminal confinement later this month.
The rapper announced new single "I'm Back" through a promotional Twitter account, and his lawyer confirmed to MTV News on Thursday (March 4) that Tip will be released from prison later this month. Federal Bureau of Prison records list the rapper's release date as March 26. "That date is correct," lawyer Steve Sadow said via e-mail. "T.I. is now serving the remainder of his sentence in home confinement under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons."

Lloyd Banks Rates Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Halle Berry & More in new song

Playing off of the success of his new single, "Beamer, Benz Or Bentley," Lloyd Banks used car analogies to rate a few of his favorite female stars.
In a recent interview, Banks incorporated the theme of his new record.
"[Rihanna,] that's a tough one. I'll say a Benz 'cause she got some long a** legs. I'm in that 6.3, too, and my sh*t is like... Yeah, I'll say she's a Benz," Banks said in an interview. "Halle Berry? Out of a Beamer, Benz or Bentley I'd have to say she's a Bugatti. I don't have one of those yet... Jessica Alba is beautiful, man. She's kinda petite, small. I'll say she's a Beamer. I'd whip that around nice...You know it's funny, Alicia Keys is like, we kinda close in age, but from the very beginning her music has always been, it reached an older audience as well. So she gotta be like a Phantom or something. I feel like one day, if not already, she's gonna be respected like the artists she respected coming up."

According to Southern rapper Slim Thug, a remix to "Beamer" is currently in the works.
"yep im doing the beemer benz or bentley," Thug wrote in an Q&A forumn. "they called me this weekend."

Banks recently spoke on how his collaboration with Juelz Santana came together.
"The Juelz feature is something that didn't happen in [the past] because we had two of our own entities," Banks explained in an interview. "G-Unit had a lot of our own artists we had to showcase, same with Dipset. I was doing records with Prodigy, Mobb Deep, with everybody. I didn't have to go outside the circle. I was excited about the staff we had there. Now it's time for change."To have 'Beamer, Benz or Bentley' added to [radio station] Hot 97 within three or four days was incredible. That was one mixshow weekend that really came at the right time. I'm so thankful, man. It goes to show as long as you keep striving for what you believe in and your goals, you can make it happen."

The record also caught the attention of rapper Fabolous who placed his own version on the No Competition 2 mixtape.
"On my way 2 Atl.. Welcome back dinner at Room Service Lounge.. Party 2nite at Gold Room," he wrote. " RT @LTLline: @myfabolouslife you ready LEGGGGOOOOO!!!!!!!!!<-- u already know! #itsgoindown like a elevator at the top floor Bout 2 meet @Djdrama to drop off 95% off #TiNc2, think imma add All the Way Turnt Up & Beamer, Benz or Bentley 2 the mixtape 2day."

Game & Bun B On Lil Wayne's Jail Bid

Rappers Game and Bun B have shared their reactions to Lil Wayne being sentenced to a year in jail earlier today.

From Game's perspective, Weezy's time behind bars will not go unnoticed.
"It's f*cked up," Game said about Wayne's bid. "I don't like it all. I don't have one good feeling about it. I'm happy Tip is coming out, but sad that Wayne and Gucci gotta go in. I don't like to see that. I like for my n*ggas that co-exist with me in hip-hop to win. I don't like to see [for example] Fab go to jail just as much as he don't want to see Game to jail. That sh*t is wack."

Bun B said Wayne's bid comes at a time when his buzz is reaching all-time highs.
"I feel bad, because I don't think anything like this has happened in music since Elvis got drafted into the Army," Bun B said. " ... Let's just keep it real: Lil' Wayne is not just the biggest rapper, Lil Wayne is the biggest pop star right now. Maybe Susan Boyle is on his level. But when you talk about music, nine times out of 10, Lil Wayne's name is gonna come into the conversation. I feel bad for any brother or any sister that's gotta go to jail. I feel especially bad for a person like Lil Wayne who's really riding the wave right now."

The rapper was sentenced to a year in jail Monday (March 8) afternoon.
Lil Wayne has been sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty in a New York City gun case. The Grammy Award-winning rapper was taken away in handcuffs to start serving his term immediately after his sentencing. He'll serve his sentence in city jails, not a state prison. He could be released in about eight months with good behavior.

He is speculated to be spending his time in protective custody.
Lil Wayne just got a judge to agree to place him in protective custody while he serves 1 year in jail for a gun conviction. The judge asked Wayne, before sentencing, if he wanted to make a statement but Lil just shook his head no. After he was sentenced, Lil Wayne was cuffed, turned to his fans in the courtroom and bowed his head. Lil Wayne also asked for special medical attention while in the pokey because of his dental problems. Lil Wayne's mentor, Birdman, was in court to bid his farewell.