KELLY & BEYONCE CONFIRMED AS PERFORMERS AT UPCOMING BET AWARDS

After much speculation about who was confirmed to perform at this year’s BET Awards, just a week before the show is supposed to air live from Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium on June 26th, BET finally announced that both beyonce and Kelly Rowland are performing.

Although Beyonce will not be physically at the awards, she will perform via satellite from Glastonbury in the UK, since she was scheduled to perform at the festival earlier this year.

In addition, Kelly Rowland will also give the first televised performance of her #1 single,“Motivation,” from her third studio album, Here I Am, which will hit stores exactly a month after the awards.

Lil Mama Says Nicki Swagger Jacked Her

After Lil Mama recently said she might not do music anymore, she sat down with Vibe to speak about fellow female rapper Nicki Minaj. Lil Mama basically says that Nicki copied her.

Vibe:Very valid point… I think the biggest style criticism was thrown at you this past MTV Movie Awards. Bunch of people thought you jacked Nicki’s haircut.

Lil Mama: But my cut is blunt and futuristic and Nicki Minaj started wearing that bob on her head after she came to my show, so at the end of the day I know what I do and I know what I possess and I know who I am. I’m a trendsetter. The biggest form of flattery is imitation so I’m flattered. I understand the universal law. I’m not confused, I don’t feel like a follower. I started so many things that new artists are doing now anyway –my style, the way I’m aggressive on a track, the way I come through, the way my beat bangs. There are so many things that were borrowed, that I influenced that’s happening in music right, so I’m far from discouraged.

Forbes' Highest Paid Musicians Of Last Year

Forbes has released their annual list of the highest paid musicians of the last year. We included some of the top names we figured you would be interested in but if you want to check out the whole list, click the link below!

Lady Gaga – $90 Million
Black Eyed Peas – $61 Million
Justin Bieber – $ 52 Million
Usher – $46 Million
Jay-Z – $37 Million
Diddy – $35 Million (Music now accounts for less than 20% of earnings )
Beyonce – $35 Million

Rick Ross Tried To Sign DMX To Maybach Music

It looks like Wale and others aren't the only rappers that Rick Ross tried to sign to his newMaybach Music Group label. According to DMX, Rick Ross tried to sign him.

Earlier this week, VIBE was granted an exclusive interview prison interview with DMX. The troubled East Coast rap legend is currently less than a month away from being a free man. He was sentenced to a year for violating his probation last Dec.

During our talk with X, he revealed that a certain Miami rapper extended an invitation for a fresh start with his emerging label.

Meth Talks Odd Future & Wu Tang Comparisons

Wu-Tang member Method Man recently spoke about what he thinks of the media's comparisons between upcoming rap group Odd Future and his Wu-Tang Clan. Despite feeling its a little bit too early to compare the two, Method Man did admit to listening to their new music.

"That's what media does," Meth said in an interview. "They compare sh*t. Like when [retired boxing legend Mike] Tyson first came out, I remember them saying, 'He reminds me of a young Joe Frazier.' They always gotta compare something to something to give you a scale sort of speak -- If I was Odd Future, I wouldn't want to be compared to anybody. I love that group by the way, I love Odd Future. I like Tyler the Creator, that song 'Yonkers,' -- they're good, they're different. It's a breath of fresh air. Tyler the Creator. Very weird. But I'm into weird sh*t." (Soul Culture)

Nasty Nas Is Back With New Single

Nas is back with a new single, "Nasty" and he is wasting no time proclaiming his greatness. Paying homage to the late Notorious BIG, Nas says its just the beginning.

Nasty Nas is back to claim his throne with the first street single from his upcoming album Life Is Good. Over an old school, gritty production from Salaam Remi, QB's Finest spits verse after verse without a hook. "I'm not in the winters of my life or the beginning stage/ I am the dragon/ Maserati, pumpin' Biggie the great legend, blastin'/ I'm after the actress who played Faith Evans," he rhymes before declaring, "Make room for the king."

50 Cent's Manager Says New Album "Sounding Great"

50 Cent's manager Chris Lighty recently spoke with fans giving them an update on his upcoming new album. Despite not having a release date, he did talk about the sound of the music and it's current state in whole process.

According to Chris Lighty, 50's almost finished with his fifth album, which is "sounding great." "We're rolling out the marketing partners and everything now," Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com. "Once we put the stake in the ground on a date, we're gonna try and stick to it so we can use our marketing dollars around that date." According to Chris Lighty, 50 Cent's album Black Magic will hit stores this Fall.

Mary-Kate Denies Kanye Rumor + New Song

According to the rep for Mary-Kate Olsen, the rumors about her hooking up with Kanye Westare simply not true. The rumors started after the two were seen together in New York City last week.

While it's true Mary-Kate Olsen was at the birthday party, she and West did NOT - repeat, did NOT -- hook up. No one at the club could verify Perez Hilton's account, and a rep for Olsen tells Gossip Cop, "There is no truth to the story whatsoever." (Gossip Cop)

In related news, Kanye West recently performed a new song of his called "Mamas Boyfriend." Although it's been reported the song will not be on his upcoming new album, check it out below!

J Cole Says Debut Album Coming By September

With J Cole's debut album release date up in the air, the first artist to be signed to Jay-Z's "Roc Nation" label is determined to have it come out as soon as possible. Speaking about the album,Cole seems confident in its quality while he also goes on to speak about touring with Rihanna.

“I’m trying to find ways to word it without sounding overly egotistical, and I want to remain humble, but also let people know it’s actually (really) incredible.” “I’m sitting on gold, man. I don’t wanna speak it up too much but I’m super confident in it. I’m super proud.” The album is due “absolutely no later than September.” "It's a great opportunity," says Cole, who was born in Germany and grew up in Fayetteville, N.C. "There's going to be a lot of people there that are not familiar with me, and hopefully by the time they leave they'll at least check for me when they hear the single or when they see the album."

The Game Talks Next Single & Lupe Fiasco

With all of it's delays, and recently Game even telling fans to stop crying about them, it seems like his "R.E.D." album is never going to come out BUT the west-coast rapper recently spoke about another new track fans can look forward to. Beyond guests like Lil Wayne ("Red Nation," "Bottles And Rockin Js") Tyler, The Creator ("Martians vs Goblins") and Nelly Furtado("Mother Knows")... Game recently spoke about a Lupe Fiasco collaboration he has called "Skate On." In related news, Game also went on to say his next single will be "Bottles And Rockin Js" which features Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Fabolous and Busta Rhymes.

“Lupe skates and I thought it would be cool to kind of take that and make it reverse psychology,” Game tells Rap-Up TV. “You know when some bullshit’s about to jump off and somebody’s like, ‘Yo, I think we better skate?’ It’s kinda like that. … Lupe kicks this 20-bar verse that’s like crazy.” (RapUp)

Eminem Responds To His Lady Gaga Lyrics

While at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee, Eminem and Royce Da 5'9 (Bad Meets Evil) sat down with FUSEtv's Allison Hagendorf to talk about their lyrics in "A Kiss," in which Eminem references Lady Gaga.

Em and Royce speak to FUSEtv live at the Bonnaroo Music Festival over the weekend in Tennessee:
In Eminem’s only interview at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2011, he and the other half of his new group Bad Meets Evil, Royce Da 5’9, got a chance to catch up with Fuse. The two sat down with Fuse’s Allison Hagendorf to talk about the lyrics of the song “A Kiss” off of their new album, where they reference Lady Gaga.

EMINEM: “I think Lady Gaga, as an artist you know, she’s undeniable, you know. That was one of them things where sometimes I get a joke in my head and I kinda want to share it with the world, you know what I’m saying. So it was just one of them things man, and it’s you know it’s all in fun, its hip hop.”
“It is what it is, but as far as an artist, she’s dope, she’s an incredible talent.” (FUSEtv)

Pete Rock Details Common's Ice Cube Diss

Complex Magazine recently caught up with producer Pete Rock to speak about many things, including working with Common on his infamous Ice Cube diss track, "The Bitch In Yoo." As the producer of the song, Pete Rock explains how it came together and the story behind it. Check out what he had to say along with the song itself, all below!

“I remember getting a phone call from [Common] saying how upset he was about getting disrespected by Ice Cube. I told him, ‘If you need my help, I’m here.’ He came to New York and we hung out at a friend’s house. I made that beat at a friend’s house with records that I had given him so he could make beats, because he made beats too. I left them over there, [so I used them] and came up with the track. I couldn’t believe that [Common] would like it. I thought I would have to go home amongst my stuff. He was right there with me when I made it." (Complex)

“He was charged up. I felt, as a man, if you feel disrespected, and you feel that in your heart, you fire back. That’s what it is. That’s how real men are supposed to get down. But this was a wax thing. I think Common stood up as a man and told him how he really felt. It was memorable, man. Very classic moment." (Complex)

Mobb Deep's Prodigy Hooks Up With Supreme

Mobb Deep's own Prodigy recently hooked up New York clothing store Supreme to create a limited-edition t-shirt that seems to be sold out already. Supreme, a New York clothing history maker, sat down with Prodigy to talk about the new shirt which was based off one of Prodigy's many pictures from jail. Watch the interview and check out the shirt, all below!

Method Man Talks Upcoming Crystal Meth

Long-time Wu Tang Clan member Method Man, and Masta Killa, recently sat down The Hip Hop Chroincle's own Sumit to discuss many topics from the first tiem they visited London to Method Man's upcoming solo album "Crystal Meth."
Sumit from The Hip-Hop Chronicle catches up with Meth and Masta Killa in London.
Today Sumit of The Hip Hop Chronicle UK caught up with Method Man and Masta Killa. Members of the Wu-Tang Clan are in London for two concert shows.
In this interview, Sumit speaks to Masta Killa and Method Man about the first time they came to London. We speak on Steve Rifkind and whether the Wu set him up when they placed a “phantom intern” in his office.
Meth and Killa also break down the 7th Chamber skit for me (parts of it Sumit never quite understood).
Finally Method Man speaks on his brand new solo album “Crystal Meth”. (The Hip Hop Chronicles)

T.I. Sends Fans Another Message From Prison

Currently incarcerated rapper T.I. recently put out another message to his fans via his website (see below). So do you think TIP will be able to get out of prison and release great music once again?

What up world? Been a minute. I’d like to thank you all for the thousands of letters, cards, books, pictures and words of encouragement. I’m truly grateful. I’m sure you already know I’m nearing the end of this chapter of my life, and looking forward to taking all of the things I’ve learned with me while leaving all the rest of the “BS” behind. I’ve been tuned in somewhat to what’s been happening out there. I can’t even begin to tell y’all how much being on the outside looking in, having to witness all that’s going on (and not going on) in the game affects me. Not being able to do what I love especially. It’s like a whole other sentence within itself. But I really do appreciate all the love, respect, shout outs and salutations during this very difficult period in my life. Everybody from da homies Weezy, Killa Mike, R. Rozay my lil bruh B.o.B, Terrence J (106 & Park) and my “durty” Nelly. Regardless of whether the gestures were the greatest or the smallest, they still meant the world to me. REAL TALK. The separation from my art has definitely sparked an inferno of inspiration that will soon be felt by all. As a matter of fact, to show my appreciation to those that have been in support of me and granted the requests of TEAM T.I. I’ll be releasing a record in the near future (couple of weeks tops) to hold y’all over til I get back in action. During this time of seclusion I have developed a mind full of thoughts, ideas, plans and strategies of change to incorporate into my professional endeavors, as well as my personal lifestyle. But none of them is as strong as my determination to conquer my own imperfections and my will to WIN NO MATTER WHAT!!!

I love, respect and appreciate all those who have stood beside me and I have accepted those you didn’t. But one things for sure and two for certain. As long as the Most High blesses me with the ability to live and breathe….My campaign will continue!!! Stronger, smarter, bigger and better than ever. For those that doubt that…See me when they free me.

Love King

Jay-Z & Kanye's "Watch The Throne" Release Date

rammy-winning rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West will soon release their collaboration album "Watch The Throne" and now there seems to be a pretty-firm release date. According to The Source magazine, Jigga and Yeezy plan on dropping the new project on Independance Day.

The Source has received a solid date for the release of Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative and highly anticipated album Watch The Throne: July 4th. The information was shared exclusively to The Source by a source very close to the Hov and Ye super project. Later on this evening there will be a G.O.O.D. Music event presented by Heineken and Kanye West held at a still undisclosed location in New York City. Rumors are speculating that at said event, Kanye and Jay-Z might be making an announcement about the July 4th release date. Once the July 4th date is confirmed, remember that you heard it here first. Fireworks indeed. (The Source)

Track List (Rumor)

1. Lift Off (feat. Beyonce & Bruno Mars)
2. Murder To Excellence
3. Illest Motherfucker Alive
4. Why I Love You So (Guilt Trip)
5. That Shit Crazy
6. Living So Italian
7. Who Gonna Stop Me
8. Whole Lifetime
9. We Are Young
10. Anthem

Drake Takes Everyone To Marvin's Room

Young Money's own Drake recently put out his new "Marvins Room" track, building anticipation from fans for his upcoming "Take Care" album. According to reports, the song is produced by Drake's long-time right-hand man, Noah "40" Shebib.

Get excited, Drake fans. According to his website, his sophomore album, Take Care, is due out in October and we should be hearing the first single in July. And if that isn't enough for y'all, he has also come through with a brand-new track called "Marvins Room." It's far less rap-heavy than "Dreams Money Can Buy" and instead features Drizzy throwing on his R&B sad-man/storyteller hat throughout the nearly six-minute-long track. The result is a pretty epic cut that includes a track-ending piano solo and producer Noah "40" Shebib's trademark watery 808s. A single this is not, but I'll be d*mned if it won't make for a killer deep cut.

Royce Explains Eminem's Lady Gaga Lyric

Slaughterhouse member, and more importantly Eminem's "Bad Meets Evil" partner, Royce Da 5'9 recently came forward to explain a new Eminem lyric about Lady Gaga that seems to be causing issues. On the new Bad Meets Evil track "A Kiss" (PLUG: "Hell: The Sequel" hits stores on June 14th, oh and you can listen to the song below!), Eminem has a lyric where he calls Gaga a "male lady" but Royce says it's just a playful joke...

"(Eminem) has a great sense of humor. He's been doing that type of thing his whole career. It's one of the things that makes him great. I laughed when I heard it and told him he was crazy. I definitely don't think anyone should take it as an insult." (Billboard)

Side Note: For those of you who are still upset, and don't understand Royce, remember thatEminem makes fun of everyone, including his friends and himself, it's part of his style. Keep in mind, Eminem uses gay-jokes yet his sponsor is Elton John.. if you still don't get it and are simply upset, you don't deserve to read this anyway.

Details About T-Pain NOT Using Auto-Tune

After making the statement that he was going to retire from using the voice-enhancing music tool Auto-Tune, more details about T-Pain not using the tool have emerged. According to reports,T-Pain has now hooked up with the audio company iZotope to take his sound to a different level.

iZotope is proud to announce our partnership with T-Pain, the world-famous recording artist and producer with that distinctive vocal sound. As the exclusive provider of The T-Pain Effect™, iZotope is working directly with T-Pain to evolve his sound through our award-winning technology. Together, iZotope and T-Pain will bring new vocal processing possibilities to mainstream and professional products worldwide. (Nappy Boy Online)

Fat Joe Talks About Losing 50 Pounds

Rapper Fat Joe wants fans to know that he did not use Photoshop, in the new picture that shows him featuring a huge weight loss. Joey Crack says that it was very important to him to lose the 50 pounds he dropped.

"I always loved being fat. Obviously, I'm Fat Joe," Joey Crack said in an interview. "If I could eat and gain a thousand pounds and be healthy, I would love to do that. But obviously the statistics say you can't. It's nothing that's not out there. I think everybody needs to educate themselves. And if you from the inner side, the hood, the Bronx, Harlem, Brooklyn, whatever, there ain't no diet Snapples, there ain't no sugar free candies. You need to tell them, 'Yo, I need that.' Because everybody needs a fix. So it's a constant battle but for me, I seen too many of my friends die so I've been trying to be focusing, God-willing, I've been able to keep fighting this fight and remain healthy." (New York Daily News)

Kanye's New Coachella Shirts + New Video

After his $300 scarve collection came out, most people were not too sure about Kanye Westdoing any more clothing lines but now it looks like Karamaloop will be carrying three George Condo shirts for Kanye West, that were given out at this year's Coachella music festival.

Also make sure you check out a new leaked version of his "Monster" music video which features Rick Ross, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj, all below!

KiD CuDi Talks Marijuana, Cannabis Cup (Video)

KiD CuDi recently sat down with MTV News to talk about how he reached out to actor Shia LaBeouf to shoot his "Maniac." The rapper goes on to talk about going to Amsterdam for the 2010 Cannabis Cup and even having the "Marijuana" video (below) the end of his smoking days.

Tags: MTV Shows

Kanye & Jay-Z's Rumored Album Track List

Last week, XXL Magazine said that Kanye West and Jay-Z's upcoming "Watch The Thrown" album would be out in July, now a track list has hit the net, but we want to make sure that you know this is simply a "rumored" track list.

1. Lift Off (feat. Beyonce & Bruno Mars)

2. Murder To Excellence

3. Illest Motherfucker Alive

4. Why I Love You So (Guilt Trip)

5. That Shit Crazy

6. Living So Italian

7. Who Gonna Stop Me

8. Whole Lifetime

9. We Are Young

10. Anthem

T-Pain Says He Plans To NOT Use Auto-Tune

Singer T-Pain recently spoke about his over-use (in our opinion" of the voice-enhancing music tool, "Auto Tune." The singer recently said that he plans to retire from using it himself.

"I vow right here, right now, to never use Auto-Tune again," T-Pain said in a statement. "I'm onto something that I think is bigger and better called 'The T-Pain Effect.'" (All Hip Hop)

Ciara Confirms Dating Amar'e Stoudemire

Hit R&B singer Ciara recently confirmed rumors that she was dating NBA star, Amar'e Stoudemire. The couple was recently spotted in New York City. "Just interviewed Ciara and she admitted that she and Amare are indeed a couple. She was very shy about it and said, 'you know I don't talk about my personal life,' but when I pushed she shook her head laughed and said yes they are a couple. She added that this is a very happy time in her life and that she is really enjoying herself! She and Amare were snapped at a party after the Met Gala last night."

Jay-Z Says People Can't Handle His Success

As we previously reported, Jay-Z is featured on the cover of the in-flight magazine SKY. In the featured article, Jigga opens up about the negative critics he faces with each step of success. "It may sound arrogant," he says, "but I just think people can't handle when somebody is successful. Something has gotta be wrong: you gotta be down with some higher power. And I guess when someone else is successful, it makes you feel like maybe you're a failure. So it can't be you, it has to be some other force."

Lil Wayne Gets Pitbull For Tha Carter IV

Lil Wayne will offer fans some Miami flavor on his upcoming "Tha Carter IV" album as he reportedly will be using rapper Pitbull on one of the tracks. According to producer Jim Jonsin, Pitbull will be featured on at least one of the songs.
Jonsin reveals that he produced what will likely be the next single from Tha Carter IV, due June 21. "It's got similarities to 'Lollipop,'" says the hitmaker. "It's just a little slower and it has similar sounds in it, so people may relate it to the step-brother of 'Lollipop.' It's also [got] completely different melodies and chords." He shared two potential titles for the song, which are "Blows My Brains" and "She's Always in My Head." Pitbull also contributed to the record, but it's uncertain if he'll appear on the final version. "Pitbull help me write the song," adds Jonsin. "He has a verse and he did like a B-section on there, but I'm not sure if Wayne and Pit have agreed to keep him on there or what."

Consequence Talks Writing For Kanye West

Former G.O.O.D. Music associate, rapper Consequence recently spoke about Kanye West, detailing his involvement in Yeezy's past albums dating back to his debut in 2004. According to Consequence, he has helped write Kanye's songs for each of his albums.

"It is true I participated in writing with Kanye. You could read it on credits on 808s and Heartbreaks, College Dropout. Every album that he's had, I've been involved from a creative aspect in writing of songs," Cons said. "Check the credits, I get that publishing." (MTV)

50 Cent Talks Slavery For New Special (Video)

50 Cent has an upcoming special on VH1 called "The Orgin Of Me" debuting on May 23rd at 9 PM. Below you can preview the special in which he travels around to various areas of the country in an effort to trace his ancestral roots. In the preview below you can see him in South Carolina discussing slavery with an old lady.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Rap News Bits: Jay-Z Wins Award: Q-Tip Headlines

Jay-Z recently won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics for his performance of “Run This Town” during Super Bowl XLIV. Jigga's collaborators U2 were also awarded for their performance during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Producer slash artist Q-Tip will be joined by other artists at the July 16th Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. The 7th annual event will see performances from De La Soul, Brand Nubian, KRS-Oneand Boot Camp Clik besides Tip.

Lil Kim & Nicki Minaj Continue Their Verbal War

The fued between Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim continues as the two New York rappers once again took their beef to Twitter yesterday. According to reports, Nicki Minaj's twitter account posted "Lil Kim U Next" before quickly deleting it, but not fast enough. Lil Kim reportedly saw the post and responded with...

What type of coward lame ass bitch tweets some shit and then deletes it. REAL bitches stand by what they say BOZO…
You cheap stocking cap glued $10 bag hair wig wearing bitch. Get a lace front!!! FYI Indian hair don't come in green BITCH…
You free lunch eating bitch…WHAT!!!
Bitch I see you crawling!!! I got my can of RAID. Come get it!!! #TwitterRoach !!!! (Lil Kim Twitter)

Bangladesh Works On Watch The Throne

Kanye West and Jay-Z's upcoming "Watch The Throne" album continues to evolve as new reports say that hit-producer Bangladesh is now contributing to the project.

"I was requested to come out there and just give a little insight on the album, give them a beat or two and add and create with 'Ye, which was a big honor," he said. "I been a fan of 'Ye since the first song he ever dropped...It's never a guarantee until that time comes, but the track I left [Kanye] with, he was very satisfied with...He really expressed that he loved the beat and he's ready to buy it. That's a good sign, but you never know at the end of the day. I don't really talk about stuff until it's signed, sealed and delivered." (MTV)