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Jadakiss Supports Irv Gotti For Def Jam President

‘He said a lot of stuff that doesn’t get said,’ Jada tells MTV News of Irv’s ‘RapFix Live’ appearance last month. By Alvin Blanco Jadakiss Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images Irv Gotti has another endorsement in his quasi-campaign to become president of Def Jam: Jadakiss thinks the producer and executive would be a good fit at the storied record label. The Yonkers rapper “loved” Gotti’s early October appearance on MTV News’ “RapFix Live,” when he insisted he was the “best man” for Def Jam’s currently vacant presidency. “It was one of the best ‘RapFix’ [interviews] ever,” Jada told MTV News. “He said a lot of stuff that doesn’t get said. He was able to [vent] without hating on the record labels or channeling any hate. … Everything he said — me being on the inside looking out and him being on the inside looking out but now on the outside looking in — I think he nailed every point. I think everything he said was excellent, and almost everything was true.” ‘Kiss is signed to Def Jam — releasing his latest album, The Last Kiss, in 2009, as well as the retail mixtape I Love You (A Dedication to My Fans) in May 2011 — on the label. The “We Gonna Make It” rapper hasn’t spoken to anyone at the label about his support for the Murder Inc. founder, but he did mention agreeing with Irv’s point that suits at any record label need to better relate to artists in order to earn their trust when it comes to making career decisions. “Def Jam and every other label, it ain’t that they’re bad record labels; it’s just sometimes they don’t understand the artists that they have,” Jada explained. “It’s hard for somebody … when you not coming where I’m from every day. … You live a whole totally different life than me, but you telling me this ain’t the record. That ain’t really what’s up, and that sometimes happens. It doesn’t always happen, but sometimes that’s what happens, and that be the conflict of interest.” When it comes to label drama, ‘Kiss has had more than his fair share. Upon entering the rap game as a member of the LOX, with Styles P and Sheek Louch, the group was signed to Bad Boy Records. But after discontent, the trio managed to leave Bad Boy and sign to Ruff Ryders via Interscope Records in 1999. ‘Kiss would release a pair of solo albums (2001’s Kiss the Game Goodbye, 2004’s Kiss of Death ) on Interscope before Jay-Z, then Def Jam’s president , inked him to Roc-A-Fella in 2007. That said, he’s learned a thing or two about navigating record-business politics. “I have a problem sometimes, but I’m always able to work it out, ’cause I understand that it’s a business first,” ‘Kiss said of any creative friction that may arise between him and Def Jam. “That word ‘business’ is very strong. You can’t take that personal. You can’t let that intertwine with your feelings, and you gotta just come to some agreeance. There’s always a way to work it out without running to the Internet or badmouthing the employees or something. For the most part, they show me love, so I just show the same love and respect back. Even if I disagree with something, if I bring it to them and we’re not able to work it out, I just try to work it out myself, opposed to flipping — unless it’s something that pissed me off to the point of no return,” he laughed. Are you surprised by Jada’s support of Irv Gotti for Def Jam president? Let us know in the comments!

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Jadakiss Supports Irv Gotti For Def Jam President

Big Sean Comments On Recent Arrest

‘Man, that was just some little minor sh–,’ Sean tells DJ Tim Westwood of his arrest on sex abuse and other charges. By Alvin Blanco Big Sean Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images A couple of weeks ago, Def Jam rapper Big Sean was arrested for sexual assault in upstate New York. Although he vehemently denied the charges, he has since been quiet about the situation. However, earlier this week after performing at Cargo in London with Kanye West, the 23-year-old spoke with DJ Tim Westwood about his arrest, albeit briefly. “Man, that was just some little minor sh–, man,” Sean told Westwood. “I really wanna talk about it too, and go through the details, but my lawyer says I can’t talk about it ’til it’s all said and done.” Big Sean (born Sean Anderson) and his friend Willie “SayItAintTone” Hansbro were both charged with forcible touching, unlawful imprisonment and sex abuse by a woman after a concert in Lewiston, New York, on August 4. The G.O.O.D. music MC had just performed on the same bill as Wiz Khalifa as part of the Rolling Papers Tour. Moments earlier in the conversation with Westwood, the “Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay” rapper again recalled his excitement at being nominated for the Best New Artist for his single “My Last,” featuring Chris Brown, at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards . “I found out at like 2 a.m. in the morning,” Sean said. “I called my mom and was like, ‘Mom I’m nominated for an MTV award, ahhh!!!’ I was screaming and then she started screaming. We were just sharing that moment.” Big Sean and Hansbro, who were released shortly after their arrest on $500 bail each, are both due back in Niagara County Court on September 6. Related Artists Big Sean

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Lil Wayne, Drake Insist ‘She Will’ On New Single

Slow groove features crafty verses by Weezy and a memorable Drake refrain. By Alvin Blanco Lil Wayne recording “She Will” Photo: MTV News Jay-Z and Kanye West are not the only rap duo with clout. Lil Wayne and Drake have their own collaboration in the works, and fans just got a bit of a preview with “She Will,” the latest single from Weezy’s forthcoming Tha Carter IV. Earlier this week, Tunechi released a video, shot by DJ Scoob Doo, that showed behind-the-scenes footage of him recording “She Will” with Drake providing feedback over the phone. The final product, released on Friday (August 12), features a bass-heavy, reverb-bloated slow groove provided by producer T-Minus. The song’s title makes it seem like it’s an ode to a, er, willing woman, and indeed portions of it are. But the “How to Love” rapper/singer also drops savvy bars that don’t necessarily match the theme. “What goes around comes around like a hula hoop/ Karma is a bitch, but just make sure that bitch is beautiful/ Life on the edge, I’m dangling my feet/ I tried to pay attention but attention paid me,” raps Wayne on the first verse. Drake doesn’t drop a verse on the song but performs its chorus, part singing and part rapping, “Do it for the realest n—as in the f—ing game right now she will/ Maybe for the money and the power right now she will,” on a portion of the memorable refrain. Birdman recently told XXLMag.com that Lil Wayne and Drake’s collaboration is definitely a go, though it will have to wait until after their upcoming solo efforts. Drake’s sophomore set, Take Care, is due in stores October 24, while Weezy’s much delayed Tha Carter IV will finally be available on August 29 . The latter’s track list was also recently released, revealing featured performers including T-Pain (“How to Hate”), John Legend (“So Special”) and Bun B, Nas, Shyne and Busta Rhymes on “Outro.” Drake, along with Jadakiss, appears on another song on Tha Carter IV titled “It’s Good.” Related Artists Lil Wayne Drake

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Lil Wayne, Drake Insist ‘She Will’ On New Single

50 Cent Is A ‘Marketing Genius,’ Shawty Lo Says

Atlanta rapper confirms on MTV News’ ‘RapFix Live’ that he signed a $10 million deal with Fif’s G-Unit. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Sway Calloway 50 Cent Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images Shawty Lo is already a boss in his own right, thanks to his D4L Records, but now he has partnered with 50 Cent’s G-Unit brand and label . The Atlanta trap star visited MTV News’ “RapFix Live” on Wednesday and revealed more details about his and 50’s venture, which is worth a reported $10 million. “Basically, 50 is like my major behind me,” Shawty said. “I still kept my label, D4L, I just joined forces with G-Unit, so it’s D4L/G-Unit. 50 got more outlets to take me to more places. I could’ve signed with a lot of labels, but I feel like 50 is a marketing genius and we have similar lifestyles coming up, and I feel like he knows what it’s going to take to get me where I need to be.” Shawty Lo was in discussions with other labels, but “RapFix” host Sway Calloway asked the “Dey Know” rapper what the conversation was like when he sat down with 50 Cent to discuss their future business plans. “It was fun. We ate, we kicked it,” Shawty said. “The meeting, it was a seven-hour meeting. I had seven meetings on the table, but when me and 50 sat down, it was like a seven -hour meeting. It was very crazy, man. We had one break, and it was just thought of the minds, man. That’s where I took my talents to, G-Unit.” A big reason Shawty Lo decided to partner with G-Unit was his disdain for 360 deals. In these deals, instead of just profits from record sales, labels also claim a percentage of an artist’s proceeds from merchandise and touring. “That was my main reason to go do the deal with 50 is because I hate the 360 situation,” Lo said. “I signed a 50/50 deal with 50. It was for a very large amount of money. But the money, it ain’t for me to flex and spend it; it’s for me to run a label down in the South. Instead of the artists having to fly all the way up to New York or fly to the West Coast to get a deal, I’m based in the South, so they can come and see me.” It was reported that the D4L/G-Unit deal was worth even more than what a “large amount” suggests, which Shawty Lo confirmed: “Yes, it’s a $10 million deal.” What do you think of Shawty teaming up with Fif? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Cali Swag District Related Artists 50 Cent Shawty Lo

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50 Cent Is A ‘Marketing Genius,’ Shawty Lo Says

Lil Wayne’s Sorry Mixtape Is ‘Outstanding,’ Lil Twist Says

Young Money teen’s ‘Flowers’ also might land on Tha Carter IV. By Alvin Blanco Lil Twist Photo: MTV News Lil Twist , currently on the “106 & Park” Closer to My Dreams Tour, discussed working with and being influenced by Lil Wayne during a stop in Los Angeles. The teenaged YMCMB rapper has been taking cues from Weezy when it comes to his own performances, while his rhymes might land on Tha Carter IV. “I’ve learned a lot over the past five years from my brother Lil Wayne, seeing him on tour since I was very young,” Lil Twist told MTV News. “So you’re going to see a lot of energy like he gives at his shows. Not the same, but a lot of swag.” Being a member of Young Money has made Twist privy to an early listen of Weezy’s upcoming mixtape, Sorry For the Wait. “It’s amazing, it’s great, it’s outstanding,” Twist said of the project, which Wayne is releasing to appease fans since his proper album, Tha Carter IV, has been delayed numerous times. “And, he’s rapping. He’s going in and y’all are gonna love it.” Twist revealed he’s also heard all of Weezy’s album, now scheduled to drop August 29. “I’ve heard it all,” Twist said. “Yes, we’re in the studio every day, every night, till the morning, till sun up in Miami, so I’ve heard it all.” Lil Twist himself will be rapping on one or both of Weezy’s forthcoming projects. He revealed the name the song he appears on: “It’s called ‘Flowers.’ I can say it may make the mixtape, it may not. Because it’s for C4, and it’s also for Sorry For the Wait. It’ll make either one, maybe both.” Lil Twist is releasing a collaborative mixtape with Justin Bieber , who’s rap persona is “Shawty Mane.” The two buddies are working on a video for a song called “Wherever You Are” that appears on the long-in-the-works project. Which Lil Twist project are you most excited about? Tell us below! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lil Wayne Related Artists Lil Twist Lil Wayne

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Lil Wayne’s Sorry Mixtape Is ‘Outstanding,’ Lil Twist Says

Jay-Z Is Two Songs Deep Into Next Solo Album

Working on Watch the Throne with Kanye got the creative juices flowing for Blueprint 3 follow-up. By Alvin Blanco Jay-Z Photo: Getty Images NEW YORK — While fans are still eagerly waiting for Jay-Z to drop his collaborative album with Kanye West, Watch the Throne, he has already started working on his next solo album. At an exclusive listening session for Throne on Thursday night at the Mercer Hotel, the Brooklyn rapper revealed that he is two songs deep into recording his 12th solo LP. The experience of creating the collaboration was so positive, Jay said, it inspired him begin working on new material of his own. Besides the two songs he has already completed, which he claimed were the best first pair of tunes he has ever created for one of his albums, he also has another four ideas ready to go. “I know exactly the tone and the whole feel of the album,” Jay-Z said of the follow-up to 2009’s platinum-certified The Blueprint 3. “I think when you experience creativity, you should get it out as much as possible.” Even though Watch the Throne isn’t in stores yet (pre-order receipts seem to indicate, unofficially, that it will be out on August 2), the “Empire State of Mind” rapper doesn’t want to stifle the creative juices that started flowing when he was working with West. And the inspiration flowed both ways, it seems. After getting Odd Future singer Frank Ocean to record a song for his solo album, Hov decided to have the crooner contribute his vocals to two Watch the Throne songs. So will this new solo effort come out before the discs from his Roc Nation signees J. Cole and Jay Electronica ? “Hopefully,” he quipped, before adding, “I don’t play that. We’re all competing for the same mind share. J. Cole and Jay Electronica are both making inspiring music.” Related Artists Jay-Z

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Lady Gaga Was ‘Spontaneous’ On ‘Judas’ Set, Norman Reedus Says

Judas himself opens up to MTV News about the just-released video. By Jocelyn Vena Norman Reedus Photo: MTV News When Norman Reedus, who played the title character in Lady Gaga’s “Judas” video , stopped by the MTV News offices Friday (May 6), he told us Gaga had everyone on their toes on set — in the best way possible. “I like the lipstick part, because that was sort of last minute,” the “Walking Dead” star said. “She just jumped up [and was like], ‘I have this great idea. I’m gonna put lipstick in front of you, and right before you kiss Jesus, I’m going to pull out this gun, and I’m gonna pull the trigger, and then a lipstick’s [gonna come out], and then I’m going to put it on you like I’m enabling the kiss!’ “She looked at me like, ‘Is that cool?’ ” he continued. “And I’m like, ‘Rad.’ And we did it. I liked how she was so spontaneous.” Reedus’ other favorite scene is the opening shot, where Judas, Mary Magdalene (Gaga) and Jesus (Rick Gonzalez) are all on the road with their biker-gang disciples. “We got there the first day, and we all took motorcycle lessons [in a parking lot and] one of the disciples trashed his motorcycle up against the curb, which was hysterical,” he recalled. “So we did that, and then they cut off part of the freeway and actually cops would fly by us and section off the road. So we rode in a pack.” While Gaga didn’t actually have to drive one of the bikes, he said her stunts were quite awe-inspiring. “She wasn’t driving the bike, but she was riding on the back. … We were flying down the freeway, and she got up on the back … and was way off the back of the seat and hanging backwards and stuff,” he said. “Which was a daredevil move; it was pretty intense. She had all these jewels all over her, and every once and a while, you could see behind her bike just a trail of jewels dropping on the freeway. It was kind of magic.” Since Reedus has had about 24 hours to think about the video, he said it gets his seal of approval. “My reaction when I saw it? I was excited to see my motorcycle in it first off, ’cause that’s my bike that I ride, and I thought it was really good,” he said. “I thought that [co-director] Laurieann [Gibson] did a really good job and Gaga did a good job, and I know there’s a lot of work put into it, and I could see all the work on the screen, so I liked it.” What did you think of the video? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Lady Gaga’s ‘Judas’ Video Premieres Related Photos Lady Gaga’s ‘Judas’ Video: Decoded Related Artists Lady Gaga

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Lady Gaga Was ‘Spontaneous’ On ‘Judas’ Set, Norman Reedus Says

Dr. Dre And Eminem’s ‘Die Hard’ Premieres On ‘Fight Camp’

Footage of Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley preparing for Saturday night’s match is accompanied by third Detox single. By Alvin Blanco Dr. Dre and Eminem Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images Dr. Dre and Eminem used the hype behind Saturday night’s (May 7) Manny Pacquiao vs. “Sugar” Shane Mosley title fight, one of the year’s most anticipated boxing matches, to their advantage. Dre premiered “Die Hard,” the latest single from his forthcoming Detox album, on Friday night’s finale of Showtime’s “Fight Camp 360

Akon Calls Nick Cannon ‘Famous’ Collabo ‘Overdue’

‘He does a lot of family-friendly stuff and I’m trying to go into that realm,’ ‘Kon tells MTV News. By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Kelly Marino Akon Photo: MTV News Akon ‘s year in music may seem like it’s off to a slow start, but expect the Senegalese-American artist’s name to be back to music industry ubiquity shortly. MTV News recently caught up with the singer/producer/executive on the set of Nick Cannon’s video for “Famous,” where Akon told us linking up with the actor/rapper (who’s expecting twins with wife Mariah Carey ) was opportune. “I listened to [‘Famous’] and I actually liked it,” Akon said. “He does a lot of family-friendly stuff and I’m trying to go into that realm right now. I want to do a lot more family-friendly stuff, and Nick is the best at that. I feel like this was a collaboration way overdue.” On the set, Akon was friendly as always but didn’t divulge any new details about his upcoming album, Stadium, which he hopes to release in September. Last year, the “Sexy Chick” singer revealed to MTV News that producer David Guetta had contributed to the project. For now, Akon plans to go on mini-tours and release new music just to whet the appetites of his fans. But he still isn’t sure which song he’ll drop first. “I don’t know what to release first,” he said. “I’m so excited about the project itself, I’m like, ‘OK, which record do I want to put out first?’ I haven’t quite decided but by the end of April I’ll know exactly what I’mma do with the record.” ‘Kon was more assured in his reverence for Dr. Dre. Last year’s “Kush,” the official lead single from Dre’s long-awaited Detox album, featured a vocal from Akon. “Dre is one of those guys … he’s a perfectionist in his own [right],” Akon said. “You feel confident working with him because he’s not going to let nothing go undone. In a way, that’s great. But sometimes you’re anxious too, like, ‘Man I can’t wait to let everybody hear this.’ Ultimately, working with Dre was just amazing. Dre is very picky about who he decides to work with too. For him to call me and do [multiple] tracks on the record and be involved in more than one record on that album, it said a lot. It shows how much he really appreciated what I’m doing.” Are you excited to hear new tracks from Akon? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Akon Nick Cannon

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Akon Calls Nick Cannon ‘Famous’ Collabo ‘Overdue’

Cam’ron, Vado Talk Gunz ‘n Butta, ‘Hey Muma’ Video

‘That’s like, ‘What up mami? What’s poppin’?’ ‘ Vado explains to MTV News about club single from Diplomat duo’s April 19 album. By Alvin Blanco Cam’ron and Vado on the set of their “Hey Muma” video Photo: MTV News Harlem rapper Cam’ron and his prot