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Disgusting: Man In Trouble After Trying To Trade 3-Month Old Daughter For 2 40-Ounce Beers [2 Videos]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 2:00pm


Video After The Jump

A 24 year old dirtbag loser in Chicopee, Massachusetts is in trouble with the law after allegedly trying to trade his three month old baby daughter for beer.

Mathew Brace and the mother's baby had stopped at a gas station. While the mom was inside buying cigarettes, Brace put the baby in a maintanence worker's truck and said: "For two 40s, you can have her."

The maintanence worker instead called police. When they arrived at the scene they found Brace hiding behing a garbage dumpster with the infant.

Amazingly, Brace wasn't arrested. Instead he will have to appear in court on charges of reckless endangerment of a child.

The baby is now in state custody.

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DJ SMOKE - SMOKED OUT RADIO PT. 21

Posted by Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes on May 18, 2010 at 1:27pm


CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THIS MIXTAPE FOR FREE!




01 INTRO


02. BIG BOI � SHUTTERBUG


03. METH, GHOST, RAE- ITS THAT WU SHIT


04. RED CAF� � FT JADAKISS, STYLES P, LOKIXXIMO � I�M ILL REMIX


05. REMY X.O. BABY - CHICAGO IN-I-GO (PRODUCED BY ROSS MUNROE)


06. BLU ECSTACY SPEAKS


07. BLU ECSTACY � WHAT


08. DEJHA � I WANNA ROCK REMIX


09. TRINA � MY BITCHES


10. NICKI MINAJ FT SEAN GARRETT � MASSIVE ATTACK


11. THE DREAM FT YOUNG JEEZY � LOVE KING


12.GUDDA GUDDA - I DON' LIKE THE LOOK (FEAT. LIL' WAYNE) [PROD. BY JAHLIL BEATS]


13 BOO ROSSINI � DO IT


14. RIHANNA FT RICK ROSS � RUDEBOY REMIX


15. USHER FT LUDACRIS � SHE DON�T KNOW


16. RICK ROSS- ON DA RUN


17. FABOLOUS FT RED CAF� � TONIGHT


18. LIL SHAW � LAST ONE LEFT


19. LIL SHAW � ON THE GRIND


20. JIM JONES FT SHOOTA, HARD LUCK & OSHY � CHASIN THE PAPER


21. TEACHER PREACHER SPEAKS


22. TEACHER PREACHER � SOUTHERN CHARM


23. JODY BREEZE � FREAKIN YOU


24. THE FACULTY � HEAD 2 TOE (PROD. BY DJ C-BIT & JAY ONES)


25. DIRTY SMURF - INDUSTRY INVADER (PROD BY YUNG L)


26. LIL TREY THA LOUIE PRINCE - GRIND PAYS


27. G BOY - LEG IN


28. FREEKEY ZEKEY FT DENIRO � WHAT YOU BOUT?


29. LIL TREY THA LOUIE PRINCE - I GET IT


30. STREETZ & YOUNG DEUCES - DO MY JOB (PROD. BY MARCUS WILLIAMS)


31. BEADZ - COME HOME WITH ME


32. GUDDA GUDDA FT. LIL WAYNE - SMALL THING TO A GIANT


33. STREETS � PICK ME UP (PROD. BY DJ C-BIT)


34. [BONUS] YUNG RO � FRESHA DEN A MALL


35. [BONUS] TAY DIZM FT SHAWNNA � POINT EM OUT


36. [BONUS] ROX � WITHOUT YOU


37. [BONUS] CHROMATICS � SING THEIR SONG


38. [BONUS] KYRA SIMONE - MOMENTS


39. [BONUS] DRAGONHAWK � I NEED YOU


TO PROMOTE YOUR MIXTAPE THROUGH THE COAST 2 COAST NETWORK, VISIT WWW.COAST2COASTPROMO.COM

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Maino Speaks On Lil Wayne's Prison Bid, Reacts To Hilarious Comment Made By Tony Yayo About Where Wayne Would Have To Stash His Drugs [Video]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 10:10am


Video After The Jump

Maino and DJ Vlad had the chance to chop it up recently regarding Lil Wayne's prison stint. Maino understands the harsh realities Wayne is having to deal with with having spent ten years lock up for an attempted kidnapping.

Vlad brought up a comment G-Unit's Tony Yayo made about what Wayne would need to do to stash his drugs or whatever. Maino thought it was hilarious, but also a reality.

He explained that when you are in prison you gotta do what you can to survive.

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Fabolous Live From London's 02 Arena: Performs "My Time" x "Breathe" x I'm Ill" & More! [Video]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 9:30am


Video After The Jump

Brooklyn, New York was in the house representing at the 02 Arena in London. Fabolous hit the stage after an introduction by Radio 1's Tim Westwood.

Funeral Fab got right down to business opening with "My Time" off of 'Loso's Way', then moved on to one of his best tracks ever in "Breathe".

He closed the show out with his verse from Red Cafe's "I'm Ill."



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Nas & Damian Marley In Concert: Perform "Welcome To Jam Rock" x Made You Look" x "Hate Me Now" & More! [2 Videos]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 9:30am


Video After The Jump

Damian Marley and Nas went in at their album release party for 'Distant Relatives.' They mixed the old with the new, performing big hits like "Welcome To Jam Rock", "Hate Me Now", "Made You Look" and so much more.

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Nas & Damian Marley concert part one


Nas & Damian Marley concert part two
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Swizz Beatz' Ex-Wife Mashonda Files Suit Claiming He Owes Her $334,000 In Back Support

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 8:33am


Just when he thought he was out, free to enjoy his life with his new woman Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz ex-wife throws up a stop sign.

Mashona is claiming the super producer still owes her $334,000 in missed support payments according to the New York Post.

Papers were just filed in Manhattan Supreme Court and Mashonda wants her money right now.

"I so much wanted both of us to get on with our lives and maintain our respect for one another, but he now shows that his priorities and sense of responsibility are screwed up," Mashonda said.

Swizz's divorce from Mashonda was finalized two weeks ago after months of mud slinging, mostly from Mashonda's side. She had accused Alicia Keys of breaking up their marriage. Now it seems the drama isn't done yet.

Swizz says he's gone "above and beyond" to provide for his ex and their 13 year old son Kasseem Jr. And the allegations that he owes $325,000 in equitable distribution and $9,000 in alimony and child support are "inaccurate" and "overblown,"

"I gave over what the judge was recommending to give. I gave her $700,000 up front, because I thought $200,000 wasn't enough for what she wanted to do. I still get spit in my face for it," he said.

Mashonda's lawyer called the non-payments from Swizz "particularly troubling" given the fact he'd given Alicia a seven-carat engagement ring and is moving into a $14 million dollar crib with her.

The two are due back in court next month.

Alicia and Swizz are getting married this summer no matter what Mashonda does at this point. She might just want to get over it and move on with her life.

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Wacka Flocka Flame Performs "O Let's Do It" On The Mo'Nique Show [Video]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 8:30am


Video After The Jump

Brick Squad's Wacka Flocka Flame is killing everything right now with his smash hit "O' Let's Do It."

When asked by Mo'Nique what 'Flocka Music' is, Wacka said he wasn't sure but he gave all the credit to God for the wave he's riding.

Peep the performance below.

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Nas Laments Missing Out On Raekwon's 'Only Built For Cuban Linx II', Hopes To Make The Cut On Next Album [Video]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 7:56am


Video After The Jump


The O.D.: A Mixtape Daily Exclusive

Message to Green Lantern: Homie, make it happen! One of the great DJs in the game is on the road with Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the Distant Relatives Tour, and we're all hoping Green can convince Nas to do another mixtape.

"Perhaps," Nas said with a grin. "Green is that dude. I'm always knocking Green Lantern mixtapes."

Nas and Damian Marley's Distant Relatives joint LP came out Tuesday (May 18). Nas also appears on Capone-N-Noreaga's independent July 13 album, The War Report 2. Although Nas didn't specifically record rhymes for the album, he appears on a track called "With Me." Nore told us the Nas vocals were taken from an old studio session he had in the vault.

"It's all good," Nas said about appearing on the album. "That's a team outta Queens. It's all good."

What about C-N-N's business partner Raekwon? Nas was conspicuously absent on the Chef's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ... Pt. II, and he regrets it. Maybe he'll get on the Wu-Tang Clan co-founder's upcoming Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album.

"It's been no discussions," Nas said about appearing on Rae's new project. "You know how the music game is. Everybody is out there grindin', making music. But his last album was classic. I definitely wish I was on that piece. So yeah, something in the future is definitely likely. That'll be good."

Finally, what's good with a new Nas solo LP?

"I talked to a lot of people I really like about my next project. But there's no one sitting there doing my album right now that I could speak of," he said. "This record here [Distant Relatives], I think it's gonna push me and D in our solo projects. I think any record we do, it's gotta live up to this record. It's gotta be as good or better. We set the standard with this album. I'm just excited about this record right now."


Source: MTV

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Christina Aguliera Covers OUT Magazine: Explores Her Lesbian Side, But Says "I Love D***, That I Cannot Live Without" [Pictorial Inside]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 18, 2010 at 7:30am


Pics After The Jump

Christina Aguilera has never shied away from controversial topics during her career. Whether that be sharing a three-way tounge fest at 2003's MTV Awards with Madonna and Britney Spears. To her new eye popping, racy new video for "Not Myself Tonight."

With that being said her new interview in Out magazine is still an eye opener.

She opens up about her sexual relationship with husband Jordan Bratman, telling the mag.

“I don’t get to kiss all the girls and the boys,” Aguilera says, “but my husband knows that I get into girls. I think it’s fun to be open and play. The line is real to me. My husband and I check in with each other, but I definitely love women. I think they’re more attractive to the naked eye,” she says before adding, “I don’t think I could ever really be with a woman because that’s a lot of…what do you call it? Guys have testosterone, girls have…” Estrogen? “Yeah, there’s a lot of estrogen and I’m a lot to deal with when it’s that time of the month, so I can’t imagine it times two.” Aguilera pauses and then shakes her head. “And you know, I love dick. To be honest, that I cannot live without.”

Xtina has been hounded by critics and even fellow artists like Akon as trying too hard to be like Lady Gaga with her song like "Not Myself Tonight." Christina brushes off the comparisons, in fact she barely acknowledges Gaga's existence.

“Oh, the newcomer?” Aguilera chuckles. “I think she’s really fun to look at.”

Unfortunately, the comparisons are something Christina will just have to deal with as she preps the release of her new album 'Bionic'.

The simple fact is Christina has had a very successful decade long career. And with her vocal range and beauty it's easy to see her being around another decade, if not more.

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Lloyd Banks Breaks Down Features On ‘Beamer, Benz Or Bentley’ Remix

Posted by Mr.I Get It on May 18, 2010 at 4:01am

Banks says it was 50’s idea to change the original beat for the official remix so that it could be differentiated from the various remixes
and freestyles that other artists put out prior to its release. He
breaks down the features for us:


The-Dream: “I had spoke to couple of different R&B artists. That’s an element that I think helps. Everybody wants to be a part of that record. I don’t think it has
to be kept to one lane. I’ve heard Spanish versions to [the original],
Jamaican versions to it, Haitian versions to it. I got a feel of what
the melodic feel would bring to the record. The-Dream, he was already
doing [his own version]. Once I caught wind of it, I was like, ‘Yo, let
me get that. Don’t put that out.’ “


Yo Gotti: “Yo Gotti, I had spoke to him directly. I spoke to him a couple times, told him I wanted to get something done with him. Before that opportunity presented
itself, the [song] bubbled all down south in Memphis. I was like,
‘Let’s get Gotti on it.’ He has the street in a chokehold. We’ll
probably have more records come in the future also. He definitely has a
lane, man, and I wish him luck.”


Ludacris: “Luda, that’s the homie, man. Just through that, [it] wasn’t really nothing [difficult]. Luda is out there bubbling, platinum plaques and all that,
#1 records, where I’m trying to take it. Shout-out to Luda and shout-out
to [Disturbing Tha Peace co-founder] Chaka [Zulu] for making that
happen.


Jadakiss: “That wasn’t nothing. That wasn’t nothing but a phone call. I spoke to him a few times about the record. I had his verse for a minute. I had his verse
while I was overseas and everyone was leaking their versions. We built
the beat around his verse. He adds that extra, that lyrical element,
that New York City vibe to it. I didn’t want to stand alone on that
joint.”


Source:HHNM
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Nas Speaks On How Working With Damian Marley Has Gotten Him Through Personal Turmoil

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 10:00pm


Video After The Jump

Nas shared a brotherly bond with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley while recording their Distant Relatives LP, which was part of the reason he has been able to get through his much-publicized personal turmoil over the past year. In April of last year, Kelis filed for divorce from Nas. Since then, the two have been embroiled in a court battle over child support.

Still, despite whatever drama the MC found himself in, it didn't blur his focus on his new project.

"Personal life is what it is," he said Monday (May 17). "Everybody goes through it. Working on this record got me through it. Rockin' with D got me through it. His whole squad, his whole team, the way he rides, his whole culture. He didn't have to push anything on me. He didn't have to say anything particular. Just, I know this is my brother right here. Rockin' with him, I kept my head clear and focused on what we was doing, so it was all good."

Their joint effort hits stores Tuesday. The two started a tour in support of the project, touching the stage in Chicago over the weekend, and they hit New York on Monday night.

"People don't know what to expect still," Nas said of their live shows. "It's a good thing the album is out. You can enjoy it, come through, anticipate certain songs. We're doing an album for the first time, so we're still getting the kinks out, but each show we do, it's just growing."

Nas promised that the duo will get "heavily" into the album at their concerts. The guest stars on Distant Relatives include K'naan, Joss Stone, Lil Wayne and Jr. Gong's brother Stephen Marley.

"He's on two tracks, his vocals, which is on 'Leaders' and 'In His Own Words,' " Damian said. "He also produced those two tracks and a track called 'Patience' on the album. For me, it's a natural thing. All of my albums prior to this was produced by my brother and myself. That's how we do music. It's another natural step for us to do music on this album also."

"It's mind-blowing, man," Nas added about being in the lab with the Marley family. "Anytime you see family, you're always taken aback and see the similarities between people. When you see Stephen, you see Julian — all the brothers. It's an amazing thing. Sometimes I think, 'What if their father was here to see all of them, how well they're doing now?' He's gotta be proud — even now. It's a beautiful thing. [My brother] Jungle definitely came through. We made it a big family affair; the Marleys and Joneses: We chillin'."

The current single from Distant Relatives is "As We Enter."

"Great fun shooting that music video," Jr. Gong said. "It's almost like, in some way, a version of the live show. We get up there, performing for the camera. It reminded me of the 'Road to Zion' video. The look of it."


Source: MTV

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Mariah Carey Puts Out Stage Fire In Egypt By Herself

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 9:39pm


Mariah Carey's quick thinking saved the R&B diva from a potentially dangerous situation.

MC was in Egypt about do her thing on stage when she literally got a hot foot.

"In Egypt getting ready to go on stage and suddenly there was a surge of power and an electrical fire started under my feet! Wtf?!" she tweeted "Naturally,my emergency instincts kicked in and I put out the flames w/a towel. Lol(yet true)."

Mariah even found time to laugh about the whole situation.

"The funny thing about this ish is an ol'skool radio station in the other room started playing "aww freak out!"@that exact moment!"

Good to see you're ok MC, you might want to fire your security and stage hands though, they move way too damn slow

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New Miss USA Rima Fakih Worked That Stripper Pole Before Winning Crown [Video + Pics Inside]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 5:00pm

Video After The Jump

Long before Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA 2010, she took home top honors in a contest that would make even Donald Trump blush.

Miss Michigan, who made history Sunday night as the first Arab-American to win the Miss USA beauty pageant, won a pole dancing contest in 2007 hosted by local Detroit radio morning show Mojo in the Morning.

In a series of photos posted on the radio show's Web site, Fakih is seen provocatively working her way up and down a stripper pole while wearing a blue tank top, bottom-grazing red shorts and a pair of high heels. Another photo shows her wearing a bra stuffed with dollar bills.

The 24-year-old beauty did not need to remove any clothing during her show-stopping performance at the Coliseum Gentleman's Club which won her "jewelry, gift cards, adult toys and a stripper pole for home use."

According to Mojo In The Morning, radio show producers have been contacted by Miss Universe representatives requesting additional photographs and information regarding Fakih's involvement in the annual "Stripper 101" contest.

Pageant officials reportedly did not answer to inquiries regarding whether Fakih's status as Miss USA was in danger.

"It would be foolish to consider anyone other than Rima to represent the USA," radio host Mojo said. "The photos taken from our Web site are no more provocative than those on the Miss USA Web site."

Source: NY Daily News









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Mavado's Role As Gun Toting Gangster In Drake's Video "Find Your Love" Draws Criticism In Jamaica

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 4:00pm


Dancehall star Mavado has angered some in his home country of Jamaica for his appearance in Drake's new video "Find Your Love"

Some feel his portrayal as a gun toting gangster named "Puffy" promotes the wrong image of the country, while others say it depicts reality.

Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett protested the content of the video saying, "Care has to be taken by all, including our creative artists, in portraying images of our destination and people."

"Gun culture, while not unique to Jamaica, is not enhancing [the island's image]," he added.

The video was shot in the Jamaican cities of Kingston and St. Andrew and follows Drake as he pursues his love interest who happens to be Puffy's woman.

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith responded to the criticism:

"The concept that they came up with, where did they come up with that? If Mavado did not do it, another Jamaican actor would have done it," he said.

"There are a broad range of issues which need addressing if people from California want to portray a love story like this."

Drake's character is killed at the end of the video by gunshots from his love interest.

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Diddy Covers XXL For 1st Time. Tells Mag He's The Best Ever "I Am The Champion Of Hip Hop, No One Can F*** With Me"

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 3:30pm


Diddy has never been short on confidence. In the new June issue of XXL the rap impresario breaks down why he feels he's the best.

As he preps the release of his latest album 'Last Train To Paris' Puffy takes a look back at his colorful career.

“I am the champion of hip-hop” Diddy says. “Hands down, undisputed, I’m the undisputed heavyweight champion of hip-hop. We are going to have to deal with those facts. There is nobody that can f*ck with me with what I do, which is getting busy. We are going across the board, as an entrepreneur, innovator, motivator. Who was there first? Who traveled to Europe first? The first. The first. The first. The first. I was the first.”

Diddy didn't stop there, he got on a Floyd Mayweather Jr type roll bragging on his accomplishments.

"I was the first on the jet. I was the first running the marathon. I was the first donating millions of dollars. I was the first," Diddy bragged. "I was the first with the 10 million records sold. I was the first with the label. I was the first with the renegotiations. F--- a Forbes list. I was on the cover of Forbes."

There is no doubt that Diddy has done a lot for the hip hop community and will go down as a genius when it comes to marketing and promoting. If you don't think so, just ask him yourself.

"There is going to be someone that will pass me, but as long as I'm on the court, they are not going to be badder than me, because there is too much catching up to do," he continued. "There is not one mutha----er that's here now who is going to outwork me. That is not going to happen, not right now. Maybe if I slow down, but to this day, no one can f--- with me when it comes to getting busy and working."

The June issue of XXL hits stores June 1. While Diddy's 'Last Train To Paris' is expected later this year.

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Lloyd Banks Breaks Down Each Artist On "Beamer, Benz Or Bentley" Remix & Why He Chose A Different Beat For It

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 3:00pm


Lloyd Banks' "Beamer, Benz or Bentley," featuring Juelz Santana, came out of nowhere to be a smash. The song has been such a favorite that artists from Eminem to Joell Ortiz have freestyled on the beat.

Banks is grateful for the love from his peers, and last week, he dropped the official remix with a slew of teammates. "Shout-out to everybody who did the record prior to the official remix coming out," Banks said on Friday from Panama.

The remix features Jadakiss, Ludacris, Yo Gotti and The-Dream. "The fans, I think they wanted to hear something new, something fresh," Banks said. "While I was on tour, the international tour, I kept in communication with all those artists. Shout out to Jada, shout out to Luda, Yo Gotti, The-Dream. I had everybody's verse except for Dream. That was the last thing that came in. Those were all people I respect and people I would like to work with outside the remix. It ain't really hard to decide who's gonna be on it."

Banks also switched up the much-rapped-on beat, making the "Beamer, Benz or Bentley" remix almost an entirely different song.

"I had about six different beats," Banks said. "Just sitting with 50 [Cent], he brought it to my attention to try and change the element a little bit. Being that already 40 or 50 artists already rapped on the [original] beat, it's kinda hard to decipher what's the real remix. If they all rapping to the same beat, you can just patch it with the other 40, 50 artists and make a mega-mix and not know what the official remix is. The beat change lets people know off the rip 'This is the official remix.' I'm pretty sure they'll be blending the original beat in with it anyway."

Here, Banks breaks down how each artist came to appear on his remix:

The-Dream: "I had spoke to couple of different R&B artists. That's an element that I think helps. Everybody wants to be a part of that record. I don't think it has to be kept to one lane. I've heard Spanish versions to [the original], Jamaican versions to it, Haitian versions to it. I got a feel of what the melodic feel would bring to the record. The-Dream, he was already doing [his own version]. Once I caught wind of it, I was like, 'Yo, let me get that. Don't put that out.' "

Yo Gotti: "Yo Gotti, I had spoke to him directly. I spoke to him a couple times, told him I wanted to get something done with him. Before that opportunity presented itself, the [song] bubbled all down south in Memphis. I was like, 'Let's get Gotti on it.' He has the street in a chokehold. We'll probably have more records come in the future also. He definitely has a lane, man, and I wish him luck."

Ludacris: "Luda, that's the homie, man. Just through that, [it] wasn't really nothing [difficult]. Luda is out there bubbling, platinum plaques and all that, #1 records, where I'm trying to take it. Shout-out to Luda and shout-out to [Disturbing Tha Peace co-founder] Chaka [Zulu] for making that happen.

Jadakiss: "That wasn't nothing. That wasn't nothing but a phone call. I spoke to him a few times about the record. I had his verse for a minute. I had his verse while I was overseas and everyone was leaking their versions. We built the beat around his verse. He adds that extra, that lyrical element, that New York City vibe to it. I didn't want to stand alone on that joint."

Purchase the Beamer, Benz Or Bentley remix from iTunes Here

Source: MTV

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Eminem Is Impressed By Rapper Yelawolf [2 Videos]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 7:21am


Video After The Jump

Yelawolf has started to create a great buzz within the hip hop community. The Alabama MC can count one of the premier artists in the game as a fan now.

According to producer Jim Jonsin, Em is really digging Yela's music.

"I actually played a video of Yelawolf for Eminem, Pop The Trunk and he really liked it," explained the producer. "He (Eminem) was like 'wow,that's the sh*t. I need to do some sh*t like that.'"

Eminem and Yelawolf are now label mates at Interscope Records, so it's possible we may see a collaboration down the line.

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Producer Jim Jonsin Speaking On Yelawolf and Eminem


Yelawolf "Pop The Trunk" Music Video
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Shanell Loves Lil Wayne For 'Believing In Her'. The Young Money Singer Previews New Mixtape 'Shut Up & Listen'

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 6:39am


Video After The Jump

Artist: Shanell

Holding It Down For: Young Money

Mixtape: Shut Up and Listen

Real Spit: Young Money singer Shanell has been inspired by challenges almost her entire life. She grew up encouraging and battling her sister, former Danity Kane singer D. Woods, in songwriting.

"It was me, my sister, and we have an older brother," Shanell said on a recent trip to NYC. "We used to watch him. He did music before either one of us. He did television, movies, and we used to run around the house singing his songs, until we started writing our own. It was friendly competition between me and my sister, because we would always help each other and challenge each other.

"I been real nice with the pen game," she added with a smile. "I was good when I started, and I got better and better and better."



While on the road with her sister during Danity Kane's tour in support of their debut LP, Shanell, who used to be a backup dancer, crossed paths with Ne-Yo. She was writing to a track, and he asked if he could use it for his album. The song turned out to be "Say It" from Ne-Yo's Because of You. Ne-Yo eventually invited the singer — who went to a performing-arts high school — to be down with his camp as a songwriter.

"It was really a great learning experience," she said. "[Ne-Yo] listens to all different types of music. I know he sat me down one time and was like, 'That's great, but try to say all that in three lines.' I was like 'a challenge.' So my writing has been influenced a lot by him."

Shanell said she decided to join Young Money because, whereas Ne-Yo's attention was on her writing skills, Wayne saw her as a performer.

"Wayne was kinda like, 'You do this. Keep your music for yourself. You have the talent, I see what you do. You can come over here with Young Money and do what you do over here,' " Shanell said. "Which was the best situation I can be in. My music is a little bit different. It's not R&B, it's not pop, it's not rock, it's not alternative. It's a fusion of everything. A lot of labels don't let you do that, but at Young Money, they let you do that."

Wayne also gave her the freedom to take several minutes from the America Most Wanted tour to showcase her skills. She had a mini-set within Wayne's set last summer.

"It was great," she said. "I brought dancers in. I did a lot of staging and choreographing. I loved that he believed in me enough to do that."

Shanell said her debut LP won't be out until sometime next year, but she did just drop the mixtape Shut Up and Listen. If you have a physical copy of the disc and look inside, you'll see a baby carriage filled with headphones and other musical items. That is a playful middle finger to the rumors that she was having Lil Wayne's baby.

"I'm trying to take a negative thing and make a positive," 'Nell said, who added that she was never romantically involved with Wayne. "That's another reason I put this mixtape out, because a lot of people haven't heard what I do. It's all these rumors flying, that's all they hear. So it's here, this [mixtape] is my baby, this is what I've been sitting in the studio every night working on. This is my baby. This is what I've been pregnant with for the past nine months. So we're just trying to take a bad rumor and turn it into something positive."

What did Weezy think of the rumors that he had knocked up his artist? "We never talked about it," the singer insisted. "Nobody ever talks about the negative stuff. We're too busy making records. We get on the stage and perform, we get in the studio, we're on the radio every day."

Joints to Check For

» "Hair Down My Back." "That is my ladies-anthem song," she explained. "It's a fun record. It's about when you go to the store, you see the 14 inches, you see the 12 inches. For women to wear it, call it out. You don't have to be ashamed. Nowadays, everybody knows girls wear weaves. Wear it as long as you want, as short as you want. I would say it's kinda pop/R&B. It's talking about extensions, but it's still a club beat. I don't think I'll hear it in Club Crucial in Atlanta, but I think it will reach a vast amount of people."

» "Tell Me" (featuring Jae Millz). "Millz actually thought about that, brought it to me, like, 'I wanna do this Groove Theory record over,' " Shanell said. "I tried to sing it just like [Amel Larrieux]. I did the verse just like her and redid the bridge. It's a feel-good record, and it's a classic. I was a young'n [when the original came out]. It reminds me of the picnics in the park, sitting on the bleachers watching the boys play basketball in the park."

» "Hear Me Calling." "The music takes you from one end of music to the next. I wanted to ease people in," she said about why she started her mixtape out with that song. "It's a chill record. It feels good. It's where I started, subject matter-wise. As the music transforms to the other side, which is the last record, that's my growth and all the different types of music I listen to. I can go from here to there — that's what I wanted to show people. [I'm singing about] life and memories, things that remind me of my 'hood where I grew up: the corner store, the duplex, the white lines on the sidewalk."

Source: MTV

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