Soulja Boy's Saying Tupac's Back, "As Long As His Mom's Cool With It I Can Consider"

Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy Tell Em has expanded on recently breaking the news of being offered an opportunity to audition for the role of late hip-hop mogul Tupac Shakur in an upcoming biopic.

Soulja Boy said it was ultimately Pac's mother, Afeni, and her involvement on the film that motivated him to consider the role.

"How that whole thing came about, I was doing the 'Juice' mixtape and that got out. I'm with William Morris Agency and they sent me an email, the subject was 'Tupac,' so I clicked on it," Soulja Boy explained in an interview. "They were interested in having me for the role. I told them I was going to let them know. After that, I got this offer for this part for this movie called 'Officer Down' so I've been here in Connecticut [shooting]. I was on set with this actor Stephen Dorff and he was like, 'Yeah man, you should do that [play Tupac].' This is like really my first big movie, Lionsgate Films in theaters where people are going to see me acting. I was kind of hesitant [to audition for the Tupac film] but they told me that Tupac's mom is on board with the movie. That was one of the things that I was like, 'Hey, as long as his moms is cool with it I can consider it.'" (The Boom Box)

Around mid-May, Soulja Boy revealed getting an offer to play Pac.

"I got an email from William Morris Agency -- that's my agency that I'm with -- they reached out to me to play the part. I'm just still thinking about it right now," Soulja told Sway. "Even with the whole 'Juice' movie, I'm playing a part that Tupac played, but I'm not actually playin' 'Pac. When it comes to this, I'm actually gonna be playin' 'Pac, so I'm really still just thinkin' about it. But I'm just honored that they would reach out to me and ask me anyway." (MTV)

Earlier this year, Cash Money Records' Bow Wow unwrapped his interest in securing a role in the film.

Rapper/actor Bow Wow is campaigning for a role in the newTupac Shakur biopic. The young star has taken to Twitter.com to beg director Antoine Fuqua for a part in the upcoming film. "I want to play Shock G or be one of the Outlawz in the New 2Pac movie. Mr Antoine Fuqua holla at ya boy... I'm ready." Fuqua is currently casting the film, and recently revealed he's on the hunt for talented unknowns to portray Tupac's ex-girlfriends Jada Pinkett and Kidada Jones. (Ace Showbiz)

The Tupac biopic is reportedly slated to begin filming soon.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in late Spring/early Summer on the biopic "TUPAC," it was announced today (February 10) James G. Robinson, Co-Chairman/CEO, and Rick Nicita, Co-Chairman/COO, of Morgan Creek Productions. Directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "Brooklyn's Finest"), the film will be shot on location in Los Angeles, New York, Georgia and Las Vegas and is currently being cast. (Deadline)

"Wiz & I Love Each Other So Much & Would Love To Have A Baby"

Video vixen Amber Rose continues to demonstrate that she is crazy in love, as she now hints at a future desire to bear a child with rap newcomer Wiz Khalifa.

Despite only being together for less than a year, Rose is already addressing pregnancy rumors.

"Hey Rosebuds I am NOT Pregnant I never went to any media outlets to sell a story either its just not true. :-)"

"Wiz & I Love each other so much & we would love to have baby when the time is right but for now we are just enjoying each other :-)," she tweeted Thursday (June 2). (Amber Rose's Twitter)

Yesterday, reports landed online claiming Rose was expecting.

MediaTakeOut.com just got word Amber Rose is officially pregnant. How do we know? Well because Amber has approached TWO major media news outlets - asking them if they want the EXCLUSIVE story for their magazine. And get this . . . Amber's asking to get PAID for the exclusive. Luckily for us, Both mags PASSED on paying Amber - and a staffer at one of them, leaked us the info. Sorry you didn't get paid Amber. But congrats on the new baby. (Media Take Out)

In April, Rose opened up about what she finds attractive about Khalifa.

"He's really funny, really charming," Rose told hip-hop personality Sway during an interview. "He's really charming, really funny. I didn't know much about his music at first and obviously he became a good friend. I started listening to his music and we became really close. He's awesome, he's talented, he's amazing." (RapFix)

A few months ago, Wiz publicly shared the same feelings toward Rose.

"It's pretty serious. I really, really dig her," Wiz told radio personality Angie Martinez Wednesday (March 30). "People think it's an image thing and that we're just doing it to be crazy, but like, for real, for real, it's just two great people meeting at a good time. We just like to crack jokes and stuff like that. She's very down to earth, she's very realistic, and that's the way that I am. Just seeing stuff for what it is and not being blinded by the lights...I'ma be with her. That's why we wanted to give it to the world. But it's realistic. It's nothing that we're just beefing up or just doing for anybody's eyes. It's real. She's a great girl. I really, really am into her...I'm the kind of guy who knows when I'm winning, no Charlie Sheen intended. When you won, you don't gotta keep trying to do stuff that's gonna mess it up." (Hot 97)

"I [Was] A Drug Addict For 18 Years; Only 6 Years Clean"

Public Enemy's Flavor Flav has come forward to address his past struggles with addiction and says despite the endured pain, he would not change the way things turned out.

Flav claims he suffered through personal tribulations for nearly 20 years of his life.

"I [was] a drug addict for 18 years; only six years clean. The worst mistake I ever made was experimenting with drugs. I was always more of a follower instead of a leader. Being around the hood, you're following, you always wanna have a big name for yourself and you don't wanna be no punk. Whatever my friends were doing I chose to do. It was the worst experiment that I could do in my life, but would I change it to this day? No. The reason why is because I got to learn about addiction. I got to live through all of that, so that way I could be able to teach about it and hopefully people learn how I made my mistakes and they [don't] make the same mistakes that I made." (XXL Mag)

Shady Records rapper Cashis recently came clean about his recent struggle with addiction.

"First time I met [Eminem], in the studio in Detroit, I had a vial of like 80 Valiums and I popped em all in like a day and a half. He was like "D*mn, dog you might wanna get some help. Let me know, I can help you out, discretely,' " the rapper explained. "I was like 'Nah man. Where I'm from, what would I look like?' I got off it my own, and later on, I found out -- like the rest of the world -- Em was getting off of it. During that time, I just quit talking to everybody dog. I didn't talk to no friends, family." (Baller Status)

Last summer, Eminem said his past drug addiction had a damaging effect on music making.

"I had to learn to write and rap again, and I had to do it sober and 100 percent clean. That didn't feel good at first...I mean it in the literal sense. I actually had to learn how to say my lyrics again -- how to phrase them, make them flow, how to use force so they sounded like I meant them. Rapping wasn't like riding a bike. It was [as much] physical as mental. I was relearning basic motor skills. I couldn't control my hand shakes. I'd get in the [recording] booth and tried to rap, and none of it was clever, none was witty and I wasn't saying it right...It was four or five months after I'd been clean when I started to get a glimmer of my writing skills back. I don't remember what song I was working on specifically, but I do remember getting feeling back in the music. I realized I wanted to do this again." (New York Post)

In summer 2010, G.O.O.D. Music rapper Kid Cudi revealed he conquered a cocaine craving.

"No more blow. People do drugs to camouflage emotions and run away from their problems. Now I'm going to deal with certain things as they come, prioritize sh*t--man up, so to speak. Just for the record, it bugged me out that people said it was liquid cocaine [that I got arrested for over the summer]. No, I'm just f*cking rich, and my blow comes in a jar. There was no liquid in it--that sh*t makes no sense." (Complex)

Asher Roth Played Big Bro To Justin Bieber, "We Legitimately Used To Babysit Him"

Rapper Asher Roth has provided more details on his relationship with pop sensation Justin Bieber and said their bond goes beyond simply sharing the same manager.

While both managed by Scooter Braun, Roth said he knew Bieber before all of the recent fame.

"Bieber is my guy, like, I think people really think I'm joking or I'm lying when I say we legitimately used to babysit him," Roth revealed in an interview. "Not on some young kid stuff but we would look out for him and look after him. When I was in Atlanta, I had moved to Atlanta, Bieber moves down the street from me and he was like 12, 13 at the time. We used to just come over and hang out. We used to play [video game] Rock Band and chill. I have Bieber rapping on the [2008 Greenhouse Effect mixtape] 'Cannon' [song]. ... You cannot not be happy for an over successful fun loving good kid. He's a really, really awesome dude...He's a hip-hop head, he really is -- he loves it. I might have to ghostwrite for him but other than that, he's a good dude. I'm really excited to see what he does in the future." (XXL Mag)

In addition to getting rap star Kanye West on his "Runaway Love" remix, Yeezy is reportedly working on Bieber's untitled sophomore album.

Along with having a taste for the finer things in life, Kanye West apparently has contracted Bieber Fever. While the illness initially presented itself as a remix back in August, Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun confirmed during a recent audio chat that the Louis Vuitton Don now wants to produce and collaborate on even more tracks with the wunderkind from Toronto. Braun did not share many specifics, but said that "[Bieber] and Kanye had a call... about a song they're trying to work on together. Kanye wants to produce a bunch of new songs for his new album." (Consequence of Sound)

G-Unit's Lloyd Banks previously said he would hop on a track with Bieber.

"I would definitely do a record with Justin Bieber. I think early on in my career things were a little different. Now, the fact of the matter is the youth determine which way music is going to go," explains Banks. "When you become influential enough to control one market, I think it's time to cross-market." (VIBE)

After Bieber released his "Speaking In Tungs" freestyle last fall under the rap alias "Shawty Mane", Dipset affiliate Vado gave the singer his co-sign.

"I was shocked! He killed it! He sounded like [Notorious] B.I.G.," Vado said in an interview. "When I seen it on Twitter, I didn't believe it. We need to keep his verse for the remix! We might finish the remix this weekend, and let Justin go first. I'm definitely going to contact him." (New York Daily News)

Lil Wayne's "Carter IV" Pushed Back Beyond 6 Month, 7 Month

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV continues to keep fans waiting as new reports claim the long-awaited project will be released in August.

Initial speculation points at the project's lack of major buzz as a possible reason for its delay.

Looks like "John" featuring Rozay wasn't picking up the steam it needed. The good folks over at Universal just let loose a new release date for Dwayne's highly anticipated Carter IV which is now August 29th and not June 21st. However, with his recently released left field single "How To Love", I'm sure the Young Money leader will have plenty of leg room to work that as well as a visual for the effort. Hell, The Martian might be able to let go of another offering as well. (You Heard That New)

While an explanation has not yet been issued, an official confirmation of the delay has emerged.

XXLMag.com has learned that Lil Wayne's highly anticipated eighth studio album, Tha Carter IV, has been pushed back. Last set to come out on June 21, a rep for Weezy's parent label, Universal Motown, has confirmed with XXL that the disc will now be delayed until August 29. We also learned his next single will be hitting the airwaves around July 4. That song has yet to be determined. (XXL Mag)

Prior to its new release date, Young Money president Mack Maine said the project's delay was in relation to Wayne's decision to perfect its music.

"He's still perfecting a few things, he's a perfectionist ... changing a few lines," Maine said in an interview. "We also have a huge record that wasn't done yet. We're in L.A. right now. We have a little studio time and it should be done probably by Monday...If you calculate all of [the guest appearances], by the time we would've finished mixing, we wouldn't have met the [original] due date to turn in the album. So we had to push it back." (MTV)

Last month, Wayne performed a portion of the album live and promised the LP would provide a surprise for fans upon its release.

During the MTV Unplugged concert he also treated the hundreds of fans who packed a soundstage at Sony Studios to a track off his highly anticipated disc, "Tha Carter IV," with a performance of "Nightmares of the Bottom," where he reflected on his troubles -- with a bit of humor. He's tight-lipped about the disc, which was pushed back to a June 21 release, but did offer a cryptic teaser when asked about it. "Just know that I have a pleasant surprise. A very pleasant surprise for this album when it comes out," he said. "I'm only doing this for the fans. Which I do every ... thing for." (Los Angeles Times)

Amber Rose Grinds Out Her Past, "Am I Supposed To Go Back To The Strip Club"

Video vixen Amber Rose opens up about her future and aim to keep it looking bright in the new issue of VIBE magazine.

Within her cover feature, Rose reflects on moving past ex-boyfriend/rap star Kanye West and capitalizing off opportunities as they come.

""What am I supposed to do? Crawl up in a corner and die 'cause I'm not with Kanye anymore? Am I supposed to go back to the strip club and not take these opportunities that I have?" She is now poised to make a killing doing things that celebrities do in 2011. Amber says she's starring in and executive-producing her reality show, Behind Her Shades (a VH1 rep denies that her project has been given a green light); will soon debut a vintage sunglasses business; she has a talk show on XM Sirius satellite radio; a book, of course, is in the works; and club promoters everywhere from Vegas to Belize are paying her just to bask in her presence. "People all around the world pay me to come and chill with them at parties," she says. "I really get paid a lot of money to do that. It's mind-boggling." (VIBE)

Following some leaked excerpts of her interview, Rose hit up Twitter and aired out VIBE by accusing them of libel.

"Just read "my" interview in @VibeMagazine half of the story was untrue & ridiculous!," she wrote May 28th.

"F##K that Cover F##K @VibeMagazine yall wrote a bunch of negative bullsh*t that I never said or did."

"Yall don't give a f*ck that I have a Mom & Family thats gonna read that fake a** sh*t I gave yall a truthful interview & Yall f##ked me."

"I'm so sick of keeping my mouth shut I didn't ask for this life it was handed to me I was nothing but nice to everyone I spoke to @ Vibe" (Amber Rose's Twitter)

After Rose's rant, VIBE's Editor in Chief Jermaine Hall came forward to address the video vixen's claims.

Dear VIBE reader,
As we're sure you've heard, Amber Rose has expressed some displeasure with VIBE's June/July cover story. VIBE stands by the accuracy and reporting of the narrative. We invite you to form your own opinion, however. The Sexy Issue hits 'stands nationwide June 7.
Jermaine Hall, VIBE Magazine, Editor in Chief

In March, Rose announced plans to join actor/singer Jamie Foxx's "Foxxhole" radio show.

"Its official!!! I have my own radio show coming soon on FOXXHOLE radio!!!," she tweeted March 11th.

"Hey thx @iamjamiefoxx! Now ppl can finally get a dose of my spicyness. I'm so happy to be a part of the Foxxhole Family!#AmberNtheRoses," she tweeted March 12th. (Amber Rose's Twitter)

Wiz Khalifa Recalls Going From Nobody To Somebody, "Before I Could Wear A Shirt W/ Some Ketchup On It"

Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa reflects on how his life drastically changed and when he became a constant target for paparazzi in the new issue of XXL Magazine.

Thinking back to January when he made tabloids for publicly snuggling with video vixen Amber Rose, Wiz said he has changed his entire approach for being spotted in public.

"Before, I could wear a shirt with some ketchup on it, and nobody would care. Now, if I'm walking through the airport with a shirt with some ketchup on it, somebody is going to take a picture and put it out there and be like, 'Wiz with ketchup.' I think about stuff like that. Or when I get out of cars, I make sure my pants are up so nobody gets no cheap shots. [Laughs] That's the type of shit that I deal with. I'm not worried about them catching me with girls. I'm cool in that department." (XXL Mag)

In March, Wiz said his love for Rose is deeper than what fans may think.

"It's pretty serious. I really, really dig her," Wiz told radio personality Angie Martinez Wednesday (March 30). "People think it's an image thing and that we're just doing it to be crazy, but like, for real, for real, it's just two great people meeting at a good time. We just like to crack jokes and stuff like that. She's very down to earth, she's very realistic, and that's the way that I am. Just seeing stuff for what it is and not being blinded by the lights...I'ma be with her. That's why we wanted to give it to the world. But it's realistic. It's nothing that we're just beefing up or just doing for anybody's eyes. It's real. She's a great girl. I really, really am into her...I'm the kind of guy who knows when I'm winning, no Charlie Sheen intended. When you won, you don't gotta keep trying to do stuff that's gonna mess it up." (Hot 97)

He previously revealed introducing Rose to his mother during an NFL playoffs game.

"She was dying to come to a show, I was dying to have her at a show, it was a good opportunity," Wiz said speaking of Amber Rose. "[She met my mom], that was actually at Pittsburgh, at the AFC Championship. That was like a pretty big moment. People don't know. We both travel a lot...She was close. Like I said, I was on tour at the time, we're both really, really busy. It was convenient...I'm working hard as h*ll man." (In Flex We Trust)

Last month, Rose addressed comparisons of Wiz to her ex-boyfriend/rap star Kanye West.

"When I was with my ex [West], I didn't have a voice," she said in an interview. "I was there and I was new to the fame. I didn't understand everything. Now I get everything. With me and Wiz, we show our love to the world. We don't try to hide it; we're not quiet about it. We're just in love and we're just happy and we want people to follow in our footsteps and not be afraid to be in a committed relationship...It's just unfortunate that he said that in the song [during a Coachella performance] 'cause that's not the lyrics -- I can say whatever I want about him. I can write a book or do whatever but I choose to take the high road. It's just unfortunate he has to constantly say sh*t." (KING)

Lil B Stumps Over Trump, "[Him] Running For President Show You Just How F*cked Up America Is"

West Coast rapper Lil B has injected his thoughts into the upcoming 2012 presidential election by questioning renowned real-estate developer Donald Trump's aim to become the next United States leader.

Never one to censor his opinion, B hopped on Twitter Thursday (June 2) to speak out.

"I love jerry spriner I'm watching him speak on CNN honestly you can tell he's a down to earth good man, jerry ur my friend - Lil B," he tweeted.

"Like I wud vote for jerry springer and obama president before sarah palin and donald trump, with trump and palin I dnt feel a connec - Lil B"

"Donald trump running for president show u just how f*cked up america is and how much money makes people go, f*ck money love people - Lil B" (Lil B's Twitter)

Yesterday, Trump revealed his intent to possibly run for president next year.

Real estate mogul Donald Trump, who has already flirted with a run for the GOP nomination in 2012, says he would still consider running as an independent if he did not believe the Republican field was strong enough to beat President Barack Obama. Trump also said on Fox News Wednesday that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is underrated. (News Max)

Public Enemy's Chuck D called out Trump last April after he made controversial remarks about President Obama's race and background.

"President Obama is going to make a lot of moves that will make you go OMG and WTF, but this is the President of the United States," Chuck said. "So whatever little move that he can make for you, you got to fight for it. This whole thing with Donald Trump...he's on some bullsh*t. Someone needs to say, 'Yo, Donald Trump...you full of sh*t and I'm going to seriously f*ck you up.' That's what the rap community used to do, but now nobody can make that statement because everybody feels politically in debt." (VIBE)

While he may not win Chuck D's vote, rap star Rick Ross has previously displayed his support of Trump.

"I would love to work with Donald Trump," Ross revealed in an interview. "I'm pretty sure there are some ventures we could attack. There's some money out there for us to get. I just love what Don represents,. Ridin' out here in New York, you look over and see so much of his real estate. It's just a good thing...Tell him to get at me." (Rap-Up)

Eminem Labels Odd Future Boundary Pushers, "The Dudes Can Rhyme"

Add Eminem to the latest list of co-signs West Coast rap newcomers Odd Future have received as Slim Shady calls the collective boundary pushers.

While Em feels he still needs to hear more Odd tracks before making a full judgement, from what he has already heard, their future is looking pretty bright.

"I think that from the stuff that I've heard -- I haven't heard a lot from them, I still have to go check out everything that they're doing -- but I've heard enough to know that it feels like they're pushing boundaries and buttons, and that's definitely one of the things that I'm familiar with, especially when I first came out -- I love it, I love the fact that they're doing that. And the dudes can rhyme." (MTV)

In April, Slaughterhouse's Crooked I hit up SOHH to share his assessment on Odd Future and other West Coast newcomers.

"Odd Future has a crazy cult following, big shows, high-energy sh*t when they're on stage," Crooked I told SOHH. "It's a good thing. I look at people like that, groups like that, groups like Pav Div, Dom Kennedy, Blu, Kendrick Lamar, Horseshoe Gang. I look at all the emerging acts on the West Coast right now and I see how it's going to form and I see who the new kings of the West Coast are going to be and who the new guys are that are going to represent and take it to another level. It's a good thing because for a minute there, we was trapped in some f*cking Chevy and Chuck Taylors. That's not no disrespect, but that ain't the West Coast right now. We was trapped in that time warp and couldn't get out of that sh*t. The public wouldn't even let us out but now I'm seeing these new acts coming out and things are working out like they're supposed to. It's a great representation of 2011 West Coast sh*t out there right now." (SOHH)

Odd Future's Tyler the Creator recently expressed his mission to explode onto the mainstream.

"I'm hungry for greatness," Tyler said in an interview. "I want to be great, I want to be an icon. I want when I die, I want people to cry -- I'm hungry for VMA's and Grammy's, that's what I'm hungry for. You know? F*ck this underground bullsh*t...Greatness is a different definition to different people...Greatness if the f*cking song that I wrote last week, somebody might not find that great but it's great to me. And that's all that matters, what the f*ck I think in my head -- Greatness to me is finally getting my video played on MTV. It's on there now and I'm f*cking, I'm happy. I finally got my sh*t on f*cking MTV and some people may think that's selling out or whatever but I don't really give a f*ck. That's f*cking great to me. I'm proud of myself. I've been wanting that since I was seven years old and I finally got that sh*t. Hard works pays the f*ck off." (The Drone)

According to Soulja Boy Tell Em, he has plans to link up with Odd Future.

"Shouts out to Tyler, the Creator, he's chill," Soulja Boy said in an interview. "Shouts out to Taco. I chill with Taco in L.A. Shouts out to the whole Odd Future. The Super 3 from Odd Future, they produced a couple tracks from my last mixtape [1UP]. They doin' they thang and they doin' it originally from the ground up without the label, so salute...They already reached out for me to do a verse on a song. I just gotta do it -- They mess with [West Coast rapper] Lil B. I mess with Lil B. I'd do a song with them." (Rap-Up)

Curren$y On Super Warner Bros. Takeover, "I'm F*cking Pumped About It"

With Warner Bros. Records making waves by recently signing Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group and acquiring hot young talent such as XV to their roster, SOHH reached out to Curren$y about having an all-star line-up on the label.

Asked what he thought about Warner Bros.' latest additions, Curren$y exclaimed his excitement.

"I'm f*cking pumped about it," Curren$y told SOHH when asked about being on the same label as Maybach Music and XV. "And they signed [R&B singer] Jill Scott too. So Jill Scott's over here, Rick Ross signed Teedra Moses. She's from New Orleans [like me]. It's crazy. It's great when you need to look for features and you have a pretty steep stable [of Warner Bros. artists]." (SOHH)

Curren$y signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. at the start of this year.

Slow and steady wins the race. At least if your name's Curren$y. The New Orleans-bred MC reaped the benefits of a steady independent grind today (February 1), when it was announced that he'd officially signed with Asylum/Warner Bros. Records. The deal with Warner arrives on the heels of a landmark 2010 for Curren$y. He dropped two LPs- Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II- through Damon Dash's Blu Roc record label (distributed by Def Jam), both of which reportedly sold 40k and 30k units, respectively. (MTV)

Last week, Rick Ross defended his decision to bring Maybach Music Group to Warner Bros.

"You know, as a boss you gotta make certain things happen and that's what I was able to do," Ross explained in an interview. "Me, as a solo artist, we're still at Def Jam Records, I have another album or two [to release due to contractual obligation]. But me being an executive, me being a boss, Maybach Music, I had an opportunity to sow my royal oats. We needed a situation that understood that we could make music at a much quicker rate than a lot of people do. And I wanted to put out music at that same rate. I think it's obviously, since we closed the deal, maybe a little more than two months later, here we are today, Self Made in stores. It's constant meetings and discussions and attorney hours. I got great relationships over at Def Jam, so I was pretty much getting my words across. It basically just came down to what was best for Maybach Music and Warner." (RapFix)

Maybach Music's Warner Bros. debut landed on the sales chart this week.

Maybach Music Group Self Made compilation also debuted on the chart at No. 5. With a week under their belts, the new disc has sold 58,900 copies in its first week on store shelves (SOHH Sales Wrap)

UPDATE: Hot 97's Mister Cee Finishes Strong In NYC Court, Confesses To Sex Crime

New York's Hot 97 radio personality Mister Cee reportedly appeared in court Wednesday (June 1) and has plead guilty to sexual-related charges dating back to a March arrest in Manhattan.

Originally reported as Mister Cee pleading his innocence, a new update claims the hip-hop veteran pleaded guilty to the charges.

[Editor's Note: This story has been updated since it's original posting.] XXLMag.com has learned that DJ Mister Cee plead guilty in New York Criminal Court this morning (June 1) to charges of public lewdness and exposure. (XXL Mag)

Prior to the update, Cee was said to have proclaimed his innocence in a Manhattan courtroom.

XXLMag.com has learned that DJ Mister Cee plead not guilty in New York Criminal Court this morning (June 1) to charges of public lewdness and exposure. As of press time it is uncertain when Cee is due back in court. (XXL Mag)

A police report detailing Cee's March arrest hit the Internet in early April.

Lebrun, known as "Mister Cee" on Hot 97, was nabbed along with Lawrence Campbell, 20, according to a criminal complaint sworn by Officer Lindsay Agard. The cop reported spotting Campbell (who used the name "Brooke-Lynn Pinklady" on his just-deleted Facebook page) "manipulating" Lebrun's "exposed, naked, and erect penis" with his "mouth and lips in an up-and-down motion consistent with oral sex." The duo was collared March 30 in a car parked on Manhattan's far West Side, two blocks from the Holland Tunnel. (The Smoking Gun)

Following the report, Cee's accomplice Brooke-Lynn aka Pink Lady defended his image and denied the allegations.

"I kinda just wanted to set the record straight and let everybody know that nothing, indeed, happened in that car," Brooklyn said in a self recorded video. "I feel like it's an Internet blog that got totally out of hand. A lot of things I read are just totally not true about me and my character. I'm not a transsexual, I'm a drag queen...I feel like the media in a whole has made me out to be this person, I feel just to get at him for some reason or to get a story. It's definitely not true. I'm definitely not a prostitute. I'm not, in any way, shape or form. I don't do things like that. I don't have sex for money. I don't need to have sex for money. I make enough money on my own...I feel like people, nowadays, will do anything and everything for money. This whole thing I feel like just a big a** entertainment scheme. I don't understand why I was brought into it." (YouTube)

In addition to receiving support from rap star 50 Cent, Mobb Deep's Prodigy said he had Cee's back no matter what really happened.

"I'm just hearing what people saying, and radio, so I really don't have that much of an opinion about it," Capital P explained in an interview. "But to each his own man, if it's really like that. It sounds crazy to me, like Cee is my n*gga. We f*ck with Mister Cee. That n*gga loves Mobb Deep and always shows us love, and plays our music all the time on the radio. He's one of the only ones that does that. It's few of them, and he's one of the main ones. So regardless of what, that n*gga shows us love, and we're going to show him love back. He's always going to get new music from us. That n*gga call, we always going to pick up like 'What's up? You good?' If he wants to do a party, whatever. Whatever Mister Cee wants to do, we f*ck with Mister Cee. That's what it is." (Complex)

Rhymefest & Lil B Spar, "When He Sent Kanye A Tweet Saying [He'd] F*ck Him In The A** Did You..."

Chicago raper Rhymefest and Lil B have engaged in a slight rap beef after the West Coast rapper addressed criticism over his upcoming I'm Gay album title and called out Rhyme's lack of marketing.

Asked for an opinion on Rhymefest previously saying he needed a father figure in his life, Lil B gave a direct response to the Chicago rhyme slinger.

"I'm going to say, who is Rhymefest? So he needs to work on promoting and marketing himself, because I don't know him. But what I feel about his comment is that it's true, I needed a father figure in my life, but I'm not complaining about that. What do you mean, I need that? Tell Rhymefest I'm very happy. Tell Rhymefest I actually wake up and I'm happy, and I'm positive and I love people. Ask Rhymefest, does he feel the same way?" (CNN)

Wednesday (June 1) morning, Rhymefest hit up Twitter and addressed Lil B.
"@BryceSail88 I didn't knock anyones hustle he dissed me so now tell him not to knock my community work," he tweeted June 1st.

"@BryceSail88 oh btw when he sent Kanye [West] a tweet saying he was gonna f*ck him in the a** did you ask him not to knock Ye's hustle imjussayin"

"@BryceSail88 ok I have a challenge for myself and LilB that can help a lit of young people"

"@BryceSail88 I have a challenge that if you get him to agree can Change lives positively" (Rhymefest's Twitter)

In April, Rhymefest's run at becoming his city's alderman ended in defeat.

With 84 percent of precincts in, Willie Cochran had 54.6 percent to 45.4 percent for Smith, a Grammy-winning rap artist. Earlier tonight, Smith's election night party was underway with hip hop music blasting from large speakers when the candidate arrived. A small group of mostly young people followed his mist green Cadillac. Holding his grandmother on one arm and his wife on the other, Smith said he felt a lot of energy at the polls. "It's not about me winning or losing, it's about hope," Smith said. "Eleven and 12 year old children ask me 'can you stop the gang banging?' I say 'you have to help too.' " "People want little things like a quizno's or subway in the neighborhood. They want somewhere to get a sandwich on 63rd," he said. (Chicago Tribune)

In light of Lil B's I'm Gay title, SOHH hit up New York's Power 105.1 radio host Angela Yee to get her take.
"Even with dance artists or big R&B artists like Beyonce, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, who has a huge gay fan base, those are the people that are going out and buying the albums and showing support," Yee added. "So I feel like the same thing could potentially happen for somebody like Lil B where the gay community could really embrace and support him [whether he's gay or not]. It's a statement that's made that has people talking. It's like when Nas decided he wanted to call his [2008] album N*gger. It didn't work out, but there was a huge uproar over that. I think anything that creates dialogue in our community is a good thing." (SOHH)

Jay-Z Reveals Why His Mic Sounds Nice, "Songs Like That Come Out In 5 Minutes"

Rap mogul Jay-Z offers his secrets to writing songs and what strategies he utilizes to in order to create a great track in the new issue of Rolling Stone.

Jay credits the songwriting styles of hip-hop greats like Rakim and Dr. Dre for influencing his own technique.

"When I'm writing a song that I know is going to work, it's a feeling of euphoria," Jay writes. "It's how a basketball player must feel when he starts hitting every shot, when you're in that zone. As soon as you start, you get that magic feeling, an extra feeling. Songs like that come out in five minutes; if I work on them more than, say, 20 minutes, they're probably not going to work. When I was starting out, I was just trying to tell stories. I wasn't thinking about melodies. Then I started to marry storytelling with every thing I was learning from all these other great records: the great writers like Babyface and Lionel Richie; Rakim's technique and syncopation; Dre's whole package on the Chronic albums; Quincy Jones, the greatest producer of all time; Rick Rubin, who's not too far behind because of all his genre-jumping." (Rolling Stone)

Jay also cites today's advanced technology for adversely affecting an artist's creative process.

"Technology has caused the songwriting process to lose some of the magic," he writes. "A lot of times now, people working on a song aren't in the same room. Imagine if Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones hadn't been in the same room! Those records would have been totally different. I've had times when I changed one word because of something that somebody said in the studio, and it changed the whole song. It's so important to have other people in the room, vibing, saying, "No, this part is good, put that there." I spend a lot of time fighting myself to stay out of the way of a great song. It's hard for me to leave a song alone, in its natural state. I want it to have that mass appeal, but once I start trying to push it too far, you can feel that something isn't right. When you can hear what a writer is trying to do, it's like watching a dancer and seeing him counting his steps. Music is emotional -- if you're singing that you're in love with somebody but it doesn't really feel like you are, people can tell." (Rolling Stone)

Last year, Jay-Z also wrote an editorial piece for Rolling Stone.

Mr. Carter has taken up yet another career, but this time not as a Rapper, Director, or CEO, but as a writer. Above are two excerpts written by Jay-Z from Rolling Stone's upcoming issue. He writes about what music means to him and how music has changed for the better and for the worse. (The Source)

Last summer, Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden released a book detailing keys to songwritiing called Enter the Mind of Joe Budden.

"[The book] was something I felt the fans deserved, sort of like a give back to them, the fans who do more than just listen to music and words and actually relate to all the special pieces in their hearts...I don't write if I'm not inspired," Budden revealed in an interview. "I don't force it at all. When the words start to come, as a writer, some of you guys know, when you get that sudden barrage of words and you get inspired, it's much easier to do that way than trying to force it..." (Good Fella Media)

Joe Budden Wipes Off Shady Records Rumor, "I Got Another Trick Up My Sleeve"

Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden has stepped forward to address speculation and rumors claiming he is signing a solo deal with Eminem's Shady Records.

While Budden said he is planning to make a big announcement soon, the New Jersey native said there is no truth behind the Shady rumor.

"No, no, I don't know where you people get these crazy [rumors from]," Budden said in an interview with Mr. Peter Parker. "I didn't even see the picture [of me and Em together] but I heard the rumors and people tweeted me all day long. I'm not, not to my knowledge anyway, I'm not being signed as a solo artist. No. All rumors. Slaughterhouse is over there, we're extremely happy over there, we're gonna do amazing things over there. That's what our focus is right now. As far as Joe Budden personally, I got another trick up my sleeve that y'all are gonna hear about soon." (Parker Vision)

Last week, speculation of a solo deal landed across the Internet.

The word is, Eminem has signed Joe Budden to a solo deal on Shady Records. We all know Joe is a member of Slaughterhouse and has been having some issues with his relationships with women becoming very public in the media. This is something we all know Eminem can relate to. Nothing has been confirmed but this could possibly be true since Joe Budden is already on the roster as part of Slaughterhouse. (The Urban Daily)

Outside of the gossip, group member Royce Da 5'9 recently talked about putting together Slaughterhouse's Shady Records debut.

"It's not an urban legend, though, this is happening. This is really taking place," Joe Budden said in an interview. "We're just getting started, we're not gonna rush it," said Royce. "We were behind the eight ball with the last album -- we had to get it done in six days. Just having the opportunity where time is not an issue, budget is not an issue -- we just gonna go in there and knock it out. -- If I had a wish list, I would love somewhere around Christmas." (RapFix)

Last month, Budden denied rumors claiming the upcoming LP is titled Monster.

"Today's May 1st, in a couple weeks, not even a couple weeks, about a week and a half, we're all going to Detroit and we're gonna lock in for a few weeks and we're going to record," Budden said in a video. "[Is the album called Monster?] MTV is dead a** wrong, I have no idea where they got that bullsh*t from. What type of name is that anyway? Monster? So I don't know where MTV got that information from but it's not accurate. We don't have a name, we don't have a title. It's so premature. We're just rocking out." (In Flex We Trust)

Beanie Sigel Waves White Flag In Jay-Z Feud, "Gangstas F*ck Up Too"

Former Roc-A-Fella artist Beanie Sigel has finally come to terms with his issues toward ex-associate Jay-Z and publicly apologized for holding a publicized grudge against him since 2009.

In addition to apologizing, Sigel revealed having a grip of anti-Jay records in his stash.

"What [comedian] Mike Epps say? 'Gangstas f*ck up too,'" Sigel said in an interview. "Whatever I felt this dude Jay did wrong to me, it can't outweigh the one thing he did do for me - he gave me an opportunity. Dude gave me an opportunity. A lot of people don't get opportunities. He gave me that. That outweighs everything. I need that in black and white. I got caught in the moment and put my feelings out there. I should have never done that...[On the disses], I was explaining the whole Roc-A-Fella sh*t and a lot of feelings were going to get hurt. I was airing sh*t out. Just the homies could listen to that when they come into the studio. I couldn't put that out. It wouldn't sit right with me." (XXL Mag)

Last month, Sigel said an altercation at one of Jay's 40/40 Club venue openings tore them apart.

"The sh*t stem[med] from a situation from me that happened when Jay-Z's bodyguard put his hands on me not in a manner that was harmful to me, but in a manner where he shouldn't have touched me period," Sigel explained in an interview. "On a push in the back tip and I addressed Jay about it in front of his A-List company [...] and I guess he ain't like that too much. I think that was the opening of the 40/40 Club, after that I never saw Jay again. I never talked to him again. That couple months went by or whatever, I even tried to reach out to him. It got to the point where you had to get to four different people to talk to Jay." (Forbez DVD)

In summer 2010, Sigel talked about regretting his past loyalty to Jay during their beef with Ruff Ryders in 2001.

"Only thing I regret about that Roc-A-Fella sh*t was going at my n*gga Kiss," Beans said in an interview referencing his 2001 beef with Jadakiss. "I did that sh*t for you n*gga 'cause you were scared. You knew Kiss would have bit that a**. I should pull off my belt and whip that a**. You better watch who you worship, man...I know all that f*ggot sh*t you poppin' and the little slurs on Drake and them's records and I'ma tell y'all little motherf*ckers something, y'all keep letting that n*gga get on records and pop sh*t. I'ma start coming at cha'll little n*ggas. I'll smack the sh*t outta Drake b*tch a**. All y'all n*ggas, f*ck all y'all. This is Broad Street Bully, B. Sig, I have no problem seeing anybody on site." (Trinity Entertainment)

In January 2010, Jay said he was shocked at the disses Beans made toward him.

"This rap music and the competitive by nature, nothing really surprises me anymore but I'll honestly say, that was one that was like a shocker," Hov said in an interview. "When you from a certain place, cut from a certain cloth, there's certain things that's just off limits. When you cross that line, we put you in a different box. That one was a little surprising. The competitive nature of rap music dictates that's how it goes more times than it's not...I think everybody run outta ideas, it's all just marketing at this point. I don't even think it's competition anymore..." ("Ed Lover In The Morning")

Odd Future Locks In, Cranks That Soulja Boy

West Coast rap group Odd Future are reportedly looking to branch out their brand by linking up with Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy Tell Em for a few collaborations.

According to Soulja Boy, the West Coast rap newcomers extended their hands to him.

"Shouts out to Tyler, the Creator, he's chill," Soulja Boy said in an interview. "Shouts out to Taco. I chill with Taco in L.A. Shouts out to the whole Odd Future. The Super 3 from Odd Future, they produced a couple tracks from my last mixtape [1UP]. They doin' they thang and they doin' it originally from the ground up without the label, so salute...They already reached out for me to do a verse on a song. I just gotta do it -- They mess with [West Coast rapper] Lil B. I mess with Lil B. I'd do a song with them." (Rap-Up)

In early May, The Clipse's Pusha T talked about befriending Tyler the Creator at his "My God" music

LRG Founder Mysteriously Dies, Just Blaze Speechless

The co-founder of popular urban brand Lifted Research Group (LRG), Jonas Bevacqua, reportedly passed away Tuesday (May 31) morning leaving fans and hip-hop supporters like producer Just Blaze in shock over his death.

Details of his sudden death emerged online Tuesday afternoon.

GlobalGrind has learned that Jonas Bevacqua, co-founder of LRG (LIFTED RESEARCH GROUP) was found dead in Los Angeles this morning. Bevaqua was 34. Bevacqua, along with Robert Wright, headed Lifted Research Group, a popular clothing line. Wright confirmed Bevacqua's death on Twitter saying, "woke up at 8am to the worst news I've heard in my lifetime....my best man." No additional information has been officially released. (Global Grind)

Blaze hit up Twitter and expressed anguish and confusion over the unexpected news.

"Jonas Bevacqua??????," he tweeted May 31st.

"holy....wow. speechless."

"dang. RIP old friend. gotta find my LRG chain n rock it today..http://twitpic.com/555ftq"

"All the old school TMTD crew need to pull out these out the vault and rock em w respect. thanks Jonas !! RIPhttp://twitpic.com/555mjh"

"thanks for everything homie. i wouldnt let u get in the booth when u were here, but you can rap to god all u want now. God Bless." (Just Blaze's Twitter)

In 2008, Blaze teamed with LRG for a clothing campaign.

The crew of a LRG teamed up with super producer Just Blaze to produce a limited edition t-shirt. The shirt is called "The Megatron Don." As you can tell the theme concept of the shirt is on a Transformers graphic tip. This shirt is very limited and is available only through a contest on Just Blaze's website...which makes sense since the tee is promoting his website Themegatrondon.com. (The Streets Online)

LRG's run in hip-hop and the fashion industry began in the late 1990's.

Jonas Bevacqua started L-R-G in 1999, alongside partner Robert Wright. By the mid-2000s,Entrepreneur Magazine named the company one of the Hot 500 list of fastest-growing companies and reported its 2006 sales figures at an estimated $150 million. Many consider the brand one of the original pioneers of the streetwear, lifestyle brands of today. (Baller Status)