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Drake And Justin Timberlake + 10 More (Hopeful) Pop Duets

Posted 11/8/10 5:16 pm EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

Lil Wayne may be home, but that doesn't mean Young Money's golden boy Drake is taking his foot off the gas anytime soon.

Now that Drizzy's debut, Thank Me Later, has been certified platinum, the Toronto MC is turning his attention toward his as-yet-untitled sophomore album, which should hit stores sometime in 2011. Most recently, he revealed that he's interested in getting into the studio with Justin Timberlake sometime soon.

"[Justin] always has great things to say, amidst the funny moments," he explained to Sway on early Sunday morning (November 7). "The best thing about Justin, he reinforces the fact, like, 'You're doing the right thing. The way you are now, just be that guy.'

But why stop at working with Justin? With all of the success Drake's enjoyed over the course of the last year, we're sure there are a handful of other pop stars who'd be more than open to recording with him in the near future. To help him out, RapFix came up with a list of 10 pop stars Drake should target for his next project. Don't worry, Drizzy—you can thank us later.

Drake x Beyoncé
And this hasn't happened yet, because ... ? Tell Jay-Z to stop holding out on you, Drake. Or, better yet, pen B another handwritten letter and make this happen. Now. Read More...

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10 Lil Wayne Collaborations RapFix Needs Now

Posted 11/4/10 1:55 pm EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

Lil Wayne is free!

And as we heard earlier this week, Lil Tunechi's not going to waste any time getting back to work. According to a recent report, the rapper is planning to begin recording after leaving Rikers Island in New York City on Thursday—on the plane ride home! For the first time in years, he's been writing his lyrics down during his bid, so he's reportedly anxious to get back into the booth.

But aside from recording solo stuff, there are also plenty of artists out there looking to work with Weezy. Not necessarily because they want to capitalize on the press he's receiving, but because they didn't get a chance to record with him prior to serving his prison sentence. That's right, besides missing Drake's debut, Nicki Minaj's steady growth and a handful of other notable events, Wayne's also missed the rise of several artists whom he should meet in the studio immediately.

To help, RapFix created a checklist of the artists Wayne needs to check in with sooner than later. If Wayne's grind is still as strong as it was pre-prison, we fully expect these joints to hit—by the end of the week. Are you ready?

Lil Wayne x Waka Flocka Flame
When Wayne checked into jail, Waka Flocka was still basically "the tall guy with the dreads in Gucci Mane's videos." Fast forward eight months and Waka is running the South right now. Waka, featuring Wayne, is only a matter of time. Read More...

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Eminem And Rihanna's 'Love' Plus 10 More Rap Sequels

Posted 11/3/10 11:30 am EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

In case you missed it on the radio, on MTV and on the rap blogs last summer, Eminem's "Love The Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna—the second single from Em's chart-topping album, Recovery—was the truth. While the track reached the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and landed on the charts in the United Kingdom, Germany and even Russia, the controversial music video for the song broke a YouTube record for most views in 24 hours by generating more than 6 million hits in a day.

So it really shouldn't be surprising to hear that Em and Rihanna reunited for "Love The Way You Lie (Part II)." Though the Barbadian singer recently told MTV that she initially balked at the idea of creating a sequel to the song, she eventually gave in and the pair recorded the song for her forthcoming album, Loud. And thanks to the success of their first collaboration, can you really blame her?

Here at RapFix, we're all for capitalizing on the success of a powerful single by creating a seque—provided, of course, it's done in good taste. In fact, some of hip-hop's best songs, including tracks like Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones (Part II)" and Rick Ross's "Maybach Music Pt. 2," have been sequels. So with that in mind, we hatched a list of 10 more memorable rap songs that deserve a sequel.

The Original Song: "Can't Knock The Hustle" by Jay-Z featuring Mary J. Blige
The Sequel: "Still Can't Knock The Hustle"
The Result: Hov told folks they couldn't knock his hustle all the way back in 1996. Fast forward almost 15 years and every rapper under the sun (what up, MC Hammer?) is still trying to do it. Let this sequel serve as a reminder to people: Jay-Z is still not to be messed with. Read More...

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10 Things Lil Wayne Accomplished Behind Bars

Posted 11/2/10 9:00 am EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

It's only been eight months, but it seems like Lil Wayne has been in prison for a long time, doesn't it?

As RapFix pointed out yesterday, Young Money's leading man has missed the dramatic transformation of Nicki Minaj, the comeback of Kanye West, the rise of Waka Flocka Flame and the debut of Drake thanks to the prison sentence that he's been serving at New York's Riker's Island facility. But Weezy hasn't squandered his time.

Aside from the personal growth we know he's gained during his time away, Wayne has also managed to do some really great things for his career despite his position since March. To demonstrate this point, RapFix gathered a list of the 10 things Wayne's accomplished from behind the Riker's Island walls. By the looks of things, Birdman, Drake, Nicki and the rest of the crew will be celebrating more than just Wayne's release later this week.

1. He released a chart-topping album

How in the hell did he ... ? Yeah, that was our response, too. Though he'd been gone for more than five months at the time, Weezy released I Am Not A Human Being—an album featuring 10 brand new tracks—at the end of September. He's sold more than 250,000 copies of the album so far and landed at the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Out of this world, huh?

2. He increased the buzz for Tha Carter IV

Originally, Cash Money/Young Money was going to release Tha Carter IV shortly after Wayne got out of jail (or, at least, that's was they said they were going to do). However, thanks to the success of I Am Not A Human Being as well as the success of Drake and Nicki Minaj, it sounds like he'll have plenty of time to build even more buzz around himself before he drops his next album. Shooting to sell another mill, huh, Wayne? Read More...

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Jay-Z to Jeezy: 10 Rappers Who Should Run For Political Office

Posted 11/1/10 2:03 pm EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

What Chicago rapper Rhymefest is going through right now is anything but politics as usual.

While most rappers spend their time dealing with label politics—as in, "When is my album coming out?!"—'Fest is gearing up to take part in a different sort of politics: He recently announced that he's going to make a run for political office in the Windy City by entering his name into the mix for Chicago's November General Election to try and become an alderman in the city's 20th Ward. "The 20th Ward in Chicago needs helps," he tweeted last week.

"Shorties are out here selling dope to pay the family bills. Grandmothers are raising their children's children, people and unemployed and under employed and leadership is absent!" he tweeted.

It's a relatively unique power play for a rapper to make a pitch for political office, but it's not the first time we've thought about what it might be like for an MC to assume some type of role in politics. In fact, just last week we posted a story about the possibility of Jay-Z joining President Obama's 2012 campaign staff.

So today, in honor of Rhymefest's announcement and voting day tomorrow, RapFix came up with 10 other rappers who should consider running for political office. These guys would definitely get our vote if they ever decided to put their names on a ballot.

The Rapper: Jay-Z
The Political Office He Could Hold: Borough President of Brooklyn
His Qualifications: Jay's been holding BK down through his music for more than a decade now. But, more importantly to the people of NYC's biggest borough, he's been influential in helping bring the NBA's New Jersey Nets to BK's Atlantic Yards complex, a move that should help the local economy. It's also put him in touch with BK's current Borough President. So, how long until President Carter becomes, well, President Carter? Read More...

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Lil Wayne's Almost Home: 8 Things He Missed in 2010

Posted 11/1/10 11:04 am EST by in List Mania

By Kathy Iandoli

Get ready Lil Tunechi fans. Lil Wayne will walk out of New York's Riker's Island on November 4 after serving eight months in jail. And when Inmate #02616544L hits the streets to reclaim his position as the best rapper alive—and maybe even hang out with Drake in Las Vegas?—RapFix has a tip sheet for him to catch up on what he's missed. This is hip-hop people ... eight months is a long time.

1. Nicki Minaj Rules The World

When Weezy entered jail, Nicki—and Roman Zolanski—was making waves. However, eight months later, she's a household name. After a slew of collaborations and two broken Billboard records under her pink heavyweight belt, she’s delivering Pink Friday on November 22, two and a half weeks after Wayne hits the bricks. They used to call her the female Lil Wayne, but maybe now he’ll be donned the male Nicki Minaj?

2. No Detox ... Yet

When Wayne went in, anticipation swirled that Dr. Dre's long-awaited Detox would finally drop in early Fall of 2010. Then in June, “Under Pressure” hit the web and the world continued to hope that their might be some new Andre Young soon. But it's November 1 and we've got no new Dre in our iTunes so we're crossing our fingers for 2011. We did get to see Dre during Jay-Z and Eminem's Home & Home tour, where the two iconic MCs performed in Detroit and New York. Rumors circulated that Wayne would guest on Detox, so, hey, that's still a possibility right? Read More...

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Nelly And 7 More MCs Who Should Appear on ESPN

Posted 10/29/10 12:35 pm EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

When it comes to sports, Nelly knows how to hold a conversation.

So yesterday, ESPN invited the St. Louis rapper to their Bristol, Conn. studios again (this is Nelly's third appearance on the show by our count) to appear on their morning show, "First Take." He debated with ESPN's Jemele Hill and Skip Bayless about a host of different sports-related topics during the show's popular "1st and 10" segment and then fielded questions from the pair about his music.

This isn't the first time ESPN's invited a rapper to their set to talk sports, though. The Worldwide Leader in Sports hosted Lil Wayne last year when he appeared on "First Take" as well as the network's nightly show, "Around the Horn." Wale has been a featured guest on "First Take" and gone head-to-head with Bayless. Bow Wow has done it, too. And recently, even MC Hammer got in on the action by visiting the "First Take" set to talk about his affiliation with a new MMA organization and do a little debating of his own.

Clearly, ESPN's not afraid to invite rappers to battle on their network. So, we say: Why stop at these guys? If they're looking to continue to showcase rappers on the network, we've got a few that we'd love to hear talk sports. Yo, ESPN: Can you please let these guys get into the game?

The Rapper: Master P
His Qualifications: P signed signed with the Charlotte Hornets briefly during the 1998-99 NBA season, had a preseason contract with the NBA's Toronto Raptors in 1999 and played in both the CBA and ABA during the early 2000s. Oh, and who can forget when he signed big-time NFL prospect Ricky Williams to his short-lived No Limit Sports Management? Read More...

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Drake To Waka Flocka: 10 Rap-Inspired Halloween Costumes

Posted 10/29/10 9:00 am EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

You waited until the last minute again, didn't you?

Obviously, you didn't learn a thing after you threw together that lame Lady Gaga costume last Halloween and looked like half of the other people at the club. You didn't even have to foresight to fork over $5.99 (plus shipping and handling!) for the Waka Flocka Flame mask that's been up on the Warner Bros. Records site for almost a month now—just in case you forgot to put together a Halloween costume. Darn it!

No worries. If you're a rap fan, putting together a half-decent costume at the last minute has become an annual ritual. From the time you threw on the same outfit you were wearing earlier in the day—backwards— and went out as Kris Kross (yikes!) to the time bleached your hair, threw on a white T-shirt and went out as Eminem (double yikes!), rap fans know how to come up with clever Halloween outfits on the fly.

So if you're still struggling to land on the perfect costume this year, look no further than your favorite rapper. And if that doesn't help? Well, check out these 10 rap-inspired Halloween costumes that RapFix hatched. It's our treat to you.

The Rapper: Nicki Minaj
The Materials You'll Need To Look Like Her: A colorful wig, some glitter and a revealing outfit
The Reaction You'll Get: "WOW!" OK, not really. If we had to guess, 98.7% of all girls are going as Nicki this year, so your costume isn't gonna be super original. But thanks to the simple nature of the costume, no one will know that you didn't even realize it was almost Halloween until Saturday afternoon. Just be prepared to defend yourself—people love to hate on Nicki. Read More...

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Lil Jon And 10 More Rappers Fit For 'Celebrity Apprentice'

Posted 10/28/10 11:30 am EST by in List Mania

By Paul Cantor

Lil Jon’s joining the cast for the upcoming season of Donald Trump’s "Celebrity Apprentice." WHAAAT? Yeah, you read that right. The king of crunk is going head to head with the likes of José Canseco, Gary Busey and David Cassidy, among others, in NBC’s competition-based reality show. That explains him flipping pizzas last week at a New York Famous Famiglia pizzeria.

But Jon’s no rookie when it comes to business. In fact, back in 2008 he came in at #13 on Forbes list of hip-hop’s biggest earners by bringing in $11 million. His list of business ventures outside of music includes Crunk energy drink, a wine brand (Little Jonathan Winery) and his own line of Oakley sunglasses.

There’s no doubt in our minds that if anyone can win "Celebrity Apprentice," it’s Lil Jon. Why? Because rappers and hip-hop music industry folks are quite possibly the best salesmen who aren’t actually ... ya’know, salesmen.

Here are ten other hip-hop luminaries who would literally run circles around contestants on "Celebrity Apprentice."

1. Jay-Z

40/40 clubs, minority owner of the Nets, Roc-A-Wear, Carol’s Daughter. You name it, Jay-Z probably has his hand in it somehow someway. The guy hangs with Warren Buffett, you think he can’t outmaneuver José Canseco? Read More...

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Cam'ron + 10 Other Memorable Rap Tribute Songs

Posted 10/26/10 3:57 pm EST by in List Mania

By Chris Yuscavage

Talk about making the song cry.

On his latest track, "Tribute To Hud 6," Cam'Ron borrows the Just Blaze-produced beat used on Eminem's "No Love" to pay homage to Harlem hero and Dip Set affiliate Andre "Huddy 6" Hudson, who passed away two weeks ago in a car accident on the George Washington Bridge in New York City. As you might expect, the Harlem rapper uses the song to remember all of the good times he shared with Huddy during his lifetime.

Tributes like this have been used for years as a way for rappers to pay their respects to their fallen friends—famous or otherwise. From album cuts written in memory of 2Pac to gigantic hit singles written to honor Notorious B.I.G., rappers are no strangers to using music to help them through the grieving process.

In honor of Cam's latest contribution, RapFix took a look back at some of the most notable rap tribute songs. To Huddy 6 and everyone else on this list: Rest in peace.

The Song: "I'll Be Missing You," by Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans
Dedicated To: Notorious B.I.G.
You can't make a list of rap tributes without naming the most commercially successful one, right? So let's get it out of the way. Puff jacked The Police for the hook (and gave up all the royalties in the process) to get this heartfelt ode to Biggie done. Granted, he didn't actually write the words for the song (Jay-Z's associate Sauce Money handled that) but it remains the crowned jewel of rap tribute songs. Read More...

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