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As the adage goes, music marks time. We’ve all had formative experiences to different soundtracks. In No Sense In Wishing (Atria Books, July 8th) author and cultural critic Lawrence Burney sharply expresses his life and times in a powerful collection of essays. The book traces what he’s learned from his musical journey; Lupe Fiasco was his entry point into a kind of Blackness he initially thought was “corny as shit,” while the music he shares with his daughter makes him realize how hip-hop has shifted generationally.

Burney, a...

Celebrities including Lil Duval, Quavo, and Playboi Carti are remembering Atlanta rap great Rich Homie Quan following his untimely death at 33 on Thursday. Rolling Stone confirmed Quan’s death via a family member and the Fulton County Medical Examiner, although no cause of death was immediately available.

“May God be with US never saw this being apart [sic] of our journey,” wrote Quavo on an Instagram story, sharing a throwback photo of Migos alongside Quan in the studio.

Jacquees also tweeted his condolences, writing on X, “Rest in Peace my brother Rich Homie Quan.

Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tina Turner died at age 83 on Wednesday, leaving behind an enormous musical legacy. She’s celebrated as the Queen of Rock & Roll, with more than 100 million albums sold, eight Grammys, and an incalculable impact on popular music. Her vibrant live shows laid the blueprint for generations of leading women to follow. The road of every pop singer’s feverish onstage dance routine leads back to her.

And while there is so much to celebrate from her legacy, others are recalling how some in pop...

This week marks 20 years of Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent’s star-making opus that rode a bevy of hits, an Eminem co-sign, and Dr. Dre’s talismanic touch to sell 12 million records worldwide in 2003. 50’s mesh of New York bravado and melody catapulted him to instant superstardom, with “In Da Club” dominating the radio and “Many Men” feeding the streets.

Many rap fans make the mistake of attributing hip-hop’s push toward melody to a sole artist, be it Ye, Lil Wayne, Future, or Drake. But the shift...

Following the unexpected death of Takeoff, one-third of the prolific rap trio Migos, figures throughout hip-hop, and the entertainment industry at large, have taken to social media to memorialize the late musician. The rapper, born Kirsnik Khari Ball, was shot and killed in Houston early Tuesday morning at age 28, Rolling Stone confirmed.

Gucci Mane, who recently collaborated with Takeoff and his uncle and bandmate Quavo on the song “Us vs. Them,” shared a photo of the rapper on Instagram, saying he was heartbroken over the news.

“This broke my heart Rest In Peace @yrntakeoff,...

Update 8/5/2021: Bia, Fousheé, Kaash Paige, Cazzu, Mozzy, Duke Deuce, Mariah the Scientist, Capella Grey, Destin Conrad, and 26Ar have been added to the lineup for the 2021 Made in America festival, performing on the Tidal Stage.

Update 7/15/2021: Kehlani, Young Thug, Coi Leray, Latto, Griselda, Lloyd Banks, Fivio Foreign, Pi’erre Bourne, and Maeta have been added to the lineup for the 2021 Made in America music festival.

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Jay-Z’s Made in America music festival will return this year on Labor Day Weekend — Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th — at Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Olivia Rodrigo held on to the top spot on the Rolling Stone Artists 500 chart for the third consecutive week, for the week of June 4th through June 10th.

In doing so, Rodrigo became the second female artist to top the Artists 500 three weeks in a row, joining Taylor Swift. The budding pop star pulled in 171 million song streams as her debut album, Sour, landed at Number Two on the Top 200 Albums chart, pulling in 166.9 million streams to help it move 141,600 album-equivalent units.

With the release ofThe Voice of the Heroes,...

Buffalo rapper Conway the Machine and Method Man have released a new video for their track, “Lemon,” which will appear on Conway’s upcoming album, From King to a God, out September 11th via Griselda Records/Drumwork/Empire.

Directed by Langston Sessoms, the “Lemon” clip is the perfect no-frills visual to accompany the track, placing emphasis on Conway and Method Man’s verses. As Conway told Complex of the clip, “I just wanted to give the streets and my diehard fans that nostalgic grimy shit they love me for. Meth...

While many make their way through college groping at an idea of where their life is heading, director Melina Matsoukas always had tunnel vision. When it came time for the 36-year-old to narrow her focus and study a specific craft, she headed for New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and chased it with a stint at the American Film Institute, where she got her Mfa in cinematography and did her thesis in music videos. As an MTV baby, she always had her sights set on what would inevitably become her career.

“As a filmmaker, I always felt you could be the most experimental in videos because you were coming up with the whole concept yourself,” explains Matsoukas. “I always wanted to start out there and really hone my skills and use it as a learning process. It was something I was super passionate about. Music videos are something that are dear to my heart...

50 Cent came across a picture of G-Unit member Lloyd Banks next to his longtime nemesis The Game – and he wasn’t happy about it. 50, Lloyd Banks & The Game 50 Cent took to Instagram to share the picture, captioning it, “What do you see when you look at this picture? I see confusion. […]

The post 50 Cent Not Happy To See Lloyd Banks Partying With The Game appeared first on uInterview.

To fully re-create the events that led to his near-fatal 2000 shooting, 50 Cent posted the official music video for his highly personal single "9 Shots" this weekend. It's two doses of grisly. It's also a true trip down memory lane because the short film, directed by Eif Rivera, co-stars O.G. G-Unit members Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. (#Tbt.) Like the song, everything about the video is old 50, which is proving to be a welcome theme.

Britney Spears needs help sounding sexy ... according to the guy dragging Sony Music to court for jacking his samples, and dropping them into Brit's hit, "Piece of Me."  According to the docs, Kirk Rothrum -- owner of bangin-beats.com -- says Sony lifted the sounds of a woman seductively moaning "uhh" and "oh yeah" ... from his sampling library, but never paid him for it.  Rothrum says he was cruising around listening to the radio when...

Stuart Scott, longtime Espn SportsCenter anchor and a pioneering force in the field of sportscasting, passed away Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer, Espn reports. He was 49. "Espn and everyone in the sports world have lost a true friend and a uniquely inspirational figure in Stuart Scott," Espn president John Skipper said. "His energetic and unwavering devotion to his family and to his work while fighting the battle of his life left us in awe, and he leaves a void that can never be replaced."

After joining ESPN...

The "Shady Xv" 15th anniversary compilation album isn't officially billed as a new Eminem album, but new music from Slim Shady is all over it. The comp has one side that's 15 previously released Shady Records tunes, plus a bonus track that's the original demo of Eminem's great "Lose Yourself." The other side is all-new tracks, with  Eminem leading or featuring on at least 10 out of 12 of the songs. Em fronts the songs "Shady Xv," "Die Alone" featuring Kobe, previously released "Guts Over Fear" featuring Sia, "Right for Me" and "Fine Line." He's also part of the D12 crew, rhymes with Royce da 5'9" in Bad Meets Evil and is part of a group track "Detroit Vs. Everybody" that co-leads with Royce, Big Sean, Danny Brown, DeJ Loaf and Trick Trick. The full tracklist to both discs are below. Eminem executive produced the set. "Shady Xv" is out on Nov.

Detroiters who heard helicopters into the early morning Monday have no need to be alarmed: it was just rappers Eminem and 50 Cent shooting a late night music video at Michigan Central Station, reports Curbed.

According to the real estate blog, rapper Lloyd Banks was rumored to be at the set as well, and despite the music video hype, the film crew instead said they were shooting a shoe commercial.

Monday morning, 50 Cent tweeted that he was working on a video with Eminem for Ski, his Street King Immortal album. The release date for the album, most recently scheduled for mid-November, has been pushed back.

Andre Dirrell is a boxer from Flint, Mich. who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

According to Complex, the video is for 50 Cent's upcoming song "My Life."

It was interesting timing for Detroit rapper Eminem, who turned 40 last week, to be filming a video in his hometown.

JRand has released the official music video for his new video ‘Don’t Judge Me,’ the reworked version of Chris Brown’s ballad from his latest album, ‘Fortune.’ JRand’s remix will appear on his debut mixtape, ‘The Heartbreak Kid.’ The Miami performer has also released a behind-the-scenes video diary from the ‘Closer to My Dreams Tour’ with Tyga. The video gives fans an inside look at the Chicago stop of his first tour. JRand has also released the video for his debut single, ‘Up Against the Wall,’ which was produced by Young Seph, who has worked with 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. The song is now available on iTunes. Watche [ Read More ]

The post JRand Releases Official Video For New Single Don’t Judge Me appeared first on Shockya.com.

You wanted it, you got it. Whatever you think of this weekend's outrageous found footage party movie "Project X" there is no denying that the filmmakers provided a serious playlist to accompany the debauchery on screen. And while 13 of those songs were collected for the official soundtrack that was released earlier this week, we've heard from more than a few readers that they want to know every song that was featured in the film. Well, we've tracked down that list and here it is: all the music that rocked your eardrums in "Project X."

And really, there is something here for everybody. For people looking for straight up party bangers there are more than a few options, but for stuffier folks who like their music to be critically approved and maybe slightly more underground, bands like The xx, Four Tet, Amon Tobin, Animal Collective and LCD Soundsystem are all featured.

Christopher Lloyd has been cast as the grandfather to John Leguizamo and Dustin Ybarra in ABC's comedy "Only Fools and Horses," which chronicles this rag-tag family as they come up with crazy, morally questionable get-rich-quick schemes in their pursuit to become millionaires.  [Deadline]

David Arquette has been cast in ABC's "The Smart One" comedy pilot, playing husband to Candy (Malin Akerman), the "dumb one" of dueling sisters. Portia de Rossi is the "smart one" sister, Jude. [TV Line]

"Justified's" Natalie Zea has joined untitled Kevin Williamson thriller starring Kevin Bacon as an ex-fbi agent tracking a serial killer. Zea will play the ex-wife of said serial killer who finds herself in a horrible situation when he has escaped from prison.

Robert Wisdom of "The Wire" and Hayden Panettiere of "Heroes" have been cast in the ABC drama "Nashville," a family soap set against the Nashville country music scene. Wisdom will play a...

'I had to go through a lot of things for me to be able to write the type of things I'm writing now,' Bow tells 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Bow Wow on "RapFix Live"

Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

Bow Wow has grown up in hip-hop, but in order to deliver his upcoming seventh album, Underrated, the Cash Money Mc had to go through some real-life experiences.

"I feel like with this album, it's so different, because I had to live life to make this album," the 24-year old rapper told Sway when he visited "RapFix Live" on Wednesday.

"I had to go through a lot of things for me to be able to write the type of things I'm writing now, to understand my fans, to be on the ground level. Not above my people, but right there with my people,...

'It's album-quality music, it's not just a bunch of throwaways,' Green Lantern tells Mixtape Daily of Maino's I Am Who I Am.

By Rob Markman

Maino

Photo: MTV News

Main Pick Headliners: Maino and DJ Green Lantern

Representing: Brooklyn, New York

Mixtape: I Am Who I Am: The Album Before the Album

Real Spit: While Maino is known to keep close ties with the streets, the Brooklyn Mc has a knack for making rap hits that transcend his 'hood. From 2008's "Hi Hater" to his T-Pain-assisted "All the Above" and his current Lil Wayne-featured banger "Cream," Main has managed to keep a stash of radio gems but has never compromised his underground appeal. Now, as he gets set to finally release his sophomore album, The Day After Tomorrow, Maino leads first with a mixtape prelude, I Am Who I Am: The Album Before the Album.

"It's the album before the album,...

Fab rounds out his There Is No Competition mixtape series with third installment, in Mixtape Daily.

By Rob Markman

Fabolous

Photo: MTV News

Main Pick

Headliners: Fabolous and DJ Drama

Representing: Brooklyn, New York

Mixtape: There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's

Real Spit: Funeral Fab takes no days off — not even Christmas. On Sunday while many were celebrating the holidays with family, Fabolous decided to gift-wrap his latest mixtape and release it online as a free download. There Is No Competition III: Death Comes in 3's is the third installment of the popular series that Fab and DJ Drama started in 2008.

"The theme of There Is No Competition III, it has the subtitle Death Comes in 3's, which plays along in the trilogy of this tape," Fab told Mixtape Daily.

The death-themed tape doesn't disappoint. On "Black City," Fabolous dons appropriate mourning attire and rides Tyga's "Rack...

German man who returned Leslie's stolen laptop says he wasn't paid as promised.

By Rob Markman

Ryan Leslie

Photo: Getty Images

While $1 million might sound a bit steep for a laptop, that's how much Ryan Leslie said he would pay to whomever returned his MacBook, which was stolen last year.

Armin Augstein said he returned the computer to the "Diamond Girl" singer but claims he has yet to receive the reward, so now the 52-year old German man has filed a suit in U.S. District Court in New York, the Daily News has reported.

"It's unfortunate that my client has to go to such lengths to recover the reward," Michael Fischman, Augstein's U.S.-based lawyer, told the paper.

MTV News reached out to Leslie's rep for comment, but haven't heard back as of press time.

Leslie appeared on "RapFix Live" via Skype last November, shortly after he lost...

Compilation album due in the spring may include such G.O.O.D. artists as Big Sean, Mos Def and Pusha T.

By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West

Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

Kanye West spent much of summer 2010 seeding the Internet with new music via his "G.O.O.D. Friday" track releases, previewing a number of the songs from his own My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

And on Wednesday, West announced that he's packaging up some of those goods for a proper release. "Goodmusic. The album. Spring 2012," he tweeted, providing just a tease of what's to come.

'Ye's label, Def Jam, confirmed the release as well in a tweet, hyping upcoming albums from Rick Ross, the Roots, Young Jeezy and Rihanna, though a spokesperson could not be reached at press time for further details on the disc.

The G.O.O.D. Music bench is deep, so it's possible...

Compilation album due in the spring may include such G.O.O.D. artists as Big Sean, Pusha T.

By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West

Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

Kanye West spent much of summer 2010 seeding the Internet with new music via his "G.O.O.D. Friday" track releases, previewing a number of the songs from his own My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

And on Wednesday, West announced that he's packaging up some of those goods for a proper release. "Goodmusic. The album. Spring 2012," he tweeted, providing just a tease of what's to come.

'Ye's label, Def Jam, confirmed the release as well in a tweet, hyping upcoming albums from Rick Ross, the Roots, Young Jeezy and Rihanna, though a spokesperson could not be reached at press time for further details on the disc.

The G.O.O.D. Music bench is deep, so it's possible the disc could contain tracks from Big Sean,...

'It's my job to say something,' rapper tells 'RapFix Live' of his responsibility as 'Master of Ceremonies.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Styles P

Photo: MTV News

Styles P takes the title of Mc very seriously. On his upcoming album Master of Ceremonies, the Ghost expands the acronym to exemplify what it means to be a rapper of the highest caliber. The Lox rhyme spitter broke it all down with Sway on Wednesday's "RapFix Live."

"I named it Master of Ceremonies because I'm an Mc and I felt like I'm gonna bring something to the table that a lot of people forgot about — a lost art," Styles told Sway of his album, which drops October 4.

In the beginning, it was the DJ who was the star in hip-hop. During the early house parties and park jams, the Mc's main function was to toast to the...

'It's my job to say something,' rapper tells 'RapFix Live' of his responsibility as 'Master of Ceremonies.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Styles P

Photo: MTV News

Styles P takes the title of Mc very seriously. On his upcoming album Master of Ceremonies, the Ghost expands the acronym to exemplify what it means to be a rapper of the highest caliber. The Lox rhyme spitter broke it all down with Sway on Wednesday's "RapFix Live."

"I named it Master of Ceremonies because I'm an Mc and I felt like I'm gonna bring something to the table that a lot of people forgot about — a lost art," Styles told Sway of his album, which drops October 4.

In the beginning, it was the DJ who was the star in hip-hop. During the early house parties and park jams, the Mc's main function was to toast to the...

Philly Mc will talk his post-Roc career and State Property reunion at 4 p.m. Et on MTV.com.

By Rob Markman

Freeway

Photo: Gregg Delman

After celebrating the one-year anniversary of "RapFix Live" in grand fashion, MTV News' live hip-hop show returns for year two with Freeway on Wednesday.

Last week, Lloyd Banks, Maino, Diplomats capo Jim Jones, Consequence, the Outlawz, Reek Da Villian, Superstar Jay and DJ Love Dinero all crashed the couch and toasted to "RapFix Live" and the year that was. Now, Philadelphia Mc Freeway will set off year two. In 2003, Free dropped his debut album on Roc-a-Fella Records and, in the label's heyday, stood as one of the Roc's most loyal soldiers. Through his career, Philly Freezer has earned a rep as one of the game's most-skilled spitters, going head-to-head with rappers like Cassidy and Jaz-o.

Post-Roc-a-Fella, the State Property Mc carried on, releasing his sophomore album,...

Diplomatic Immunity 3 being stalled by 'contractual obligations,' Jim Jones tells 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Jim Jones and Sway Calloway

Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

It's been a year since the Diplomats reunited, and though they haven't yet turned around their long-awaited Diplomatic Immunity 3 album, the crew's Capo tells fans to be patient.

"Everybody's been working," Jim Jones said Wednesday on the "RapFix Live" one-year anniversary show. "We took a brief hiatus; we came back together. When we came back together, there were still things that we had to figure out.

"And everybody's on the same page, but above all we all still have contractual obligations, so it kinda makes it a little difficult to get what we want to do done because we want to put total efforts and total concentration on the new things."

In 2007, Jones began speaking publicly about a...

'He spoke his piece, I spoke my piece, and he told me he loved me,' Cons reveals on 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Consequence, Baby Caiden and Sway Calloway

Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

To err is human, but to forgive is divine. After Consequence appeared on "RapFix Live" back in May and dished on his severed relationship with Kanye West, the ex-g.O.O.D. Music Mc returned on the one-year anniversary of the show to tell fans that he and 'Ye have buried the hatchet.

It was a day of positive celebration. Maino, Lloyd Banks and Jim Jones all came on Wednesday to toast the year that was. The Outlawz stopped by as well and talked about their onetime mentor Tupac's enduring legacy, 15 years after his death. The show's most revealing moment, however, came when Consequence seized the opportunity to make an announcement.

'I completed my situation with Emi and going right back to the drawing board,' G-Unit Mc tells 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Lloyd Banks and Sway

Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

Lloyd Banks still hungers for more. Last year, the G-Unit rapper dropped his third album, The Hunger For More 2, and during Wednesday's "RapFix Live" one-year anniversary show, Banks revealed to host Sway that he is well into the recording process for his next album.

Whether it will come out on Emi, where he released his last LP, is uncertain.

"I'm in between situations now. I completed my situation with Emi and going right back to the drawing board," Lb said. "I've been working constantly to just make music for my mixtape series and, at the same time, for my next album. I'm about 18 to 20 records into my next album already."

Actually, Banks was just being modest.

Consequence, Outlawz, more join host Sway for all-star celebration of premier hip-hop show's first year in the game.

By Rob Markman

Lloyd Banks and Sway

Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

It's a party, it's a par-tay! On Wednesday (September 14), "RapFix Live" celebrated its one-year anniversary in all-star fashion. Maino, Lloyd Banks, Diplomats capo Jim Jones, Consequence, the Outlawz and Reek Da Villian all made their way onto the "Rfl" couch to toast to MTV News' premier hip-hop show.

Reek set things off with a spirited "RapFix"-themed freestyle, making way for the show's first guest, Maino, who chopped it up with Sway about his favorite show moments. The hard-nosed Brooklyn rapper recounted some of his more memorable ones, including Ja Rule appearing just before he turned himself in for his jail bid, and Nicki Minaj's and Lil Kim's separate appearances.

G-Unit's Lloyd Banks came in to rep for Queens,...

Consequence, Lloyd Banks, Trina, Maino and the Outlawz will also join Sway at 4 p.m. on MTV.com for anniversary show.

By Rob Markman

The Diplomats appear on "RapFix Live" in January

Photo: MTV News

It's party time! "RapFix Live" is celebrating its one-year anniversary today at 4 p.m. on MTV.com with special guests Lloyd Banks, Trina, Maino and the Outlawz. That's not all: Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey of the Diplomats will also grace the "RapFix Live" couch, as well as Consequence and Reek Da Villain.

Hosted by hip-hop aficionado and MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway, "RapFix Live" has earned its reputation as the ultimate destination for all things hip-hop — including exclusive interviews with Lil Wayne, Bad Meets Evil cohorts Eminem and Royce Da 5'9", Dr. Dre, Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose, the Game, Diddy and Beanie Sigel, among others — and has served up more than...

Before appearing on Wednesday's 'RapFix Live,' Maino talks to Sway about the femcees' appeal, in Mixtape Daily.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Nicki Minaj and Lil' Kim

Photo: MTV News / Getty Images

Celebrity Favorites: Maino

Do the ladies run this mutha? After being deprived of rap femininity for a few years, it seems that women are once again a hot topic in the hip-hop conversation.

Take Wednesday's "RapFix Live" one-year anniversary show, for instance. Not only is Trina making an appearance, but in two separate pre-show fan polls, Nicki Minaj and Lil' Kim are leading otherwise male-dominated categories. Minaj is currently leading for Best "RapFix Live" Freestyle, and the Queen Bee is the leading vote-getter in the Best "RapFix" Moment poll.

It's especially interesting considering that the two ladies were tangled in one of the biggest rap beefs of the year as well. Maino knows both Kim and Nicki,...

Maino, the Outlawz also join host Sway on the red couch for one-year anniversary live stream Wednesday at 4 p.m. Et on MTV.com.

By Rob Markman

Lloyd Banks and Sway on "RapFix Live" in November 2010

Photo: MTV News

What a year! From the ascent of Wiz Khalifa to the rise of Rick Ross' Maybach Music empire; from Lil Wayne's 2010 prison release to T.I.'s latest incarceration; from the tragic death of Nate Dogg to the murder of M-Bone; not to mention the release of the highly anticipated Watch the Throne and Tha Carter IV, "RapFix Live" has been the number one source of all things hip-hop.

After 12 months of hard work, MTV News will celebrate on the "RapFix Live" one-year anniversary show, set to kick off Wednesday at 4 p.m. Et on MTV.com. Lloyd Banks, Maino, Trina and the Outlawz will join host Sway in taking...

Mc opens up to Mixtape Daily about rumors that G-Unit mogul has been 'blackballing' him because of his association with Chaz 'Slim' Williams.

By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rob Markman

Grafh

Photo: MTV News

Celebrity Favorites: Grafh

Grafh just wants to spread the love.

But the Jamaica, Queens, rapper's longtime affiliation with Black Hand Entertainment has spawned rumors that he was being blackballed by 50 Cent due to the G-Unit honcho's rift with Black Hand's Chaz "Slim" Williams. Grafh recently left the Black Hand fold, but insisted it's still all good between him and Williams.

"We have a mutual respect for each other, we're like family," Grafh told Mixtape Daily of his and Chaz's decision to separate on the business front. "It was never a thing where he don't want to see me succeed. I have his blessing. He was like, 'Go make your money, do what you do.' Really,...

'There wasn't no dance moves Beyoncé was doin' that Kelly wasn't doin',' 50 tells MTV News of Destiny's Child songstress.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by James Smith

Shawty Lo and 50 Cent

Photo: MTV News

50 Cent loves music, but like everyone, he has tailored tastes.

While on the set of Tony Yayo's video for "Haters" in Atlanta last week, 50 ran through some of his favorite songs of the moment with MTV News. In addition to Big Sean's "My Last" and Frank Ocean's "Novacane," Fif is waving the flag for former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland, counting her hit record "Motivation" as one of his faves.

"I'm so happy Kelly got that hit record. She's due; she's so due. She's the most underrated female soloist in the game, and it's finally time for her," 50 told MTV News.

The G-Unit General pointed to Rowland's international appeal. "Commander" with David Guetta...

'They're like $80 million in the hole,' Fif jokes to MTV News about Def Jam.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by James Smith

50 Cent

When 50 Cent signed G-Unit artists Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo over to Emi, the plan was to set up his longtime Queens, New York, cohorts as artists who could work independently, without his help.

Fif told MTV News that Banks' The Hunger for More 2, which was released last November, was the project that set the trend. "Banks' project is the beginning of them flying solo, flying without my assistance so much," 50 said on the Atlanta set of Tony Yayo's upcoming "Haters" video.

In the past, Fif lent his guidance as well as his voice to his artists' albums. Back in 2004, the G-Unit General appeared alongside Banks on "On Fire," the first single from the Punch Line King's platinum debut. He did the same with Yayo's first single,...

Lloyd Banks at the Doh HIV awareness concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks at the Doh HIV awareness concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks at the Doh HIV awareness concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks at the Doh HIV awareness concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks at the Doh HIV awareness concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. 06/25/2011 - LLoyd Banks - Lloyd Banks in Concert at the Doh HIV Awareness Concert at the Paradise Theater in Bronx - June 25, 2011...

'It will all be clear in the negotiations following me turning this actual album in,' Fif tells MTV News.

By Rob Markman

50 Cent

Photo: Tiffany Rose/ WireImage

After selling millions of records with Interscope, will 50 Cent be looking to jump ship? Anything is possible as the G-Unit head honcho prepares his fifth and final contracted album on the powerhouse label.

"I don't know," 50 told MTV News when asked if he would ink back with Interscope once his five-album deal was fulfilled. "It will all be clear in the negotiations following me turning this actual album in. And, of course, the performance and how they actually treat the work will determine whether you still want to stay in that position or not."

Last week, on June 16, Fif took his label to task via Twitter when he fired off, "I'm sorry to announce I will not be releasing a new album...

After missing the Diplomats' 'RapFix' visit due to legal drama, Juelz will sit down with Sway on Wednesday at 4 p.m. on MTV.com.

By Alvin Blanco

Juelz Santana

Photo: John Ricard/FilmMagic

Harlem is coming to MTV News this Wednesday, when Juelz Santana visits "RapFix Live." The flashy member of the reunited Diplomats was Awol when Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Frekey Zekey sat down with Sway Calloway back in January, but Juelz will get a chance to discuss what he and the Dipset have cooking on the "RapFix" couch.

Juelz has been laying relatively low lately but will have plenty to discuss. In February, the "Mic Check" rapper was arrested on marijuana and weapons charges stemming from a raid of his New Jersey studios by authorities. Dealing with the ramifications of those legal entanglements — rapper Hynief, a member of Juelz's Skull Gang crew, was also arrested — is one of...

Chris Brown continues to spend the summer from one major stage to another. After previously rocking Memorial Day Weekend at Rock Spring Fest in Miami, he took off to New Jersey to be one of the musical guests at Hot 97 Summer Jam 2011 at New Meadowlands Stadium.

"Had a blast on stage New York/ New jersey! I love all y'all support!" Breezy tweeted. The other performers at the gig included Lil Wayne, Drake, Dipset, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flocka Flame and Birdman.

The other stage he recently visited was Jam'n 94.5's Summer Jam at Comcast Center in Boston. He made a duet with Big Sean in "My Last", reprise his Miami steamy lap dance with a female fan, and busted some moves when the DJ played songs by Beyonce Knowles, Soulja Boy and Jay-z.

Video:

Pictures:...

'When I produced the track, I was actually thinking of Meek Mill,' Cardiak tells Mixtape Daily.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Steven Roberts

Cardiak

Photo: MTV News

Behind the Beats: Cardiak

In the grand scheme of things, Cardiak is new to the game. But the Willingboro, New Jersey, rap producer has already amassed some major hits. After making his biggest splash on Lloyd Banks' 2010 Kanye/ Swizz Beatz/ Fabolous collab cut "Start It Up," Cardiak has gone on to land beats with 50 Cent, Fab and Red Cafe. Mixtape Daily caught up with the N.J. boardsman on the set of Maybach Music Group's "600 Benz," another track that he crafted.

"When I produced the track, I was actually thinking of Meek Mill," Cardiak said of "600 Benz." "He had first got signed to Maybach Music, so I was like, this would be the perfect track for him and Rick Ross to hop on.

Lloyd Banks has just debuted a music video in support of his latest single "So Forgetful". In this clip, he shares screen with R&B crooner Ryan Leslie who lends his vocals on the song. It follows the two buddies as they hit the studio for a recording session.

"The way we put the record together was kind of how the video is playing out," he once said. "I stopped by the studio, [Leslie] was working on a few sounds, and he plays everything, from the drums to the keys. So, he basically started, and I just started writing the verses, and it came to life."

The single is taken from Lloyd Banks' 2010 star-studded studio album "H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2)". Beside Ryan Leslie, the likes of 50 Cent, Kanye West, Akon, Jeremih and Juelz Santana are also lined for featured guests in the CD.

Lloyd Banks' "So...

Fresh off of a weekend headlining the New Jersey Bamboozle music festival, Lil Wayne has made it apparent he wants back into the state for another go. The rapper will be joined by his Young Money crew, Birdman, Drake and others for Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam, to be held June 5 again at the Meadowlands Stadium. Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flocka Flame, Fabolous, Dipset, Rick Ross, Chris Brown and Lloyd Banks are also officially on the marquee, in addition to the promise of “special guests.” You know who’s part of the Young Money crew that’s not on...

'It's not important to me anymore,' Rule tells Sway on 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Ja Rule

Photo: Jonathan Goldner/ MTV News

When it comes to hip-hop beefs, the one between Queens rappers Ja Rule and 50 Cent will go down as one of the biggest and most violent.

Though the feud has been mostly dormant for some years, 50 and Ja have gone tit for tat over Twitter, volleying barbs back and forth. Most recently, on March 23, 50 ridiculed Ja after news broke that Rule pleaded guilty to tax evasion. "I wouldn't expect anything different from a ho ass n---a like @50cent," Ja tweeted back.

On Wednesday's "RapFix Live," the former Murder Inc. Mc told Sway he will no longer indulge in Twitter beef with the G-Unit General.

"Sway, I promise you, he can get on Twitter right now and say, 'Ja you bitch ass n---a,...

Lloyd Banks exclusive concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks exclusive concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks exclusive concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks exclusive concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. Lloyd Banks exclusive concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn.Photo copyright Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos. 04/23/2011 - Lloyd Banks - Lloyd Banks Exclusive Concert at Sanders Studios Loft in Brooklyn - April 23, 2011 - Sanders Studios Loft - Brooklyn, NY, USA © Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos 04/23/2011 - Lloyd Banks - Lloyd Banks Exclusive Concert at Sanders Studios Loft...

Welcome to No Fact Zone’s weekly roundup of cultural references on The Colbert Report. From Darcy to Danger Mouse, String Theory to Shakespeare, we’ve got the keys to this week’s obscure, oddball, and occasionally obscene cultural shout-outs (hey!).

nuqneH Zoners! Hope you had a great weekend! Too bad it isn’t still Friday, Friday… I still can’t get that darn song out of my head, but I enjoyed the build up to it oh so much! What were some of your favorite segments of the week?

Monday

Tip/Wag – Cigarette, Abortion Waiting Period and Bargain Shoppers

In, fact you can now mess with Texas for 50 bucks, but no kissing on the mouth.

Hey, I mean it, I live in Texas, so don’t mess with it! Even on the weekends or in skeevy bars! Don’t Mess With Texas turns 25 this year. It is a campaign...

Ryan Leslie says G-Unit rapper's song is based on 'personal experience.'

By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Ade Mangum

Lloyd Banks

Photo: MTV News

G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks wants to bring listeners into the world of a rap star with his new video for "So Forgetful." MTV News caught up with the Queens Mc on the set of the visual for the Ryan Leslie-produced track from his third album, H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2), which was released late last year on G-Unit Records.

"The way we put the record together was kind of how the video is playing out," Banks said about the song's inception. "I stopped by the studio, [Leslie] was working on a few sounds, and he plays everything, from the drums to the keys. So, he basically started, and I just started writing the verses, and it came to life."

Leslie, a multitalented R&B artist,...

DJ Juanyto tells MTV News the singer was 'all about his fans' at post-'gma' party.

By Jocelyn Vena

Chris Brown attends his <i>F.A.M.E.</i> album release party on Tuesday in New York City

Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

On Tuesday night, Chris Brown was in great spirits as he partied alongside fans at his F.A.M.E. record-release party at New York's Webster Hall.

Earlier in the day, he made headlines when he had a public meltdown backstage after his interview with "Good Morning America," but by the time the party started, Brown just wanted to redirect the energy to his album.

"It was good. There was nothing but girls in there," DJ Juanyto, who was at the party, told MTV News. "He came onstage, no Hollywoodness. He took all that energy from everyone and started performing. It was dope. No type of negativity. He was really positive.

Snoop tweets that gangsta crooner who lent his smooth vocals to array of West and East Coast hits was 'a true legend' of hip-hop and R&B.

By Alvin Blanco

Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg in 2004

Photo: Todd Williamson/FilmMagic

As the hip-hop nation mourns the death of Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale on Tuesday, the exact cause of death is still unknown, although Hale's family has noted his history of strokes. What is certain, however, is the indelible impact the singer/rapper's smooth baritone had on gangsta and G-Funk rap music.

Nate Dogg lent his vocal talents to a plethora of songs over the years, with his smooth but gangsta crooning serving as the cherry on top of many a hip-hop hit. The Long Beach, California, native collaborated with both up-and-coming acts and A-listers, including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Tupac and 50 Cent.

A number of artists who knew and worked with...