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Wyclef Jean’s Sister Melky Raises Funds, Awareness For Haiti With New Album

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘People always say, ‘I’m going to start with the man in the mirror,’ but I want us to hold hands and look in the mirror together,’ she tells RapFix. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Hillary Crosley Melky Jean in her video for “Better” Photo: MCA Last year, the world rallied around Haiti after a devastating earthquake upended the tiny country. This year, to mark the one-year anniversary , celebrities have continued to bring awareness to the aftermath, from George Clooney’s pleas for support to Sean Penn relocating to Haiti as a resident. Included in that group are Wyclef Jean and his sister, Melky. The latter star is set to release her next project, Care for Haiti, an album she’s been working on since 2007 that has grown in importance since the earthquake. All of the proceeds from the album are slated to go to Care, a charitable organization that’s helped the country for more than 50 years. Melky Jean managed to pull in some big names for the project and hopes their fame will help bring further help to Haiti, which is still struggling to recover from the natural disaster. “Back in 2007, not many people knew what was going on in Haiti, but I was able to get some really awesome artists at the time like KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Patti LaBelle, Sean Paul, of course Wyclef, Natasha Bedingfield and Ang

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Birdman Joined By Lil Wayne For ‘Fire Flame’ Remix Video

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Behind-the-scenes footage of the rappers on the set of the video shoot has emerged. By Hillary Crosley Lil Wayne on the set of the “Fire Flame” video Photo: Derrick G Birdman’s “Fire Flame” video has earned plenty of spins, and now that the Cash Money CEO’s “son” is home from prison , the duo have paired up for a remix clip. MTV News commandeered footage from the video , courtesy of photographer Derick G, and members of the Cash Money/ Young Money camp were in good spirits on the set. “It’s amazing, can’t believe n—as are using real cars and sh–, you know times have changed,” Wayne joked, marveling at the sports cars being utilized in the clip’s fiery scenes. The video looks to be a performance clip that alternates between shots of a set where a red car is parked on a black set peppered with fiery lights and a raised stage where the MCs trade bars, flanked by members of the Cash Money/ Young Money camp. “The addition to this song is, of course, Lil Wayne and the anticipation of his first video [since he got out of prison],” Gil Green, the clip’s director, said as he prepared for the shoot. “I haven’t even spoken to him since he’s been out. I look forward to seeing him and working with him again … The song’s called ‘Fire Flame’ so you’re in our fire room. Right now, it doesn’t look like much but in a few seconds … it’s going to be incredible. It’s going to get real hot in here.” Meanwhile, Young Money president Mack Maine revealed, “The first one was a movie and this one’s the sequel.” DJ Khaled also was on hand. “Shout to Weezy, Birdman. I love this record because it’s that hood sh–,” he said. “Right now they have this whole ‘Fire Flame’ scene going on that’s so crazy. It’s only right they’re doing big things.” Are you excited to see Birdman’s “Fire Flame” remix video with Lil Wayne? Tell us in the comments. Related Artists Lil Wayne Birdman

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Kanye West’s Style Guru Talks ‘Art And Fashion’

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Cassius Marcellus Cornelius Clay tells MTV News about helping the MC develop his Rosewood movement. By Hillary Crosley Cassius Marcellus Cornelius Clay Photo: MTV News From Egyptian jewelry to “wearing women’s accessories,” as he mentioned himself during the New York premiere of his film “Runaway” in October, Kanye West is always pushing the fashion envelope. Most recently, the MC hired a 20-year-old Yale student named Cassius Marcellus Cornelius Clay to work behind the scenes of his Rosewood movement. Sporting an eye-catching bowtie made of feathers, Clay described to MTV News his duties for the MC: “We work on art and fashion, and I do a lot of research for style and design things for him.” Late last year, Clay’s working relationship with West surfaced on the Web, prompting many fans to ask, “When did Kanye meet this guy?” According to Clay, his tide of G.O.O.D. fortune began earlier in 2010. “We met this summer in New York, we became friends, and I really respect him a lot so I’m happy to be working with him,” he said. He shies away from being called “Kanye’s stylist,” but Internet buzz suggests Clay advised Kanye to apologize to Taylor Swift via Twitter in September for interrupting her 2009 Video Music Awards acceptance speech. Still, Clay’s main focus is fashion and all things beautiful. “We work on clothes together,” he explained. “I’m an art history major at Yale, so my focus is really art and the whole aesthetic culture, and that’s really what interests me. And I think that he appreciates it, and it’s nice to talk to him about it as well.” The style consultant went on to say that he’s taken a leave of absence from Yale to focus on his new job. What do you think of Kanye’s recent style? Sound off in the comments below! Related Photos Kanye West’s New Style Related Artists Kanye West

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Diplomats Talk Kanye West’s ‘Christmas In Harlem’

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Diplomats Talk Kanye West’s ‘Christmas In Harlem’

Dipset’s Jim Jones tells MTV News carol collabo with Chicago MC makes sense given the title: ‘If I was Kanye I would’ve called us too.’ By Hillary Crosley Kanye West Photo: Ben Hider/Getty Images On Thursday, Kanye West released the festive song “Christmas In Harlem” featuring CyHi The Prynce and Teyana Taylor with a local twist. Harlemites and Diplomat members Cam’ron, Jim Jones and Vado joined in on the carol along with Musiq and G.O.O.D. Music MCs Pusha T and Big Sean. (Taylor also hails from Uptown.) “I didn’t know nothing about it, I’m just getting hip to that right now but it’s simple though,” Jim Jones told MTV News when asked how the track came together. “Sh–, if I was Kanye I would’ve called us too. It don’t make sense if they from Chicago, they would’ve made ‘Christmas in Chicago’ then right?” The Dips began releasing Yuletide tracks like “Ballin’ on Christmas” in 2006 off their A Dipset X-Mas LP. As for collaborating with West on the Hit-Boy-produced holiday track, Jones said fans can thank Cam’ron. “Cam called me, sent me the beat, I did my part, sent it back to Cam and he took care of the rest of the business,” Jimmy said. And while the collaboration is a treat for rap fans’ digital Christmas stockings, it does bring up the most recent rift between Cam’ron and Kanye. In September, Cam’ron and Jones remixed West’s “Runaway” and Cam spit the following lyrics: “And Kanye, you a sucka n—a, dissed Dame so my attitude is f— the n—a/ Sucked off Jigga, how you gonna live with that?/ Took the beat, now come get it back.” “I couldn’t tell you what that was about but I know Cam and Don C are like best friends,” Jimmy said of the Dipset leader’s relationship with one of Kanye’s managers. “We’ve actually known Kanye and them for over 10 years from some of our earlier shows when we first got into the music industry so we have a great rapport with them more than anything else. “I don’t think people took what we did so serious more than it was [just the] art of the music that we do,” he continued. “I guess Cam had something on his mind but it wasn’t really a life-or-death situation. And I know Kanye’s a very smart person, he’s got a great spirit, so it’s great that he chose to look past anything that was going on. I appreciate it.” Related Artists Kanye West Jim Jones The Diplomats

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T.I. Says Pharrell Asked Him To Vent On ‘Get Back Up’

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on T.I. Says Pharrell Asked Him To Vent On ‘Get Back Up’

‘I just need you to get those same sentiments, those same feelings on a record,’ Tip recalls the producer telling him. By Hillary Crosley T.I. Photo: MTV News It’s no secret that T.I. is experiencing a difficult time in his career. The Atlanta rapper was on the cusp of releasing his comeback album, then titled King Uncaged, following a one-year prison stint when he was arrested once again. Tip was sentenced to 11 months for violating his parole and shipped back to the same Arkansas facility he’d just left. But through it all, the MC found inspiration for the track “Get Back Up” from his now-titled No Mercy album. “Yeah, ‘Get Back Up,’ produced by Pharrell of the Neptunes, one of the most passionate, genuine, artistic guys that I’ve met in the game and has had a hand in my movement since my very first album,” T.I. said. “He was one of the first big producers to work with me.” Tip said the pair reconnected and were recording for his then-forthcoming seventh LP when disaster struck. “Prior to my arrest, we had done about three or four songs, considerably hot records, some of which you’ll definitely be hearing on this project,” T.I. said during our exclusive “RapFix Live” interview . “But … I left out the studio, and the next day, I go to jail, or I get arrested, which took me in a whole ‘nother, different direction. “When all of these things started coming to pass, Pharrell called me like, ‘Hey, man, somebody somewhere is trying to tell you something,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, you know, that may be,’ ” the MC continued. “Then we had a conversation at length about how I felt about the media’s portrayal of my circumstances. And he said, ‘You know what? That’s what you need to say in a song.’ And I say, ‘Man, I ain’t talking about no music right now, P.’ And he say, ‘But that’s what they wanna hear, that’s what you need to tell ’em. Just ride with me on this. I’mma get it to you, and I just need you to get those same sentiments, those same feelings on a record.’ I said, ‘All right, man, give it to me.’ ” It didn’t take the talented producer long to craft a beat perfect for Tip’s emotions. “So it might’ve been a week or two later, he called me and it might’ve been at 4 o’clock in the morning, like, ‘I got it!’ ” T.I. recalled. “I immediately heard the potential, I immediately heard that this was a special record, a personal record, a statement record … and one that could be delivered with humility and not as defensive as it may sound in conversation if I said it.” What do you think of “Get Back Up”? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With David Banner, 9th Wonder Related Artists T.I.

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Nicki Minaj, Drake Set To Shoot ‘Moment 4 Life’ Video

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Nicki Minaj, Drake Set To Shoot ‘Moment 4 Life’ Video

Young Money president Mack Maine tells MTV News clique aims to film clip for Pink Friday track in December. By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Sway Calloway Nicki Minaj Photo: Taylor Hill/ Getty Images Nicki Minaj recently experienced something few new artists can claim: seeing your debut earn the #2 spot on the Billboard albums chart. The Queens native’s Pink Friday LP sold a little more than 375,000 copies in its first week of release, falling just behind Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Now the MC is prepping the video for Friday ‘s “Moment 4 Life,” which features Young Money labelmate Drake. “She’s shooting hopefully on December 20,” Young Money president Mack Maine told MTV News. “We’re still trying to work out the date for the next video with [Nicki] and Drake for the ‘Moment 4 Life’ video. That’s the next project.” We also spoke to the Young Money head about Nicki’s success and what it has meant to the Miami-by-way-of-New Orleans clan. “It was [a special moment], especially with her being a female in this day and time too,” Maine said. “Also, people don’t know that I was a big factor in making sure that Nicki got signed with us and also just sticking with her through ups and downs. “Just to see her go from a seed being planted to a … forest, just a beautiful flawless forest … the world recognizes. Big ups to Nicki, she worked hard,” he continued. “She represents the female gender, and she basically delivered. There were a lot of odds against her and she defeated all of that and, for her to deliver like that, I gotta say congratulations.” True to form, when news of her sales reached the animated MC , she was overcome, Maine recalled. “She was excited. We talked about it and her emotion was crazy,” Maine said. “She basically shed tears, tears of joy. I have to congratulate her and say thank you to all of the fans that supported — without them we wouldn’t be anything. … She wouldn’t be anything.” Are you excited that “Moment 4 Life” is Nicki’s next single? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Drake Nicki Minaj

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Soulja Boy Recalls Meeting Dr. Dre, Dubs Himself ‘Lil’ Dre’

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Comments Off on Soulja Boy Recalls Meeting Dr. Dre, Dubs Himself ‘Lil’ Dre’

‘I was in shock at what he was saying,’ young MC tells Sway during ‘RapFix Live.’ By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Sway Calloway Soulja Boy Tell’em Photo: Rich Sancho/ MTV News Along with 50 Cent, another hip-hop heavyweight may be taking Soulja Boy Tell’em under his wing. During his interview on “RapFix Live” on Thursday (December 2), the 20-year-old rapper talked about meeting Dr. Dre for the first time briefly before one of his concerts. “Everybody knows Dre,” Soulja Boy said of meeting the West Coast icon. “I was in shock at what he was saying. It was just like, I couldn’t believe that he was there.” Apparently, Dre was so unassuming that he caught the young MC off-guard. “My CEO, Jimmy Iovine, had came in the room before he did, and he was like, ‘What’s up, Soulja Boy?’ and we was talking,” Soulja recalled. “And Dre just walked in, like, ‘Soulja!’ And I was like, ‘Oh, is that Dr. Dre?’ And [my boys] were like, ‘Why you ain’t take your shades off?’ I was caught up in the moment, what he was saying, how he appreciate what I do and I’m doing my thang. “Just him telling me that, just meant so much,” Soulja continued. “I was in a point of shock, you feel me?” And like for many other rappers, Dre has been a point of inspiration, but leave it to SB to take the superproducer’s legacy one step further. “Dr. Dre is a legend. I’ve been listening to him since I was in diapers,” Soulja said. “I know my mama been listening to him. Everybody knows that he did so much for hip-hop and … you know, I’m lil’ Dre!” While that title is debatable, the two may work together on Dre’s premium line of headphones, Beats by Dre. “During the ‘Speakers Going Hammer’ , the beats are all through that video and the ‘Speakers Going Hammer’ song is gon’ be in his next commercial,” Soulja said. “That was love. He was like, ‘I like that song. Put that in the commercial.’ Soon, maybe you’ll see some Soulja Boy/ Dr. Dre headphones or something like that.” Until then, the rapper’s been busy dreaming up fresh ideas. “I’ve been thinking about what I could bring. Like, I ain’t want to do just like the headphones,” Soulja shared. “I wanted to do something new to it.” Would you check out Soulja Boy’s headphones? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Soulja Boy Tell’em Related Artists Soulja Boy Tell’em Dr. Dre

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Bruno Mars Premieres ‘Just The Way You Are’ Video

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Romantic clip debuts at MTV.com Wednesday (September 8). By Hillary Crosley Bruno Mars in his video for “Just the Way You Are” Photo: Atlantic Bruno Mars ‘ romantic chorus on the B.o.B-led hit “Nothin’ On You” isn’t the last of his sweet lyrics. The Hawaiian-born singer released a creative clip for his single “Just the Way You Are” on Wednesday (September 8) at MTV.com. Sporting a feathered fedora, denim jacket and a smile, the singer-songwriter charms viewers in the stripped-down video, which uses animation to exemplify Bruno’s adoration for his lady. Taking a cassette, Mars stretches out the tape inside to reveal animated interpretations of his lyrics. From a flattering drawing of his lady to a mock-up of the singer himself behind a piano, the concept is eye-catching. “Her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shining/ Her hair, her hair falling perfectly without her trying/ She’s so beautiful and I tell her every day,” he sings. On the heels of two top singles, “Nothin’ On You” and “Billionaire,” featuring Mars on the chorus, the singer released a four-song EP titled It’s Better if You Don’t Understand in May. Mars told MTV News that the project was a collection of “songs in my back pocket and the label thought it’d be a good time to give people a little taste of what they’re gonna get with the album. The EP came together real nice; you’re gonna get a nice effect of what’s in store.” Now Mars is getting ready to release his debut full-length album via Atlantic Records and gearing up for his live performance at the 2010 MTV VMAs. The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday. Related Artists Bruno Mars

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Did Dr. Dre Know Detox Would Take This Long? ‘Absolutely Not’

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I thought it would take, at worst case, a couple of years,’ he tells Vibe for his cover story with Eminem. By Hillary Crosley Eminem and Dr. Dre on the cover of Vibe Photo: Vibe While Eminem talked about death and Brittany Murphy in his interview for the Vibe “Juice” issue, Dr. Dre delved into his Detox delay , the “Under Pressure” leak and rumors of an instrumental album. The Eminem and Dr. Dre cover of Vibe ‘s 15th-anniversary “Juice” issue is a nod to their original appearance in the mag eight years ago. The issue hits newsstands August 16, and Dre began by answering the question on many fans’ minds: Did he know Detox would take this long? “Absolutely not. I thought it would take, at worst case, a couple of years,” the super-producer said. “For example, actual work time on The Chronic was nine months, and actual work time on my last album, 2001, was about 10 months. The actual work time on this album is about half of that, where I’m seriously focusing on it. There is always something coming up. Like signing talent, old and new.” The California icon also talked about the recent leak of his duet with Jay-Z, “Under Pressure.” “[That] was a little bit more frustrating, because at least ‘Crack a Bottle’ had a hook on it,” Dre said of a previous leak. “I wouldn’t be as mad at a leak if the song was done. “I’m not mad at the fans,” he continued. “I’m mad at the person that leaked the sh–. I have no idea how it got out. It’s not even worth looking to see who did it. It happens. The most painful part about it is that I’m passionate about what I do, so people should hear it in the right form. Somebody actually hacked into our e-mails, so that made our red flags go up. We’re in a new age, and that’s a sign: ‘Wake up, mother—-er. You have to be more careful with your sh–.’ That’s all there is to it. I know what’s up now.” As for an album of instrumentals, Dre said it’s definitely on deck. “Oh, yeah, that’s in the works,” he said. “An instrumental album is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. I have the ideas for it. I want to call it The Planets. I don’t even know if I should be saying this, but f— it. [ Laughs. ] It’s just my interpretation of what each planet sounds like. I’m gonna go off on that. Just all instrumental. I’ve been studying the planets and learning the personalities of each planet. I’ve been doing this for about two years now, just in my spare time, so to speak. I wanna do it in surround sound. It’ll have to be in surround sound for Saturn to work.” What are you expecting from Dr. Dre’s new material? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists Dr. Dre Eminem

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Young Buck’s House Raided By IRS

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Former G-Unit rapper reportedly owes $300,000 in unpaid taxes. By Hillary Crosley Young Buck Photo: Arnold Turner/ WireImage If Wesley Snipes’ recent jail sentence for tax evasion wasn’t warning enough not to mess with Uncle Sam, then celebs can also learn from Young Buck’s run-in Tuesday (August 3) with the IRS — at gunpoint. While Buck’s lawyers filed a motion last month to protect his assets, the former G-Unit MC’s house was raided Tuesday by the United States Internal Revenue Service for $300,000 in unpaid taxes. Ultimately, the rapper was allowed to keep his home and his car; however, many of the items inside were seized. “The worst part of this isn’t the material stuff — that will all be replaced,” Buck said in a statement. “It’s what it does to the people around me. They took my kids’ PlayStation, my assistants’ computers, and baby’s mothers’ jewelry. They took my home studio so I can’t even record.” Buck blamed his record label for the raid and vowed to never be in this position again. “I have a new team in place, but I am also paying full attention now,” the statement continued. “Nothing like this will ever happen again. This is a huge wake-up call for all entertainers to stay on top of your own trusted employees and team members, and replace anyone that was put in place by your record label if the situation you have goes sour. This IRS situation came about because I trusted accountants, lawyers and managers to handle my business for me while I focused on making music. From now on, I am going to stay on top of my own business.” Related Artists Young Buck

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