Tag Archives: rahman-dukes

Jay-Z Said Earlier This Year He’s ‘Inspired’ By LeBron James

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

NBA fans are wondering if James will head to Jay’s New Jersey Nets when his Cleveland contract is up. By Rahman Dukes LeBron James and Jay-Z Photo: MTV News Now that LeBron James has received an early exit out of the NBA playoffs for the second straight year, fans wonder: Will the 2009-10 MVP hang up his Cavs jersey for a move to Brooklyn? It’s no mystery that King James and Jay-Z are bosom buddies and that Jay’s influence on the scoring champ could bring the kid from Akron, Ohio, to the Big Apple. Earlier this year at their “Two Kings” annual event during the NBA All-Star weekend in Dallas, Texas, Hov told a crowd of reporters that he was impressed at LeBron’s growth over the years. “I’m inspired by LeBron James at this moment, this season that he’s having,” Jay said. “I didn’t think that he would get any better. I remember when I first met him — he told me that he played point guard and I was like, ‘You’ll never make it in the NBA.’ I didn’t think he’d make it past half court — he’s 6-foot-8! But I didn’t know how gifted this young man would become. And he’s getting better.” “Growing up, I had many inspirations,” James added. “Many are the same Jay mentioned.” Jay-Z and LeBron share many similarities from the reigning positions in their respective careers down to the origins of their upbringing, as both superstars come from single-parent homes. “I think our biggest inspirations were our families,” Jay continued. “We didn’t have all of this stuff coming around the neighborhood. For us, it was just our mothers, our parents — our strong mothers.” Later in the Q&A session, a reporter asked LeBron if he ever thought about playing for the Dallas Mavericks “Uh …” LeBron paused, looking toward Jay for an answer. “That’s a little self-serving,” Hov shot back at the reporter. “What about the Nets?” another reporter asked. “Nah,” Jay calmly responded. Only time will tell if Jay is pulling our leg — he’s been known to do that. What team would you like to see LeBron James play for? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Jay-Z

See the original post:
Jay-Z Said Earlier This Year He’s ‘Inspired’ By LeBron James

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Diddy Paid A Quiet Visit To See Lil Wayne In Prison

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘No one knew [he was here] until it was time for him to leave,’ our Rikers Island source says. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway and Rahman Dukes Lil Wayne Photo: MTV News Lil Wayne has been behind bars for almost two months now, and he’s managed to make headlines as if he never went away. The rapper made waves earlier this week for having headphones, a charger and a watch that doubles as an MP3 player in his jail cell, according to a source at Rikers Island who spoke to MTV News. And last week, Diddy visited the Cash Money Records superstar in jail. But according to the same Rikers source, the Bad Boy mogul made more noise in the papers than at the prison facility. “No one knew [he was here] until it was time for him to leave,” the source told MTV News. “You know, also, a lot of the time people don’t want to seem like they’re stargazers, the officers.” Diddy has yet to comment about his Lil Wayne visit. The rapper has picked up a job while at the Eric M. Taylor correctional facility, but with his recent infraction, he may be stripped of his duties as suicide-prevention aide. Prior to his violation, the Rikers Island source said Lil Wayne has blended in with the rest of the prison population. “It’s just day-to-day business, nothing different than anything else,” the source said of the New Orleans MC’s activities. “You got to understand, this is a different type of atmosphere. It’s not like the prisons where you go upstate, to Sing Sing or places like that. This is a medium-security [population], not maximum security.” Are you awaiting Lil Wayne’s release? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Diddy Lil Wayne

Original post:
Diddy Paid A Quiet Visit To See Lil Wayne In Prison

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lil Wayne Could Serve More Time Because Of MP3 Player In His Cell

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘You lose some ‘good time,’ ‘ our source at Rikers Island says of contraband found in Wayne’s cell. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway and Rahman Dukes Lil Wayne Photo: Derrick G A source at Rikers Island confirmed reports that Lil Wayne was busted Monday for having headphones, a charger and a watch that doubles as an MP3 player in his jail cell. The offense isn’t extremely serious, but it could mean more prison time for Wayne. “You just get an infraction, a violation,” the source told MTV News. “You lose some ‘good time.’ “It depends on the severity of the infraction,” the source added about what other type of trouble Weezy could get into. “Level one is the worst. Then you have [level] two or three. [This infraction] could be a level one. He has to go on trial, and based on evidence, they’ll make their determination.” Our source also confirmed that Wayne has a job as a suicide-prevention aid, which entails staying up at night to keep an eye on at-risk inmates. “He checks each cell or area to see if each guy is alive. There are three shifts,” our source said. “I think his shift is at night, like 11 [p.m.] to 7 [a.m.] or 12 to 8.” That job is now in jeopardy due to the infraction. In 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested for attempted gun possession following his first headlining performance in Manhattan at the Beacon Theatre. New York is among the toughest states in the country when it comes to gun-possession laws. In other states, Lil Wayne could have gotten off with a misdemeanor rap and probation. However, in New York, only law-enforcement officials and those affiliated with authorities are permitted to carry firearms. The rapper was sentenced to a year in prison in March. Related Artists Lil Wayne

See the original post:
Lil Wayne Could Serve More Time Because Of MP3 Player In His Cell

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jadakiss, DJ Drama, Green Lantern Talk Mayweather/ Mosley-Themed Mixtape

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Trio also predict who will win Saturday’s big fight: Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather or ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley. By Shaheem Reid DJ Drama, Jadakiss and DJ Green Lantern Photo: MTV News NEW YORK — One of hip-hop’s lyrical heavyweights is placing his bets on the motormouthed boxing champ. Jadakiss predicts that Floyd “Money” Mayweather is going to beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley in their much anticipated boxing match Saturday night in Las Vegas. To commemorate the big night, Jada his release the third installment of his heralded Champ Is Here mixtape series with Green Lantern and another underground great, DJ Drama. The trio are calling Champ Is Here, Part 3 a “Gangsta Grillz Invasion” because it is a joint venture between Drama’s “Gangsta Grillz” and Lantern’s “Invasion” tapes. Mixtape Daily caught up with the three this week at the Church Street Boxing Gym in lower Manhattan. Along with talking about the mixtape, the trio predicted who’s going to win on Saturday. “I’m ‘Money May’ to the death,” Jada said, sitting on a stool in the boxing ring. “I’m rocking with gun rule, man: ‘Money’ Mayweather in 12,” Drama added. Lantern wasn’t so sure. “Listen, I’m leaning toward Mayweather, but I gotta leave that open — for the surprise. Did you see when [Mosley wouldn’t let go of Mayweather’s] hands [at the press conference]? He couldn’t let go. Something’s going on. As a corner man, I gotta leave something open for surprise. So I’m not putting money out on this, at all.” “I say shout to Shane’s coach though,” Drama said, referring to Naazim Richardson. “He go hard,” ‘Kiss agreed. “[Shane’s] whole staff is hard, they’re humble. I respect what they’re doing. I just think Floyd is going to win. Everybody looks at Floyd [because of] how much trash-talking he does, but he’s a hard worker. He don’t drink, he don’t party. He works out. He has fun working out and trash-talking. He never lost. I gotta ride out with him. He’s a friend of mine. I believe in him.” Well, in preparation for the fight, Champ Is Here, Part 3 will hit the Internet Saturday — but you can get a preview of the music right here on MTV News later today! Don’t miss Mixtape Daily’s preview of Champ Is Here, Part 3 later today! Related Artists Jadakiss DJ Green Lantern DJ Drama

Read more from the original source:
Jadakiss, DJ Drama, Green Lantern Talk Mayweather/ Mosley-Themed Mixtape

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , ,

Cam’ron, Jim Jones Talking Dipset Reunion: ‘The Deal Is On The Table’

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘We speak a few times a week,’ Cam says. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes There’s nothing official yet, but Diplomat fans can get ready to rejoice: Cam’ron says that he and Jim Jones are now in constant conversation and that a deal is being put together for a new Dip Set LP. “Realistically, we working out business,” Cam’ron told website Nowwut.com today. “Me and Jim are speaking. I don’t want people to think me and Jim aren’t speaking,” Cam’ron said. “We speak a few times a week. Right now, we talking out the business. The deal is on the table. But until the business gets situated, it’s [Cam’s group], the U.N.; me and [prot

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guru Associate Black Jesus Recalls Introducing Late MC To Solar

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper calls the producer an ‘opportunist’ who preyed on Guru’s vulnerability. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway Black Jesus Photo: MTV News When it comes to Guru’s musical legacy, critics and fans alike point to the rapper’s work with DJ Premier in Gang Starr as evidence of his mark on hip-hop. The letter issued to the media after the MC’s death last week, however, didn’t even mention Primo by name. In the alleged comments, Guru pronounced himself to be the sole founder of Gang Starr. Admirers of the group cried foul over the slight. Solar, Guru’s new producer and spokesman, was accused of penning the letter, a claim he denied to MTV News . Fans wondered: Who is Solar? And how did he meet Guru? It turns out Guru met Solar when he was introduced by a mutual acquaintance, an artist named Black Jesus, who was signed to the Gang Starr rapper’s label. Now aligned with Wu-Tang Clan, Black Jesus told MTV News he first met Solar in the early 2000s. Both men are members of the Nation of Gods and Earths, a religious sect, and were introduced at a monthly rally in Harlem. According to Black Jesus, they discovered in one another a shared passion for music, and the rapper invited the budding producer to visit him in the studio. In the studio, working on a track titled “I’m Saying,” Black Jesus said he found Solar to be “arrogant” and a “control freak” after clashing with another producer. The rapper said he wrote the experience off to Solar being “starstruck” over Guru. Eventually, Solar started working with Guru, as the rapper was looking for beats for several projects outside of Gang Starr. Black Jesus recalled the time and emphatically denied Solar’s claims that the producer and Guru had a dynamic creative chemistry. “That’s exaggerating the whole situation,” Black Jesus told MTV News’ Sway. “The chemistry, ’cause [Guru] is Gang Starr, that’s his sound. … He did his Jazzmatazz thing and did different things, but the whole thing was, Guru was producing for me. At the time he was doing [Gang Starr’s] The Ownerz, he was working on my project. There was a chemistry we had. With the buzz, they kind of hated and didn’t want to go with the chemistry. A lot of people thought that wasn’t what he was supposed to be doing.” As Solar also revealed, Black Jesus said Guru had a dark cloud hanging over him in his later years, battling problems with drinking and drugs. He also suggested the divide between Guru and Premier wasn’t as deep as people speculated. Black Jesus said it was similar to what any longtime group experiences: personal jealousies and minor creative differences. Solar, he explained, was an “opportunist” who preyed on Guru’s vulnerability. “Guru complained to me a few times, ‘Oh, Primo this,’ ” Black Jesus said. “I looked it at like, ‘That’s you and your crew. That’s not really my business. You need to put aside your differences and put out a Gang Starr album,’ I told him. I think it was the fact, if you want me to be honest, it was the beats. ‘Cause he told me a couple times: When Guru steps off and they’re not doing Gang Starr, he does his Jazzmatazz albums, and Primo goes off and hits off Jadakiss, Nas and Hov. But I always felt [Guru and Premier] made their best music together.” Share your memories of Guru and Gang Starr in the comments below. Related Artists Gang Starr

Read the original post:
Guru Associate Black Jesus Recalls Introducing Late MC To Solar

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exclusive: Game Woos Stacey Dash In ‘Shake’ Video — Watch It Now!

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Bow Wow, Birdman, Cool & Dre also make cameos in the Red Room video. By Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Shaheem Reid and Rahman Dukes Game and The Clipse in “Shake” Photo: Black Wall Street It’s always more fun in California. That’s not the state motto, but the tourism board should consider it after taking a peek at Game’s new video for “Shake,” an MTV News exclusive. In the video, Game, rubs shoulders with a number of celebs, from actress Stacey Dash to Bow Wow to producers Cool & Dre. The opening scene finds Dash gazing out at the beach from the balcony of a secluded property. Game quickly walks up behind her, taking in the view, before backing away into the house again. There, the camera pans to reveal two scantily clad women asleep on the couch. The L.A. rapper then strolls into his walk-in closet — which is a modest characterization. Game’s “closet” is about the size of your local Foot Locker and boasts more sneakers and athletic apparel than the retailer. He sports a pair of Air Jordans and a throwback Michael Jordan jersey and begins his adventure. The ensuing high jinks take Game from behind the wheel of an SUV to riding shotgun in a red Ferrari. Along the way, he stops by Bow Wow’s for a quick pickup, then he’s back on the road. (The contents of the bag the rappers pass from one to the other are revealed at the end.) Directed by Taydoe and financed by Game, the video marks the first offering from his mixtape The Red Room,/i> out Monday. The mixtape features appearances by Birdman, Nipsey Hussle, Hurricane Chris and others. His next full-length project, The R.E.D. Album, is due June 15 and features guest spots from Dr. Dre and Justin Timberlake. What do you think of Game’s latest video? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists The Game

See more here:
Exclusive: Game Woos Stacey Dash In ‘Shake’ Video — Watch It Now!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi Join Forces For ‘That Tree’ Video

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Dressed like Cheech and Chong, the rappers get goofy in their ode to evergreens. By James Montgomery Snoop Dogg and Kid Cudi in “That Tree” Photo: Capitol Records Great minds think alike. So, when Snoop Dogg and Kid Cudi — two men who share an affinity for, shall we say, herbal remedies — get together on a track called “That Tree,” it’s a pretty safe bet neither of them were thinking about conifers. If they were thinking at all. “Tree,” a new cut off the reissue of Snoop’s Malice in Wonderland album, isn’t about forestry at all. It’s a classic stoner jam, a light ‘n breezy ode to the sticky green stuff, featuring a hazy, loping beat courtesy of Diplo. The accompanying just-released video is appropriately laconic and bedheaded. Directed by Erick Peyton, the clip for “That Tree” is basically a four-minute stoner comedy, featuring brightly colored, slightly goofy set pieces like dancing two-dimensional trees, women dressed as lumberjacks and a big, shiny sun. You know, the kind of stuff that looks like it was lifted from some smoked-out dude’s dreams. It’s a sly interpretation, made even more impressive when you realize that Snoop and Cudi are actually dressed like Cheech and Chong, circa “Up in Smoke” (no word on if their van is made entirely of weed). And, much like all great stoner comedies, there’s (sort of) a plotline involving the accidental ingestion of pot, a misplaced vehicle and a deer. Or something like that. These things tend to make more sense when you’re baked. The video is also amazing because it’s the kind of thing you usually don’t see from Snoop: It’s goofy and good-natured. In the past, even when he was being positively ridiculous (like, for example, his VHS-ified video for “Sensual Seduction”), there was a snarl to his performances, a bit of the braggadocio. In “Trees,” he seems content to just grin and watch the world drift by. And he looks like he’s having a blast doing it. And, really, who can blame him? Never underestimate the power of the trees, after all. Related Videos Snoop Dogg’s ‘That Tree’ Video Premieres Related Artists Snoop Dogg Kid Cudi

More here:
Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi Join Forces For ‘That Tree’ Video

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Shyne Drops Remix Of Alicia Keys’ ‘Un-Thinkable’: Listen Here!

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On the track, he spits game and throws a jab at old rival 50 Cent. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes Shyne Photo: YBF Shyne continued to release new music Wednesday (April 14) with his third new set of bars in as many days. On Monday, it was “Messiah.” On Tuesday, he dropped his vocals on Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” Now comes an unofficial remix of Alicia Keys’ “Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready).” Besides spitting game to a woman, he throws a jab at old rival 50 Cent. More than five years ago, 50 and Shyne traded disses around the time Shyne’s Godfather Buried Alive was released, when Shyne was still behind bars. “I need a couple million, f— 50 cents,” he spits on the new track. As for his wooing on “Un-Thinkable,” the Brooklyn slugger raps, “When we first met, I was an outlaw/ Never pretended to be anything but a roller from the streets/ Saying I should change, Ma, I gotta eat/ Ain’t gon’ be no peace till the blood get a piece.” Shyne was sentenced to 10 years in prison for two counts of assault as well as reckless endangerment and gun possession in a 1999 shooting and was released late last year. He is working on his new album for Def Jam. The music he put out this week has been directed at the streets and the ladies. “You say you want a rude boy, huh?/ Please/ Let the shotta know,” he raps on the “Rude Boy” remix. “This penitentiary pipe will have you singing opera notes/ Lock and load, where you wanna go? … / This is rock and roll, with them choppers, though/ Tell junior, fall back now that daddy’s home.” What do you think of Shyne’s new music? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos Mixtape Daily: E-40 Talks About His New Albums

Original post:
Shyne Drops Remix Of Alicia Keys’ ‘Un-Thinkable’: Listen Here!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Drake Talks ‘Miss Me,’ His Thank Me Later Collabo With Lil Wayne

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Young Money MC also clarifies the status of the ‘Afrika Bambaataa’ track to Mixtape Daily. By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes and Sway Calloway Drake and Lil Wayne Photo: MTV News The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive The plot thickens when it comes to the record “Afrika Bambaataa.” Weeks ago, before he went to prison, Wayne revealed on his “Nino Brown: The Road To Rikers” DVD that he was shooting a video to a song called “Afrika Bambaataa” for Drake. Everyone speculated that the song in question would be part of Weezy’s contribution to Drizzy’s Thank Me Later album. On Monday in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, before the start of his Away From Home Tour , Drake told us “Afrika Bambaataa” isn’t his record. “That’s actually a Lil Wayne song,” he explained. “I don’t know where that confusion came from. I was just on set that day when he was shooting that video. That’s not even my song. I’m not even on it, to be honest with you. Me and Wayne have a song on my album — a song called ‘Miss Me.’ “It’s a pretty straightforward [song],” he continued. “It’s a song about being away from what you love and hoping that when you’re gone, doing you, somebody out there misses you. It goes for Wayne in his situation and it goes for me in my situation, ’cause I’m on the road for I don’t how long right now.” Drake also revealed that he redid the chorus for Wayne’s song “Single” off of the No Ceilings mixtape. For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines . Related Videos Mixtape Daily: L.E.P. Bogus Boys

More:
Drake Talks ‘Miss Me,’ His Thank Me Later Collabo With Lil Wayne

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Music

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,