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On TV Envy: The Oprah Winfrey Show to End in 2011

Jay-Z Working to Stay Relevant

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Hip-Hop & Rap

Jay-Z

fears he is growing too old for hip-hop.

The “99 Problems” hitmaker admits he is aware that most artists in the genre are under 30, and as he approaches 40, staying relevant is harder - unless audiences change. He said:

“Hip-hop saved my life. When someone does something for you, it’s only right you repay that tenfold, and that was what hip-hop did for me. How could I not protect that or leave it in a good place for the next generation? The reason you turn off the hip hop as you mature is because there’s not enough of what you’re going through in your life currently. There’s not a lot of people who have come of age in rap because it’s only 30. As more people come of age, hopefully the topics get broader and then the audience will stay around longer. But it’s so much viewed as a young person’s sport right now at this present moment that it’s very difficult. You want to get on the radio, and you’ve got to make a jingle that’s catchy, that sounds like everything else that’s on the radio. Not me, the other guy.”

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Read More | The Scotsman

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Quote of the Day: Natalie Portman on Obscene Hip-Hop

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Gossip, Hip-Hop & Rap

Natalie Portman

“Really, really obscene hip-hop. I love it so much. It makes me laugh and then it makes me want to dance. Those are like my two favorite things, so combined . . . I’ve been listening a lot lately to “Wait (The Whisper Song)” by the Ying Yang Twins, where the lyrics are like, ‘Wait ’til you see my d***—which is just amazing because it’s whispered. [whispers] “Wait ’til you see my d*** . . . ” [laughs] Crazy. So I just listen to it like I’m a five-year-old, like, ‘Oh my god! I can’t believe he just said that!’”

- talking to Jake Gyllenhaal about her current musical preferences for Interview magazine.

(Make sure to check out our other notable quotes.)

Read More | Interview Magazine

50 Cent bored with hip-hop

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap

50 Cent‘s interest in hip-hop is “dwindling away”. Fiddy - real name Curtis Jackson - says people’s quest for money is starting to undermine the genre and he can barely recognize the reasons why he got involved anymore. He said:  “I think people are so conscious of the numbers they’re not being creative anymore.” Despite his disillusionment with the genre, the rapper - who has other ventures away from music, including fashion and movies - is looking forward to releasing his Before I Self Destruct album later this year, which boasts a number of collaborations.

He added to Billboard magazine: “When Wisin and Yandel sent the actual concept, I listened to it and the melodies completely fit me. It could be a song that I could do apart from them. So we’re meeting on a ground that is completely comfortable for both of us. My duet with , for example - there is more compromise for me there. The content is similar to what you can see from 50 Cent, but the actual rap, style and cadence is different. But when I go into the song with Wisin and Yandel I didn’t even have to make those cadence changes.

“When these guys finish mixing I’ll finish making the decisions. People look at my projects as if it’s only 50, but it’s really 50 Cent up to Dr Dre and Eminem standards.”


Kanye West Goes Darker with Heartless

Posted by Seth Combs Categories: Leaks, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap, Free Music Downloads

kanye west 808s and heartbreak

I’m not going to say it’s hard to be Kanye West, but when you listen to the two released tracks from his upcoming album 808s & Heartbreak, you feel something.  From the sound of these tracks, I’m going to say this album is going to be unlike any other in his collection. The release of this album is already unique with a listening party involving Italian designer Vanessa Beecroft, an LA gallery, and 40 naked women (sorry, no photos.)

The first single, “Love Lockdown,” has Kanye using Auto-Tune technology, diving deep into his heart about the hardships of love. Now, he comes out with “Heartless,” which delves into even deeper, darker places. With a brooding beat and lyrics like, “somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul, to a woman so heartless”, it’s like an Auto-Tune freight train of pain, sorrow and heartache that will run you over. Feel it for yourself by downloading the track.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Read More | Fader

Eminem back with Relapse

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Rumors, Videos, Hip-Hop & Rap


It’s been years since we heard from rap superstar Eminem, but just as quickly as he disappeared from the scene four years ago, talk of his return is taking over at the water cooler of hip hop. His last original album was Encore (iTunes), back in 2004. A year later he released a greatest hits album, Curtain Call, with no new material on it. Then in 2006 he led a project called The Re-Up, but again, his lyrical contributions were sparse. Just when we were about to write off Slim Shady, we got word that he was going to be dropping an album by the end of the year. We figured that was near impossible, so we didn’t report on it. Then, out of nowhere, everywhere we turned we were reading quotes from Eminem himself, saying he has been back in the studio, and is aiming at getting his album, Relapse, out the door before the end of 2008. That means sometime in the next 9 weeks or so.

A taster track, “I’m Having a Relapse”, has already been leaked to the Internet, and is featured in the video above. Do be aware that there is some offensive language in the track. Rumor has it that Dr. Dre is producing most of the album (which likely explains the delay in his album, Detox,) and if that is the case, then we can likely expect a return to the roots of The Slim Shady LP (iTunes) and The Marshall Mathers LP (iTunes), both runaway hits. 50 Cent is also reportedly working with Eminem on the album as well. Hopefully, we’ll find out if Em is truly back again before Christmas.


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