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Jay-Z Will Release Paperback Edition Of Decoded Next Month

Posted 10/3/11 1:52 pm EST by in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

When longtime rapper and rising business mogul Jay-Z to added the title author to his growing list of accomplishments, fans snatched up his debut book Decoded in droves – which helped to make the part biography and lyrics cheat sheet a bestseller on the New York Times list.

Penned alongside Hip Hop writer and editor dream hampton, Jay’s book offered fans access to the inner workings and early life of the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn native. The veteran rapper's breakdown of some of his most well-known works within the book was a revealing inside look into what inspired Jay’s lyrics and their double meanings. After releasing the hardcover version of the tome last November, Decoded is slated for a slight upgrade at the top of next month. Read More...

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Ray J Denies Victor Ortiz Collaboration, Buries Fabolous Issue

Posted 9/30/11 10:26 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

Not so fast, says Ray J about the supposed collaboration between him and recently vanquished pro boxer Victor Ortiz.

The younger brother of R&B singer and actress Brandy said that a recently leaked track featuring his vocals and the raps of Ortiz never actually happened. The reality TV star and singer also closed the book on the alleged dustup he had with rapper Fabolous at a Floyd Mayweather victory after party in Vegas.

As a guest yesterday afternoon (September 29) on Shade 45’s The All Out Show, Ray J spoke on the news bits and is doing his best to move past the Fab situation. “You gotta grow from that," Ray J said. "That was me letting my frustrations take over. Whatever situations happen behind closed doors [we] should have left it at that.” Read More...

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Jay-Z Throws Carnival Bash For College Hopefuls

Posted 9/30/11 4:52 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has become a force of nature outside his notable and long running rap career. The savvy businessman continues to find ways to turn his Hip Hop fortunes into entrepreneurial gold. Branching outside the chase for profit gains, Jay-Z began the Shawn Cater Foundation alongside his mother Gloria in 2002. With the aim of providing assistance to potential college students facing economic hardships, the SC Foundation and Jay-Z sponsored an event last night (September 29) in hopes to raise funds for college scholarships.

The Making The Ordinary Extraordinary event was held at the Hudson River Park pier where Jay-Z played host to a bevy of thrill seekers all while drumming up dollars for a worthy cause. The noble and big-hearted gesture from Jay was cemented by comments from the Watch The Throne rapper as he detailed his overall aim for putting the event together. "Just providing opportunity and seeing what people do with that opportunity. If you want to go further and you want to further your education, just giving someone that extra little push [so] that maybe you'll turn out to be someone special," Jay shared with MTV News. Read More...

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Watch The Throne Designer Riccardo Tisci Talks Fashion, Kanye West, Jay-Z

Posted 9/29/11 7:55 am EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

Givenchy Creative Director and fashion designer Riccardo Tisci has found himself aligned with two of hip-hop’s brightest stars after designing the elaborate cover for the joint album from megastars Kanye West and Jay-Z, Watch The Throne. The jet setting Italian has catapulted himself into rap infamy with the album design and has been having quite a banner year as well in his own industry. Jay-Z’s lifestyle blog Life + Times caught up with Tisci as he discussed vacations, his love of hip-hop and working with Hov and Yeezy. Read More...

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Vesta Williams Passes Away

Posted 9/23/11 2:22 pm EST by in Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

In an unfortunate bit of news for fans of longtime R&B diva Vesta Williams, the singer was found dead last night (September 22) in a Los Angeles hotel room. Although varying sources listed Vesta’s age as 48, in a 2010 interview with online series The Couch the Ohio native stated she was 53. While there has not been an official release from a medical examiner, police officials do not expect foul play. As news of Williams’ passing moved throughout daytime radio and the Web, fans and celebrities to took Twitter to remember and honor the singer. Read More...

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Kanye West, Eminem, Jay-Z Inspire Morocco's S7rawa Boys

Posted 9/22/11 10:45 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

By Xavier Rathlev

We all know Jay-Z, Kanye and Eminem's rhymes impact a global audience. New York, Milan and Tokyo are given. But the African desert?

I first met the Louk Omar, Mnilik Irm Mohammed, and Klay (aka Joundi Smail Hafidi) here in Goulmima, Morocco, two years ago. They walked into my English class wearing flat brimmed Yankee caps, Kanye West sunglasses, baggy jeans and hooded sweatshirts. They called themselves S7rawa Boys (pronounced "SaHArawa"), and told me they wanted to be hip-hop stars. Read More...

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Will Diddy And Jay-Z Be First Hip-Hop Billionaires? Not So, Says Birdman

Posted 9/22/11 7:39 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

In the high stakes battle for Hip Hop superiority, it appears that the two top money earners in the rap game – Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean "Diddy" Combs respectively – are in a quiet duel to become the first billionaires by way of their shared industry.

With various streams of revenue flowing for both savvy businessmen, some unrelated to music, the potential is vast for both men according to a recent analysis from Forbes magazine. However, another Hip Hop mogul believes he and his team will eclipse Jay-Z and Diddy in the money race all in due time. Read More...

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Troy Davis Executed In Georgia, Hip-Hop Reacts

Posted 9/21/11 11:31 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

After years of appeals and a series of legal setbacks, Troy Davis was executed by the State of Georgia at 11:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday (September 21). The controversial case witnessed a number of twists and turns throughout the years and most recently on the day Davis was originally set to be executed at 7 PM by lethal injection. Attorneys for the Davis family filed two separate appeals, one to the U.S. Supreme Court that seemed to take affect, causing a temporary delay. However, shortly after 10:30 p.m. a decision handed down by the high court sought for the execution to move forward. Davis was formally executed shortly after.

Troy Davis spoke one final time before the execution, maintaining his innocence until the very end.

"I did not personally kill your son, father and brother" Davis said speaking to the family of the slain officer. "I am innocent." Read More...

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Demi Lovato Takes A Crack At Lil Wayne's 'How To Love'

Posted 9/21/11 10:17 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

Demi Lovato is back to performing live. And in addition to singing tracks off of her just-released album Unbroken, she's also dazzling crowds with her stirring first-person rendition of Lil Wayne's "How to Love."

Video of her singing the track has become a viral smash, and when MTV News caught up with the "Skyscraper" singer on Wednesday afternoon (September 21), she seemed pumped to talk about the cover. "I just loved the way that Lil Wayne took a risk doing the song 'How to Love,' and when I really listened to it, it's such a great song." Read More...

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Troy Davis Execution Temporarily Delayed

Posted 9/21/11 9:29 pm EST by in Interviews, Music News, Things That Aren't Hip-Hop ... But Are

The scheduled execution for prisoner Troy Davis was delayed in the final hour as the state of Georgia awaits word from a U.S. Supreme Court to move forward with the execution. Davis was scheduled to die by lethal injection at 7 P.M. EST this evening but a last ditch effort by his legal team has temporarily delayed the execution. No order has been issued by the high court. Read More...

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