When I think back on my Summer of 2011, I think of that time I sipped wine coolers and ate fondue at my friend’s house in Connecticut, that other time I lit sparklers on the street with my friends on July 4th, and most importantly – that time I heard YC’s “Racks” for the first time. So it was only a fitting bookend to a very productive set of warm months to meet the man behind the song’s infectious hook. Read More...

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By Rya Backer

I knew a little bit about Theophilus London before we met up to go shopping. My friend Derek first told me about him a few years ago, and I’d seen him around the city – standing at approximately 9,000 ft (or at least a bit taller relative to my five-feet-and-change stature), Mr. London isn’t that hard to spot in the crowd. He’s also an insanely well-dressed man, so when I found out I was going to spend some time with him, there was only one activity I really wanted to take on with the NYC-based rapper: shopping. Read More...

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By Rya Backer

So with all due respect to The Based God (especially on a day like today!), I realized I had to move on. After briefly meeting Kendrick Lamar during a news shoot earlier this year, I knew I’d have to see him again. I love his music, and he just seems like a sweet, genial guy who I could talk to, you know? So his people talked to my people (and by “my people” I mean my trusty co-producer, Steven) and we set a date during his next trip to NYC. Read More...

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By Rya Backer

Nicki Minaj and Drake are kind of complicated: They have a storied past, including but not limited to the time the Queens native documented on her Twitter when they decided to end their “marriage.” However, by the looks of their latest video, “Moment 4 Life,” they remain each other’s Princess and Prince Charmings. I’m really good at dating (mostly on-screen), so I felt it was my duty to pick a few places where Young Money’s happiest pair may pick up where they left off.

Spa Castle: Let’s face it — showbiz isn’t always glamorous. This is exactly why Nicki and Drake need to head over to College Point in Queens to relax in Spa Castle’s endless treatments, serenade each other in their several saunas and repair in the Healing Room (I don’t really know what going in there involves, but the name sounds appealing). Read More...

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By Rya Backer

My MTV News co-producer, and the wind beneath my wings, Steven Roberts and I really took to rapper Lil B The Based God about one year ago. Right around the time he cured racism via Twitter (there's no way I can find the actual Tweet, but it involved eradicating all ethnicities and making everyone "gray").

Steven eventually interviewed the Berkeley rapper last summer and when Steven and I decided to bring back our storied franchise "First Date," there was only one man I wanted to go on a classy adventure with — Mr. B. Read More...

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By Steven Roberts

'First Date’s' been on a bit of a hiatus lately. I want to say that my co-worker Rya Backer and myself (creators of 'First Date') have struggled to find dates, but mostly it’s been me. Rya hasn’t had any shortage of request (Pill, Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa and if her Twitter direct message inbox could talk....), but I haven’t had any similar luck despite my boyish good looks.

Thankfully, though I stumbled upon Lil Wayne protégé and Young Money recording artist Shanell.

She was kind enough to accept my gentlemanly offer and agreed to go out on a date with me.

Our 'First Date' was a bit unconventional compared to the others, though, because Rya suggested I take Shanell to the Manolo Blahnik store in Manhattan.

Needless to say, I sat in a chair to whole time and let her shop (that's really the best thing to do in a situation like that, fellas; shoes > men.) , while I played on my iPhone.

How'd I do? Hmm. Things might just be picking up for the kid.

Watch the clip above and let me know what you think.


What do you think about Steven's date with Shanell? Who should he date next? And where should they go? Tell us in the comments, or tweet @hnics85. Or shout us a holler at@MTVRapfix! Include the hashtag, #firstdate and don't be cruel! Word to Bobby Brown.

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