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J. Cole held a private listening session for his highly anticipated debut album 'Cole World: The Sideline Story' at Santos Party House in NYC last night. From the early reviews coming in, sounds like Roc Nation has another winner about to drop.

Rolling Stone attended the session and came away impressed.

Cole World narrates J. Cole's uphill battle against compromise: a 15-track opus on his two-year ascension in a hip-hop landscape that values danceable pop beats and viral videos over his brand of glitz-free lyricism. "I'm coming for what I'm owed," he declares on somber opener "A Dollar and a Dream III," before launching into "Can't Get Enough," which features Trey Songz and will serve as his next single. The bachata-sampling track nods to radio without pandering to it, retaining Cole's blitzing wordplay: "I'm from the 'Ville where they bang for the money/And carry .45s like change for a 20," he lip-synced fervently as his entourage mobbed in the crowd.

To read the full review go HERE.

'Cole World: The Sideline Story' in stores September 27.

Check out a few pics from the listening session below.

A new cookie is reportedly knocking the competition off the block Southeastern Europe.

Black Man Cookies, shaped like a man with braids, a wide nose and big lips are popular in Romania, Albania and Turkey according to NewsOne.

Do you find this offensive?

50 Cent will serve as one of the executive producers for a new thriller Frozen Ground.

Starring Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, and Nicolas Cage, Frozen Ground is based on the true story of serial killer Robert Hansen, who murdered at least 24 women between 1980-1983.

Hansen would abduct his victims, fly them out to his cabin in a remote part of Alaska, where he would set them free and hunt them.

Robert Hansen

Cusack will portray Hansen in the film. Cage will play the Alaskan State Trooper who helps track Hansen down along with the help of 17-year old Cindy Paulson (played by Hudgens), after she escapes from the killer.

According to 411mania, the movie is being produced by Randall Emmett, George Furla, Jane Fleming and Mark Ordesky. Stephan Maritorsyan, Remington Chase and 50 Cent are executive producers.

The film begins shooting in Anchorage, Alaska on October 17.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. was a guest on the Conan O'Brien show last night.

Mayweather talked about his fight coming up this Saturday against Victor Ortiz, his huge Las Vegas crib, and wrestling being real.

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Riff Raff recruits 50 Tyson for his latest visuals.

While 50 Tyson is certainly a positive role model for people with autism, I have yet to figure out if Riff Raff is really taking rap seriously.

I'll let you be the judge. Peep the video below.

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Ever since it was announced back in July that Rihanna would be replacing Megan Fox as the new face and body for Emporio Armani Underwear and Jeans, fans have anxiously awaited the 1st photo shoot.

Riri doesn't disappoint as she goes blonde and strips down to her bra and panties, revealing a terrific body in the Steven Klein snapped pics.

What do you think of Rihanna's new look?

After touring as an opening act for a while Big Sean has decided the time is right to headline his own gig.

The 23-year old G.O.O.D Music artist told MTV that although he passed up other opportunities for the tour, it will be worth it.

"I'm embarking on my first solo tour this fall, and I passed up a lot of good opportunities, but I'm still gonna be a part of those opportunities one way or another," he said. "I really thought it was important to do my own solo tour."

The 30-city Finally Famous kicks off October 2, in Asheville, NC. Other stops include New York, Chicago, Denver, and Seattle before wrapping up in Los Angeles November 25.

Sean is promising fans a great show.

"I'm gonna put on a hell of a show. I've been getting my cardio up, working out, taking this sh*t serious."

Check out all tour dates below.

»October 2 - Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel

»October 4 - Greensboro, NC @ Greene Street Club

»October 5 - Richmond, VA @ The National

»October 7 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

»October 9 - New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater

»October 11 - Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

»October 12 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar

»October 14 - Norfolk, VA @ Old Dominion University

»October 15 - New Britain, CT @ Central Connecticut State University

»October 24 - Clarksville, TN @ Austin Peay State University

»October 29 - Kalamazoo, MI @ Kalamazoo State Theatre

»November 1 - Cincinnati, OH @ Madison Theater

»November 2 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall

»November 3 - Columbia, MO @ University of Missouri

»November 4 - Chicago, IL @ Metro

»November 5 - Madison, WI @ Orpheum

»November 7 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

»November 8 - Des Moines, IA @ People's Court

»November 9 - Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose

»November 10 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

»November 11 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre

»November 12 - Denver, CO @ The Summit

»November 14 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Complex

»November 16 - Pullman, WA @ Washington State University

»November 17 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox Market

»November 18 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre

»November 20 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall

»November 22 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency

»November 23 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Galaxy

»November 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Music Box

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On September 13, 1996 Tupac Shakur succumbed to massive injuries sustained a week earlier in a drive by shooting.

We're not going to dwell on the fact that despite being shot on the Las Vegas strip after a Mike Tyson fight, Pac's murder still remains unsolved.

Instead we will celebrate the legacy of arguably the greatest rapper ever.

To date there have been 14 official Pac albums -- 8 of those were released posthumously. All but 1 has gone gold. 10 of the discs have been certified platinum, and his 'Greatest Hits' album is certified diamond.

Shakur was also becoming an accomplished actor. He had 6 films under his belt at the time of his death. He's best remembered for his role as Bishop in the movie 'Juice.'

Some people have called 2Pac the hip-hop communities version of Elvis Presly. An icon some fans simply refuse to believe the rapper is dead. Instead choosing to believe he will come back one day.

Afeni Shakur has helped to keep her son's name alive by opening the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. Established in 1997, the foundation provides art programs for young people.

R.I.P. Tupac Shakur, you are truly missed.

2Pac "California Love"

2Pac "Changes"

2Pac "Dear Mama"

2Pac "Brenda's Got A Baby"

2Pac "How Long Will They Mourn Me" ft Nate Dogg & Thug Life

2Pac - How Do You Want It" ft Jodeci

2Pac - Troublesome 96 [Live]

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Wayne Brady plays the part of Lil Wayne and a rapping cat replaces Andre 3000 in Lloyd's new music video for "Dedication To My Ex (Miss That)."

The track appears on Lloyd's new cd 'King of Hearts.'

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Serena Williams was fined $2000 for insulting a chair umpire during the Championship match of the U.S. Open Sunday. The fine is small change to Serena, who took home $1.4 million after coming in second place, but she made sure she got her money's worth.

Williams was playing Samantha Stosur in the final. During the second set Williams yelled "come on!" after hitting a winning shot to the corner.

Chair umpire Eva Asderaki, found Williams to be in violation of a rule that says you can't distract your opponent while in play. The ruling angered Williams who let her feelings be known.

"Aren't you the one who screwed me over the last time I was here? You have it out for me?" Williams asked. "I promise you that's not cool. That's totally not cool."

During a break Williams continued her tirade.

"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control. You're a hater and you're unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? Wow. If you ever see me walking down the hall look the other way because you're out of control"

Check out the video below. Is Serena out of line?

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A video has surfaced that appears to clearly show an Omaha man being brutally beaten by police, even though he is subdued.

Robert Wagner was at Creighton University Medical Center to see a cousin, an alleged gang member, who had been murdered. Wagner reportedly became upset when his girlfriend wasn't allowed to see his relative.

Police asked Wagner to leave the hospital, which he appeared to be doing when police say he started name calling a female cop, who then ordered him arrested.

At that point Wagner is tasered several times and swarmed by cops who punch and kick him.

Wagner was charged with felony assault on a officer.

Two officers are now on paid administrative leave while an internal investigation takes place.

Former State Senator Ernie Chambers told KMTV that he doesn't think the police are being held accountable for their actions. He's asking U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg to investigate the Omaha Police Department.

Chambers says the beating is "business as usual" for the Omaha PD.

"They're sworn to uphold the law and when those sworn to uphold the law violate it they bring all law into contempt," says Chambers "I don't believe that any police agency of any kind of any level can be trusted to investigate itself."

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Katt Williams is going in on Steve Harvey again in a new diss video. Diddy and Jermaine Dupri also get done dirty.

Katt specifically clowns Dupri for not visiting Da Brat when she was in prison.

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Robert Earl Davis, Jr. aka DJ Screw is being recognized by the University Of Houston for his ground breaking work.

According to Ozone, the University has acquired the DJ Screw Sound Recordings Collection, which includes more than 1,000 vinyl records owned by the late DJ Screw. Most of the records were donated by Screw's father Robert Earl Davis Sr.

DJ Screw is famous for creating the chopped and screwed sound of slowing music down to drastically alter it's original sound. Screw also started the Screwed Up Click. A Houston rap collective that included Z-Ro, Trae Tha Truth, Lil' Keke, Fat Pat, Big Hawk, Big Pokey, Botany Boyz and many more.

Currently being cataloged, the collection will be open for use by researchers in 2013. From March 19 – Sept. 21, 2012, selections from the collection will be on display in the M.D. Anderson Library as part of the exhibit DJ Screw and the Rise of Houston Hip Hop. In conjunction with the exhibit, a conference exploring the unique music and culture of Houston hip hop will be held March 27 and 28, 2012, presented jointly by the University of Houston Libraries, the HERE Project at Rice University, African American Studies at the University of Houston, and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston.

Z-Ro and UH librarian Julie Grob discuss the DJ Screw Collection

Kreayshawn and V-Nasty did such an effective job dissing Officer Ricky, that he's throwing out threats. And not your typical rap diss type threats.

HipHopWired is reporting that in an upcoming issue of XXL, the former correctional officer is talking reckless to the "Gucci Gucci" rapper.

“I cant wait to slap the sh*t out of whoever carries her bags,” says Ross. “And I hope it's her n*gga. Dirty b*tch. You better know the f*ck you talking about. I'll pay 50K to mess up your whole week.”

This all started when Kreayshawn said the officer was a fake during a Cosmic Kev freestyle.

She later backtracked and denied dissing anyone during an MTV interview last month.

"I've never, ever intentionally dissed anybody my whole career, and I don't do that personally with friends either," she said at the time. "I'm not like a person to go against anyone or anything. So hey, no offense to you Rick Ross. There's no Rick Ross offensive things going on in there, even though it sounds like it."

Less than a week later a video surfaced of Kreayshawn watching her MTV denial with some friends, then going off on how fake Officer Ricky is. Questioning whether or nor he can find his d*ck because he's so fat.

Officer Ricky has obviously been paying attention because the two camps had a brief run in on the red carpet of the VMAs, held August 28. Security had to separate Kreayshawn's manager Stretch, from MMG.

It's not really a good look to beef with a female is it?

Kreayshawn and V-Nasty dissing Officer Ricky

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Peep East Carolina University head football coach David Bennett letting the press know that he doesn't want "cats" as players. He only wants dogs "be a dog!"

With rumors swirling around as to whether or not Young Jeezy's next album 'Thug Motivation 103' will be released September 20 as scheduled, The Snowman put out a handwritten tracklist.

There are no features listed, but this could at least possibly put an end to talk that the project has been pushed back again.

Tracklist:

1. Talk 2 Me
2. Real Is How Ya Feel
3. Supa Freak
4. Trump
5. L.M.M.
6. Nothin
7. Never Be The Same
8. 38
9. Higher Learning
10. Change Ya Life
11. I Do
12. Trapped
13. Lil Homies
14. Errythang
15. This Ones For You

Rappers Paul Wall and Baby Bash had to spend a night in an El Paso jail after being popped for weed Saturday.

The People's Champ and Bash were charged with possession of marijuana in a quantity of less than 2 oz. They both posted bail of $300 and were released.

Immediately after being released Bash went on twitter to rant about the arrest, and the police.

"Ain't 2much worse than a HOE ASS PUNK EL PASO COP that abuses his authority,jus cuz me and Paul wall are artists! Only GEEKS and fools who don't have any spine abuses AUthority! But I'm back in the FLESH feelin so FRESH, out the tank mang," Bash wrote. "I'm not here to diss ALL police, they have a tuff gig and I respect that! BUT u have the ONE or TWO that will disrespect & abuse the power cuz maybe they got picked on in high school alot and now have a chip on they're shoulder, and that's exactly wut happened to Us, all we did was SMELL like weed and wen he couldn't find it and we didn't snitch on who sparked it he got overdramatic and took us in! He found out who we were and really got big shot on us! Haha even his partner said he's a d*ck."

Wall seemed to take the whole incident in stride.

"Fresh out the El Paso County jail wit @BabyBash @BIGGROY in the same tank they held Willie Nelson/Johnny Cash," Wall posted on twitter, including a picture of himself handcuffed in the back of a police car.

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Producer/rapper Scram Jones releases a new video in memory of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedies.

The clip follows a New York businessman's last day working at the Twin Towers, and his rebirth.

A lot of you probably already know the song "Renegade" from Jay-Z's album 'The Blueprint' was originally recorded by Royce Da 5'9 and Eminem.

Eminem eventually offered the song to Jay-Z, and it ended up becoming a classic Hov and Slim collaboration.

On the 10th anniversary of 'The Blueprint's' release Royce looks back with Vibe at a song he says changed his career for the better.

“Renegade” started out as a song me and Eminem were doing for my Rock City album. We thought the track was crazy. Em asked if I was cool with giving [Jay] that one, and I said, "Hell yeah!" I'm glad, because a classic record came of it.

When I heard Em and Jay's version, I was like, “Yo, this shit is going to be one of those ones.” It was incredible. Whenever I listen to something, I try to soak up as much game as I can and use it for inspiration. [Jay-Z’s version] actually taught me about my writing style and how to bring records home better. We weren’t in the same lane, but Jay took it where I should’ve taken it. It helped me grow.

But I don't know if it was a competition [between Eminem and Jay-Z], per se. I'm sure when Jay got Em's vocals, it pushed him to do what he did—we’re talking about two of the greats on one song. Eminem was making classic music, but to finally collaborate with the other guy putting up numbers, Detroit saw that Em was respected by his peers. It was a great look for Detroit. And a smart move by Jay to fuse what's great in hip-hop. I'm glad that song was on that album, because I knew people were going to be talking about it years later. I feel I helped with something so great, even though I played the smallest part.

Jay-Z ft Eminem - Renegades

Eminem & Royce Da 5'9 - Renegades (Original Version)

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