Zo! – ManMade (Artwork & Tracklisting)

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ManMade drops on May 21st, and the tracklist is below; regular fans should spot the usual suspects for features (if it ain’t broke…).

01 The Train f. Sy Smith
02 Count To Five f. Gwen Bunn
03 New In Town (Happy) f. 1-O.A.K. & Carlitta Durand
04 Making Time f. Phonte & Choklate
05 Tell Me Something New f. Jeanne Jolly
06 ManMade f. Phonte
07 We Are On The Move f. Eric Roberson
08 Show Me The Way f. Anthony David & Carmen Rodgers
09 For Tina
10 Out In The World f. Choklate & Phonte
11 Body Rock f. Sy Smith

UPDATE: XXL Freshmen 2013 List Revealed

UPDATE: And we now have the official cover from XXL:

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So its about that time again, XXL list should be hitting the net soon but Ddotomen got his hand on the list early. Check it out below.

Schoolboy Q
Trinidad Jame$
Joey Bada$$
Ab-Soul
Logic
Action Bronson
Kirko Bangz
Travi$ Scott
Dizzy Wright – 10 Spot People’s Champion Winner
Angel Haze
Chief Keef – “The 11th Freshman”

Chuck Brown Amphitheater Plans Scaled Back

The new Amphitheater design plans (pictured above) for Chuck Brown’s proposed memorial in Langdon Park have had some adjustments recently, City Paper has the story:

 

“Saturday morning, Cleveland Park design firm Marshall Moya and the District’s Department of General Services unveiled changes to the planned Chuck Brown memorial and amphitheater in Ward 5. The changes were announced at a community meeting at the Washington Center for the Aging.

New renderings show that the design firm has rethought a few aspects of the memorial and bandshell in Langdon Park. The biggest change…a reduction in seated capacity: the amphitheater now seats 200 people, down from 900, with most of the seats converted to open lawn space.

Chris Brown Announces New Album Title, Features

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Chris Brown invited MTV in for a listening session of his upcoming album — titled X — and gave few details on the project. What has been revealed is that he will be returning to rapping on the album, which will also feature fellow emcee Kendrick Lamar on a track called ‘Autumn Leaves’. Also on the album are producers Danja, who is behind the boards for ‘Add Me In’, and Diplo, who handles soundbed duties for the title track.

You can read the full write-up here, but below is an excerpt where he speaks on his continued return to rap:

“It’s funny, because I tried to get my record deal as an MC first, and when they heard me sing on the choruses, they wanted me to sing,” he said. “You don’t want to say something another rapper has said or come off like you’re trying to produce a punch line. It’s about being a lyricist and being clever about what you say. I don’t try to spit the hardest sixteen’s, it’s just me being clever with my poetic side, that’s where it derives from.”

Second Victim (In Recent News) Comes Forward Saying Gucci Mane Assaulted Him

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No comment (at least not until we find out if all this is really true), except for the update that Gucci still has yet to turn himself in over the news of the first victim. From WSB TV:

Atlanta police tell Channel 2’s Amy Napier Viteri they still haven’t heard from Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, about when he will come to Atlanta and turn himself in.

After Viteri’s story aired about Davis attacking a soldier in a downtown club, another man reached out to Viteri saying Davis assaulted him just two nights later in Philadelphia.

“I haven’t ever been so humiliated in my life and disrespected,” the victim, who asked only to be called TJ, told Viteri Monday night.

TJ said Davis punched him in the jaw in the early hours of March 18 in Philadelphia two days after Atlanta police said Davis hit a soldier over the head with a champagne bottle at Harlem Nights club on Courtland Street in Atlanta.

“He punched me on the left side of my face, right here in the jaw, knocking off my glasses,” TJ told Viteri.

TJ said he was at Club Onyx in Philadelphia to see Gucci Mane perform. Afterward, he said he tried to shake hands and say hello and the rapper responded with a punch to the face.

TJ showed Viteri tweets from witnesses. One person wrote “Why did Gucci Mane punch the dude in the face?”

“I sustained a chipped tooth in the back. I sustained also swelling on the left side,” TJ told Viteri.

Professor Green & Millie Mackintosh Are Engaged

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Pro Green has popped the question to his gyal — Made In Chelsea‘s Millie Mackintosh — while in Paris and got a yes! Congrats to the couple.


2013 VMAs Headed To Jay-Z’s Barclays Center In Brooklyn

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Well, it’s not just Hov’s but still…the guy is winning left and right. The awards show will take place August 25th….it’s even cooler how the location was announced: the Moonman basically took a trip in the form of Instagram pictures like the one above (you can check out the rest below).

“From a vibrant musical scene for up and coming artists to epic concerts by today’s biggest stars and the triumphant return of pro sports to the borough after nearly 60 years, Brooklyn has re-emerged as a cultural capitol where music, sports and entertainment history is made every day,” said Stephen Friedman, President of MTV. “We can’t wait to help write the next chapter on August 25th, when one of the biggest nights in music happens in Brooklyn… for the very first time.”

“Brooklyn is home to icons like the Cyclone in Coney Island and the Brooklyn Bridge, and now it can lay claim to the MTV ‘Video Music Awards,’” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Bringing the VMAs to Brooklyn will mean hundreds of jobs as crews work on the production and provide a boost to our local economy as attendees stay in hotels, visit local eateries and experience all Brooklyn and our City have to offer.”

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Lupe Fiasco Takes To His Twitter To Address Violence

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Not sure I really agree with his notion entirely, but check out what Lupe Fiasco had to say to all the folks who rap or have rapped about violence below. I’m pretty sure what’s going on in his city is probably driving a lot of his thoughts on the matter:

Violent music (and all violent media) effectively says its “ok” to be violent. It provides positive reinforcement for negative actions. If you rap and make violent music then own up to it. Stop hiding behind “art imitating life” as a way to evade the guilt. “How the hell you gonna tell this man not 2 be violent?, Cuz he dont need to go the same route that I did” -Eminem & Dr. Dre “Choices”. Sorry…”Bad Meets Evil”…”Guilty Conscious”…sorry…lol correct title of the song aside, U know what I meant! The issue stands that violent music puts violence into this world one way or another.

It creates the atmosphere that violence is an acceptable means to an end. Agree or disagree doesnt really matter at this point honestly. But to not even acknowledge the possibility that violent music has even the most minute effect on violence in the world is frankly bullshit. Ive made violent music. Done violent things. Most my friends are violent. Lived in violent neighbors. Seen violence first hand. A certain point you start to get tired of it. You ask why? why is it like this? what is causing this? why is this ok to live like this? Then you turn on the news and see that a 12 month old got shot in the face by two teenagers in Georgia for no reason at all. Then you hear a song on the radio talking about “shooting everyone in sight”…bad times man…fuck… you may not give two shits about the next man and his troubles and thats cool with me…live you life…but I do and most people I know do. but dont sit there and act like high ass inner city murder rates are just falling from the sky for absolutely no reason… everything plays a part…EVERYTHING. Take responsibility for the part you play. motherfuckers can at least start there. yeah I got issues. My hood aint been safe in 25 years! At the point now u can die for nothing. just random death and disregard. tired of it. I know you don’t hear me. I guess its the LAST desperate act of a desperate man in desperate times. On one…peace…

And that’s it. In That last retweet. CARE. Compassion. Empathy. Do you care? Yes or no? Sometimes? All the time? That’s the issue at hand. One more and I’m done. Promise. Somebody just said the violence in Shakespeare didnt make people more violent or had no effect. And my thought was the people who could even afford to see a Shakespeare play at the time probably got their money from the slave trade. Now ain’t that bout a bitch…bad, woman good…lol…y’all move in peace out there one love #CHI

RUMOR MILL UPDATE: Waka Flocka Denies Having Sex With Selena Gomez

UPDATE: Waka Flocka posted this today….still no word on if him and Gucci made up:

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This was spotted at Media Takeout, so, yea…..you know the rest:

Last week Gucci Man DROPPED Waka Flocka from his label – when he heard rumors that Waka had SMASHED actress Selena Gomez. And these rumors ain’t coming from just anybody. MediaTakeOut.com got its hands on TWEETS sent from BRICK SQUAD rapper/soldier Lil Skitzz. And according to Lil Skitzz not only did Waka SMASH . . . but he says that Brick SQUAD did a little CHOO CHOO with Justin’s ex.

When Gucci heard these rumors he DROPPED Waka. Since then . . . Gucci has gotten OVER IT THOUGH. In a true MONEY OVER HEAUX move, Gucci has decided to NOT release Waka from his contractual obligations.

K-Ci & JoJo Respond To Jodeci Backlash In London

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Fam. Just click here and watch the footage we have of the performance….K-Ci busted his own ass literally within the first 10 seconds of the group coming out on stage. Anyways, they Tweeted to their fans, pretty much blaming the venue for there apparent lack of time to rehearse. That was a rehearsal issue? We all must’ve been at a completely different show.

Snoop Lion – Reincarnated (Artwork & Tracklisting)

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Snoop Lion enlists Drake, Busta Rhymes, T.I., Akon, Chris Brown, Rita Ora, Mavado, Popcaan and more for his reggae-infused project, due April 23rd. Tracklist below.

1. Rebel Way
2. Here Comes the King (ft. Angela Hunte)
3. Lighters Up (ft. Mavado & Popcaan)
4. So Long (ft. Angela Hunte)
5. Get Away (ft. Angela Hunte)
6. No Guns Allowed (ft Drake & Cori B)
7. Fruit Juice (ft. Mr. Vegas)
8. Smoke the Weed (ft. Collie Budz)
9. Tired of Running (ft. Akon)
10. The Good Good (ft. Iza)
11. Torn Apart (ft. Rita Ora)
12. Ashtrays & Heartbreaks (ft. Miley Cyrus)
13. Boulevard (ft. Jahdan Blakkamoore)
14. Remedy (ft. Busta Rhymes & Chris Brown)
15. La La La
16. Harder Times (ft. Jahdan Blakkamoore)

Meek Mill – Tony Story (Book Cover)

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Tony Story drops May 1st. Below is the synopsis.

Tony and Ty had big dreams of getting rich. Although they grew up like brothers, once money and envy entered the equation, greed took over and loyalty went out the door.

After a deadly shooting, the streets of Philly were in an uproar and the lives of many people revolved around revenge. Gold digger Kee capitalized on the built-up tension; but before she could really enjoy the fruits of her labor, she was thrust into the middle of a street war with the cost being her life.

Trust was not an option and revenge was the only thing anyone had in common. Paulie wanted revenge for his cousin; LB wanted revenge for his brother. They both had blood in their eyes and murder in mind; names were called while gunners lurked in the shadows. It became bigger than the almighty dollar and no one was safe. Philly won’t be the same after you’re a witness to Tony Story.

Is Rick Ross Facing Gun Charges?

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It’s been a few months since Rick Ross was shot at while leaving his birthday event in Florida, and still they have not found any suspects. The Smoking Gun is reporting that while Ross was being shot at in Florida, he had a 9mm handgun in the waisteband of his pants. He did inform the cops that he did have a gun “on his person.” Cops did detain Rick Ross until they secured the gun. The “black and chrome” 9mm had 12 live rounds (one in the chamber, 11 in the magazine).

The report released today by the Florida State Police department showed that Rick Ross gun permit had been suspended.

Scram Jones & Styles P – Float (Artwork & Tracklisting)

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The Scram Jones & Styles P collaborative effort drops April 16th…..tracklist below.

1. Float Intro
2. Mansion Murder (Feat. N.O.R.E.)
3. Bodies In The Basement
4. Hater Love (Feat. Sheek Louch)
5. Take It Back
6. Haze vs. Sour (Skit)
7. I Need Weed
8. Red Eye (Feat. Jadakiss)
9. Reckless (Feat. Raekwon)
10. Shoot You Down
11. Open Up (Feat. Bullpen)
12. Screw Y’all