In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation “DJ Hero: Renegade Edition,” the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010’s BP3 tour. The second leg of the Live Nation-produced tour will begin on February 22nd in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center with more dates to be announced soon. JAY-Z will be joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy who will open all dates on the tour. Tickets go on sale beginning November 13th at LiveNation.com in select markets.

Tour dates are below.

read more »

RealTalkNY is scheduled to have a chat with 50 Cent, leave your questions below.

“Making music is art,” he continues. “It doesn’t change who you are as a person. It doesn’t mean you’re entitled or you’re above the law. You still treat people as human beings. It doesn’t change the laws of the universe. Life has a balance and for every action there is a reaction. So if you put negative energy in, negative energy comes back to you. You have to live your life within the laws of the universe and I haven’t lost sight of that.

“You have to be close with your foundation and the people who know you best because they’ve known you for so long that they can see the changes in you,’ he continues. “Fame is such a deadly drug that you can’t see the changes because you are so consumed by it. You need a close-knit group of friends and family to make sure you stay grounded.”

Full Article: Gotham Magazine

I guess Beanie Sigel fell out the close-knit group by going to jail and not being focused…

Spotted @ Rap Radar

Ciroc and Ketel One are pricier alternatives to Diageo’s Smirnoff. Ciroc volume sales climbed to 400,000 cases in the year ended June 30 from 60,000 cases in first half of 2007, the year that Diageo teamed up with Sean Combs. Diddy’s fellow rappers Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Jay-Z all have endorsement deals with liquor brands in the U.S., while Combs is “a true partner” and receives half the brand’s profits, Strachan said.

Diageo’s Ciroc vodka, an equal-share venture with Combs, is set to release coconut and red-berry varieties in the U.S., Marc Strachan, the brand’s marketing director, said at an Oct. 28 presentation in Schiedam, Netherlands. Ketel One, the local vodka maker in which Diageo bought a 50 percent stake for $900 million last year, plans to enter 15 new markets including Brazil and Australia by the end of June, said Bob Nolet, vice president of the Nolet Distillery, where it’s made.

Full Story: Bloomberg

In other words Diddy is getting paaaaaaiiiidddddd, music is just a hobby.

Glamour: Your look has evolved from the beginning of your career.

Rihanna: In the first two years of my career, there were a lot of restraints on what I could do. I couldn’t wear certain colors of lipstick, like bright pink, dark pink or red; [my lips] had to be natural. Eventually, I stopped communicating with certain people at the label, and did exactly what I wanted to do. And that was to cut my hair, dye it black, change my clothes, change my sound. Really to just express myself.

Glamour: If you could offer a message to the millions of young women who look up to you, what would you tell someone who found herself in a similar situation?

Rihanna: Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight. Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbor know that you fight. It’s one of the things we [women] will hide, because it’s embarrassing. My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.

Full Rihanna Glamour Magazine Interview

Rihanna ft. Young Jeezy – Hard (”Rated R,” On Sale November 23rd)
Rihanna – Bubble Pop
Rihanna Will Give Her Side Of The Story Next Week On ABC

PIMP SHIT Full tracklisting below

Gangsta M.C. their 1st album is on-sale RIGHT NOW HERE and HERE. Follow them on twitter HERE

read more »

On Thanksgiving night, November 26, the ABC Network will air the one-hour television special, “Beyoncé-I AM…YOURS.” It is the first network special from the superstar. The airing is scheduled for 9:00 PM/EST.

Music World Music/Columbia Records will release “I AM…YOURS An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas”– a concert performance DVD and Live CD that captures a never-before-seen performance from iconic artist, Beyoncé on Monday, November 23.

Filmed at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, this extraordinary concert features performances of over 30 songs from Beyoncé’s three multi-platinum solo releases, Destiny’s Child catalog and a few surprises. This amazing concert includes the #1 hits, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “If I Were A Boy,” “Halo,” “Sweet Dreams” and showcases a gut-wrenching performance of “That’s Why You’re Beautiful.” Included on “I AM… YOURS An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas,” is a biographical storytelling woven between many songs and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. “I AM… YOURS An Intimate Performance At Wynn Las Vegas” is Beyoncé’s first live CD and fans can also consider the release a greatest hits collection.

Tracklisting for the DVD is below.
read more »