(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Hov, the Hardest Working Man in Showbiz

Jay-Z is known for rocking a Yankees-fitted — or most recently a Brooklyn Nets one. But in reality, he’s a man of many hats. Jay-Z is much more than just rapper: Recently word leaked that Hov was helping to score the upcoming film adaptation of the classic novel The Great Gatsby. It’s yet another notch in the belt for a man with an ever-expanding resume. Here, we list Jay-Z’s many job titles. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the hardest working man in showbiz. —Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

(Photo: Interscope Records)

The Rundown, Game’s Jesus Piece

Despite his name, it’s difficult to discern when Game is playing and when he isn’t. He’s one of rap’s biggest provocateurs and most effective trolls, after all. So it was hard to know what to make of the controversial cover to his new album, Jesus Piece. The image, which blended a seeming gang member with a saint, suggests a deep exploration of the lines between good and evil, between religion and real life.  Because Game’s never been one for album-length statements, it was easy to think the only one here was “any publicity is good publicity.” Which way did Game end up going? A concept or just a product? And more importantly: Does it sound good? Check out this track-by-track rundown of Game’s Jesus Piece to find our answers to these questions and more. — Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

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Let’s Do Diss Again: Diss-Track Sequels We Want to Hear

The beef that never ends just got some new life. After 50 Cent dissed Game on his new single “My Life,” the Compton MC is now claiming he may resurrect an old anti-50 track of his, “300 Bars and Running,” to respond. “My freestyle that killed G-Unit, the whole staff, record label and clothes, is ‘300 Bars.’ I might have to go in and double that up and just really say everything I want to say,” he said during an interview on L.A.’s Power 106 FM. “There’s more to say.” We’re glad to hear it, ’cause whether your Team 50 or not, the original was a must-listen. But it isn’t the only iconic diss track that should get a part two. Click on for a list of other soundclash classics that deserve a sequel. —Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

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Rebuilding: When Rap Bosses Revamp Their Crews

The No Limit tank is rolling again. Well, sort of. Master P recently unveiled his new crew, The Louis V Mob, featuring him and two young mixtape upstarts, D.C.’s Fat Trel and Atlanta’s Alley Boy. The collective will also reportedly include his son Romeo, Eastwood and others, and if it pops, Master P could find his footing as one of rap’s biggest moguls for the first time since his legendary No Limit label began to falter in the early 2000s. But P isn’t the only hip hop exec who’s attempted to revamp his flagging clique. Read on for more examples. Read the rest of this entry »

(Photos: Lisa Peardon, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images and Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

12 Musical Moments We’re Thankful for in 2012

There’s a lot for us to be grateful for in 2012 — food, family, Barack’s re-election, the Knicks’ 8-1 record. But some of the things that made us smile most this year were in the world of music. It’s been 10 months of inspiration, hilarity, and above all, great music. Read on to see the 12 musical moments that we’re most thankful in 2012. —Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

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Lost Files: Unreleased Songs We Want to Hear

Pretty much the entire Internet is singing the praises of Kendrick Lamar’s new album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city. Well, everyone except Lady Gaga fans. Gaga’s “monsters” were no doubt disappointed that the pair’s reported collaboration didn’t make the album. Gaga and Kendrick worked on a song called “Partynauseous,” but due to legal red tape and artistic disagreements, it wasn’t cleared for the album. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear it though. In fact, we’ll make it the first track on the following playlist of dope, unreleased music we’d love to listen to. Click on to check out the best mixtape you’ll never hear. —Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

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Diddy @iamdiddy

Tweet: “Praying for everyone on the East Coast!” Read the rest of this entry »

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Part Deux: Album Sequels

Redman is ready to pick it up once again. The Brick City spitter is finally ready to release the long-promised sequel to his 1996 classic Muddy Waters. On Sunday, Red tweeted, “We about to start the Redman 20th Year Anniversary Campaign !! Muddy Waters 2 n progress!! Be a part of it!!” The message also contained a link to an Instagram image of the album cover of Muddy Waters seemingly spraypainted on a brick wall (get it?) with the words “coming soon.” But this won’t be the first time a musician has tried to prove that lightning can indeed strike twice, or even thrice. Click on to see more notable musical sequels. Read the rest of this entry »

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Poison Pen: When Ghostwriters Strike

Roscoe Dash is turn’t up, but for all the wrong reasons. Yesterday, the Atlanta rapper went on a good-ol’ Twitter tirade, claiming he wrote Kanye’s “To the World” and Wale’s “Lotus Flower Bomb” but didn’t receive credit. No matter the real story, we aren’t surprised: Ghostwriters (and even ghost-producers) have been a part of the music industry since the beginning. Click on for a rundown of just some of the countless examples. —Alex Gale Read the rest of this entry »

(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images, Anna Webber/Getty Images for GQ)

#You’reGoingToRegretThat

“You gotta learn to live with regrets,” Jay-Z rapped back in 1996. Especially if you’re one of the following celebrities, who can buy fancy things but apparently not a lick of common sense. Luckily, we’ve got the perfect hashtag for them. Read the rest of this entry »