For those who have an intravenous Internet hookup, Jay-Z's long-delayed, much-anticipated "Blueprint 3" leaked sometime in the wee hours Monday morning and made it's debut Tuesday on Rhapsody's and MTV's websites. We listened to the entirety of Sean Carter's 11th album in one fell swoop -- not even taking a break to sip overpriced Champagne, smoke overpriced cigars or take our Maybach out for a leisurely spin. That's either dedication or... a paying assignment from our editor.
"What We Talkin' About" (ft. Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun)
Jay-Z has enlisted Luke Steele of Australian hairspray techno auteurs Empire of the Sun to sing the hook. For those doing the math at home, that means that the man behind this album has more face-time on a Jay-Z album than longtime collaborators DJ Premier and State Property.
In the course of the cut, Jay-Z claims, "I'm not talking about profit; I'm talking about pain." Within 30 seconds, he's bragging about being bff's with Barack Obama. Apparently, Jay-Z feels the pain of the potential loss of the public option more than we will ever know. Hova also declares "I'm not talking about [rivals] Jimmy [Jones], Game or Dame [Dash]," thus robbing him of any semblance of conflict that might make his music that much more interesting.
"Thank You"
Rather than use the liner notes, Jay-Z decides to write a song thanking the fans for supporting him. He mentions that he has 10 No. 1 albums -- a factual inaccuracy. He has 10 official solo albums released prior to this one, and not all reached No. 1. You'd think that with all of his money, he could at least pay sidekick Memphis Bleek to fact-check for him. He also mentions his predilection for wearing really nice suits and going to the opera.
"D.O.A."
The long-ago leaked first single proves that no matter how cranky and cantankerous Jay-Z sounds, a Janko Nilovic sample can salve all wounds. Moreover, whether you agree or not with his traditionalist stance, Jay at least has a coherent point here.
"Run this Town" (ft. Rihanna & Kanye West)
The second single currently earning heavy urban radio play. You've probably heard it. If not, let me give you a hint about who runs this town -- it rhymes with May-B.
"Empire State of Mind" (ft. Alicia Keys)
Essentially, a list of New York City streets with the titular inspiration seemingly swiped from Nas' "New York State of Mind." For the 723rd time, Jay-Z compares himself to Frank Sinatra, an analogue that's becoming ill-fitting. There's something timeless about Sinatra's catalog and his choice of collaborators. Something tells me that Mr. Hudson, featured on the last track of "Blueprint 3," is no Antonio Carlos Jobim. Even Alicia Keys can't save this track from foundering.
"Real as it Gets" (ft. Young Jeezy)
This feels like a shameless shill to get Southern rap fans to buy the album, lured by the promise of a Young Jeezy cameo. When used properly, Jeezy's gravelly timbre can produce earthshaking force; but on "Real," the result is both rappers abandoning their gritty street raps for self-worshiping ennui. It's hard to blame them; it's tough to stay hungry when you have a personal chef.
"On to the Next One" (ft. Swizz Beatz)
The first track yet that doesn't make me want to skip onto the next one. Swizz Beatz is clearly channeling "A Milli," and while he doesn't get the exact same results, he clearly creates one of the album's standout tracks, sounding simultaneously au courant and catchy. Jay-Z continues his recurring obsession with being artistically progressive and moving forward.
"Off That" (ft. Drake)
Timbaland's beat sounds like one of the better castoffs from the last Justin Timberlake album, and Drake's hook is cool and self-assured. But there's something here that reads as stasis: Timbaland continues to envision the future as silver suits and astronaut ice cream, while Jay sounds like he would probably try to lecture the “Say Hey” kid for wearing tight pants.
"A Star is Born" (ft. J. Cole)
Featuring a guest appearance from J. Cole, the fledgling artist whom Jay-Z has signed to Roc Nation. Cole acquits himself fine with a nimble resonant verse about coming from poverty, though his performance lacks the appeal of past Jay proteges Beanie Sigel, Kanye West or Memphis Bleek.
"Venus vs. Mars"
A naked play to entice female listeners, with Timbaland delivering a monstrous beat. Unfortunately, Jay utilizes the lurid leering tone of the rich guy at the bar promising helicopter rides to any nubile female who will look in his direction. In 10 years, "Venus vs. Mars," will go down in history as the first rap song ever inspired by a self-help romance guide intended to illuminate gender differences. I can't wait until Drake releases his prog-rap opus, "He's Just Not That Into You."
"Already Home" (ft. Kid Cudi)
The most organic and hence best song on the album. Kanye fulfills his symphonic "Late Registration"-era aspirations and Jay fills it with regnant "Blueprint" majesty. The decision to pair up with Kid Cudi and Kanye West finally yields some dividends for Jay's experimentation. Granted, it's not exactly the London Muddy Waters Sessions, but it works. Kid Cudi's stoned insularity proves a nice foil to Jay's swagger and the song sounds fun and spontaneous.
"Hate" (ft. Kanye West)
The logical continuation of the "Graduation" dud "Drunk and Hot Girls," "Hate" sounds like the result of staying up all night in the studio mixing various liquors and then letting the tape recorder roll. You're in that deluded state where you think that everything you record is genius and filled with revelations. Then you wake up the next morning to realize that except for three seconds, everything you made was garbage. Except that never happened, and Jay and Kanye decided to put it on the album.
"Reminder"
Where Jay-Z reminds us that he's better than you and me. Presumably, this is supposed to even out the hospitality of "Thank You."
"So Ambitious" (ft. Pharrell)
Apparently, all ambition means these days is making songs that both Pharrell and Jay would've scoffed at during their "Roc La Familia"-era salad days.
"Young Forever" (ft. Mr. Hudson)
Sampling "Forever Young" on the the final track is one of the worst decisions of Jay-Z's legendary career and confirms everyone's deepest fears about the album: that it's a Hail Mary attempt by a veteran artist to stay relevant. There's maturing gracefully and then there's this -- a maudlin cut that sounds like bar mitzvah montage rap. After hearing this, cleanse with "Brooklyn's Finest" on repeat.
Verdict:
Regardless of this lackluster effort, nothing can alter Jay-Z's place as one of the greatest rappers of all time. That said, despite several strong moments, "Blueprint 3" documents an artist who refuses to wallow in the past, but lacks a (ahem) blueprint for the future. As with all Jay-Z albums, it tries to be all things to all people, and occasionally succeeds, but more often than not, it offers a tepid futurism. If Jay-Z is rap's Rolling Stones, this is his "Dirty Work," even if he maintains that he doesn't like his colors too bright.
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Porn Star, Pinky from pinkyxxx.com speaks on when she became such a freak and how far she will allow herself to go on camera. Graphic language.
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MTV Reports
You might have seen her getting down in music videos, but Mya said she still has a lot to learn before she shimmies and shakes on "Dancing With the Stars" starting September 21.
"So far, rehearsals have been really tough," she told MTV News. "So it's kind of like reversing my thinking, 'cause hip-hop is so loose and not structured, and tap is so loose and close to the ground and not structured, so it's so different. I have a lot of work to do in reversing how I think. And I have a lot of partner work to do, so I hope it doesn't hurt me. But I think music and musicality is going to help me stay on the beat."
Mya's dance partner, Dmitry Chaplin, is making sure he's supporting her every step of the way. "He's really nice and patient, thankfully. He's a pleasure," she said. "He's very talented."
Mya said Chaplin is also helping her get all the basics down before she can do any fancy footwork. "He's doing these drills every day to get me to learn the basics first, 'cause he tells me I can't possibility learn a routine and perform in front of professionals if I don't know the basics," she explained. "So we're really at the beginning point of learning basics and the waltz and the cha-cha. We haven't really moved far beyond that. He's taught me, like, two small combinations."
Mya admitted that, aside from learning the dances, she's also scared she might hurt herself in the process. "I had to change my shoes yesterday, 'cause my heels were starting to hurt — and keep in mind that everything was in heels," she said. "I had a foot fracture last year, and I've had injuries in the past. That's what my worst fear is. To get injured ... is something I'm nervous about."
She might be nervous, but she's also excited to get to know the other celebrities dancing this season — one of whom she was surprised to learn would be on the show. "I didn't think it was in her personality to do something like this, but it's great that she is," she said of rock progeny Kelly Osbourne. "And I actually met her last night, and she's very cute and funny, so she's very sweet. I was just surprised, 'cause she's more of a rebel to me."
Mya can take comfort in knowing that she has someone to rely on if she should need some advice somewhere along the way: her "Lady Marmalade" co-star Lil' Kim, who competed last season. "She was so good!" she said about Kim. "I haven't spoken to her [for advice], but she did say she was going to come out and support me."
WXYZ Reports
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - The criminal is finding new and legal ways to victimize the people he ripped off and threatened to kill.
"Ridiculous," says a loyal and longtime customer of Nick's Short Stop Party Store in Clinton Township, that 22-year-old Scott Thomas Zeilinski is suing the store owner and some of the clerks after he, Zeilinski, was shot during an armed robbery.
Zeilinski is serving an 8-22 year sentence for the robbery that happened in November of 2007. According to police and court records, Zeilinski came in wearing a mask and carrying a knife that he put to the throats of several employees, threatening to kill them before stealing cigarettes and cash. As he was leaving--reportedly still making threats--one of the young clerks grabbed a gun and shot him in the arm and back. Zeilinski's lawyer says his client is asking in excess of $125,000 for pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Since the robbery the store owner has spent thousands of dollars on security to keep his employees safe. He says he is hoping nothing like this ever happens again.
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Posted by ChasinDatPaper on September 1, 2009 at 12:41pm
Marsha speaks on working with Just Blaze and Dre for her new album and the difference between working on a solo project as opposed to her work with Floetry.
Also, footage from her August 2009 performance at the legendary SOB's in NY!
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Posted by ChasinDatPaper on September 1, 2009 at 12:00pm
HipHopWired Reports
VH1's hit documentary “Behind The Music” is back, and this time with a lineup featuring some of the most iconic figures in Hip-Hop and R&B. VH1 announced the full lists of artists featured on the program Tuesday including Bobby Brown, T.I., 50 Cent and Lil Wayne.
The series kicks off with Wayne's story on Thursday, September 10 with the baby daddy of Nivea, Lauren London, Antonia Carter and an unidentified college student giving viewers a look into his trippy world. The serial baby maker divulges details to the VH1 cast of his childhood and past including his first experimentation with drugs and introduction into Cash Money.
Following Wayne's special, viewers can prepare themselves for Behind The Music: Bobby Brown. Debuting on September 24, Brown's episode should be especially interesting as the former New Edition member speaks on his infamous love affair with drugs and divorce from megastar Whitney Houston.
Next up, is the story of ATL's locked up legend and “King of the South”, T.I., on October 8. T.I.'s story was recorded months before he began his 1 year and 1 day stint in a Federal prison for felony weapon charges and details his life up until that point. Much like his MTV Road To Redemption reality show, TIP gets gritty about his rise and fall in the game taking fans on a candid ride into his life.
Lastly, Jamaica Queen's finest and successful Hip-Hop impresario, 50 Cent, tells his story on October 13. 50 relays the infamous near death experience that left him riddled with nine bullets and his contentious beginnings as a hustler on New York street corners. He contrasts those experiences with the enormous success of his albums, Get Rich or Die Trying and The Massacre and achievements of his G Unit Empire.
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HipHopWired Reports
Super producer turned movie director QD3 is gearing to unleash a barrage of DVD projects in the next few months. Taking a break from the highly successful Beef DVD series, QD3 told Hip-Hop Wired exclusively:
“We got a Lil' Wayne film that we just finished that we took to Sundance that'll be coming out real soon and then we have two other films. One that's about urban skateboarding called Concrete Jungle with guys like T.K. (Terry Kennedy) blowing up. We did a documentary on that because we felt like the whole skate movement is a real nice alternative to see another opportunity for inner city kids. Just like basketball and Hip-Hop, it's another lane for us to take now. We want to help accelerate that movement in a big way and urban skateboarding is huge in California for sure.”
QD3 also connected with Hip-Hop stars including Young Buck, Mobb Deep's Prodigy, Fat Joe and Mos Def for another shocking documentary. He stated to Hip-Hop Wired:
"We did another one called Number One With A Bullet which is about gun violence in the Hip-Hop community. It's done from a different perspective. In this movie… a lot of time rappers will act like it didn't hurt when they got shot and its a lot of bravado involved especially when they show it in music videos so in this film we're trying to show the other side. We have artist tell the real story and talk about the recovery. We have doctors and psychologists and artists themselves telling the story of what really happened in an effort to sort of deglamorize gun violence. By the time you get finish watching this movie, you're not gonna want to see guns at all.
After talking with the artists you'll definitely get the message that there's another side to gun violence than what you hear in the songs a lot of times. It humanizes it and CNN came to one of the screenings and said, "They've never seen Hip-Hop artist speak in this way before.” It was a completely different look. We spoke with a lot of the guys from G-Unit. We got B-Real in the movie, Ice Cube, Obie Trice and a whole bunch of other people.”
QD3 also made headlines several months back after legal battles over his authorized feature documentary The Carter, which focuses on the life of Lil' Wayne. After the film was completed, Wayne filed a lawsuit over “scandalous portrayal” and stated that he was supposed to receive final approval over the film before its showing and that some footage could be detrimental to his reputation and career…in particular him sipping syrup throughout the film. The case eventually was rejected. Not focusing on the negative, QD3 maintained, “I can't really speak on that but I think a lot of that was just miscommunication.” He further added to Hip-Hop Wired:
“The main thing that the documentary shows… I think a lot of people would imagine that Wayne is hanging out in clubs with a bunch of women and drinking champagne and that sort of thing. But I would say the main thing you learn when you watch the film is that Wayne is a workaholic. Straight up. After seeing this I think a lot of people will respect his process a lot more. We were with him like 7 or 8 months before he went platinum and then maybe two months after. That's the period we were shooting him for and I remember one day when he got a text from Sylvia Rhone that he went platinum, he was like, “O.K.” He didn't even flinch. He was “O.K., cool” and “get off my bus, I gotta record.”
His whole thing is he's like tireless worker and a lot of people will be very surprised how he's 100% dedicated to his craft and he's also daring like when he's on stage and in the studio, like there's no boundaries for him creatively. I think when people see it they're gonna have a whole different type of respect for him seeing him so young and successful yet staying truly focused on being good and becoming better. That's the main thing and it's not a whole lot of ego or fanfare about who he is as a star in the film at all. Wayne stays on his bus and he's got a recording studio up there and that's his life. So even if he pulls up at a hotel, sometimes he'll be on the bus just to record.
I really gained a lot of respect for him in that regard in terms of how he approaches his records and then how hard he works. I would have to say…I worked with Tupac a lot and I feel like he may end up with a bigger catalogue than Tupac if he hasn't already. That kid works, he's a hard worker, super focused and doesn't get caught up in the industry like that. He just stays in the studio all the time.”
Check out the trailers below for The Carter and Number One With A Bullet.
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Rap-Up Reports
Michael Jackson’s music continues to give well into the holiday season. Universal Motown will present the ultimate stocking stuffer when it issues a new Jackson 5 Christmas collection on October 13.
The Jackson 5 Ultimate Christmas Collection features the original, best-selling Jackson 5 Christmas Album from 1970, plus 10 bonus tracks. The added material includes acappella and “stripped” mixes of songs from the original LP and spoken-word “Season’s Greetings” from the King of Pop and his brothers. Rap-Up.com has obtained the tracklisting, below.
TRACKS
1. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
2. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
3. “The Christmas Song”
4. “Up on the House Top”
5. “Frosty the Snowman”
6. “Little Drummer Boy”
7. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
8. “Christmas Won’t Be the Same This Year”
9. “Give Love on Christmas Day”
10. “Someday at Christmas”
11. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
BONUS TRACKS
1. “Season’s Greetings from Michael Jackson”
2. “Little Christmas Tree” (Michael Jackson)
3. “Season’s Greetings from Tito Jackson”
4. “Up on the House Top” (DJ Re-Edit)
5. “Season’s Greetings from Jackie Jackson”
6. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Stripped Mix)
7. “Season’s Greetings from Jermaine Jackson”
8. “Someday at Christmas” (Stripped Mix)
9. “Give Love on Christmas Day” (Group Acappella Version)
10. “J5 Christmas Medley”
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NY Daily News Reports
A Floridian biology teacher fired after posing for racy pictures has landed a new career – in pornography.
Tiffany Shepherd, 31, made headlines in April after bikini-clad pictures of her on a fishing charter got her canned from Port St. Lucie High School. She turned to doing porn, she told a Florida news outlet, after losing custody of two of her three kids to her ex-husband and sending out 2,500 resumes – some even to prisons – without landing a new teaching job.
"I'm not particularly proud of it. To be honest, I hate it," Shepherd told Page2live.com. "I'm an educated woman, but I never thought it would come to this. No one gets brought up thinking they'll be a floozy."
On screen, Shepherd goes by the name Leah Lust and has filmed five feature films, including one titled ‘My first sex teacher,' where Shepherd portrays the very job she's been trying to get back.
"It's very professional," says Shepherd on the Web site. "Everyone's tested -- for venereal diseases and AIDS -- and I'm carrying around my little piece of paper that says I'm fine. They love me because I take care of myself and I don't run out to party with my money."
Shepherd got into the business after the captain of the fishing charter that got her into trouble in the first place recommended it as a way to make good money. Captain Gil Coombes, of the boat ‘Smokin ‘Em,' owns a porn Web cam studio with his wife, Kat, called KLC productions.
"We sat down with her and told her she'd never get a teaching job again," Coombes told Page2live.com. "So I told her, use ‘em before they fall to the ground. But God, does she need to work on her acting!"
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HipHopWired Reports
While fans are reveling in unauthorized leaks of the most anticipated album of the year, Jay-Z is enlisting the help of MTV and Rhapsody to leak the entire Blueprint III himself. The album in its entirety will be available online for free listening starting Tuesday, September 1. MTV's first-rate streaming site, The Leak, and the premiere music entertainment site, Rhapsody, will both have the complete album available for listening online free of charge.
Additionally, Rhapsody is taking things one step further, making the album available for purchase three days before its September 11 release. Rhaphsody.com will have exclusive rights to a deluxe version of the album September 8 complete with two bonus tracks not featured on the in-store version. Adding more fuel to the promotional fire surrounding the project, the media companies are also showing extensive advertisements featuring Jay. Rhapsody will show three advertisements for the album online and will distribute one of them to MTV for their 2009 Video Music Awards on September 13.
In the meantime, Hov appeared at a press conference today (August 31) about his upcoming benefit concert. He was joined by his wife, Beyonce, New York Governor David Paterson, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Hip-Hop executive, Kevin Liles. Jay revealed that he would have as many as 10 special guest appearances at the concert but refused to provide details saying, “I don't wanna give too much away...”
He also talked about the sense of pride he felt seeing his fellow New Yorkers respond to the 9/11 terrorist attacks saying, “I saw footage of these heroic actions...people running into buildings and saving each other, and I just saw the strength of New York and it made me proud.”
The “Answer the Call” concert will benefit the New York Police & Fired Widows' and Children Benefit Fund. It will take place September 11, the same day The Blueprint III is released, at Madison Square Garden. Fuse TV will have live coverage of the concert for people unable to attend. Tickets are $50 and go on sale September 8. For people with Citi cards, they can purchase tickets at 8 a.m. that day, hours before the tickets go on sale. The general public will be allowed to buy tickets at noon.
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Rap-Up Reports
Ciara mixed it up with Kim Kardashian at Millions of Milkshakes on Saturday (Aug. 29). The BFFs blended their own tasty concoctions at the West Hollywood sweet spot. Kim has a milkshake named after her, which is made out of Snickers topped with whipped cream and a Cadbury Flake.
Rap-Up Reports
After Chris Brown penned a song for Soulja Boy Tell’em’s latest album, the “Turn My Swag On” rapper is returning the favor. The under 21 stars have collaborated on a new “smash” for Brown’s third album Graffiti.
Chris Breezy and Soulja Boy originally recorded “Yamaha Mama” for the latter’s sophomore effort iSouljaBoyTellem. Brown was replaced by Sean Kingston on the album version. “[Chris Brown] wrote that song,” Soulja Boy tells Rap-Up.com. “He was on the hook originally, but he came back and told me that he didn’t like the song, so we put Sean Kingston on the record.”
Not to worry though. The two already have another collaboration in the bag. “I’m already on his album. I did a record with him when I was in L.A., probably a month ago,” Soulja Boy reveals. “He called me up and was like, ‘Man, I want you to get on this song.’ So we worked together and we did a song that I think a lot of people gon’ like. It’s a smash record. When he put it out, it gon’ get a good response.”
Don’t be surprised to also see the “Run It!” singer on Soulja Boy’s new album The DeAndre Way. “If I want him to be on the album, he gon’ be on the album. It just depends on the right type of song. If the record makes sense and I want him to be on there, he gon’ be on there.”
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AllHipHop Reports
Although 50 Cent was unable to get clearance for his Family Day in Queen’s 40 Projects, the G Unit mogul achieved another goal in hosting a benefit concert on Saturday (August 29) for the schoolchildren of New York’s PS-30.
The show took place in front of the invite-only crowd at New Jersey’s Six Flags.
In between songs, 50 explained the importance of reaching out to kids from his native South Jamaica, Queens neighborhood.
“I want to thank everyone for getting on the buses and coming out,” 50 stated. “I was trying to do something good. When I was small Great Adventures (Six Flags) was a big thing to me. So I wanted to make sure I brought kids so they could have that same experience.”
Despite the festive mood, the mogul was still bothered by how the City of New York blocked his attempt to have a family day in his neighborhood over fears of violence.
“When I tried to do it in the hood like everyone else would do it, everyone is like '50 Cent don’t come through the hood.' But all of them don’t get a chance to see me when I come through.,” 50 stated. “And they be like 'we don’t see 50.' You don’t see me because I’m usually somewhere where I’m not trying to be seen. Everybody look right there…that’s the motherf**king police. Them motherf**kers follow me everywhere I go. Y’know why? Because I’m from Southside! While everybody looking f**k the police!”
The show went off without any violent incidents and 50 Cent plans to make the benefit an annual event.
At press time, the Queens emcee is hopeful his much-delayed fourth LP Before I Self-Destruct will meet its new tentative release date of November 3.
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