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Beef Update: Lil Kim Marinates On Beef With Nicki Minaj

Posted 5/17/12 12:00 pm EST by in Celebs, Hip-hop



Photos: Getty Images

Hip-hop fans are blowing up Twitter right now with chatter about Lil Kim's charged interview on The Breakfast Club that focused on her beef with Nicki Minaj. Kim's disdain for Nicki dates back a few years, tied mainly to Kim's and her fans' belief that Young Money's girl stole (and continues to rip off) her style.

In the interview, the O.G. articulated the full scope of her beef. Dating back to Kim's involvement with Cash Money, Kim said they wanted her around to study her swag and get her to stamp one of Nicki's album with approval, but didn't want Kim to stand beside her. And Kim repeated that Nicki stole her style as well as her unique sound. Kim said she was nice to Nicki but that she was met with cattiness, and said that "Every record she's coming at me" or hating. The hosts -- DJ Envy, Charlamagne That God and Angela Yee -- expressed skepticism about that claim which prompted Kim to threaten to take away their "hip-hop cards" if they didn't do some research. Kim added that Nicki is "overrated" and isn't humble.

In short, this thing is deep and it's layered and we wish the pair would settle it in a Celebrity Deathmatch.

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DJ Khaled's Clutch Commandments For Collabos

Posted 5/15/12 10:00 am EST by in Hip-hop, MTV2, Video



Credit: Getty Images/Slaven Vlasic

When DJ Khaled says he's the best, he means it. The DJ/Label Executive/Uncontested King of Collaborations can corral any number of rappers into a room and make one big-ass track. It's an art very few have, but many try to emulate. His collaboration roster reads like the red carpet guest list at the opening night of the 40/40 Club. From "We Takin' Over" with guests like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and T.I. to "Go Hard" with Kanye West and T-Pain, then "All I Do Is Win" with Snoop Dogg and Ludacris back around to "Take It To the Head" with Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown. We know there were a million other guests on these songs. Call this a rough list. DJ Khaled knows what he's doing. While he was on set for MTV's "Hip Hop Squares," Khaled let us in on a few secrets to the success of his collaborations. DJs listen up.

"Hip Hop Squares" premieres Tuesday, May 22 at 11p/10c on MTV2.

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6 Best Rapper Cameos In Comedy Movies

Posted 5/14/12 11:00 am EST by in Comedy, Hip-hop, Movies


Many of today's rap stars are incredibly industrious and ambitious people who have worked hard to accomplish their celebrity. And many of them, despite having "made it," still work tirelessly in the studio and apply their business savvy to ventures outside of music. P. Diddy gave us Sean John Clothing, Lil Jon brought the world CRUNK!!! Energy Drink and Jay-Z is part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets. And, oh yeah, Lil Wayne never sleeps. You get the picture: these guys are everywhere, always on the grind, 24/7.

So, what do you for fun if you're an enterprising rapper constantly focused on building your personal empire? You make a cameo in a comedy movie, of course. Short appearances in funny films give rappers a lighthearted break from their regular dealings and rigorous schedules (while still bringing in that paper), and we as the audience get to see that they don't always take themselves so seriously. Check out the following six funny rapper cameos in comedy movies.
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Serena Williams Raps And Doesn't Suck

Posted 5/11/12 10:20 am EST by in Celebs, Hip-hop, News, Sports


Credit: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images

There's almost nothing more exciting than finding out a celebrity raps and then getting to hear said celebrity rap, because usually it's a monumental suck job. So when we found out Serena Williams is a budding rapper, we were downright giddy. And when we read that she recorded at NFL-er Bryant McKinnie's studio, the stakes got even higher.

But ya know what? She's not that bad! We're not saying she should ditch that whole tennis thing, but it's really not terrible. The Urban Daily via TMZ has a snippet of one of her songs, which we're guessing is called "I Win." Over a club siren beat, the tennis superstar serves verses like "I win, I really mean this /Swag out this world, they should call me Venus" with a sort of Childish Gambino-esque nonchalant confidence. And she even gives hashtag rap a shot with "I'm always on top, roofer."

Listen to the clip and tell us what you think of her flow. Where does she rank on the spectrum of surprising rappers?

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10 Photos Proving The Weeknd Hates His Face

Posted 5/9/12 11:30 am EST by in Celebs, Funny, Hip-hop, Photos



Photo:Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

The songbird of Drake's "OVOXO," The Weeknd, is like a mythical creature in hip-hop. He released a few mixtapes, cancelled a bunch of public appearances, refuses to be interviewed--and as we're about to show you--hate to show his face. It was a big mystery what this man even looked like until just a few months ago. There were always just shadows and pictures of models to represent him (check his mixtape covers). Now that he's revealed himself at this year's Coachella, along with one New York City date, we have an idea of what he looks like. Still, the way The Weeknd covers his face whenever a camera is around, you'd think he's dodging a parole officer or an ex-wife wanting alimony. Or maybe he's playing an extended game of hide 'n seek? Whatever the reason, this man does not like revealing his face. Whether covering his mug with a cup, burying his head in a pillow or hiding behind a bunch of balloons, we've collected 10 photos below that prove The Weeknd hates his face.
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15 Surprising Facts About MCA

Posted 5/6/12 8:00 pm EST by in Celebs, Hip-hop, News


Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

With the deeply saddening death of Beastie Boys founding member Adam Yauch aka MCA, the world lost a true cultural force. Not just an MC in one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time, Yauch was also a father, Buddhist, philanthropist and activist. Slightly older than fellow Beasties Mike D and Ad-Rock, MCA was the elder statesman of the group.

After listening to Beastie Boys all weekend and reading retrospectives about them and MCA, we've decided to continue the celebration of all the unique, eclectic work Yauch did in his 47 years. We're still getting used to talking about him in the past tense, but here are 15 surprising things you may not have known about MCA. Read More...

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Video Premiere: D-WHY's Summer Jam 'We Don't Know'

Posted 5/2/12 11:30 am EST by in Hip-hop, Music, Video


Today we're premiering D-WHY's new video for "We Don't Know," featuring a hazy Instagram aesthetic perfect for you to usher in the season of halter tops and day-drinking. And, oh yeah, the song is good, too. It's one of those loopy beats and casual hooks that will burrow straight into your brain after a couple listens. (And dude can even sing!)

D-WHY (real name David Morris) earned his buzz buck by repurposing beats by the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Childish Gambino, laying his own effortless delivery over top. His music video "Macchiato Music" recently won in mtvU's The Freshman competition and earned the young rapper regular airtime on the channel. Branching out, "We Don't Know" gives us a glimpse of his original material -- more of which we'll hear on his upcoming Don't Flatter Yourself mixtape.

Check out the "We Don't Know" video below, and you'll see why industry vets like Hit-Boy and Diggy are already fans.

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Top 5 Self-Deprecating Rap Songs

Posted 4/27/12 11:30 am EST by in Hip-hop, Music, Video


In hip-hop, having "swag" and going "H.A.M." are key elements to surviving the game. There's not a lot of room for socially-awkward rappers. Blundering guys don't sell many records. It's rather unfortunate, if you ask us. A little humiliation, self-awareness and self-deprecation can be endearing, even if you're a rapper. While the majority of hip-hop artists prefer to tell you all about how much money they have, how many bad chicks they've corralle, and the kinds of amazing stuff they've been doing, there are a few bold ones that are totally OK with getting attention at their own expense. We thought we'd pay homage to them by listing five of our favorite self-deprecating rap songs.
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Drapht's Clutch Commandments From Watching TV

Posted 4/26/12 4:45 pm EST by in Hip-hop, Interview, TV



Credit: Simon Pynt

Iggy Azalea isn't the only Aussie out there making waves in hip-hop. Rapper/Singer extraordinaire Drapht hails from the West Coast (of Australia that is) and will be making his big U.S. debut with the release of his album Life Of Riley on May 8. Drapht already has his homeland in his pocket (Life of Riley is Certified Gold) and he's heading out here to do the same.

Drapht is known to drop some great pop culture references in his lyrics--like in his latest music video "Sing It (The Life Of Riley)"--so it's appropriate that he used TV as a reference when we asked for his Clutch Commandments. From "The Sopranos" to "Breaking Bad" and "The Wire," Drapht broke down the 10 commandments he's gleaned from watching great TV series.

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Beef Alert: Azealia Banks Takes On T.I.

Posted 4/24/12 11:30 am EST by in Celebs, Hip-hop, News


Credit: Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images; Karl Walter/Getty Images

Fast-rising female rapper Azealia Banks is not new to our "Beef Alert" series. Previously the up-and-comer took on fellow internet buzz-monger Kreayshawn. Then last month, Banks had beef with another female rapper, Iggy Azalea (strangely, it wasn't over naming rights). T.I. has taken Iggy under his wing, so he had to defend her honor. How chivalrous!

But here we are a month later, and all was quiet. "Oh, Azealia Banks must've backed down. Calling out emerging female rappers is one thing, but calling out an established badass like T.I. is quite another." YeahNO.

Yesterday, T.I. was asked about the Azealia-Azalea feud, and he said: "That is what I consider bitch s***. I'm a man. You ain’t got no business addressing me...get your man to address me...but you and me...no. Keep dealing with that woman. Ya'll handle that."

The year 2012, ladies and gentlemen! OK, so that wasn't so chivalrous, but we think T.I. was basically saying, "No thanks, I'm not trying to get in the middle of this catfight." But Azealia immediately pounced on Twitter, as cats are wont to do. A few of her choice tweets:

-T.i .... Please shut the [f***] up about this. Like seriously quit it.

-funny how you have plenty of time to address me but have nothing to say to the dudes who been calling u at as a snitch forever.

-Deleting T.I. from my iTunes :-( .

Ouch. On the bright side, T.I., she might still have you on Spotify!

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