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New Kids on the Block have recruited fellow Nineties stars Salt-n-Pepa, Naughty by Nature, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany for their massive MixTape Tour, which launches next spring. The 53-city tour kicks off May 2nd in Cincinnati, Ohio and touches nearly every corner of the continental U.S. before concluding July 14th in Hollywood, Florida. Tickets for the MixTape Tour go on sale to the public beginning October 12th.

To celebrate the upcoming trek, New Kids on the Block dropped a new song titled “80s Baby” featuring all their tour mates:...

Long before the tragic murders that shattered their peace occurred, Deborah and Dy-Shawn Simpkins were committed to providing kids with alternatives to street violence via their after-school and day care programs.

For over 15 years the couple has supported upwards of 650 youth through these services. Despite their devoted efforts, a senseless act of violence took the lives of their own son, Dy-Shawn Simpkins Jr., 18, along with their nephew Kee-Ayre Griffin, 29, who were killed in a triple shooting in East Orange. The senseless murders interrupted the promising lives of Simpkins, Jr — with his athletic career at Norfolk State University; and of Griffin — a former student athlete at Temple University.

Now everyone is asked to participate in a march with the core message — the Love and Not Hate March & Movement. Organized by Simpkins’s own nonprofit of seven years, the Gap Program (Gang Alternative Program), and other nonprofits collectively known as Community United As One.

[[tmz:video id="0_i38c2qpa"]] Treach wants to make it clear ... Bushwick Bill falling off stage was Not his fault, technically speaking. The Naughty by Nature rapper tells TMZ ... there's a simple explanation for why he knocked Bushwick off stage during a Houston concert last week -- a faulty speaker. No ... really. Treach says hear him out and then look closely. The push was totally a mistake! [[tmz:video id="0_dl3w4aw4"]] Treach also shows us the gnarly gash he suffered on his shin as a result of the fall.

[[tmz:video id="0_dl3w4aw4"]] Apparently Treach has some questions about whether the Geto Boys' Bushwick Bill is down with O.P.P. ... so he pushed him off the edge of the stage they were sharing. We're kidding about the reason, but Treach and Bill did take a tumble during Naughty by Nature's set of their "I Love the 90s" stop in Houston. Bill was rapping his verse to "My Mind Playing Tricks on Me," and Treach decided to join him,...

Prodigy's funeral should bring together some huge names -- his fellow legends of hip-hop ... especially from the East Coast scene. Sources connected to the service tell us Prodigy's family has invited an A-list of rappers who worked with Mobb Deep or came up at the same time ... including Nas, Lil Kim, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-t, Naughty By Nature, Onyx. Of course, Prodigy's partner, Havoc, will also be there. We're told the private ceremony will go...

TLC doesn't mind the haters.

The R&B duo released the music video for their latest single, "Haters," on Wednesday. The song shuts down negativity and encourages people to never change who they are.

Watch: Exclusive: T-Boz Connects With TLC’s Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes on ‘Hollywood Medium’ -- Watch!

In the video, Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins are seen against a white backdrop, singing along to the track along with a diverse group of people.

Digital Underground rapper Shock G was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia after a tour stop in Wisconsin. G got busted when cops pulled him over in Rice Lake, Wi around 2 Am on June 13. Cops say the license plate of the vehicle was listed to an unlicensed driver ... who was in the passenger seat, while Shock G drove. It's unclear how cops found the drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, but they arrested the now 53-year-old Shock G.

One of the upsides to reporting on family animated film posters is that they're usually fun and absurdly colorful. Today, we've got eight new character posters for the upcoming animated sequel to 2014's The Nut Job, entitled The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature. Now, while I can appreciate a delicious Naughty by Nature throw-back gag, I'm not entirely sure that kids will pick up on... Read More...

Tupac made his big-screen acting debut 25 years ago portraying Bishop – a troubled Harlem teen whose turn towards violence tears apart his group of childhood friends – in the movie Juice. With the film's anniversary edition out today, Rolling Stone has the exclusive clip of the movie's defiant original ending.

The version of Juice that screened in theaters climaxes with a violent showdown between Tupac's Bishop and Omar Epps' character Q. After battling back and forth, Q knocks Bishop over the edge of the rooftop but grabs his hand to keep him from falling.

The opening lyric puts it perfectly: “It’s been a long, long time coming.”

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of TLC gifted fans with a throwback gem of a music video for their single “Way Back,” two months after the pair gave us an extra-special throwback bop with the release of the Snoop Dogg-featuring song in April.

People has the exclusive release of the Lcr$-directed video, which is the band’s first visual accompaniment for a single in 14 years. Their last video was 2003’s “Damaged” directed by Joseph Kahn.

“Way Back” also marks TLC’s first single in a whopping 15 years.

[[tmz:video id="0_2w58rukl"]] Loyalty to Tupac Shakur has no expiration date ... according to Treach, who's putting more pressure on Funkmaster Flex and demanding Hot 97 terminate the DJ for dissing 'Pac .  TMZ broke the story ... Treach has been enraged since Flex claimed Tupac actually shot himself in 1994, but blamed Notorious B.I.G. for it instead. He was still heated when we saw him Tuesday night outside L.A.'s Peppermint Club. Naughty By Nature's frontman insists Flex won't be...

[[tmz:video id="0_bm6um047"]] Treach took a liquid shot for his homey, Tupac, then grabbed the mic, fired a verbal shot at Funkmaster Flex ... and invited his fans to join in on the diss. Naughty by Nature performed Friday night in Worcester, Ma ... and frontman Treach told the crowd he had to defend Pac against Flex. What happened next was almost like a prayer to 'Pac -- as Treach spoke directly to the left arm tattoo of his fallen friend.

[[tmz:video id="0_c88ne1rw"]] Tupac's name is being dragged through the mud according to his homie, Treach ... who got so pissed at DJ Funkmaster Flex he just dropped a diss track filled with violent threats. The Naughty by Nature legend is on the attack after Flex claimed last week Tupac lied about his 1994 shooting because he knew Notorious B.I.G. had nothing to do with it. According to Flex, Biggie got shot 3 years later because 'Pac never told the truth.

This story originally appeared on EW.com.

Scrubs be warned: TLC is back.

After announcing plans for their fifth and final album, the group has released the first single “Way Back,” reminiscent of their ’90s R&B heyday. The song is billed as a collaboration with Snoop Dogg, though he can’t be heard on the currently released version.

Set for a June 30 release, the upcoming album will be the group’s first since 2002’s 3D and the death of original member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. The long-awaited project comes thanks to over $430,00 raised from a Kickstarter fund.

From Coinage: What Is the Grammy Bounce?...

Laverne Cox and her Orange Is the New Black costar Samira Wiley went head to head on Spike's Lip Sync Battle this week. While the newly-engaged Samira gave us an energetic performance of "O.P.P." that included a cameo from Naughty by Nature, it was self-professed Beyoncé superfan Laverne that blew everyone away with her flawless routine to Destiny Child's "Lose My Breath." Not only was Laverne backed up by the UCLA Bruin Marching Band, but she had the crowd (and host Chrissy Teigen) in hysterics with her choreography and on-point Beyoncé poses. Oh, and that split at the end? Well, when Laverne hit the floor, our jaws went with her. Samira and Chrissy's reactions were pretty priceless, too. Related:17 Laverne Cox Quotes That Will Inspire You to Love YourselfLaverne Cox Serves Cake by the Pound in This Beyoncé Dance Video...

Just when you thought Laverne Cox couldn't be any more of a badass, she does this... The Orange Is the New Black star joins Lip Sync Battle this week, taking on her co-star Samira Wiley and going all out for a perfect performance of Nicki Minaj's "Roman's Revenge." Complete with a leather dominatrix ensemble, plenty of hair flips and even one very (very) high kick, Cox gives the female emcee a run for her own money...But will she come out on top over Wiley? The other Oitnb star put on a pretty great performance of Naughty by Nature's "O.P.P." that's no easy competition. We'll just have to see what happens when the battle goes down on Wednesday...

Samira Wiley and Laverne Cox's Lip Sync Battle doesn't air until Thursday, but if the sneak peeks of both of their performances are any indication, it's going to be an incredible episode. The recently engaged Samira busted out a rendition of Naughty by Nature's "O.P.P.," which included not only some pretty flawless lip-syncing but also a choreographed dance routine that left us seriously impressed. Not to be outdone, her Orange Is the New Black costar served up some fierce competition in the form of Nicki Minaj's "Roman's Revenge." Sheer bodysuit? Check. Booty shorts? Check. Our jaws on the floor? Double check. Related:John Legend Shakes It Like a Polaroid Picture During His Lip Sync Battle PerformanceThe Cast of Orange Is the New Black Is Already Giving Us a Sneak Peek at Season 5...

It’s safe to say Laverne Cox picked up a few moves at Litchfield.

The Orange Is the New Black star is set to go mic to mic with former costar Samira Wiley on this week’s Lip Sync Battle, and we can’t wait to see who snags the crown.

In a sneak peek at Wednesdayâ€.s episode, Cox goes up against Wiley’s rendition of Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.” by delivering a serious performance of Nicki Minaj‘s “Roman’s Revenge.”

Decked out in black booties, minishorts, a black mesh shirt and black leather gloves,...

Lip Sync meets Litchfield!

In a sneak peek at Wednesday’s episode, Orange Is the New Black star Samira Wiley goes mic to mic with costar Laverne Cox and poses some fierce competition with her own rendition of Naughty by Nature’s “O.P.P.”

The 29-year-old actress formerly known as Poussey Washington gets down and dirty during her performance, donning overalls with Timberland boots as she mouths the words to the ’90s hit while sporting a mean mug.

The performance comes complete with backup dancers, and Wiley kicks the number up a notch by blowing a kiss to Cox,...

Someone has really decided to put the “street” in Sesame Street. An enterprising YouTuber named Adam Schleichkorn has built a mashup of the 1994 gangsta rap hit “Regulate” by Warren G and Nate Dogg by mixing in video of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. The end result is smoother than rollin’ in your ’64. This is far from the first time Schleichkorn has posted a video like this on his YouTube page IsThisHowYouGoViral? (It appears the answer is “yes.”) He’s previously created Muppet/rap mixes for songs like “So What’cha Want” from the Beastie Boys, “Just A Friend” from Biz Markie and Naughty By Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray.” Since it went up on the web just two days ago, it’s already been seen nearly 600,000 times. Want to add to that count? It’s posted below.

Great coming-of-age films are a rare find – and unless your name is John Hughes, the chances of even crafting an adequate one are slim. The 2000s have had their occasional successes, from the quotable cult hit Mean Girls (2004) to the indie darling The Perks of Being A Wallflower (2012), but it’s been awhile since something scaled the uniquely relatable heights of The Breakfast Club (1985) or even Boyz n the Hood (1991) – two classics that director Rick Famuyiwa must have had on repeat when writing his generational teen mash-up Dope.

Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is an Inglewood high schooler that doubles as a nerdy 1990s aficionado. Between dressing like a member of De La Soul and writing essays pondering the date of Ice Cube’s good day (“If Neil DeGrasse Tyson were writing about Ice Cube, this is what it would look like,”) he offers a take on teen clichés that’s fresher than his high top fade.

You've probably been hearing a lot about a little movie called Dope lately, especially as it gears up to hit theaters this weekend. But one thing that's not being talked about as much as it should is the unbelievably dope soundtrack that comes along with the film. And if you're any kind of fan of '90s hip-hop, then let us introduce you to your favorite movie soundtrack of the summer. We're talking Naughty By Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Digital Underground, and Nas -- not to mention four brand-new songs written by Pharrell Williams and performed by the fictional band in the movie, Awreeoh (pronounced "Oreo"). Go ahead and get yourself some of this...   What is Dope? The best way to describe Dope is to envision...

Read More...

Photo: Open Road Films Of all the films coming out this over the course of the summer, Dope is easily one of my most anticipated. Following a trio of nerdy, '90s hip-hop obsessed high schoolers growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood, Dope was widely praised at Sundance, and distributor Open Road seems quite confident in Rick Famuyiwa's coming-of-age comedy-drama, which ups my interest even more. The studio is devoting quite a bit of attention to the film, releasing numerous trailers and clips online, as well as several TV spots to try to ramp up anticipation ahead of Dope's wide release on June 19. Now Open Road has debuted character posters for the film's main players, including Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, Tony Revolori, Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Iman and Blake Anderson, all of which you can check out below (via Fandango). I personally think they're pretty cool,...

" 'Dope' is both intelligent and crowd-pleasing, and its vintage soundtrack will attract a wider crowd beyond an indie audience," Rodrigo Perez wrote in his review of the movie out of the Sundance Film Festival. Today, the details for the Pharrell Wliliams curated soundtrack have arrived, and yes, these are perfect for a summer playlist, especially for hip hop heads. Read More: Watch: First Clip From Sundance Sensation 'Dope' The soundtrack is packed with classic tunes from hip hop's golden era, with tracks from Digital Underground, Naughty By Nature, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Public Enemy, Digable Planets, plus a couple of new school jams. Also featured are Awreeoh, the band made up by the characters in the film played by Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, and Kiersey Clemons. All told, this is one dope (sorry, but not really) collection of tunes. "Dope" opens on June 19th with...

Rick Famuyiwa's Dope drops in a couple of weeks, and with it will come its notable Pharrell Williams–curated soundtrack. For the record, Pharrell dished out four original, new songs and rounded out the other 11 tracks with mostly '90s hip-hop classics from the likes of Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and Naughty by Nature, among others. The full listing is below (via Pitchfork) — note: Pharrell's songs are credited to Awreeoh because the Dope protagonist's band performs the songs in the movie. The flick hits screens June 19, and the soundtrack will be out a few days earlier, on June 16 (available for preorder here).Here's what to expect: 1. "Rebirth of Slick," Digable Planets2. "Can't Bring Me Down," Awreeoh 3. "The World Is Yours," Nas4. "Go Head," Awreeoh5. "Rebel Without a Pause," Public Enemy6. "Don't Get Deleted," Awreeoh7. "Scenario," A Tribe Called Quest8. "Cocaina Shawty," Kap G9. "Poppin' Off,"...

Bobby Brown is leaving his daughter Bobbi Kristina's bedside to go back on the road overseas, but if he had things his way ... he'd be cancelling the whole trip.   According to our sources, Brown is scheduled to play three shows in Australia with Treach and Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature at the end of May -- and, for obvious reasons, he is in no mood to go. We're told the dates are make-ups for...

Naughty By Nature rapper Anthony "Treach" Criss was arrested Thursday in Jersey -- after allegedly charging cops following a 10-block police chase through 4 red lights ... and cops even drew their guns.Law enforcement sources tell us, officers tried to pull Criss over for speeding in Union City -- he was allegedly doing 55 in a 25 -- but Criss floored it once he heard the sirens ... driving 10 blocks through 4 red lights until finally coming to a stop.

Though he’s not really known for his music video work, Spike Lee has directed over a dozen music vids (they are listed on Wikipedia, fyi). Perhaps his most notable are the dual version of Michael Jackson’s “They Don't Care About Us” and Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" (in which he has a cameo at the end), but he has also directed videos by Prince (who scored all of "Girl 6"), Arrested Development, Bruce Horsnby, Branford Marsalis, Guru featuring Donald Byrd, Curtis Mayfield, Naughty by Nature and Fishbone, among others (the clip he did for the Crooklyn Dodgers uses his trademark dollyshot too). He also directed a clip for Mau Maus, the fake gangster rap band from “Bamboozled” that featured Mos Def. One thing Lee has shied away from in his career is lensing music videos for “booty and bitches” rap videos or aggro ganster rap with anti-conscious messages...

Last night, Jimmy Kimmel Live dropped a bombshell on Trekkies and lightsaber warriors alike. As J.J. Abrams took Star Wars plot suggestions from the audience, none other than Captain Kirk and Lando popped up to offer their own self-aggrandizing story lines. "You know, all this Han Solo, Lando thing ... Captain Kirk!" exclaimed William Shatner. "No rules, no skirts, you know. Road trip of a lifetime!" Billy Dee Williams proposed "Nothing but Lando" ... and an orgy in space. While Shatner couldn't concede to that, he did present his drawing of Princess Leia and Chewbacca in the throes of love. Plus: Nick Offerman's reprisal of his original birthday song for Megan Mullally left Usher momentarily speechless until he uttered, "Interesting." Also, (hip hop hooray!) Treach and the Roots performed "O.P.P" amid Naughty by Nature's ongoing tour; and Ed Helms announced Bradley Cooper's death (by hair spray) in...

The Asylum is the company behind such rip-offs as "Transmorphers" and "Snakes on a Train." It has now unveiled the trailer for its upcoming "Atlantic Rim," which is clearly a rip-off of Guillermo Del Toro's "Pacific Rim" sci-fi film. Check out the trailer below. Plot: When the floor of the Atlantic Ocean rips open, flooding the East Coast with giant monsters, human beings create giant robots to protect the world from these monstrous menaces. The new movie stars Oscar-nominee Graham Greene (Dances with Wolves), David Chokachi ("Baywatch") and Naughty by Nature rapper Anthony "Treach" Criss. It's directed by Jared Cohn (Hold Your Breath) and set for a DVD/Blu-ray and VOD release on July 9th, just three days before "Pacific Rim" hits theaters. Trailer:...

Atlantic Rim may look like lawsuit bait after the last year’s legal woes The Asylum had over their Battleship and Hobbit mockbusters. It better not because it also looks pretty damn cool if you’re like me and believe you can never have enough movies about giant robots battling giant monsters.

Now that I think about it, “to fight monsters we created monsters” could almost be The Asylum’s mantra when it comes to competing all these years in a marketplace dominated by big Hollywood blockbusters.

When the floor of the Atlantic Ocean rips open, flooding the East Coast with giant monsters, Academy Award nominee Graham Greene recruits ex-"Baywatch" lifeguard David Chokachi to join Naughty by Nature’s Anthony “Treach” Criss and 100 Ghost Street: The Return of Richard Speck’s Jackie Moore in piloting giant robots built to protect the world from these monstrous menaces. If Atlantic Rim...

Twenty years have passed since the January 17, 1992 release of "Juice," director Ernest Dickerson's crime thriller about four inner-city youths caught up in the dangers of the streets. "Juice" featured a few names you may or may not have heard of—Samuel L. Jackson, Queen Latifah and Tupac Shakur, just to name a few—and we're celebrating the film's 20th anniversary today on RapFix Live with special guests and "Juice" veterans Khalil Kain and Naughty By Nature. Check it all out in the video below.

'Bishop didn't make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop,' Treach tells 'RapFix Live' 20 years after film's release.

By Rob Markman, with additional reporting credit by Sway Calloway

"Juice"

Photo: Paramount

When "Juice" was released 20 years ago on January 17, 1992, the performance of noted rapper but first-time actor Tupac Shakur took critics by surprise. The socially aware, politically driven Mc lit up the screen as fiery, gun-crazed thug Bishop. It was a departure from the rapper hip-hop had come to know through more positive songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby."

A year after "Juice" premiered, 'Pac went on to release his second album, Strictly 4 My N.-.-.-.A.Z., before experiencing legal trouble, then a serious rap beef with the Notorious B.I.G. a few years after that and, of course, his murder in 1996. Some believe that after "Juice," Tupac took on the persona of the fictional and troublesome Bishop, and as a result,...

'Bishop didn't make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop,' Treach tells 'RapFix Live' 20 years after film's release.

By Rob Markman, with additional reporting credit by Sway Calloway

"Juice"

Photo: Paramount

When "Juice" was released 20 years ago on January 17, 1992, the performance of noted rapper but first-time actor Tupac Shakur took critics by surprise. The socially aware, politically driven Mc lit up the screen as fiery, gun-crazed thug Bishop. It was a departure from the rapper hip-hop had come to know through more positive songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby."

A year after "Juice" premiered, 'Pac went on to release his second album, Strictly 4 My N.-.-.-.A.Z., before experiencing legal trouble, then a serious rap beef with the Notorious B.I.G. a few years after that and, of course, his murder in 1996. Some believe that after "Juice," Tupac took on the persona of the fictional and troublesome Bishop, and as a result,...

Teenage Mc will be on today's 'RapFix Live' at 4 p.m. on MTV.com to discuss his new deal with Epic Records.

By Rob Markman

Astro

Photo: Getty Images

Astro might not have taken home top honors on "X Factor," but the 15-year-old Brooklyn Mc scored a huge win nonetheless. MTV News has exclusively learned that the Astronomical Kid signed a deal with "X Factor" mentor L.A. Reid over at Epic Records. The young rap phenom will appear on today's "RapFix Live" to formally announce the deal in detail.

After the teenage rapper was sent home during the show's December 1 episode, rumors began to swirl about where he would end up. Reports that 'Stro would sign with Jay-z's Roc Nation hit the Web early, but in an interview with MTV News, the pint-size Mc quickly shot that notion down.

"I have never met anyone from Roc Nation. I'd love to,...

Naughty by Nature and Khalil Kain will join Sway to celebrate the influential film.

By Rob Markman

"Juice"

Photo: Paramount

When director Ernest Dickerson released "Juice" on January 17, 1992, he effectively changed hip-hop's relationship with Hollywood. Twenty years later, "RapFix Live" will celebrate the game-changing movie on Wednesday with co-star Khalil Kain and Naughty by Nature, the hip-hop trio who contributed to the soundtrack.

Starring Kain, Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson and Tupac Shakur in his first starring role, "Juice" told the story of four Harlem youths who try desperately to overcome the treacherous pull of the streets. Though Tupac had a cameo in 1991's "Nothing But Trouble," his true acting debut came when he first put his acting chops on display playing the maniacal Bishop. Co-star Kain played the more level-headed Raheem Porter.

Before "Juice," there weren't many movies that effectively captured the harsh realities of the inner-city ghettos. With...

Naughty by Nature and Khalil Kain will join Sway to celebrate the influential film.

By Rob Markman

"Juice"

Photo: Paramount

When director Ernest Dickerson released "Juice" on January 17, 1992, he effectively changed hip-hop's relationship with Hollywood. Twenty years later, "RapFix Live" will celebrate the game-changing movie on Wednesday with co-star Khalil Kain and Naughty by Nature, the hip-hop trio who contributed to the soundtrack.

Starring Kain, Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson and Tupac Shakur in his first starring role, "Juice" told the story of four Harlem youths who try desperately to overcome the treacherous pull of the streets. Though Tupac had a cameo in 1991's "Nothing But Trouble," his true acting debut came when he first put his acting chops on display playing the maniacal Bishop. Co-star Kain played the more level-headed Raheem Porter.

Before "Juice," there weren't many movies that effectively captured the harsh realities of the inner-city ghettos. With...

Following a 16-year hiatus, MTV's iconic show "Yo! MTV Raps" will make its return to the airwaves during a special dubbed, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts." The 30-minute retrospective will feature an array of MCs including Tribe Called Quest, Scarface, Ice Cube, Wiz Khalifa, Questlove, Busta Rhymes, Naughty By Nature and Young Jeezy, all reminiscing on three influential videos ["Scenario" by A Tribe Called Quest, "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me" by Geto Boys and Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day"].

"The concept is actually every episode, hoping that it gets picked up as a series," said writer and consultant Shaheem Reid. "We're going to be looking back at some of the classic videos from the 'Yo! MTV Raps' era. We have brand new interviews with the artists about the making of the song and the making of the video, and then we're also going to incorporate the interviews with some of the artists of today talking about the impact of all of those songs and videos."

Over the course of six weeks,...

Classic hip-hop special will air on MTV2 after first annual Sucker Free Awards.

By Gil Kaufman

Photo: MTV2

Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."

The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.

The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...

Classic hip-hop special will air on MTV2 after first annual Sucker Free Awards.

By Gil Kaufman

Photo: MTV2

Call it the "Beavis and Butt-Head" factor, but suddenly everything old is, like, cool again. Or something. Case in point: On December 4, MTV2 will herald the return of one of the most beloved franchises in MTV history, "Yo! MTV Raps."

The show, which originally aired from 1988 to 1995, was the first major hip-hop program on a network, and it helped rap videos blow up globally as it gave some of the biggest stars of the day a forum to talk about their music with hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre.

The 30-minute retrospective, entitled, "Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," will air just after the first annual Sucker Free Awards, which premiere at 11 p.m. on December 4. The show's original hosts will be on hand to discuss some of the clips that aired on the program,...

'It was just cool to see a big dude that could still dance, get fly, put on the slick joints,' Rozay recalls on 'RapFix Live.'

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Heavy D

Photo: Prince Williams/ FilmMagic

Ask Rick Ross about Heavy D's contribution to hip-hop, and he's likely to break out into song.

"Heav's at the door, so there'll be no bum-rushing," Rozay sang when MTV News asked about his thoughts on the passing of the Overweight Lover. Heavy's verse from the 1989 anti-violence jam "Self Destruction" was clearly memorable for the Maybach Music boss, but it goes deeper than just his rhymes, according to Ross.

"Man, you know, that was the Overweight Lover, and it was just cool to see a big dude that could still dance, get fly, put on the slick joints, rock the dope shades, the females screaming for him," Rozay said on Wednesday's "RapFix Live.

X Factor Brian Astro Bradley rocked a very hype 'Hip Hop Hooray' jam last night in this new video (below). Fox's new hyped up show "X Factor" did another live show last night,and little,14 year old Brian Bradley hit the stage again to deliver another crowd pleasing,hyped up,hip hop performance. This time he rocked his own lyrics to Naughty By Nature's 1991 hit "Hip Hop Hooray." As soon as he hit the stage,he got the crowd into it,working the stage from left to right like a pro. Then delivered a couple of nice rap verses,while getting the crowd involved. He switched up the beat,midway through,which was really cool. After a few seconds, he brought it back to the Hip Hop Hooray chorus, hook to close it out. Needless to say, everyone dug it,including all four judges.

We're calling it now -- one of these four performers will win " The X Factor ." Melanie Amaro , Drew , Astro and Josh Krajcik all had incredible performances last night -- and, in our and Simon's minds, Melanie is the one to beat. Amaro's amazing vocals shined once again during her Top 12 song Wednesday night, dazzling with an impressive rendition of " Desperado ." Everyone loved it -- and she's the clear frontrunner. Also having a stellar night was Drew, who went a little more uptempo this week with Nelly 's " Just a Dream ." Her voice is gorgeous ... but she still needs some more stage presence. One person who definitely doesn't need to work on stage presence is Astro . The young rapper, formerly known as Brian Bradley , upped his rap game again this week -- performing his own version of Naughty By Nature 's " Hip-Hop Hooray " and Missy Elliot 's " Get Your Freak On...

There are moments where The X Factor reminds me of a horror-movie version of an industrial farm-raised turkey: Genetically groomed and pumped full of steroids, bursting at the skin with muscle and sinew, and — if it could figure out how to better maneuver its unwieldy form — ready to burst from its cage and brutally flip the carnivore-Thanksgiving dinner relationship.

Indeed, Simon Cowell is to reality singing competitions what growth hormones are to poultry: Why settle for a dozen backup dancers when you can project the image of 1,000 hoofers against a backdrop? Why wait for the season finale to dump 20 tons of confetti on your contestants?...

Spoiler alert: Stacy Francis is going to go for a giant glory note, Rachel Crow is gonna be all gosh-darn-aw-shucks cutesy, and those gentlemen from Stereo Hogzz shall bust a move.

Yes, it’s Top 12 Performance Night on The X Factor — and also your first opportunity to get your vote on and challenge the authority of judges who prefer Dexter Haygood to Elaine Gibbs.

If that sounds like your kind of party, then please consider this live blog post as your pithy, mildly inebriated viewing companion.

As the episode rolls on, I’ll update you on who’s performed what...

And they said hip-hop was a fad. The urban artform has now been paid the ultimate compliment–its early (and even recent) hits are the subject of nostalgia. Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, who have twice before paid tribute to their favorite rap hits of old, performed “The History of Rap Part 3″ on Friday on Fallon’s show, this time covering Run-d.M.C., Ice Cube, the Fugees, Beastie Boys, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Naughty by Nature, Outkast, Kanye West, and going...

Justin Timberlake returned to the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon stage on Friday, and he and Fallon unveiled "The History of Rap: Part 3."

Beginning with Run D.M.C.'s "King of Rock," Timberlake and Fallon's mash-up took the audience from 1985 to the present with such songs as Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back," Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise," and Kanye West's "Stronger." They ended the number with Naughty By Nature's "Hip Hop Hooray."

Watch more clips and videos of Justin Timberlake in our Online Video Guide

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Black Eve was shot over a period of 6 days in an abandoned part of a mall. It was written and directed by award winning director Ryan Andrews and produced by the award winning producing duo Neil Green and Robert Sweet. Black Eve stars Veronika London (HBO series Lingerie) as Pregnant Nun, Eva James as Chris, a young woman who has been picked on her whole life due to the fact she has special abilities, Peter Jackson, the Canadian hip hop artist who has performed with everyone from Naughty By Nature to Eminem’s new rap partner Royce Da 5’9, and Neil Green (Slightly Used) known only in the film as The Man, a sadistic killer who is picking off all the kids at the Halloween party.

'It's just me showing my versatility,' G.O.O.D. Music soldier tells Mixtape Daily of jumping on timeless beats from Youngbloodz to Outkast.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by James Smith

Cyhi The Prynce

Photo: MTV News

Main Pick

Artist: CyHi the Prynce

Representing: Atlanta

Mixtape: Jack of All Trades

Real Spit: CyHi the Prynce figured he would end the summer the same way he started: with a free mixtape. In June, the G.O.O.D. Music soldier released Royal Flush 2 to much fanfare and as August rolled to a close, the Mc once again got to work with his Jack of All Trades tape.

The Atlanta rapper teamed with both DJ Scream and DJ Spinz to gather a bunch of familiar instrumentals that would showcase his rhyme skills. As far as the title of the tape, it's all pretty simple if you let the Prynce tell it.

We asked and you responded like crazy!

Over the last week or so, we polled you guys about your favorite MTV Video Music Awards moments and boy did you let us know who your favorites were in categories like Most Iconic Vma Performance, Best Video of the 2000s and Best Pop Performance!

All told, we received a staggering 15 million votes in nine categories. By far the most heated contest came in the Most Iconic Vma Moment poll, where we received nearly 10 million votes … and over 9 million of those were split between two acts – Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi. That’s right! Fan groups for the two classic MTV artists got crazy competitive, but ultimately Mj prevailed, taking just over 57 percent of the vote. The late King of Pop’s 1995 Vma performance also took the crown for Best Vma Pop Performance.

There were plenty of surpises too. Panic! At The Disco...