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The 20th Anniversary Of Ice Cube's 'Death Certificate'

Posted 10/29/11 8:34 pm EST by in Anniversary

By Nadeska Alexis

Ice Cube’s classic and controversial 1991 album Death Certificate celebrates its 20th anniversary on October 29. The Priority Records release was Cube’s second solo album—the South Central rapper parted ways with NWA in December 1989—and it sold over 100, 000 copies during its debut week. Besides making a historic dent on the music charts, the album was praised and lauded for its risqué content, which found Cube delving into politics, crime and, of course, his gritty street tales. Read More...

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Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Consequence To Appear On 'RapFix Live' One Year Anniversary Show Today!

Posted 9/14/11 3:07 pm EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News, RapFix Live

The polls have closed and the people have spoken! Two tightly contested “RapFix Live” battles concluded yesterday (September 13) with YOU – the loyal fans and viewers – voting on the best “RapFix Live” freestyle appearance and the top “RapFix Live” moments. Today at 4 p.m. ET, host Sway Calloway will kick off our one year anniversary show where he will announce who locked down the win in the freestyle battle and also the best moment according to the votes that poured in.

Joining Sway on the infamous red couch will be none other than past guests The Diplomats’ Jim Jones and Juelz Santana. Queens MC Consequence will also join the Dip Set representatives on the couch and is slated to debut his new song “Mr. RapFix” – great song title, Cons, but we’ll see what Sway has to say about that distinction this afternoon. Rounding out the guest pool for this special “RapFix Live” event will be sultry southern rapper Trina, G-Unit foot soldier Lloyd Banks and West Coast vets Tha Outlawz. Brooklyn's very own Maino will also be in the building.

Dubbed the “cornerstone of Hip Hop” by Sway himself, today’s special edition of “RapFix Live” is going to be one of the books so don’t forget to tune in at 4 p.m. ET to check out the best live Hip Hop show around.

Be sure to tune in for the one-year anniversary special of “RapFix Live” on Wednesday September 14 at 4 p.m. to see who locked down the "Best Moments" and "Best Freestyles" polls voted by YOU the public – you don’t want to miss this one. Tweet all of your questions for Wednesday's show to @mtvrapfix using the hashtag #rapfixlive.

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Tupac Shakurs Final MTV Interview

Posted 9/13/11 6:57 pm EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News, VMAs

In the wake of Tupac Shakur released on bail from an upstate New York correctional facility the controversial rapper immediately found himself in the midst of a highly publicized East Coast vs. West Coast feud. While in jail 'Pac accused some of the East Coast major players, namely rapper Notorious B.I.G. and Bad Boy mogul Diddy of having intel in regards to the ambush that took place at Quad recording studios.

Tupac had been spending the majority of his time since being freed on the West Coat with his labelmates but on one specific night he returned to New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards. At the awards show, 'Pac was inside of the same building as some of his nemesis specifically Notorious B.I.G., Diddy and Queensbridge rapper Nas. Following the show Tupac sat alongside then labelmate Snoop giving his final MTV interview. Rest in peace, Tupac.

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Tupac Shakur Remembered 15 Years Later

Posted 9/13/11 12:02 am EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News

It's one of the moments you just don't forget. Most hip-hop fans can remember exactly where they were when they heard Tupac Skakur died, 15 years ago on September 13. Today we take a look back at the tragic night in Las Vegas when 'Pac and Death Row founder Suge Knight were fired upon, hitting the rapper multiple times. Pac was rushed to a local hospital where after a few days in critical condition he succumbed to his gunshot wounds. Gone but not forgotten, 'Pac's music and legacy lives on stronger than ever til this very day. Rest in peace Tupac Amaru Shakur.

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Poll: Nicki Minaj, Fabolous, Pusha T ... Vote For The Best 'RapFix Live' Freestyle!

Posted 9/7/11 3:05 pm EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News, RapFix Live

On Wednesday, September 14, at 4 p.m. ET, "RapFix Live" will bring you a very special episode of the weekly conversation show. Hosted by esteemed journalist and MTV icon Sway, "RapFix Live" has earned its reputation as the ultimate destination for all things hip-hop. After a year of some of the most compelling sit-down interviews and freestyle ciphers, next Wednesday, "RapFix Live" will officially celebrate its one-year anniversary. And as is the case with all of our previous live streams, "RFL" guarantees you another star-studded, very memorable episode.

As we gear up for next week's celebration, we've decided to give YOU, the fans, the opportunity to get in on the action and vote for your favorite freestyle in our Best Freestyle RapFix poll. The polls are now officially open and the competition is under way –- so get in there and help push your favorite artist to the top! Was it Nicki Minaj when she unleashed her fiery bars, Fabolous and his Brooklyn flow, wordsmith Pusha T or West Coast king Game, both of whom showed why they're to be considered amongst the elite lyricists out now?

So what are you waiting for? Get in and vote now (after the jump). Read More...

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A Look Back: Tupac Shakur Shot In Las Vegas

Posted 9/7/11 11:55 am EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News

Fifteen years ago today rapper Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times following his attendance at a victorious Mike Tyson boxing match in Las Vegas. Following the fight a and a quick wardrobe change, 'Pac and Death Row mogul Suge Knight were shot multiple times while sitting inside of Knight's black BMW. Tupac Shakur was hospitalized for nearly a week where he eventually succumbed to his gunshot wounds. MTV News was hand following the shooting leading up to 'Pac's final days. In one of our first retrospective pieces, we take a look back at the day the hip-hop world stood still. Read More...

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Raekwon Celebrates 16 Year Anniversary For Classic LP 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'

Posted 8/1/11 9:27 pm EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News, RapFix Influentials

As a member of the legendary Hip Hop crew Wu-tang Clan, Raekwon and his classic solo LP Only Built 4 Cuban Linx helped to define the sound the eclectic collective of New York rappers became famous for. A gritty street narrative backed up by dusty breaks and loops with several of his fellow Wu swordsmen in tow, most notably Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and his “purple tape” LP could be found blaring from street corners to the suburbs by rabid fans eager to connect to the Wu-tang movement.

OB4CL was released today (August 1) in 1995, a turning point in the rapidly changing Hip Hop landscape when the East Coast reigned supreme and still had the attention of the majors almost exclusively. Fifteen years later, a reflective and still celebrated Raekwon has done much to preserve the legacy of his solo debut – releasing a sequel in 2009 naturally titled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II. MTV News caught up with The Chef as he looked back to his debut album with the bravado of a world champion. Read More...

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A Look Back At 'Boyz N The Hood'

Posted 7/15/11 2:30 am EST by in Anniversary, Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are



By Rob Markman

In a 1991 interview with MTV News to promote the just-released "Boyz N the Hood," Laurence Fishburne seemed to know what kind of impact the coming-of-age story would have. "John Singleton has made a classic movie," the actor said. Twenty years later, fans are still singing its praises. Read More...

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