Oprah Presents Master Class: Jay-Z

Today Oprah launched her new netork which she premiered her new series with Jay-Z which was her first feature. The episode was on Jay-Z childhood, growing up, writing music and much more.

All videos are below.

Kendrick Lamar Talks J. Cole, XXL Freshman 2011, KiD CuDi

Kendrick Lamar speaks to HardKnockTv about working with J.Cole which you get to hear a bit of the beat from one of the songs they worked on. Then talks about XXL Freshman 2011 what the list has done for artists in the past, then gets asked who he thinks should be on the list he says Diggy Simmons, Vado, Dom Kennedy, Yelawolf, Big KRIT, Schoolboy Q, Mac Miller, Cyhi. Then says his top albums of the year Rick Ross and KiD CuDi which he goes on to speak about the GOOD Music artist Kid Cudi.

XXL Top 100 Mixtapes Of 2010

XXL Magazine done there top 100 best mixtapes of 2010 which I just saw on there website.

So I will put some of there list below. You might not agree with the list so

go to the link and write a comment.

Wiz Khalifa - Kush & Orange Juice got the number one spot.

J Cole - Friday Night Lights came number 5 on the list.



Joe Budden - Mood Muzik 4: A Turn 4 Worse this came just behide

J Cole tape in number 6.

Diggy Simmons - Airborne was number 26 on the list.

Make sure you go check out XXL top 100 mixtapes of last year.

Clich here to see it.

Curren$y – Return to the Winner’s Circle (Mixtape)

Curren$y – Return to the Winner’s Circle (Mixtape)

Download here and tracklist below.

Rappers To Watch In 2011

I first started doing this list last year for HipHopCulture. It got a lot of comments and attention. So here I am again at the end of another year to tell you who to look out for. I'd say that 8 out the 10 rappers I put up went on to have big years. Having Charles Hamilton on last years list made it look less credible. The criteria for this list are rappers that have yet to put out an album.




10. XV
Really, I wonder if he'll ever really get on. I've been a fan of XV for a while. Seems like he gets no credit for what he puts out. He dropped one of the better mixtapes from last year with "Everybody's Nobody" (which is appropriately titled) and was left of the XXL Freshmen cover. Not sure he'll get it this coming year either, but he did drop "Vizzy Zone" this year which is growing on me. Maybe if he drops his long delayed album "The Kid With The Green Backpack" his buzz will get bigger.


Recent Song: The Flying V



9. Cyhi Da Prynce
There's no question for whether he can spit or not. Because if you've heard him on "So Appalled" or "Take One For The Team" you know that by now. For him to really become more popular he needs to drop some of his own tracks though instead of guest verses on Kanye tracks. He did drop "Royal Flush" which was a decent listen. But I feel like he's just getting started.


Recent Song: Hero



8. Show TuFli
He's probably the least known rapper on this list, but Show's been working hard lately. Before this year he was pretty much known as Charles Hamilton's protege, but in this past year he's dropped 2 mixtapes "Soldier of Love (Music Inspired by Sade" and "Keep In Mind That I'm An Artist And I'm Sensitive About My Shit (Music Inspired By Erykah Badu)". Also he currently has a music series going called TuFli Tuesdays. I'm unsure of whether an album is coming in the near future, but he's making a name for himself.


Recent Song: Unbelievable



7. Meek Mill
This one might be a long shot, but Meek is starting to finally gain some buzz outside of the Philly area. He dropped two good mixtapes this year with "Flamers 3" and "Mr. Philadelphia". He's still signed on T.I.'s Grand Hustle label and has definitely gotten the co-sign from Rick Ross and was featured on his latest tape "Ashes To Ashes". Maybe it's not such a long shot.


Recent Song: Play Your Part



6. QuESt
I know this is a bold statement, but he has the best flow in the game for any one coming up. Since last year he's been putting out consistent quality material from "Broken Headphones" to "How Thoughtful". He's currently on his way to releasing "The Reason: A Defense Mechanism". He's one of my favorites but I'm pretty sure he won't have the commercial success that some of the other artists on this list will.


Recent Song: The Samba Thelonious Theory



5. Kendrick Lamar
I feel I just caught wind of this dude recently. But he just brings a new style to the game. He's no where near the best. He's got average lyrics, but he's doing something different. His "Overly Dedicated" mixtape is one of my favorites of the year. He's also gotten the co-sign from Dr. Dre. I'm interested to see which move he's going to make next.


Recent Song: Look Out For Detox



4. Big Sean 
Look who's on the list again this year. Since he didn't drop Finally Famous: The Album this past year he makes it again. At this point, everyone knows what he can do. He's got serious potential to be the next big thing it depends on what does next. He put out one of the best mixtapes of the year with "Finally Famous Vol. 3" and his number of fans keep growing. Seems like he's next to blow up.


Recent Song: Too Fake



3. Jay Electronica
He's the oldest on this list by far. But he and J. Cole probably have the best chance of putting out a classic hip hop album. If Act II ever drops like it was supposed to this past year then it will be a force to reckon with. He's obviously on his way up, even he is already in he's 30's. He was just recently signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. All we can do as fans is wait for the album to drop.


Recent Song: The Shiny Suit Theory



2. J. Cole
It's just about that time Jermaine. He's been signed with Jay-Z for over a year now. He's put out a quality single with "Who Dat" a follow up to "The Warm Up" with "Friday Night Lights". He's been featured on radio hits from artists like Miguel, Sean Garrett and Keri Hilson. It's time to put out that album we've been waiting for. It is expected for a first quarter 2011 release but release dates are always flexible.


Recent Song: 2Face



1. Wiz Khalifa
His time definitely is now. He's been featured on magazine covers. He's had a gold selling single with "Black & Yellow". "Kush & Orange Juice" was my personal favorite mixtape of the year. All he needs to do is put out the expected album. He's already big now. I wonder how big he'll be when the year is over.


Recent Song: Black And Yellow

Most Anticipated Albums For 2011

As this year is coming to an end I thought I would do a post on the most anticipated albums in 2011. This year been a very succesful year in hip-hop for albums with the likes of Kanye West, Eminem, Drake releasing albums in 2010. With albums from Big Boi and Rick Ross which were better than expected. Many albums are expected to come out next year and some rumored too.

Dr Dre album "Detox" seems closer than ever to nearly be finished which should give it

release date some when next year. A month or so ago Dre said he just had to finish a couple more

songs then doing the mixing period. Everyone wants to hear this album as we have

been waiting for so for it. After leaks off song not finished hit the internet Dr Dre had to start on new

songs. But the first single "Kush" off the album is out which features Akon

& Snoop Dogg.

Nas next album should be out late year, he said the summer of 2011. But with his Lost Tapes 2

meant to be out already which it is not as Def Jam had problems with it all. As the label

dont want to put out Lost Tapes 2 for a few reasons. So if Lost Tapes 2 does comes out it

will be some when next year before his next album. As all the music for Lost Tapes 2 is just music

Nas has not used for albums in the past so he does not have to record anything for it. With many producers

want to work with Nas on his next album the likes of DJ Premier and Kanye West.

With most of J Cole debut album almost done he still working on some new songs for the album.

Still trying to find the song for the Jay-Z feature if that happens. We know this album

will be out next year. With most of the production from J Cole, No I.D as well.

After Drake debut album "Thank Me Later" came out this year we know he wants to put out his second

album next year and its called "Take Care". Which he is working on at the moment.

Lupe Fiasco "Lasers" we know this album has been finished and handed in to his label for a while.

But with problems with Atlantic Records not giving it a date for the album to come out.

It caused online petition for the album to come which many fans signed up for and then Fiasco Friday happen which was fans went to Atlantic Record offices then protested. So it got March 8 for Lasers to come out in 2011. On other news Lupe has worked on his next album also.

Thats just some of the albums with many more coming out from the likes of Talib Kweli, Lil Wayne, Slaughterhouse, DJ Premier Vs Pete Rock, Jay Electronica, Blu. Maybe even that

Andre 3000 or Black Thought solo albums?

Dr. Dre's "I Need A Doctor" Inspired Nas

Alex Da Kid the producer of the latest song of Dr Dre up incoming album "Detox", the song is called "I Need A Doctor" which is from Dr Dre and Eminem it leaked on the internet a while ago. Well the producer Alex Da Kid spoke to hip-hop website SOHH and spoke about Nas next album he working on with him. He said Nas still on the early stages of his next LP and Nas gave him props for the song he worked on with Dre "I Need A Doctor".

Below is what Alex Da Kid said

"I was actually with Nas [recently]," Alex told SOHH. "We were talking about different stuff and I played him a few things I was doing. Actually, on the way to the studio, he heard 'I Need A Doctor,' the new leaked Dr. Dre single and he was telling me how much he loved [it] and we were just talking about stuff. I don't think he's started recording yet or if so, he's super early in on the process of working on the album. We were talking about [linking up] and I'm sure we're gonna make it happen at some point but it's really just talking [for now]. I'm really getting to know him more and more as a person so I can really give him something personal that'll make sense. I'm sure we'll get it in before his album drops." (SOHH)

Soruce - SOHH

Kanye West Ft Rick Ross, Jay-Z & Nicki Minaj Monster Video

Kanye West Ft Rick Ross, Jay-Z & Nicki Minaj Video

Nicki Minaj is killing everything even this video, that was crazy!

Nicki Minaj King Magazine Extra Pics

Eminem Ft Nas - Topless

Eminem Ft Nas - Topless

Eminem verse was meant to be for Dr Dre.

Nicki Minaj Covers King Magazine

KING: History has shown that acting is the likeliest transition for rappers. Considering your background, do you want to dabble in Hollywood?

NICKI MINAJ: Of course.

What would be your dream role?

I’d like to play someone in a Tim Burton movie, where I get dressed up and painted and crazy.

You kind of do that now.

Then I want to be able to do some action stuff, like Angelina Jolie.

Like in Salt?

Yes! And then I’d like to just play a regular girl who, you know, is facing the world. Something really sentimental and organic, that girls all around the world can identify with. You know, how Jada Pinkett Smith did in Jason’s Lyric.

Classic film. You did mention earlier how everything has been time consuming. But when that time frees up, what kind of guy do you look for to be sentimental and organic with?

Um, I look for someone who is calm, someone who is strong enough to not have to win every argument, someone who allows a woman to be her crazy self and someone with a conscience not to feel less of a man. You know, someone who is able to honor his woman but also bring out the freak in his woman.

How should your Ken bring out the freak in you, Barbie?

Just being super aggressive when the time is right.

Are we talking about Mortal Kombat–style “Come here” aggression?

Just something that makes me feel like they’re in control, when we are behind closed doors

Asher Roth & Nottz EP Download

The Asher Roth and Nottz EP is here to download.

After a few tracks leak in the past weeks.

Listen to the full EP here

A

DJ Premier & Pete Rock 1 Hour Sitdown

Bonus clip off the DJ Premier VS Pete Rock DVD which is released in Japan.

Talib Kweli Gutter Rainbows Cover

Talib Kweli up incoming album "Gutter Rainbows" artwork above.

The album comes out January 25.

Nicki Minaj Hot 97 Concert Video & Pics

Nicki Minaj at the Hot 97s Christmast Concert footage below. Other performances included Lloyd Banks and Fabolous.

Hip-Hop In 2010

January in 2010 was quiet not much was happening we learned more about the Nas and Damien Marley album "Distant Relatives". With both As We Enter and The Strong Will Continue full verson leaked on the internet. Kanye West VH1 Storytellers was made in to a CD which came out in early January. With DMX and Krs One had greatest hits type of albums late in the month. Music producer Shawty Redd was arrested on a murder charge.

Febuary had the Grammys recap as it was on the last night of January. It had Jay-Z winning a few awards and Eminem with a couple. The performance of the night was "Forever" & "Drop The World" which has Lil Wayne and Eminem starting off with there song together and Drake came out after to do Forever with them. But Kanye West was not there to perform it and Travis Barker was playing the drums for it. With YoungMoney artist Lil Wayne putting his album out called "Rebirth" which had more rock to it than hip-hop some said. After leaving Aftermath a few years ago Game rejoined Dr Dre label.

March had Lil Wayne start his prison sentence which was thought to be a year long. Which had the artist filmed 30 Music Videos before he went to jail. It was the oppoiste for T.I he left jailed and started to record and work on his seventh album. Lloyd Banks put on his twitter his next album would be called "Hunger For More 2". Luda had an album out for the females called "Battle Of The Sexes". Other notable albuns were from Snoop Dogg , Method Man Ghostface Raekwon, DMX, Tech N9ne.

April had the first hip-hop artist to have a number one in the Hot 100 charts which was from B.o.B "Nothin On You". Dr Dre said in an interview Jay-Z was going to feature on "Detox" first single. Guru from Gangstarr died at the age of 47. Weezy album "Rebirth" went gold. Eminem put on his twitter there no "Relapse 2" as he changed the name to "Recovery" and set a June release date. A mixtape from Wiz Khalifa came out and B.o.B debut album called "B.o.B Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray " came out.



May had B.o.B debut album went top on Billboard 200 chart. Eminem single "Not Afraid" debut at number one and Young Money album went gold. Long waited album "Distant Relatives" from Nas and Damian Marley came out and Common had a greatest hits album in May. Gucci Mane was released out of Prison.

June was the month were Eminem album "Recovery" debut at number one. Luda single "My Chick Bad" and Lil Wayne's "Drop The World" both went platinum. Drake has his debut album out in June called "Thank Me Later" which sold 449,000 copies. Drake's debut album Thank Me Later sold about 449,000 copies in its first week giving it a #1 debut on the Billboard 200.

July this was the month were rumors of Kanye West new album tracklist hit the internet which was a fake copy. Eminem album went past a million copies sold in the second week and his second single "Love The Way You Life" which featured Rihanna hit number one in the charts. Rick Ross and Big Boi had the biggest albums to come out this month. Also "Pilot Talk" came out from hip-hop artist Curren$y.



August had had Kanye West and Nicki Minaj name were albums titles which were "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and "Pink Friday". Both music videos for Kanye West song "Power" and Eminem song "Love The Way You Lie" came out on the same day. Drake hosted Ovo Festival were it had VIP list of artists the likes of Jay-Z, Eminem, Rick Ross etc. This year hip-hop cash kings 2010 came out which had a order of this Jay-Z, Diddy, Akon, Lil Wayne, Dr Dre. Eminem album Recovery had 2 million copies sold now.

September had the music video for "No Love" and Young Buck album "The Rehab" came out early in the month. Black Milk put out an album called "Album Of The Year". Weezy had an album coming out called "I Am Not a Human Being" and featured alot of Young Money artists. The Eminem and Jay-Z shows were this month and it was called The Home and Home Tour.

October was the month were not much happened T.I changed the name of his album to "No Mercy". And he was sentenced to 11 months in prison. Diggy Simmons second mixtape called Airborne came out. Lloyd Banks album artwork came out and BET hip-hop awards wasd in this month and it had the years Cyphers. One of the hottest albums of the year came out from GOOD Music artist KiD CuDi called ""MOTM2: The Legend Of Mr. Rager". Songs off Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Lloyd Banks albums started to leak on the internet.



November had Lil Wayne release from prison and Dr Dre first single of Detox called "Kush" which featured Akon and Snoop Dogg. Around 22/23 of the month albums from Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Lloyd Banks all came out and got postive reviews. The late rapper Big L had an album out of his music which no one has heard before. Slaughterhouse member Joe Budden put out a mixtape which was succesful.



December had T.I and Redman with albums out in the first week of the month. Wiz Khalifa hit "Black and Yellow" went gold and DMX was sentenced to a year in prison. Last week Ghostface Killah has an album out. Also many mixtapes came out this month from the likes of B.o.B , Diggy Simmons, Rick Ross.