Nasty Nas just dropped his video for fan favorite “Bye Baby,” but the Top 5 Dead or Alive MC is already is putting together the next clip from his latest, critically acclaimed album, Life Is Good. The latest standout track from the Queens rapper’s tenth album to get a visual treatment will be “Cherry Wine,” featuring the late Amy Winehouse, and here we have some behind the scenes photos from the video shoot. Continue
If 50 Cent is anything, the Queens rapper is versatile. Sports Illustrated reports that the G-Unit MC is now an officially licensed boxing promotor in New York City. Fif has established TMT Promotions (think: The Money Team) and is in the process of acquiring a license in Nevada, too… Continue
Both groups represent ‘purest forms of hip-hop music,’ Joe tells MTV News, commenting on recent Mobb Deep drama. By Rob Markman Fat Joe Photo: MTV News Mobb Deep ‘s musical legacy is cemented. There aren’t many groups in rap who could match Havoc and Prodigy’s reputation for crafting unfiltered street music, so when Mobb Deep appeared to be in turmoil last week, fans feared the worst. Fat Joe , for one, is thrilled that all the drama is behind the Queens, New York, duo. Joe Crack actually likens the Mobb to another pivotal rap duo, Gang Starr. The group, which consisted of DJ Premier and late rapper Guru, was responsible for quite a few classic singles, including “Step in the Arena” and “DWYCK.” Mobb Deep, of course, also have favorites under their belt, like 1995’s “Shook Ones Pt. II” and the Lil’ Kim-assisted “Quiet Storm” remix. “Mobb Deep is equivalent to Gang Starr with being one of the purest forms of hip-hop music,” Fat Joe told MTV News after a taping of MTV2’s upcoming “Hip Hop Squares.” “Whenever you want to go do an ill, hard-core hip-hop song that crosses over in the clubs, anybody who makes it is like, ‘Yo, this is like “Shook Ones,” this is like “Quiet Storm.” ‘ They the kings of that.” On April 9, some pretty vicious messages directed at Prodigy were sent from Havoc’s now-defunct Twitter account. The messages threatened physical violence and questioned Prodigy’s sexuality. Sources close to Mobb Deep initially confirmed to MTV News that Hav’s account wasn’t hacked, but later that evening Havoc released a statement saying that he lost his phone and declaring his allegiance to the group and Prodigy. “To all Mobb Deep fans: it’s business as usual! It’s Mobb Deep all day,” the statement read. On Friday the group even attended a Knicks game together and released a photo , silencing speculation about a disconnect. Fat Joe is just glad to see the duo as a unified front. “I really don’t know none of the details,” he said. “If they were to break up, it would be a sad day for hip-hop because we love Mobb Deep as a group, as a fan.” What’s your favorite Mobb Deep song? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Fat Joe Mobb Deep Gang Starr
‘If you don’t tell your story, somebody else will,’ he tells MTV News about why he decided to open up. By Nadeska Alexis Nas Photo: MTV News Nas has earned a reputation for being a man of few words during interviews, so it comes as a bit of a surprise that the Queens rapper agreed to film a segment of VH1’s “Behind the Music.” Just as we suspected, though, Nas was very reluctant to open up for the cameras, as he told MTV News. “It was tough. I didn’t want to do ‘Behind the Music,’ ” Nas admits, reflecting on his decision to go through with the taping. “I didn’t. But at some point, if you don’t tell your story, somebody else will. So I gave them a little peek inside. It can’t hurt, just a little peek inside.” In a preview clip from the episode, Nas talks about growing up in the Queensbridge Housing Projects and watching his parents separate at a young age, in addition to talking about his storied hip-hop career. “You can never forget where you come from, no matter how far you go,” he says. “In the neighborhood where I’m from, people are killed for nothing. You can’t just ignore it. That’s the beauty of rap music, because we’re going to give you the side that no one wants to talk about.” Before sitting down for the interview, Nas said he didn’t know what he would reveal. “I didn’t know what I would give them. I just sat down and talked,” he said. “I knew that I just needed to say enough. And as I’m talking, I realize, ‘Damn, there’s a lot of life here.’ I’m just giving it to them how I feel, but I’m realizing how much more there is.” For someone known to be tight-lipped, Nas is opening up quite a bit this year. Whatever tales are left untold in his “Behind the Music” episode, fans will find in his upcoming autobiography, which is being penned with help from writer Tour
‘That’s what hip-hop is — we take pieces of this and that and make it new,’ Nas says of track featuring Drake, French Montana. By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Nas Photo: MTV News On Nas ‘ classic 2001 battle track “Ether,” the Queens, New York, rap great issues a challenge. Of course there’s the one he threw to then-rival Jay-Z, but that’s old news. In the song’s first verse, God’s Son declares that he’s the “truest” and then dares rap fans: “Name a rapper that I ain’t influence.” Nasir’s artistic reach may be hard to quantify, but every now and then you can see the Don’s musical DNA embedded in new rap material. Take Rick Ross , Drake and French Montana’s “Stay Schemin,’ ” for example: The song’s melodic hook is a direct lift from the unreleased “Stay Schemin’ Stay Dreamin’.” “It’s a big record,” Nas told “RapFix Live” host Sway when he appeared on the show last month. On the original Nas version, which was recorded in the late 1990s, the veteran MC sings of a jealous foe who’s plotting against him. “Lookin’ back at times, when I had on my shines, you were standing there/ I never tried to dis you, you didn’t need your pistol, why’d you have to take it there,” he starts off in the first verse. For the updated version, Ross recruits Bronx rapper Montana to lay an interpolation of Nas’ old-school hook. “Stay schemin’, n—as tryna get at me,” French harmonizes in homage. Nas says that the new record reflects rap’s sample culture, and ultimately he is a fan. “That’s what hip-hop is — we take pieces of this and that and we make it new. That record’s crazy.” How do you think Rick Ross’ “Stay Schemin’ ” holds up against Nas’ original? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Nas Rick Ross
‘Call Me Maybe’ singer calls newfound success ‘the greatest surprise.’ By Christina Garibaldi Carly Rae Jepsen Photo: MTV News Just a few months ago, few had heard of Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen , but with the success of her first single, “Call Me Maybe,” the 26-year-old is quickly becoming a household name. Earlier this week, that infectious song became the fastest-selling U.K. single in 2012 so far — yet, what’s even more impressive is who she beat out for the #1 spot: her boss, Justin Bieber . Bieber, who signed the YouTube star to his Schoolboy Records, took to Twitter to send his congratulations. “So i get up today and #BOYFRIEND is #2 on ITUNES chart in the UK!! Incredible!” Bieber tweeted . “Who is #1?? My own artist @carlyraejepsen … hmmmm.” When she stopped by the MTV News offices Monday, Jepsen insisted the only place these two are battling it out is on the charts. “The fact that we are able to have that friendly competition is blowing my mind,” she shared. “I wouldn’t be here without his support and his help, and he is so great about it. He’s just happy for me, which is nice to see.” So, is she going to give up that #1 spot? “We can share it: two #1s!” Jepsen joked, laughing. The pair might actually share the #1 spot in the future, since Jepsen confirmed she and Bieber recorded a duet . But for now, Jepsen is still trying to adjust to the fact that her life has changed so dramatically in just the past few months. “It truly has been a whirlwind, but it’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s just like my entire life changed, and it’s exciting. If you met me before this experience, I would have said my favorite thing about life is when it surprises you. This has been the greatest surprise so far.” Jepsen revealed that a lack of sleep has been the biggest adjustment for her since finding fame, but it’s the time away from her family that she misses the most. “That’s the one downer, because it’s hard not to feel grateful about everything that’s happening,” she said. “But I would say that’s the one hard part, just kind of keeping in touch with everyone. And they’re all so excited, but the most they see me is on TV. We’re trying to make a once-a-week little date, phone date, chat, we’ll have tea somewhere and talk; it’s nice.” Her success isn’t just working out for her: It seems her brother is also reaping benefits: “Everyone in my family is handling it in a different way, and all very positively,” she shared. “My brother is using it as a pickup line … It’s kind of awkward.” Are you a fan of Carly Rae Jepsen? Tell us below! Related Artists Carly Rae Jepsen Justin Bieber
‘I know I’m always gonna be street, because I can’t pretend to be street,’ Nicki tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Nicki Minaj Photo: MTV News Nicki Minaj has come a long way since her mixtape days in Queens, New York, but the Young Money star hasn’t forgotten where she came from. In her “Beez in the Trap” video , Nicki the Ninja ditched male alter ego Roman and proved she was all woman as she danced on the video’s strip-club set. “I love my ‘Beez in the Trap’ video. This is my ‘hood video, obviously,” she told MTV News last week after she threw a surprise performance in Times Square . Since her pop success, Nicki has heard all the whispers and criticisms that she may have forgotten her Queens roots. It’s all pretty laughable to rap’s reigning queen. On “Moment 4 Life,” she vowed to never forget her humble beginnings when she spit: ” ‘Cause I’m still hood, Hollywood couldn’t change me.” “What can I say? I don’t know what I gotta do anymore. I don’t know what I can possibly do. What I gotta do? Go and rob a bank?” Nicki asked with a chuckle. No matter her success on the pop charts, Nicki still considers herself hip-hop. On her recently released Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, Ms. Minaj mixed her creative raps with crossover sounds on songs like the RedOne-produced “Starships” and the kinetic “Pound the Alarm.” She’ll never forget her roots, though. “I’m still me, hip-hop culture is still in my heart,” she said. “That can never leave me. “I know I’m always gonna be street, because I can’t pretend to be street. It’s a lot of people walking around here pretending to be that, but I ain’t gonna call nobody out right now.” What’s your favorite track from Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded ? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos The Evolution Of Nicki Minaj Related Artists Nicki Minaj
50 tells Forbes he has ‘recorded so much material’ since last album in 2009. By Rob Markman 50 Cent Photo: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images 50 Cent may be fighting with his record label to release his oft-delayed fifth studio album, but that hasn’t stopped the G-Unit general from planning for his sixth LP. Still no word when G-Unit and Interscope will release Fif’s next album, but when they do, the get Rich or Die Tryin’ MC wants to hit the shelves again instead of hitting the road. “This time I’m not sure if I’ll tour the world like I did on my last project, ’cause it makes my album cycle two years long,” 50 told Forbes in a video interview. “So I think I’d like to launch this record and come right back and launch another record following it.” Releasing this fifth album has been a constant battle for 50. The rapper blasted Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre last summer, but later calmed his angst and made peace. Earlier this month, 50 took to Twitter and once gain blasted Interscope after a song slated for his album leaked onto the Internet. “I have lost all faith in the team I’m on,” he wrote. A few days later he backed down. “Discovered a computer glitch leaked my song,” 50 tweeted on January 8. “Sorry to team at Interscope for over reacting!” Whatever the holdup, there has been a noticeable gap between Fif’s retail releases. His last album, Before I Self Destruct, hit shelves in November 2009 and the Queens MC has amassed so many songs since then that he has enough for two projects. “It’s been three years since my last album, so I’ve recorded so much material that I’m really excited about trying to get those ideas to the general public so they get a chance to hear it and appreciate it,” he said. What do you hope to hear from 50 Cent’s much-anticipated fifth album? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: 50 Cent Related Artists 50 Cent
‘All his verses on the album, it sounds like you’re getting smacked upside the head,’ producer tells Mixtape Daily. By Rob Markman Nas Photo: MTV News Behind the Beats: Salaam Remi Salaam Remi and Nas didn’t start out as buddies, but some things are just meant to be. By the time Nas was putting out his classic rap LP Illmatic, Salaam was separately making his mark, already having produced for seminal hip-hop star Kurtis Blow at the age of 14. Though they hailed from the same Queens, New York, neighborhood and ran in similar circles, Nas and Salaam didn’t hook up until 2001, when Nas requested a beat from Remi for his Stillmatic LP. Now, 10 years later, he and Nas are still at it, working on God’s Son’s upcoming 10th solo studio album. “Life is different, and at this point, life is good and dudes is looking younger now than they did when they were 25,” Remi told Mixtape Daily. “So he’s just in that rare form.” It’s surprising that they didn’t hook up sooner, but after going through a small spat with one of Nas’ mentors, Large Professor, Remi never got the chance to really get to know Nas earlier. But a 2001 chance meeting in L.A. led to one of hip-hop’s most organic partnerships. “I created the track for ‘What Goes Around (Poison),’ and I sent it to him,” Remi recalled. “And when I sent it to him, at the end of the day, we’re in the same neighborhood.” Remi’s discography is long and diverse. In 1991, he worked alongside Marley Marl on Craig G’s Now, That’s More Like It album, and three years later, he produced Ini Kamoze’s reggae hit “Here Comes the Hotstepper.” Salaam, however, is most known for producing the Fugees’ 1996 smash single “Fu-Gee-La” from their Grammy-winning The Score LP. Then, of course, there is his work with Amy Winehouse on her 2006 breakout, Back to Black. Since hooking up, Salaam has been responsible for a number of Nas bangers: 2003’s “Made You Look” was noted for its authentic New York feel, while the uplifting “I Can” sampled its drums from the Honeydrippers’ “Impeach the President,” one of the most recognizable samples in hip-hop. In 2004, Remi crafted “Thief’s Theme” and Nas’ collaboration with his dad, “Bridging the Gap” More recently, the two have come up with the gritty “Nasty,” the first single from the Queens rap legend’s upcoming album. On the boom-bap-inspired track, Nas chooses to bypass any notions of going pop, instead setting his sets on hip-hop’s underground. It’s a welcomed departure from the hip-hop that occupies top 40 radio these days, but Salaam promised that the sound on Esco’s next album will be diverse. “Musically, I have an array of records,” he said. “You got some ‘Nasty’-type stuff, you have stuff that’s in the middle, up, down. I have all types of stuff. Just at the end of the day, we have to see what feels right for that package of 10 to 12 songs, because it’s way more songs.” The expectations for this new Nas album are high, and Remi assured fans that his friend will deliver. “He sounds like he’s on his A-game writing,” he said. “All his features at this point, all his verses on the album, it sounds like you’re getting smacked upside the head. As much as ‘Nasty’ has that type of beat, it’s really him on the beat that’s making it connect all the way.” For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines . Related Artists Nas
It’s been nine years since the tragic shooting that cut down the life of the iconic DJ in his Queens recording studio. Photo: Glen E. Friedman (Burning Flags Press) Related Artists Run-D.M.C.
