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Game Drops First Single Off 'R.E.D.' Album Featuring Lil Wayne

Posted 3/11/11 12:16 pm EST by in Uncategorized

By Kathy Iandoli

The wait hasn’t been quite as long as Detox, but the Doctor’s Advocate has finally leaked his first single off the long-awaited The R.E.D. Album.

The track is called “Red Nation,” an obvious nod to the Bloods (and the whole “color scheme” of Game’s fourth studio album). Produced by Cool & Dre, the song features a sample of the classic club hit “Zombie Nation” by Kernkraft 400 and has Wayne on the hook. Game delivers sharp lyrics like N--gas will trade they soul to be Drake or J. Cole / Live and die for this s--t, word to Tupac Shakur’s halo, as Game re-introduces his new moniker, Charles Louboutin and refers to himself as “Malcolm X before he turned Muslim”.

Fans are already marking this lead single as a spring into summer anthem. Read More...

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Drake Talks 2010 MTV Video Music Awards Entrance

Posted 8/13/10 5:18 pm EST by in Interviews, VMAs


There's been some great entrances in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards.

Diddy arrived to the Miami show via a yacht. Eminem entered Radio City Music Hall with hundreds of look-alikes. And Jay-Z introduced the show from the top of New York City's Chrysler Building (and we like to hope he eventually took the elevator down, right?).

So, for Drake, making his VMA debut, there's some pressure.

But the Toronto lyricist has some grand ideas, even though one in particular--arriving with Lil Wayne--might be impossible.

"That would be the illest moment," Drake said of walking in with the Cash Money superstar. "Mob through. The whole Young Money. ... Nobody knew about it. We just all show up. ... Or we could get him out for a day. And even if he had to wear a jumpsuit or something."

Weezy, however, is currently incarcerated. The New Orleans MC is locked up in New York's Rikers Island stemming from a 2007 arrest that he later reached a plea deal on. The deal, though, called for the rapper to spend a year behind bars.

Lil Wayne is set to be released in November. It doesn't appear he'll make the VMAs. But it was a grand idea.

What do you think Drake should do? Let us know in the comments section or tweet us over at, @MTVRapFix!

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

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Lloyd Banks: 'The Decision' On 'RapFix Live'

Posted 8/13/10 3:15 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, RapFix Live


"I decided to take my talents to EMI," Lloyd Banks told MTV News' Sway,
putting his own twist on LeBron James' controversial free agency signing announcement.

Banks might not move as much ink (as in newspaper headlines) as the NBA superstar, but he was courted almost as heavily by various labels who were looking to scoop the independent artist.

The G-Unit member said his former recording home, Interscope, and Def Jam were among those agressively pursuing the Queens MC.

But in the end, Banks said he bypassed both major labels in order to avoid signing a long-term commitment that would require options to deliverer multiple albums.

"I just came out of a situation with Interscope, and being there for years and knowing what it feels like to go through the shakiness in the system when priorities get shuffled," Banks explained of his decision to avoid a long-term contract. "So, not really excited to jump into a situation where I have a requirement for a few albums."

The news was amplied moments after the announcment when a press release was issued trumpeting both Banks and Tony Yayo as EMI signees.

"We are delighted to join forces with G-Unit and artists who are truly marquee names in hip-hop," Mike Harris, executive Vice President/General Manager for EMI Label Services and Caroline Distribution, said in the statement. "G-Unit is a huge force. Lloyd Banks knows how to deliver a lyrical punch and his single has already generated huge anticipation for the album.. Tony Yayo is a totally unique talent, and 'Pass the Patron' already has the hip hop world buzzing about his album coming out next year."

What do you think about the two G-Unit starts joining EMI? Let us know in the comments or give us a shout over on Twitter, @MTVRapFix.com!

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Kanye West And Drake Announced As '2010 VMA' Performers

Posted 8/12/10 5:06 pm EST by in Music News


I'mma let you finish, but... Kanye West might be readying the most memborable MTV Video Music Awards performance ever.

'Ye will take to the stage for the 2010 VMAs just one year after he drew the ire of many when he interrupted Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech for "Best Female Video."

West infamously pushed for Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," which later took home a Moon Man for "Video of the Year."

The Chicago rapper was booed, shrugged, and exited stage right.

The aftermath was crushing, as everyone seemed to weigh in, including President Barack Obama, who called Kanye a "jackass."

West eventually went into a self-imposed exile but has made a comeback lately, with the premiere of his video, "Power," and an array of entertaining social media pursuits, from embracing Twitter and partaking in Ustream chats.

Joining Yeezy as a performer is Drake, who will make his VMA debut, as an attendee and draw on stage.

The Thank Me Later star won't be the only Lil Wayne protege at the Los Angeles event.

Nicki Minaj is confirmed as a presenter; Ne-Yo and Trey Songz will also present awards at the show.

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

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Bun B Wants To Shoot Two Videos With Drake

Posted 8/12/10 11:03 am EST by in Interviews, Music News


Bun B and Drake? Not a bad team, right? The two titans of rhyme have developed a chemistry between them in song and the UGK veteran is looking to take that to the small screen.

Bun said he wants to shoot videos for the two collabortions he has with Drake on his latest effort, Trill OG.

"Definitely look for some visuals for 'Put It Down' in the future," Bun told MTV News. "As well as 'It's Been a Pleasure.' We're gonna try to put out a visual for as much of Trill O.G. as we can."

A snippet of "Put It Down" leaked onto the Web well ahead of the album's release, but now that Trill O.G.has arrived, the reaction to the Drake-assisted track has been high.

"It's very hard to live up to the hype the people create for things nowadays; luckily, this song did," he said. " 'Cause a lot of time, people build something up, and it's almost impossible to match up to that. In this case, it matched up to it. And the fact that the other song, 'It's Been a Pleasure,' is on it, as well, you get two for two. It's always a good thing when me and the young boy get together. It's special music. That's how I feel, and I think that's how Drizzy feels."

What do you think about Bun B and Drake's work together? Are you looking forward to seeing clips for both tracks? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us on Twitter, @MTVRapFix!

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Soulja Boy Tell 'Em To Star In Nick Cannon Flick

Posted 8/11/10 7:40 pm EST by in Interviews



Soulja Boy Tell 'Em has had a pretty successful music career so far, delivering smashes for the teen set with "Crank Dat" and his lastest, "Prett Boy Swag."

Now, though, SB is set transition to the movie business.

He and Nick Cannon have a project in the works.

"Me and Nick Cannon have been talking back and forth for, like, the last year about a movie idea," SB told MTV News. "I did a movie with him earlier this year with Justin Bieber ['School Gyrls'], and it went straight to Nickelodeon. It was a good movie, but it was mostly for kids. We were talking back and forth, and he wants me to star in a movie that he wrote when he was, like, 17."

According to the "Pretty Boy Swag" rapper, production will begin in November.

He was hush on additional details, but the 20-year-old star said he hopes his first foray into Hollywood isn't a one-stop trip: He eventually wants to shoot a biopic.

"I want people to know my story," he said. "Because a lot of people know Soulja Boy and know my songs, but a lot of people don't know where I'm from or where I came from, how I did it.

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Lloyd Banks Set To Appear on 'RapFix Live' This Week!

Posted 8/11/10 7:27 pm EST by in RapFix Live


Lloyd Banks is set to join Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, and Fat Joe as 'RapFix Live' feature guests when the Queens MC appears with Sway this Friday (August 13).

Banks will take questions from fans, who can tweet their inquiries to the rapper by sending messages to @MTVNews with the hashtag #rapfixlive.

'RapFix Live' is MTV News' new live stream show hosted by correspondent Sway.

Rick Ross was the first guest and he held court talking about his album, working with Kanye West, and his experiences in Miami.

Wiz Khalifa followed Ross and accepted an award for being voted the "Hottest Breakthrough MC" by MTV.com readers.

Fat Joe was last week's draw and the Bronx bomber delivered an impromptu freestyle over a beat by walk-on guest Travis Barker.

The G-Unit member has news of his down. After months of speculation about who would distribute his upcoming LP, The Hunger For More 2, 50 Cent has secured a business venture for the Punch Line King, and Banks will announce his new home this Friday at 1 p.m. ET on "RapFix Live".

Of course, Banks is still signed to G-Unit, but since the release of his 2006 LP, Rotten Apple, fulfilled his contractual obligation to Interscope, the Southside, Queens, native has been operating as an independent artist.

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Young Jeezy Calls 'Jizzle' Classic Jeezy

Posted 8/11/10 3:15 pm EST by in Music News


Young Jeezy is set to drop his latest mixtape, the DJ Scream helmed 1,000 Grams, Vol. 1, later this week before his next official offering, Thug Moviation 103, arrives in September.

He's heated up the streets with "Lose My Mind" and TM103's first single "Jizzle" released premiered.

Here, the Snowman opens up about the track and calls the number standard fare.

" 'Jizzle' was my formula," Jeezy told MTV News about the Lil Jon-featured track. "It's like the music that I wanna hear when I'm in the club. I did that for my fans, before I even step out of my box, which I will for this album, as far as singles I wanted to do what I do. What comes to heart to me. And when I hear that [song], that's Jeezy, that's 'Jizzle.' Lil Jon was just the extra spice to give it a little different feel so it wouldn't just be a Jeezy record."

Nore Takes It Back To The Clubs

Posted 8/10/10 8:19 pm EST by in Music News


"Whut, whut!"

Nore owned the clubs in the past with hits like "Superthug" and "Oh No."

But when he and Capone reunited earlier this summer for the CNN album, The War Report 2, the Queens rapper traded in his flashy jewelry for fatigues and Timbs.

With August almost halfway over, though, Nore wanted to put in his bid for a summer smash by releasing his latest effort, "Nutcracker."

"I kind of miss going to the clubs, so I immediately wanted to drop a club banger," Nore told MTV News of his single "Nut Cracker." "I didn't want the summer to leave without me having a club banger. So that's what I wanted to do."

He's had a run with the aformentoned "Superthug," "Oh No" and more.

"Oye Mi Canto," "Grimey," and "Nothin'" are among his other club bangers.

Which one of Nore's hits do you think is his biggest?

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Kanye West Talks Art With Sway In 2005 MTV News Interview

Posted 8/9/10 6:13 pm EST by in Interviews


Kanye West's "portrait" for "Power" is a breathtaking visual centered around a variety of cultural and art influences.

The rapper borrows from a slew of decorated motifs, from Jean-Leon Gerome to the "House of Flyer Daggers."

But 'Ye's take wasn't an excercise in hubris; rather, the musician is an artist himself, who takes his own natural drawing talent to speak "as a language" to his collaborators.

In the clip above, from an August 2005 interview with Sway, the Chicago MC explains how he "seldomly" has time to draw now, but he uses his talents to direct those who eventually craft items like his album covers, concert graphics, and his videos.

The visual tips obviously work; director Marco Brambilla spoke with MTV News last week and dished on his connection with Kanye.

"I instantly connected to the themes on the album," Brambilla said West's yet-untitled next LP. "The whole idea of celebrity, the idea of power, the idea of sensuality in it, there's sexuality in it as well, and those were all kind of themes that I've explored in my work before. Once I heard the album, that was what clinched it, and I felt very much in tune with the message behind the music."

What do you think about Kanye West's artistic ability? Let us know in the comments or hit us at, @MTVRapFix!

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