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Hip Hop mogul Chris Lighty was laid to rest today in New York City. His funeral was attended by some of the biggest names in the business.

50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, LL Cool J, Russell Simmons, Maino, Grandmaster Flash, Nick Cannon, Rev. Run, Michael Bivens, Gayle King, Q-Tip, Lyor Cohen, Mary J. Blige and more paid their respects at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel.

“He was somebody that gave me advice,” Brooklyn rapper Maino told the New York Daily News. “I don't like to see this. I don't like to see families like this. We're talking about a legend. He helped artists become superstars and moguls."

Lighty was laid to rest in a dark suit, surrounded by arrangements of white flowers. A slide show depicting his life appeared on a screen.

According to MTV, Warner Music executive and close friend Lyor Cohen shared some touching words on Lighty during the funeral. Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip also added their personal memories of the man who helped shape their careers.

Lighty was 44-years old at the time of his death. He leaves behind a wife, 17-year old daughter and 5-year old son.

Footage of funeral

Pallbearers Including DJ Red Alert And D-Nice Assemble Outside Chris Lighty's Funeral Service

LL Cool J, DJ Kay Slay, More Remember Chris Lighty

Photos from Rap-Up, MTV and New York Daily News

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We previously posted the audio from this 50 Cent interview with J Cruz and Justin Credible off of the LIFT OFF show on Los Angeles radio station Power 106, now here's the video.

In this part of the interview they ask 50 who he would choose as a cellmate, Tony Yayo or Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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As the anticipation builds for the release of his Street King Immortal album, 50 Cent continues to promote the project on radio stations across the country.

On Monday (September 10) the G-Unit boss chopped it up with the Ryan Cameron Show on radio station V-103.

They discussed his recent bout with food poisoning, his son's future, the movie Freelancers and Forest Whitaker's amazing acting ability.

“There [were] points that I didn’t know whether [Forest] was acting or he was drunk," 50 said laughing.

They also talked about how "New Day" evolved, the Oprah Winfrey interview, the beefs involving Chief Keef, Lupe Fiasco, Jojo and more.

Spotted at RapBullet

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50 Cent was a guest on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show recently. During his interview he had the chance to speak on the types of women that interest him, the passing of his former manager Chris Lighty and whether that tragedy would cause him to make peace with any of his rivals.

He also cleared up rumors that there was friction between him and his good friend Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"[The rumors] really come from everybody around him waiting for the next time Floyd feels generous. And I have a lot so I don't wait for nobody," 50 said. "It just puts us in an interesting space sometimes because I'll go do what I gotta do. I don't have to sit around and wait for the next time he feels like giving somebody something."

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50 Cent flew out to Berlin to take part in the IFA consumer electronics show. The trade show which opened on August 31st and runs through September 5, has more than 1,400 exhibitors showcasing the newest smartphones, home appliances, televisions and more.

50 was there to help raise awareness of his SMS Audio Headphone line.

"I wanted to make sure I was presenting something to the general public that didn't actually exist on the market at that time," 50 told Radio Bremen. "The marquee product from SMS Audio is the Sync By 50. It utilizes a 16-bit lossless wireless technology that allows you to be 50 feet away from a single source of music. And you can sync four of these headsets up. It has an on board bass booster. Fast forward and rewind control for the headset and volume up and volume down. And of course durability is one of the things I was conscious of immediately because I previously had so many high quality headsets and audio equipment break on me."

50 also talked about the charitable aspect of the headphones. For each pair that is purchased 250 meals are provided through Feeding America. With Street King energy drink 50 partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). For every drink that is sold a meal is provided through the organization.

50 confirmed that his new album Street King Immortal will be in stores November 13th. Of course the single off of that project is "New Day" which features Dr. Dre and Alicia Keys. He said there will be a tour to coincide with the release of the album.

50 Cent interview with Radio Bremen. Talks SMS Audio

50 Cent interview with Felicia Pochhammer and Marcus Tychsen. Speaks on Street King Immortal, Cheetah Vision Films.

50 Cent speaks more about SMS Audio

Shouts to HHNM

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Video After The Jump

With a new football season upon us teams are looking for that little bit of an edge to give them the extra motivation needed to beat their opponents. The University of Virginia seem to have found that edge in 50 Cent's  hit "New Day."

The Cavaliers made a promo video (below) using the song showing their preparation for the 2012 season and it's already paid off. Virginia won their season opener 43-19 over Richmond this past Saturday. Hopefully the good luck will carry over for the rest of their season.

On another note, USA Today has selected "New Day" as their pick of the week. Check out what they had to say about Fif's new banger below.

50 Cent's New Day, featuring Dr. Dre and Alicia Keys, is our pick of the week. The rapper seems re-energized and ready to conquer the world all over again on this propulsive Dr. Dre-produced track. Keys provides the optimistic hook on the first single from 50's upcoming fifth album, Street King Immortal.

Make sure you pick up the single on iTunes now

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. sat down with Hot 97's Juan Epstein show for an in depth interview. PBF talked about the possibility of a Manny Pacquiao fight, 50 Cent and TMT Promotions, what his experience was like in jail, betting on sports, Chad Johnson, the number of women he's slept with and more.

Interview pt. 1 of 3

Interview pt. 2 of 3

Interview pt. 3 of 3

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50 Cent has been on the road promoting his new film Freelancers. The Boombox caught up with the G-Unit boss to ask him questions about the movie, his life and his acting career.

50 answered questions about his favorite scene from Freelancers, his favorite actor he's worked with, what was it like being back in New York playing a cap, would he have become a police officer when he was younger to stay out of trouble, is 50 Cent a good guy and more.

Order Freelancers on Blu-ray today on Amazon and all retail outlets.

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Slaughterhouse drops another track off of their upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape. This one is a 14-minute long gem.

The group's album welcome to: Our House drops on August 28th.

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Perez Hilton and 50 Cent finally got the chance to sit down for an interview together. Both are very strong willed individuals who have no problem expressing their opinions. That led to them not always seeing eye to eye in the past, but they have both matured and buried any drama between them.

During this first part of a special two part interview the two discuss how in the past they both used controversy to their advantage. They also talk about 50's recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, reading Deepak Chopra, 50's mother being a lesbian, if he still wants to be making music in 10 years and much more.

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XXL had the chance to catch up with G-Unit boss 50 Cent recently to chop it up about a variety of subjects. Topics included his new movie Freelancers, Young Buck, the song "New Day," TMT Promotions, Kanye West's "Perfect B*tch" and much more. 

Check out an excerpt from the interview below.

In Freelancers, you play a cop. Ice-T talked about portraying a cop and coming from the background he did. How was it playing a police officer?

It was exciting. It’s a challenge, but you understand the spectrum, both sides of the coin. I went to the firing range with New York City police officers just to see what the exact procedure would be to fire the actual weapons and what their protocol is. I went with Robert DeNiro. We had worked together on the Righteous Kill project, so it had come full circle when we worked together on Freelancers.

What was it like working with DeNiro the second time around and do ya’ll hang out, chill now?

Yeah, yeah…if you remember, on that project [Righteous Kill], I got him to do the cover of Vibe. You don’t really see him doing press like that. We got a chance to talk about things away from the actual entertainment stuff. Now, I developed the kind of relationship with him, where I can call him and see if he’s interested in some of these projects.

What did you pick up from working with DeNiro this time around?

I had a lot more scenes in this project. I had a lot more scenes in this project than I did inRighteous Kill with him. What I picked up is how often he makes changes. Him and Forest [Whitaker] are the same. You get in there and you see so many different variations of the scene. Almost every take is different. It’s the same information, but [De Niro] starts from a different place and we got a lot of interesting moments like that. To work with two different Academy Award winners is an honor.

Switching gears a little bit, your man Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is out of jail. We reported about you getting at Oscar De La Hoya on Twitter last week. Are the days of Golden Boy Promotions promoting Mayweather’s fights over now? Are you and the Money Team promoting Floyd here on out?

Well, TMT is a promotional company and it’s actually Floyd’s idea for me to be involved. He asked me to do those things, so it could be more comfortable, so I could do more things in-house. I had a chance to bring over some great talent. We got Andre Dirrell, [Yuriorkis] Gamboa, Celestino Caballero, Billy Dib. We’re working with Zab [Judah].

It feels like you’ve been a promoter within the rap game for years with your marketing and showmanship. What will you bring to boxing as a promoter?

What boxing needs is a younger demographic. Right now, Dana [White] and them, as far as the UFC is concerned, 56% of the audience is from 18-34 and boxing is 30 and up. To bring a more youthful draw to it and provide a showmanship to the actual bouts maybe allow some of the actual theatrics that you see alongside of the WWE. Merge music culture with boxing and pop culture, period. Moms been taking kids to karate class forever. When those disciplines, as far as boxing goes, starts getting implemented in earlier stages, you’ll find a more youthful interest. Cards that are strong with 36 minutes of entertainment have to be developed into 70 minutes. That’s it.

[Yesterday, August 7], Kanye took to his Twitter to announce that he wrote the song “Perfect Bitch” about Kim Kardashian. What do you think?

I mean…if that man feel like she perfect, then she’s perfect. He could mean it and you’ll end up singing the words to it because he’s Kanye. You know how it is? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Switching gears again, this time to the music, how does it work out where you and Alicia Keys both have singles called “New Day” in such close proximity and your version has the same instrumental and her same hook as her earlier release?

The actual track was produced originally for [Dr. Dre's album] The Detox. I was actually recording with Dre for his record and when he played it, it had a chorus that was a little darker. When he sent it to her, Alicia sent it back with “New Day” and it had additional strings on it. He wasn’t sure that he wanted to use it because of creatively where he was at on his project. I was like, “I can use that” because it would be the bright side of what I’m offering in my body of work. He was like, “Okay, take it then.” Obviously, it was a hit. They’re sitting on it and after a while, she recorded additional verses and leaked the record.

On Monday (August 6), Young Buck turned himself in to begin his 18-month prison sentence on weapon charges. In an interview with XXL, he said he’s still up for a conversation with you. What are your thoughts on his sentence and possible conversation?

I think it’s unfortunate. I don’t wish that on nobody, having to sit in the joint. But I don’t know how to respond in a nice way to blatant disrespect that was offered. I’m the kind of person that I don’t let go of things easy, I’ll be honest with you. If I’m the driving force behind why the situation is what it is, I’ll accept it. But when I can’t see what I’ve done to offer it, then I think that was just a plan that didn’t go right. If it went the way they wanted it to, there would still be no white flag. That goes across the board…even with my personal relationships with women. It’s always people looking for what they want out of it.

To check out the rest of this great interview head over to XXL.

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Here's the final part of 50 Cent's interview with Perez Hilton.

The two discuss 50's acting career, his Cheetah Vision Film company, Kanye West, the movie Freelancers, Street King energy drink and possible tour to coincide with his upcoming Street King Immortal album.

In case you missed part 1 of the interview watch it here.

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Pics After The Jump

Mike Tyson's one man show 'Undisputed Truth' premiered Tuesday night in New York City at the Longacre Theatre. By all accounts it was an amazing show.

"I will just be telling [my] story," Tyson told Playbill.com at a press event announcing the show. "People have said the story mesmerizes. If anything comes across kind of fake, [you'll] see it right away. To avoid that, [I'm] putting everything on the table. But it's not all good stuff! It's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions."

The show is written by the boxer's wife, Kiki Tyson, and Randy Johnson. Spike Lee made his Broadway directorial debut.

"Human beings want to hear stories," Lee told Playbill.com. "Whether it's a play, a documentary…a song, a musical, a novel or a movie, we love great stories, and we love great storytellers. And, with Mike Tyson on the stage, you are going to hear a great American story… Mike's a great storyteller."

50 Cent was in attendance at the packed premiere and had a great time. He took to Twitter this morning to talk about it.

"I'm up thank God,another beautiful day I'm buggin right now. I went to see mike Tyson show on broadway," 50 wrote. "Man mike show was so good you have to see it. Spike lee did a amazing job. I was crying he was so funny.if your not a regular broadway play fan you still have to go see it. The show was sold out there wasn't one empty seat. I had a great time you have to see this I can't explain it."

After the show 50 posed for pictures with Mike, Spike, Kanye West and David Maisel and Bryant Gumbel.

For more information on the show please visit the official website.

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Maria giggles like a schoolgirl when 50 asks her to dance

50 Cent found a way to mix a little business with pleasure last night at the premiere of his new movie Freelancers. 50 was being interviewed by Extra! host Maria Menounos on the red carpet when he surprised her by asking for a dance.

After giggling like a schoolgirl for a few seconds, the 34-year old former Dancing with the Stars beauty said yes.

The two then gave the crowd at The Grove in Los Angeles a show as they danced together. They finished by giving each other a warm hug before 50 made his way into the event.

Check out pics of what went down below.

50 Cent and Freelancers co-star Annabelle Acosta

Pics from Daily Mail

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50 Cent has been making the media rounds lately promoting his new movie Freelancers. The flick, which also stars Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker arrives on Blu-ray August 21st.

When the G-Unit boss sat down with The Hollywood Reporter, he was asked about several other topics as well. One of the questions had to do with Snoop Dogg's name change to Snoop Lion.

“It’s interesting,” 50 told THR. “Of course, there will be some people who connect to it and there will be some people that run from it – I don’t know how his little league team’s parents will feel about his new persona. But again, it’s a persona – these are the choices he’s created for himself creatively. And, you know, I think it will work.”

50 added that hip hop has always embraced weed influenced rap lyrics.

“Snoop’s always been that,” he says. “In the very beginning, that was his consistent theme – he had the weed, and everything else was there. [But] for hip-hop culture, it will work, because there’s enough of that going on; Wiz Khalifa, his entire theme is that. I’ve consistently seen artists sell 500,000 copies with that as a theme: Redman, Method Man, Styles P. And then I saw someone sell a million records when Afroman spoke to the younger college demographic – 'I was going to do my homework, but then I got high,'" he recalls, referring to the rapper's 2001 hit single "Because I Got High." "It just changed it up – it just felt like there was a humor to the way he chose to write it and it had a stronger impression and effect, because the kids liked to laugh at it."

As far as his own music career, 50 is getting ready to release his new album Street King Immortal on November 13th. The lead single "New Day" has been getting a lot of positive response. It's the kind of song we're used to hearing from 50, but at one point he planned to go in another direction musically. He had planned to release the album Black Magic, which was more influenced by European dance music. That project has been shelved and will never see the light of day according to 50.

“It doesn’t make sense – and that’s why you’re never going to hear that album,” he says ofBlack Magic. “I have things that I really appreciate that belong in my iPod -- my iPod only -- and leave it there.”

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50 Cent made his way into Los Angeles yesterday and stopped by radio station Power 106. He talked about TMT Promotions and said he feels he has a shot to make a Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight happen.

Fif also talked about tonight's premiere of his new movie Freelancers, which also stars Robert De Niro, his past relationship with Chelsea Handler, new artists he likes, upcoming work with Young Jeezy, his single "New Day" and much more.

Props to DiverseHipHop for the audio

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50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather Jr. appear to be very close to adding another top notch fighter to their TMT Promotions team.

ESPN is reporting that former five-time world champion Zab Judah and 50 are in the advanced stages of negotiations.

"I just left 50," Judah told ESPN's Dan Rafael. "He's a very interesting person. I've spent a lot of time with him when he was in (Las) Vegas (where Judah lives). We've been friends. I've been knowing 50 for a long time. His brain for business is phenomenal. We met Monday and (Tuesday). When you're doing big things it takes time. Anything that comes fast is not worth it. We're planning on doing it big. I like what 50 brings to the table. It's a great game plan. I think it will be a very good situation that will play out in boxing. It'll be something new and fresh."

Judah is a free agent now after his contract with Kathy Duva's Main Events ran out. If things go according to plan his next bout will be a title fight. Either against IBF junior welterweight world champion, Lamont Peterson, who may be stripped of his title after a recent positive drug test. Or he could face undefeated Mike Alvarado (33-0, 23 KO) for the vacant IBF title.

Zudah sounded confident that either fight would take place under the TMT Promotions banner.

50 Cent, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah

"It's gonna be a dream team to have Zab Judah, Floyd Mayweather, Dirrell, Gamboa, Dib all in one circle," Zudah said of the team TMT has already assembled. "[the deal] will be done. In the coming days. We're just waiting on 'Money May' to come home [from jail]."

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50 Cent has shown once again that he has a big heart and never forgot where he came from. The G-Unit boss rolled through his old Queens neighborhood last night to give away 4 wheelers and dirt bikes.

MBB boss Trav hit up Twitter to let his fans know that 50 was in his old stomping grounds handing out gifts. Trav even got an early birthday present himself.

"New Toy @50cent Just Got Me I Told Em I Rather The Ferrari 458 My Bday 12 Days Away lol," Trav wrote.

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Eminem called into Detroit radio station Channel 955 earlier today and gave radio personality Nick Craig a quick rundown on what he's been up to recently.

Em said that he has been putting a lot of time in on the new Slaughterhouse album, welcome to: Our House which comes out August 28th. He spoke about how close he is with 50 Cent outside of music and the 10th anniversary of the movie 8 Mile. He also talks about what attracted him to artists like Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse.

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Via RingTV

Calling it "the smartest decision I've made in my career," super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell officially declared himself signed with TMT Promotions, the promotional firm to be run by millionaire recording artist 50 Cent and millionaire fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Although the website, Thisis50.com, already had announced the recruitment of Dirrell and former featherweight titleholder Yuriorkis Gamboa to promotional contracts, Dirrell spoke publicly about the situation for first time during an interview with RingTV.com.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has obtained a license in New York, has has received an application for one in Nevada, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer,

A former Olympic bronze medalist, Dirrell (20-1, 14 knockouts) said that Jackson assumed control of his career "about a month ago" along with Mayweather, a jailed eight-belt, five-division titlewinner who is expected to be released from the Clark County Detention Center on Aug. 3.

Dirrell, who turns 29 in September, said he expects to compete in his first bout in mid-November under TMT Promotions -- which stands for "The Money Team -- and that he plans to end his career fighting under its promotional banner.

DirrelI was unsure when things would go into motion for Gamboa (21-0, 16 KOs), who recently became a promotional free agent following an out-of-court settlement that was reached with his former promoter, Top Rank.

Dirrell said that he initially met with Mayweather and Jackson in early May, the weekend that Mayweather unanimously decisioned Miguel Cotto for the WBC's junior middleweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Dirrell has been trained by his uncle and grandfather, Leon Lawson Jr. and Leon Lawson Sr., respectively.

RingTV.com: You have signed with Floyd Mayweather, 50 Cent and The Money Team Promtions, correct?

Andre Dirrell: That's correct

RingTV.com: When did you do it?

AD: It was sometime last month. Like the end of last month, so it's been about a month now.

RingTV.com: How did this come about?

AD: We just had a sit-down out in Las Vegas. The called me out to Las Vegas, and I flew out to Las Vegas and we had a sit-down. Everything went pretty good.

Then I followed up with another visit. And after I sent the contracts to my lawyers, I came back and I told them, "I want to be on The Money Team."

RingTV.com: What did you like about what you were told?

AD: Honestly, it's just the leadership. It's the leadership of 50 Cent. But when you sit down with 50 Cent, man, people can say, "well, he's just a rapper."

They may say, "he deals with music, he deals with endorsments, he ain't got no time for boxing." But I looked at like this: He's a total businessman, and a 100-percent wraparound. He's always talking business.

Anytime that I need advice, he's willing to give it to me, man. He's just always on his game. So he's been around Floyd for years, and they've been talking to me. He knows the game, man. When I got to see that side of him, I knew I was in good hands.

RingTV.com: What was Mayweather's influence?

Now you've throw in "The Money Man," Floyd Mayweather, now he's a whole different ballgame. He's been in my shoes and he is in my shoes. We were with him during the week of the Cotto fight.

We were in training camp with him. We saw him work hard. He works so hard, that it really gave me motivation to want to get in there and do my thing.

But he had the meeting with me during camp. That surprised me, because I didn't want to do anything to alter his training. But me being there, it was motivation for me.

It showed me what I had to do to get there. So we met and talked during his camp leading up to the fight, and then, a little bit after that, that's when I signed.

RingTV.com: What else impresed you?

AD: Well, we were able to sit down with HBO, you know? And that's another thing. Until now, I have never had a chance to ever sit down with a television executive, whether it was ESPN or Showtime.

I never had that experience for any of my fights. But that's the first.

To read the rest of the interview head over to www.ringtv.com

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