Renowned artist and producer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart will step into the CEO chair courtesy of a new Def Jam deal to jumpstart his very own record label.

Tricky will oversee RedZone Records, which he originally founded in 1995 with brother Mark and mentor LA Reid.

Now with strong major label backing, the songwriter hopes to broaden the artist cultivation he’s done for years in the studio.

“I’ve always wanted the opportunity to expand my involvement with many of the talented artists I’ve worked with through the years,” Stewart explained to AllHipHop.com. “Previously, I’d work with new artists in the studio, and then once the record was completed, help shop them to a major label through my production company. This new venture enables the record to be released on RedZone and my team to develop it every step of the way. It’s the ultimate arrangement, providing the opportunity to empower the artists and putting their music into homes across the globe.”

The Def Jam deal is the culmination of Stewart’s recent string of chart-topping, Grammy nominated hits.

The versatile producer has lent his talents to artists such as Rihanna (“Umbrella”), Mariah Carey (“Touch My Body”), Mary J. Blige (“Just Fine”), Beyonce (“Single Ladies), The Dream (Love/Hate), and Jamie Foxx (Intuition).

This year, Tricky took home a Grammy for his work on Mary J. Blige’s Growing Pains LP, and honors as one of the 2009 Songwriters of the Year from the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

At press time, Stewart is finalizing plans for the debut of RedZone artist Bryan J’s lead single, “Like I’m Obama.”

Rapper Kanye West vowed to remove himself from the limelight of fame in an exclusive interview with Jay Leno last night.West offered what appeared to be a sincere, nearly tearful explanation of the events that resulted in him interrupting an acceptance speech by singer Taylor Swift. In the unplanned interview, Leno asked West about how his mother, the late Dr. Donda West, would feel at his actions. West then revealed that he had never taken time to grieve and would eventually take time to reflect and collect himself. West said: “You know, obviously, you know, I deal with hurt. And, you know, so many celebrities, they never take the time off. I’ve never taken the time off to really — you know, just music after music and tour after tour,” he said. “I’m just ashamed that my hurt caused someone else’s hurt. My dream of what awards shows are supposed to be, ’cause — and I don’t try to justify it because I was just in the wrong. That’s period. But I need to, after this, take some time off and just analyze how I’m going to make it through the rest of this life, how I’m going to improve. Because I am a celebrity, and that’s something I have to deal with. And if there’s anything I could do to help Taylor in the future or help anyone, I’d like — you know, I want to live this thing. It’s hard sometimes…”The moment was captured on Jay Leno’s prime-time debut Monday, a debut that also saw a performance by Jay-Z, West and Rihanna.West said that he didn’t realize exactly how rude he had behaved until he gave the mic back  to Swift and she didn’t continue her speech. He was showered with boos from the crowd even after he left the venue.West felt Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” should have won for best female video award, not Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”Kanye said that he hoped to one day apologize to Swift face to face. He was not booed on the show.Below is a video of the interview in full:

Rapper Kanye West’s behavior at the 2009 VMA Awards helped him earn criticism from the most powerful man on earth, United States President, Barack Obama.

President Obama was being interviewed for CNBC earlier today when he labeled West a “jackass” for crashing the stage as country singer Taylor Swift was receiving an award for Best Female Video.

President Obama made the “jackass” comment about West during an off the record portion of an interview.

“Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a ‘jackass’ for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT’S presidential,” ABC’s Terry Moran Tweeted before deleting the comment.

ABC issued a statement apologizing for Moran’s Tweet.

“ABC In the process of reporting on remarks by President Obama that were made during a CNBC interview, ABC News employees prematurely tweeted a portion of those remarks that turned out to be from an off-the-record portion of the interview,” ABC said in a statement. “This was done before our editorial process had been completed. That was wrong. We apologize to the White House and CNBC and are taking steps to ensure that it will not happen again.”

The Presidential backlash comes after an allegedly drunk Kanye West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech for winning Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me,” which topped Beyonce’s#### song “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It.)”

Patrick Swayze has died from complications due to advanced pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

According to his publicist Annett Wolf, the actor died at home with his family by his side. Swayze fought his cancer for 20 months, after being diagnosed with the terminal illness in January of 2008.

Swayze courageously continued to work on his final television series “The Beast,” which he filmed while undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

The actor, who starred in movies such as The Outsiders, Red Dawn and Road House, is also a part of Hip-Hop history.

His last name has become synonymous with “leaving” or to “disappear” [IE: “I am Swayze”], in Hip-Hop slang, coined after his starring role in the movie “Ghost.”

After landing a #1 single with his track “She’s Like the Wind” from the hit soundtrack Dirty Dancing, Swayze wanted to return to recording music and was experimenting with “rap rhythms as an emotional undercurrent for ballads.”

Additionally, Swayze made a cameo appearance as an FBI agent in a video for Ja Rule’s single “Murder Reigns” from Ja Rule’s The Last Temptation album.

Rapper Lil’ Mama has apologized for jumping on stage at the 2009 Video Music Awards ceremony after she leaped on stage during the finale performance by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

“I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys. I admire them and look up to them as role models,” she said in a statement. “‘Empire State of Mind’ had my emotions running high. In that moment I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY.”

The move comes after the Brooklyn-based rapper had been under heavy public scrutiny. Critics also opined on the move, citing it as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Earlier in the night, Kanye West got on stage and interrupted an acceptance speech by Taylor Swift. He was reportedly escorted out of Radio City Music Hall, where the show was taped in New York.

After getting venom thrown their way by pound for pound elite fighter Floyd Mayweather, Rick Ross and Freck Billionaire are answering the pugilist via the new Triple C’s helmed diss “Go (War Remix).”

Last month, Mayweather derided both artists in an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, framing Ross as a fraud and joking “when I need someone arrested, I’ll call him.”

Regarding Freck Billionaire, Mayweather accused him of being a thief for stealing an expensive watch after defaulting on contract obligations with Mayweather’s Philthy Rich record label.

According to Mayweather, Freck failed to disclose a previous signed contract that resulted in the boxer being sued.

“F**k Floyd Mayweather! You spoke my name,” Ross began. “Forever getting robbed/Bloods took your jewels/Can’t beat the IRS baby boy/Just pay your dues!”

In addition to alluding to his alleged IRS problems, Ross belittles Mayweather regarding his mainstream appeal, and a previous strip club incident where the boxer allegedly threw fake $100 bills into the air.

“Even your name lame/Ain’t no Mayweather Punchout!/Catch him in Florida/I’m a need another lawyer/Why your daddy employer/Go by the name of De La Hoya?!…We standing on the bar/Throwing real money/Holla Mayweather when you see a fake hundred.”

On his end, Freck Billionaire dismissed Mayweather’s allegations as completely baseless.

“I think it’s a bitter cheap shot, totally untrue from an egotistically frustrated person,” Freck told AllHipHop.com. “I’ll respond to Floyd when I see him face to face. I don’t go back and forth on blogs, that’s his style.”

Despite this proclamation, Billionaire does deliver a verse chastising Mayweather’s recent actions.

“Talking greasy because you’re 39-0?/Real life b*tch n*gga 39 and hoe/I’m his toughest opponent yet/I’m nothing like Marquez.”

At press time Floyd Mayweather could not be reach for comment, and is completing a final public workout in preparation for his anticipated September 19 PPV showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez.

View Part 2 of AllHipHop.com’s exclusive interview with Floyd Mayweather.

Pioneering turntablist Roc Raida was admitted to the hospital last week, after being involved in a car accident that left him with serious injuries.

While details could not be confirmed, it was reported that Roc Raida suffered injuries to his spine during the accident.

“Anthony Williams p/k/a GM Roc Raida is in the hospital,” Roc Raida’s family confirmed in a statement. “His family thanks all of his fans for the well wishes and prayers. At this time please allow him and his family privacy to deal with the matter. The rumors and chatter is not accurate and we will release something more in detail at a later time. Thank you on behalf of the family and close friends.”

In addition to acting as Busta Rhymes’ official tour DJ, Roc Raida is internationally known for founding legendary turntablist team The X-Ecutioners.

According to fellow pioneering DJ Qbert, Roc Raida is currently at home recovering from his injuries.

“That’s fast! Raida recovered in great condition!” DJ Qbert Tweeted. “Prayers of yours in mass quantity really work! Concentrate on world peace now!”

“He will be back on the road with us soon,” added Busta Rhymes. “All of your prayers are needed and will be greatly appreciated. That’s our brother and we love him.”

M.O.P. has responded to rumors and accusations that they stole a beat from an emerging producer from Philadelphia.

Over the weekend, a producer named Kil sent out a mass email accusing M.O.P. member Lil’ Fame, who is also a music producer, of stealing a beat submitted to the group on CD.

“It’s true I didn’t do the beat ‘Rude Bastards’ as Kil said. I heard it, it was hot and I rhymed on it. I’de never steal a beat, that’s not me,” Lil Fame told AllHipHop.com.

Longtime M.O.P. manager Laze Laze said everything is one big misunderstanding and that the group would never knowingly steal another person’s beat.

“I understand the process of credits and turning in a record so I know that this is a clerical error [that] can easily be fixed. But Fame is hurt, being an up-and-coming producer (himself), he knows the struggle of making beats and having to almost give them away to be heard,” Laze told AllHipHop.com. “We feel the pain of the kid in his crib, teaching himself how to use Reason, or his first attempt at an MPC 2000.”

He explained clearly that M.O.P. “would never take a kids track without making every attempt to give him credit.” He also stated that the rumor comes at an odd moment as the group’s new CD is slated for released tomorrow.

“It comes at a time when all of our energy should be focused on more positive things like the release of the new M.O.P. album Foundation,” he continued. “Nevertheless its our responsibility to speak on it.”

Historically, M.O.P. has helped and contributed to the growth of a number of artists, producers and even video directors, Laze said, and the notion of beat-jacking is totally contrary to the legacy of the group.

“In all of our years, we have strived for the underdog, the unheard of producer (DR Period, Mahogany, Jaz-O,, Notts,) the up and coming video director (Hype Williams, Chris Robinson, Brian Luvar, Jessie Terrero). You see all these talented people were brand new, unproven prodigies when they began their respective works with works with the Mashout Posse,” he said. “So it comes as a major surprise that someone would say we stole their beat and that we would address it with such disdain.”

In an email sent to several sites, including AllHipHop.com’s rumor section, Philadelphia-based producer levied his claim against M.O.P. and Lil Fame. Here is the email in full:

“Back in September 2008, MOP, Joe Budden, Termanology and Big Shugg came down to Sonar in B’more and me and my peeps go to the show. I pass out beat cd’s to Term, Joe and during MOP’s show I give it to Laze E Laze’s son (some young n***a) who’s the hype man. Now, fast forward to September 2009 and I’m listening to MOP’s Foundation album on my way home from work and when track #9 “Rude Bastard” comes on….it’s MY F***ING BEAT! Not the same sample, the SAME BEAT! Drum programming, sample, chops…the whole damn beat! Then my man Mills does the knowledge for me to see who got credit for the track on the album and it says “produced by Fizzy Womack”! So…I don’t get a check, I don’t get credit…I don’t even get co production credit! And I’m not looking for no “feel sorry for me” or none of that hoopla…I’m just asking for cats to let ANYONE who ya’ll know who loves hip hop to know who did the track so I can @ least get credit from my peers (hip hop fans and other producer’s grinding out there) for the beat. I’ve been grinding @ this beat thing for YEARS and for my first placement for a major artist to be a jack move…it just ain’t right…but it is what it is…like I said, do me this justice and @ least let the hip hop heads ya’ll know that the bol Kil from Philly gave MOP THAT heat… not no f***ing Fizzy Womack…”

Also, M.O.P. denies that a statement affirming the alleged beat jacking was confirmed by Lil’ Fame.

 “And the quote on the net is not from me I’m looking into who made that statement as me,” Fame told AllHipHop.com.

M.O.P. says that statement was not sent out by the rapper/producer and they don’t represent such disingenuous movements.

Laze concluded:

“We spent a lot of years making our type of music on purpose for that part of society that doesn’t get represented. We left labels and sometimes financial security on sometimes our code alone. So it hurts us that any one would call the Mashout Posse thieves. Even in the robbery days it was point blank. And not from the poor.”