Celebrity Stylist TygerElan gives celbrity scoop. Also upcoming events…..purchase tickets for She’s Still Mama @ www.headownproductions.com
Duration : 0:6:13
Dec
9
Oct
13
‘Jay, come holler!,’ Dre says.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Matt Elias
Dr. Dre
Photo: MTV News
Songs that leaked from Dr. Dre’s Detox recording sessions earlier this year revealed that Nas and R. Kelly are among the artists in consideration to appear on the long-awaited opus. And T.I., Lil Wayne and Drake are among the MCs believed to be ghost-writing
for the album.
But if Dre gets his way, a certain renowned Brooklyn rhymesmith will be pulling double-duty on Detox, both writing and delivering a guest verse.
“Well, actually, Jay-Z’s just been in the studio doing some writing,” Dre told MTV News on Friday while promoting his new Beats by Dr. Dre/ HP notebook collaboration. “Hopefully I’ll get him to perform on the record. Jay, come holler!”
Detox is the follow-up to Dre’s 2001 album and will complete the trilogy that began with 1992’s The Chronic.
In May, a snippet of a Detox track was released on a Dr. Pepper commercial that features Dre. The song, tentatively titled “Sh– Popped Off,” features production similar to a track that leaked in February with Tip referring Dre.’s vocals. “It’s the D.R. … Made the West side worldwide, no PR/ Gangsta-rap God, I’m the end-all, be-all/ California love from the Bloods to the C-Dogs.”
Earlier this month, Dre told ABC News he’d like to finally put the finishing touches on Detox by the end of this year in time for a 2010 release. “Hopefully, I’ll get it done at the end of this year, and we can hear it next year,” the normally press-shy producer said.
Related Artists
Oct
6
‘I can personally attest to his commitment to New York and the impact he has on New Yorkers of all ages,’ he says.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-Z
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
The feedback on our 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game list has been tremendous since we started to reveal our picks last Monday. We started off with Raekwon the Chef at #10, and Jay-Z finished the list as the #1 Hottest MC right now.
On Monday night, MTV News received an e-mail about the list from New York Governor David A. Paterson, who applauded Jigga’s crowning.
“Jay-Z is not only an outstanding hip-hop artist, but a dedicated philanthropist as well,” Paterson said in a statement. “Having just attended his September 11th benefit concert in Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago, I can personally attest to his commitment to New York and the impact he has on New Yorkers of all ages. He is most definitely deserving of the top MC of 2009 title.”
A few weeks ago, before the Hottest list came out, Paterson gave his personal criteria for what he thought made a hot MC.
“I think these days, since hip-hop is now nearly 30 years old, that it’s the creativity,” he said. “There are too many people who think you become successful by mimicking what others have done, and I think every performer starts out with a favorite, but it’s those people who blaze new trails that I think are the MCs of the future.
“I also think that the MC that figures out that people 18 and older who got the right to vote in 1972 never exercised it till 2008 — there’s a real culture for discussing how our government works and how our society works,” he added. “The MC who could blaze that trail and find a creative way of displaying it will be the MC of the next decade.”
What do you think of our Hottest MCs in the Game list? Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to Your.MTV.com — the best videos could be on TV!
Related Videos
Related Photos
Related Artists
Oct
5
Hov’s new music, business acumen and vast influence lift him above all others in 2009.
By Shaheem Reid
Jay-Z
Photo: Roc Nation/MTV News
The 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game rollout is now complete! As in 2007
and 2008, the list, determined by the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust, is based on an MC’s achievements right now, rather than an entire career. The criteria is based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow and how those things are implemented musically as the main factors. The Brain Trust also considered buzz, impact, commercial success — sales, airplay, business ventures, Web presence, endorsements and helping to spawn other artists’ careers — and the intangible, impact: Can an artist not only contribute to the rap game but influence cultural shifts? Are they trendsetters? All of these factors — and the results of our audience poll, which closed last week and got a vote at the Round Table during the Brain Trust’s debate — contributed to deciding who is the Hottest MC in the Game. All this week, we’ll be rolling out reactions from artists, DJs, the MCs themselves — and you! Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to YourMTV.com — the best videos could be on TV!
Flame Thrower: Jay-Z
2009 Rank: #1
Previous rankings: 2007 (#7); 2008 (#2)
Why He’s Hot:
He’s had the most acclaimed career in rap history. But even with all that lore, all that respect, all that prestige and all that money, Jay-Z continues to add luster to his legacy with time-transcending music, multiple successful business ventures and his dominant influence over the game.
MTV News’ Greatest MC of All Time is 2009’s Hottest MC in the Game. Hov isn’t just an elite MC that pushes the culture, the Brooklyn native is the standard-bearer, the leader, a source of inspiration and aspirations — Hov’s the guy we all look to see how far hip-hop can go. And what a ride Shawn Carter has taken us on this year, from Presidential inaugural balls back his Brooklyn ‘hood (where he was accompanied by Oprah Winfrey) ,and he even found time to take us to the world’s most famous arena — Madison Square Garden — for a charity concert featuring historic gathering of musical guests. He also surpassed Elvis Presley to become the solo act with the most #1 albums in Billboard history with 11.
 |
||
Check out our 2009 “Hottest MCs In The Game.” |
||
Being authentic with your raps and having credibility is as precious as legal tender in hip-hop. Jay is money in the bank. Lyrically he says what no other truth-speaking MC can; his experiences are that great and unique. No wonder his swagga is never at less than level 10.
“Meanwhile, I had Oprah chillin’ in the projects,” he raps on “On to the Next One,” from his highly touted latest LP, Blueprint 3.“Had her out in Bed-Stuy, chillin’ on the steps/ Drinkin’ quarter waters, gotta be the best/ MJ [Michael Jackson] at Summer Jam, Obama on the text/ Y’all should be afraid of what I’m gon’ do next.”
On “Already Home,” he separates himself from the pack again. “I’m in the Hall [of fame] already, on the wall already/ I’m a work of art, I’m a Warhol already/ On another level, on another plane already/ H-O-V, I got my own lane already/ I done cooked up the rock already/ So why the f— can’t ya’ll get hot already/ Put your name in the pot already, n—as compare me to Biggie and Pac already.”
Blueprint 3 is another Hov tour de force — and it destroys the myth that there’s an age limit on being a dope MC. At 39 years old, Jay is arguably still better than anybody on the mic today, rhyming with precision and grace. He throws buzzsaws right from the gate on the intro “What We Talking About,” where he raps about what he deems to be nonsense, like dwelling on rap beef.
“D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”was this year’s ultimate statement record, with General Jay once again rallying the troops in rap to be more forward-thinking, not follow trends and be more original. Producer No I.D.’s bassline and now-signature guitar licks were almost as brutal as the Jiggaman’s honesty. And the rhymes were so hardcore yet provocative that the record, which came out in June, caused immediate controversy that is still being debated months later. “D.O.A.” fostered conversation with the entire hip-hop community, and if you notice, the usage of Auto-Tune by singers and rappers has slowed down.
B3 could have been another Blueprint part one, but Jay prides himself on evolving both sonically and lyrically. The album is a reflection of Jay’s world right now: “Off That,” with its Euro/ techno feel, vanquishes current trends and looks toward the future, while “Empire State of Mind” — performed at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards — is a Bentley cruise down memory lane, where he and Alicia Keys sing a love song to their hometown.
The promo campaign surrounding Blueprint 3 has been unprecedented, even for Jay-Z. He’s done interviews with just about every media outlet — from Funkmaster Flex to Oprah Winfrey (and really, who else could get Oprah to walk through the projects in Brooklyn with a bright smile?) from “Le Grand Journal” in France to “TVTotal” in Germany. In between, he’s toured and made high-profile TV appearances on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and his historic 9/11 charity concert at Madison Square Garden, which featured Beyoncé, Diddy, Rihanna, Kanye West and others, and raised money for the families of police and firefighters killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
It all worked. Jay’s LP — which was released three days early due to being leaked — debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart, selling close to a half million copies in its first week, and held down the top spot in its second week, moving another 200,000 copies. Meanwhile both “Run This Town” and “Empire State of Mind” are both top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles.
Jay-Z is also the epitome of an entertainment mogul. His Roc Nation company doesn’t just put out records, it also has a music-publishing division and markets and manages artists such as up-and-coming rapper Wale. He owns or co-owns a successful clothing line (Rocawear), a basketball team (the New Jersey Nets), a nightclub (the 40/40 Club), a restaurant and much more. Add to that, he was the #1 Hip-Hop Cash King on Forbes magazine’s annual list, having earned an estimated $35 million — down a reported 57 percent from last year!
Hov is the Hottest MC right now not just because of his talent — he tells everyone the sky is the limit and proves it time and time again.
Co-Signer: Mary J. Blige
“My favorite MC right now: Jay-Z. Forever more it will be Jay-Z. Jay-Z’s raised all these kids: the Drakes, the Lil Waynes. I love and respect them because they respect him for giving that gift. Jay-Z is definitely at the top of my list. That’s why we love him, he keeps going and elevating and blessing the new generation. You can’t lose like that.”
Ignitable Incitement: “All my music and emotions is based off real truth,” Jay said recently. “I believe that’s why I’m here and still competing for VMA nominations and Grammys every year. [Eleven] #1 albums in a row — that’s not something you can doctor. I can make the greatest marketing plan in the world … but I can’t make that happen unless that’s some truth under there.”
Blistering Ballistics:
“A hundred million to the good and I’m still talkin’ yayo/ At a snail’s pace I won this race that y’all trail/ Uh, uh, Blueprint’s for sale/ Followin’ my footprints, you can’t fail/ Set sail, I used to duck shots but now I eat quail/ I’ll probably never see jail/ Each tale contains more of the truth/ Of the statue allows me to go into detail/ Uh, close your eyes you can smell/ Hov’s the audio equivalent of Braille/ That’s why they feel me in the favelas in Brazil/ And Waterhouse, ’cause real recognize real.” (from “Real As It Gets”)
Hot Streak:
Album:
The Blueprint 3
Selected Mixtapes:
N/A
Singles:
“Run This Town” (featuring Kanye West and Rihanna), “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune),” “Empire State of Mind” (featuring Alicia Keys), “Swagga Like Us” (with T.I., featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne)
Street Bangers:
“Brooklyn Go Hard,” “On to the Next One,” “Off That” (featuring Drake), “Hate” (featuring Kanye West)
Key Guest Appearances:
Lil Wayne’s “Mr. Carter,” Young Jeezy’s “My President” remix, Fabolous’ “Money Goes, Honey Stay,” DJ Khaled’s “Go Hard” remix (also featuring T-Pain), Coldplay’s “Lost+.”
Meteoric Metrics:
11: the number of Billboard #1 albums Jay-Z has had during his career — more than Elvis Presley, second only to the Beatles
1: Jay’s position on Forbes magazine’s Rap Cash Kings List (with $35 million)
Business Ventures: Roc Nation label/ management/ music publishing (including Young Chris, Wale and J. Cole), Rocawear clothing line, owner of 40/40 Club in New York, co-owner of Spotted Pig restaurant, partial owner of Carol’s Daughter beauty line, partial of owner of New Jersey Nets, endorsement deal with Hewlett Packard.
Tours:
Summer dates with Ciara, Lupe Fiasco and Fabolous; 9/11 charity show at Madison Square Garden (with guests Diddy, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Mayer and others); six-week tour with N.E.R.D., Wale and J. Cole begins October 9
Monumental Moment:
Performing at President Obama’s Inaugural Ball, which once again proved hip-hop has no boundaries
Forecast:
While it seems hard to imagine what more Jay could accomplish in his career, he’s already working on his next album, which he said will be his most experimental to date and is “not gonna be a #1 album” (we’ll see about that). Meanwhile, we’re looking for talent under Jay’s wing — such as Wale, J. Cole and Young Chris — to blossom.
What do you think of Jay-Z’s placement on the Hottest MCs in the Game list? Upload your comments, reactions, arguments and/or your own list to YourMTV.com — the best videos could be on TV!
Related Videos
Related Artists
Sep
25
We’ll reveal an MC per day next week, with the full list unveiled on Sunday, October 4!
By Shaheem Reid
Hottest MCs 2009
Photo: MTV News
“Hov’s the audio equivalent of braille.” “The game needs change and I’m the muthaf—in’ cashier.” “I’m Hannibal Lecter so just in case you’re thinking of saving face/ You ain’t gonna have no face to save by the time I’m through with this place.”
So many MCs have their bars up these days — not just Jay-Z, Drake and Eminem (quoted above). The flows are precise and people are taking notice. Impact has resonated, the buzz is strong, so it’s time to go!
For the 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game, the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust took everything that’s going on right now into account, sat down and fought it out — and the list is done! This year’s may have been the toughest list to discuss and decide. For more than three hours, moderator Sway and the other nine members of the Brain Trust (Sway doesn’t have a vote at the table; he guides the conversation) talked about music, impact, buzz, sales, personal experiences — everything was out there on the table. Please note that the list is based on what’s going on right now, not an artist’s entire careers. (Head here for a full rundown of the criteria.) We laughed, shouted, angered each other and dropped jewels.
We also, for the first time, brought fan comments to the discussion — more than 1.2 million people voted, and the results of the readers’ poll got a seat and a vote, represented at the table by Sway. Your voices were heard!
Ultimately though, remember that this is the Brain Trust’s list: There can never be a definitive list of the Hottest MCs, because music isn’t a measurable science. We can say for certain that people will be shocked not just by some of the names who made it into the top 10 — but also those who didn’t. As always, please let us know what you think — we love your comments, whether you agree or disagree.
The 2009 Hottest MCs in the Game countdown begins on Monday, with one MC per day being revealed Monday through Friday — and the full list will be unveiled on Sunday, October 4, during “P. Diddy’s Starmaker”!
MTV News will be unveiling the Hottest MCs in the Game next week! We’ll be announcing an MC’s rank every day, with the full list revealed on Sunday at 10 p.m. during “P. Diddy’s Starmaker”!
Related Videos
Related Artists
Sep
24
Rapper also discusses his drug-dealing past, his marriage to Beyoncé and the N-word.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Jay-Z appears on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”
Photo: Harpo Productions
Jay-Z appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Thursday (September 24), concluding a whirlwind blitz that’s seen the two business titans visit the rapper’s old Brooklyn stomping grounds, speak over the airwaves and have their conversation appear in the pages of O magazine.
“Here you go again, smelling good,” Winfrey joked as Jay-Z walked on the set. The line was in reference to her call with Gayle King where she remarked after meeting the rapper she discovered how good he smelled.
“That’s swagger,” an audience member chimed in, drawing Jay’s laughter.
The pair appeared at ease with each other as the talk-show queen asked the rapper about his drug-dealing past, his marriage to Beyoncé and his relationship with his father, whom Jay-Z had been estranged from before reuniting with him before his death.
They agreed to disagree over issues with the N-word. Jay-Z said people give words power, and as a culture, we can take that away. Winfrey steadfastly disagreed, saying for her generation, the word is loaded with degradation.
Winfrey also talked business with the legendary rapper, as they visited his Rocawear offices and discussed the careers he’s helped mold.
When it came to Rihanna, Jay-Z explained that he had a talk with the “Umbrella” star following her altercation with Chris Brown. “It’s one of those situations where she’s young, they’re both young,” he said. ” … There’s a contention of young people who are going through the same things, and no one hears their voice. She can be their hero. Or she can choose not to grow from this.”
Related Artists
Sep
18
‘Of course it was rude because it was [Taylor Swift's] moment, but that’s the way he really felt,’ Jay says, admitting incident was ‘rude.’
By James Montgomery
Jay-Z
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images
Jay-Z has known Kanye West for many years, so when he watched West interrupt Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, he probably wasn’t as surprised as a lot of people.
“He’s just a super-passionate person, and of course it was rude because it was [Swift's] moment, but that’s the way he really felt. [But] he’s been that passionate from his first record,” Jay reportedly told BBC Radio.
“He used to jump on tables … I was trying to make the first Blueprint, he’s jumping on tables, rapping, and I’m like, ‘Yo, not now.’ That was just him. He’s always been that passionate.”
But while Jay may have understood Kanye’s outburst, he wasn’t about to give his producer and protégé a pass for the way he behaved during the VMAs, either. And he told him as much when the two appeared the following night on “The Jay Leno Show” (where West would subsequently offer a tearful apology to Swift for his actions).
“[I told him] I think it was rude, [and] that he has to watch his passion. At the end of the day, we’re going to celebrate him for his passion more than vilify him [for it],” Jay said. “Because his passion, which caused him to make Graduation and all these great records, is the same thing that causes him to step out of line sometimes. So as he grows, he has to learn how to balance that. And he’ll learn that in years to come. That passion right there … that wasn’t fake or staged — it was how he really felt, and it was just inappropriate. It wasn’t fair to Taylor.”
And now that West has apologized (multiple times, and to Swift personally) for his outburst, Jay thinks it’s time for everyone to move on. To him, this whole situation, while unfortunate, has been blown out of proportion
“I mean, it’s an awards show, really, and I think it’s a bit blown out,” Jay said. “He’s on the cover of every paper, he didn’t kill anybody. Nobody got harmed,” Jay said. ” I don’t think he should lay low, I think he should go on tour and have a brilliant career. It’s an awards show.”
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.
Related Videos
Related Photos
Related Artists
Sep
16
On ‘Today,’ Keys says she wishes Mama could have been ‘overwhelmed and inspired’ from her seat instead of the stage.
By Shaheem Reid
Alicia Keys on Wednesday’s “Today” show
Photo: NBC News
Lil Mama said she realized Jay-Z wasn’t feeling her stage crashing at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Well, guess who else wasn’t feeling that stage invasion? Alicia Keys. Keys appeared on the “Today” show on Wednesday (September 16), and when hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb asked about Mama, Keys initially declined to comment.
“I’d rather not speak about it,” she said. “The performance was so phenomenal, it doesn’t matter about anything else.”
However, later in the interview the hosting duo coaxed a comment from Keys.
“We can appreciate her being overwhelmed and inspired,” Keys said, “but we would have appreciated it if she would have did it from her seat.”
But Keys had more positive things to say about the show-closing performance of “Empire State of Mind.”
“It’s phenomenal. Jay-Z and I both are native New Yorkers,” the singer explained. “It’s a classic New York song — new Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli. I don’t know, it’s a beautiful New York song, I love it. It’s great to perform in New York and the VMAs were in L.A., now it’s back and it’s great to perform. The whole room was crazy.”
The “Today” show hosts also asked Keys’ opinions on Kanye West’s upstaging of Taylor Swift.
“I think that obviously he knew that wasn’t in the best taste, in retrospect, and I think he realized that wasn’t quite the right thing to do,” she offered.
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.
Related Artists
Sep
15
‘After watching it from home … I was like, ‘Wow, Jay-Z wasn’t feeling it,’ ‘ the ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ judge says.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Tim Kash
Lil Mama
Photo: MTV News
In the moment, Lil Mama thought she and Jay-Z were connecting after she crashed his performance of “Empire State of Mind” during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. However, when she saw the footage of her uninvited appearance online afterward, she realized the superstar wasn’t too pleased by her stunt.
When the “Lip Gloss” rapper surprised Jay-Z by walking onstage, he remarked, “Oh, you T-Paining right now, huh,” referring to the Auto-Tune singer’s unplanned appearance onstage next to Hov at Hot 97’s Summer Jam concert during “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).”
“I didn’t know what Jay said,” Lil Mama told MTV News. “I thought he was like, ‘OK, enjoying the moment with me, interacting,’ which was after I walked up. But after watching it from home, watching myself on the Internet, I’m bouncing and I’m coming up toward Jay-Z and he’s backing up. And my emotions at the time was like a vibe, like, ‘Yeah, New York.’ I was definitely caught up in the moment. … Now that I’m home, I was like, ‘Wow, Jay-Z wasn’t feeling it.’ ”
Lil Mama has been apologizing profusely ever since. She issued a statement on Monday, apologizing to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys and saying she never intended to offend either artist. She said she hopes to speak with both parties privately to resolve the matter if there was any misunderstanding.
The “America’s Best Dance Crew” judge said her hometown pride just overcame her during the performance, and she thought she was honoring Jay-Z by jumping onstage next to him, not ruining his performance.
“I would never get up there and try to disrespect Jay-Z or take a moment that someone else created and try to live it,” she explained. “I’m too original for that and I respect him too much for that.
“To Jay in particular, as a Brooklyn native — [which] I am also — in that moment it was nothing but respect and honor,” she continued. “It was a joyous moment. Whenever we share happiness or a celebration takes place, usually it’s graceful, it’s never to disrespect. I never meant any harm. I was enjoying myself and I was enjoying his performance. I got love for him.”
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.
Related Videos
Related Artists
Sep
14
‘I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys,’ ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ judge says in statement.
By Shaheem Reid
Lil Mama, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys at the 2009 VMAs
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images
If it wasn’t for a guy named Kanye West, Lil Mama might have dominated Monday’s headlines with her, er, zealousness at Sunday night’s Video Music Awards. The New York-bred rapper/ TV personality got hyped up and jumped onstage with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys during their show-closing performance of the night, Jay’s “Empire State of Mind.”
Mama came onstage toward the end of the song and even struck a pose with Hov and Alicia Keys, after Jay had gestured for her to chill out seconds earlier and joked she was “T-Paining.” On Monday afternoon (September 14), Mama sent MTV News a statement via her manager explaining the incident.
“I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys,” the statement reads. “I admire them and look up to them as role models. ‘Empire State of Mind’ had my emotions running high. In that moment I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.”
Lil Mama’s rep said she may have more to say about the situation later.
Mama caught it pretty hard last night on the Internet. The topic “lilmamais” blew up and was even the top Twitter trend for a few hours.
Fabolous was one of the celebs having fun with the moment, chiming in on his Twitter page. “#Lilmamais like the dude that parachutes down on the field during a game!” Fab tweeted. “#Lilmamais gonna get security at the stages of every award show from now on. #Lilmamais the bird that flew outta Lady Gaga’s nest on her face!!”
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards might have wrapped, but the party is far from over. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes updates, party reports and much more.
Related Videos
Related Photos
Related Artists
