Mary J. Blige, Juicy J, Charles Hamilton, Jennifer Hudson & More To Appear On "Empire" Soundtrack

(AllHipHop News) The Hip Hop drama Empire is already a major television smash. The Fox network and Columbia Records are now looking to make the franchise a hit on the album charts. Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire is scheduled to go on sale Tuesday, March 10.

[ALSO READ: “Empire” Pulls In Bigger Audience Than “American Idol”; Premiere Tops 20 Million Total Viewers]

The musical collection will feature tracks by cast members Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon), Bryshere Gray a.k.a. Yazz (Hakeem Lyon), Serayah McNeil (Tiana Brown) and Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon). Established performers Mary J. Blige, Juicy J, Charles Hamilton, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora, Courtney Love, and Estelle make appearances on the Empire soundtrack as well.

Fans will get to hear songs from the series such as “No Apologies” and “Drip Drop.” Never-before-heard cuts from upcoming episodes will also be included on the project.

[ALSO READ: Will The Cast Of “Empire” Head Out On A Real Life Music Tour?]

To pre-order Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire visit iTunes. Check out the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition tracklists below.

Standard Edition Tracklist:

1. Good Enough feat. Jussie Smollett
2. What Is Love feat. V.Bozeman
3. No Apologies feat. Yazz and Jussie Smollett
4. Keep It Movin’ feat. Serayah McNeil and Yazz
5. Walk Out On Me feat. Courtney Love
6. Conqueror feat. Estelle and Jussie Smollett
7. Remember The Music feat. Jennifer Hudson
8. Shake Down feat. Mary J. Blige and Terrence Howard
9. Power of the Empire feat. Yazz
10. Nothing To Lose feat. Jussie Smollett
11. Whatever Makes You Happy feat. Jennifer Hudson and Juicy J

Digital Deluxe Edition Tracklist:

1. Good Enough feat. Jussie Smollett
2. What Is Love feat. V.Bozeman
3. No Apologies feat. Yazz and Jussie Smollett
4. Keep It Movin’ feat. Serayah McNeil and Yazz
5. Keep Your Money feat. Jussie Smollett
6. Drip Drop feat. Yazz and Serayah McNeil
7. Can’t Truss ‘Em feat. Yazz
8. I Wanna Love You feat. Jussie Smollett
9. Money For Nothing feat. Jussie Smollett and Yazz
10. Walk Out On Me feat. Courtney Love
11. You’re So Beautiful feat. Jussie Smollett and Yazz
12. Conqueror feat. Estelle and Jussie Smollett
13. Remember The Music feat. Jennifer Hudson
14. Power Of The Empire feat. Yazz
15. Shake Down feat. Mary J. Blige and Terrence Howard
16. Nothing To Lose feat. Jussie Smollett
17. Whatever Makes You Happy feat. Jennifer Hudson and Juicy J
18. NY Raining feat. Charles Hamilton and Rita Ora

Cam'ron Clowns Jay Z, Implies Hov's Gay (PHOTO)

(AllHipHop News) Jay Z and Cam’ron have a turbulent history. The two New York City rappers have had issues with each other going back to the days when Cam was signed to Jay’s Roc-A-Fella Records.

[ALSO READ: A Reunited Dipset Freestyles On Funk Flex; Cam’ron Mentions Jay Z & Solange (VIDEO)]

Since that time, Cam has dissed Jay on tracks (ie “You Gotta Love It“), and Jay has thrown shots at Cam as well (“Dig A Hole“). The conflict heated back up recently when Hot 97’s DJ Funkmaster Flex went on a rant against Jay, partially in defense of Cam and Dipset. Funk Flex and the Dips are set to go out on tour together.

Cam has once again returned to taking jabs at Jay. His latest form of attack comes via Instagram. The Harlem native uploaded a widely circulated picture of his rival with the caption, “Heeeyy lol nh [no h###].”

[ALSO READ: Dipset Goes In On Jay In New Freestyle (2015 “Victory”)]

Check out Cam’ron’s IG photo and the new Dipset song “Do Something” below.

Camron-JayZ-IG-AllHipHop

 

Drake's “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” Sets Two New Streaming Records

(AllHipHop News) Drake’s new mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late is the new king of Spotify. The OVO representative’s latest project broke the streaming service’s debut-week record.

[ALSO READ: SoundCloud Is Leading The Way In The Audio Community’s Streaming Revolution]

According to Buzzfeed, If You’re Reading This was streamed 23.6 million times in just four days. Drizzy actually broke his own record set by his last album Nothing Was The Same. That LP totaled 15.6 million streams opening week.

Drake now holds the record for the single day streams on Spotify as well. On Saturday, February 14, If You’re Reading This was streamed 6.8 million times.

These impressive numbers will play into the final first week sales totals for the mixtape. Last year Billboard began including streaming totals in the sales calculations for its album chart. Every 1,500 streams on services like Spotify, Beats Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, and Google Play equal one album sale.

Hits Daily Double reports If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late should see an initial sales week around 500,000 units. Nothing Was The Same broke out with 658,000 copies sold in 2013.

[ALSO READ: Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” Expected To Open With Huge Sales Numbers]

Bizarre Says New D12 Project Is Coming + Talks Nicki Minaj Versus Dej Loaf (VIDEO)

(AllHipHop News) Detroit rap group D12 was one of the acts that contributed to 2014’s Shady XV compilation album. According to one member, the track “Bane” was a preview of a full project that is on the way.

“Them my brothers. I love D12,” Bizarre tells DJ Smallz Eyes. “We’re about to get in the studio soon and try to bring out something else. That little cut you heard on the Shady compilation was just a little warm-up. So be ready.”

During the interview, Bizarre was also asked about rising Detroit performer Dej Loaf. He admits he enjoyed her single “Try Me” and the posse cut “Detroit Vs. Everybody,” but he still wants to see what moves the 23-year-old rapper makes next. Bizarre is not ready to put Dej at the same level as Nicki Minaj yet.

“I’m done with Nicki Minaj,” says Biz. “I definitely wouldn’t put [Nicki and Dej] in the same category. We gotta see what Dej do. I’m just proud of her because I know that she grinded.”

[ALSO READ: Bizarre Of D12 on Kevin Gates Smashing His Cousin]

Watch Bizarre’s interview below.

Timbaland Protégé Tink Talks Female Empowerment & Being A Feminist Rapper

(AllHipHop News) Superstar producer Timbaland has found a new rap protégé. After introducing his signature Da Bassment sound with Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Ginuwine, Timbo is ready to change the face of music again with 19-year-old Chicago artist Tink.

The rapper/singer has been building a buzz for several years, and she got a huge break when DJ Envy debuted her version of Rick Ross’ “Movin’ Bass” featuring Jay Z on The Breakfast Club. Tink has now made the February/March 2015 cover of The Fader. In the article, she spoke about a positive, realistic vision of female empowerment.

[ALSO READ: Timbaland Talks The Aaliyah Movie, His New Artist Tink & More]

FADAR-TINK

“I had to cut off calling myself ‘b***h.’ And I cut out some of the songs where I was kind of like degrading myself. When people do that, of course it’s seen in a fun way, but at the same time it’s sending the message to everybody else to look at you as a b####,” said Tink. “I want to dig deep into bad relationships, molestation, racism, and not feeling pretty. I want to get under people’s skin.”

Tink embraces the tag of being a representation of feminism. Her experiences in the music business have already set her on a path of voicing that women are politically, socially, and economically equal to men.

“I’m definitely a feminist. The industry made me that way. I had to grind so hard to be taken seriously, had to work twice as hard to get here,” Tink states. “As far as female [rappers], there aren’t as many, so if you want to compete, you have to sound [a certain way] because that’s the only thing hot right now. If you want to compete, you have to look [a certain way]… I’m in my own little lane, doing just me. I don’t have to fit in.”

Read Tink’s full The Fader cover story here.

[ALSO READ: Breeding Ground: Chicago Emcee Tink Takes A Stand With “Tell The Children”]

Listen to “Movin’ Bass” with Tink, Jay Z and Rick Ross below.

Chox-Mak – "2015 Til Infinity"

Chox-Mak staying true to his 90’s Flow sound gives you a menacing new single entitled “2015 Til Infinity”. This new release will take you back to when raw and edgey lyrics were really in tuned. Chox-Mak has alot more work in store and has alot more music, shows and visuals coming up. Keep intuned with him also via social media he just announced “Respect The Hustle” Tour which is scheduled to take off in March.

http://www.audiomack.com/song/chox-mak/2015-to-infinity

Bizz-E Blaze – "Bad Drugs"

Bad drugs seem to have had a lot of people acting out from the norm in 2014. Bizz-E Blaze has taken a brief hiatus but the promising up and coming artist out of New York returns today with a new offering off of his highly anticipated upcoming project ‘BizzArre’. Bars are officially back, Bizz-E Blaze finesses yet another statement like record with more “real” lyrics and a signature flow that certainly differentiates him from most out of NY. The uniqueness of Bizz-E Blaze and his fresh style is sure to help him flourish in 2015.

Minty Burns – "Something Better"

Toronto native Minty Burns unveiled The Golden Ticket back in the middle of December and it came filled with standout singles such as the Wonda Gurl-produced track “How I Feel” featuring Rockie Fresh, “World Series” produced by Rich Kidd, “Shisha Monster” featuring Trademark Da Skydiver, as well as “Emotions” produced by Chase N. Cashe to name a handful.

Today, Minty Burns returns to visualize an introspective single off the recently released project titled “Something Better.” Burns details assumptions and expectations that surround rap artists, including some of the hardships that can be endured during the come up.

YGG Tay Ft. Young Scooter – "Protocol"

YGG Tay released Rich Before Rap at the end of Janauary and today the Baltimore rapper returns for the first time since dropping the project that featured the likes of Metro Boomin, TM-88, London On Da Track and Young Scooter. With the help of the aforementioned Freebandz rep Young Scooter, YGG Tay delivers visuals for “Protocol” directed by Cricket.

Kanye Gets Dragged By R&B Legend

Kanye has raised the ire of one music legend Michael McDonald, who says the rapper need not criticize the likes of Beck.

“It’s pretty obvious what Kanye’s problem is. When Kanye gets to a point where he can actually put a couple of notes together either vocally or two bars of valid music playing an instrument, then he might have a right to criticize somebody else,” McDonald told Dan Le Batard of Ultimate Classic Rock. “Until then, I think he’s just talking to hear the sound of his own voice.”

McDonald, a renown singer/song writer, played with two legendary groups – The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan – and also had meteoric success as a soloist. He has won numerous Grammy Awards and also plays several instruments.

“The whole kinda cut-and-paste thing is a certain kind of artform all by itself,” McDonald said, praising Beck. “I don’t know if I call it songwriting from a musician’s standpoint. … Beck is obviously a consummate musician. He plays instruments, many instruments. He can make his own record without having a fleet of computer operators onboard.”

Kanye has not commented.

NJ Threat – "Get It Jumpin" (ft. M.O.P.)

Connecting with the legendary duo of Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame, otherwise known as M.O.P., New Jersey’s own NJ Threat has released his latest single. The NY Bangers-produce track comes gives us a dose of raw, unforgiving rhymes as Threat and M.O.P. go bar for bar. You can expect NJ Threat’s new project to arrive later this year.

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Pharrell Is Turning 'Happy' Into A Series Of Children's Books

“Happy” was a mega-hit for Pharrell and he isn’t done living down the hype. He has signed a book deal with Putnam Books for Young Readers to produce four picture books for children, with the first one being inspired by the Grammy-winning tune.

[ALSO READ: Snoop Dogg And Pharrell Debut Track ‘Peaches N’ Cream’ In L.A (VIDEO)]

The first of the four-book series, entitled Happy, will be released on Sept. 22nd will feature pictures of children from around the world “celebrating what it means to be happy.” There will be 250,000 initial copies of Happy printed and distributed.

Curren$y – "FISHN' Countdown To Pilot Talk III"

Curren$y continues his push for his new project Pilot Talk III. As we all know this is going to be a big project for Curren$y and the Jets as he rips up prodcution from Ski Beatz, Cool & Dre, Purp Dog, Joey Fatts and more. Check the vid below!

Mr. Birdman: Hip-Hop & I Need Answers!

Editor’s Note: We at AllHipHop don’t necessarily need any answers on this one.

Yo! Birdman! I’ve been riding blogging pro-you since you kissed Lil Wayne on the lips! I’ve justified it! I wrote a blog entitled, “Baby & Lil Wayne: Sometimes a Kiss is just a Kiss!” () and a four-part essay entitled, “Jesus and Rappers: The Gay ‘Rap’ On The Messengers.”  When Negus (not n#####! Black kings!) were whispering behind your back and blog sites were calling you and Wayne “gay”—I defended your right to be affectionate to Wayne without the connotation of gayness being put on your back. I was the only hip-hop blogger that defended you and when I met you in Miami (2011 Spring Break), I told you these things! Yes I did!

(Me & Birdman. Excuse the effed-up photo. Photog got summarily fired after this! LOL)

After all, I’ve been advocating for gays/lesbians since 2007 to have a voice in mainstream hip-hop. I am the self-professed, self-proclaimed “Spiritual Advisor to Gay Hip-Hop.” I carrying this title with great pride, even in the face of homophobia—being called “D/L,” “F##### Lover,” etc. (Who would believe that a “straight” black man would advocate such heresy in hip-hop? Well effin’ believe it!)

But now, Birdman—I—we—hip-hop needs some answers!

Birdman, I know you’re an aloof little fellow—that your money has you thinking you don’t have to answer to anyone (and you don’t, but this will be your final undoing!)—that you’ve insulated yourself with “yes men” and the like, but now ain’t the time for aloofness! Your manhood—Doff! Your sexuality and legacy is being hotly contested.

The Internetz are claiming a few things about Birdman—that he’s signed and/or cosigned little-known (gay-transgender-loving) rappers Chasegod and Starshipgod to Rich Gang Records. Chasegod has expressed his love for transgender entertainer Sidney Starr and now, Starshipgod is talking hella sexually reckless about his new boss, supposedly Birdman of Cash Money Records. Evidently, these two are from the “Lil B School of I’m Gay.” Listen to Starshipgod put Birdman on sexual blast! S### is wild, son! Real or media w#### cooning? You be the judge!

I don’t have a problem with gay rappers, per se. I’ve already expressed my gay rapper sentiments with a proven track record on Google. The problem is that these rappers, Starshipgod, in particular, has put Birdman’s alleged bedroom business in the streets! He’s saying Birdman f**ked him! He’s saying,“Birdman fu**ed me in the a$$ for the deal! I sucked Birdman’s d**k!” WOWZERS! Sweet baby Jesus! Now what do you say Birdman? Are you gonna act like this young-a$$ gay dude ain’t on your radar? Starshipgod says, “Birdman loves us!” Well, do you? And furthermore, since you (Birdman) have an affinity for associating yourself with flagrant “gayeties” (and [straight] “man-code” violations)—from Kissing Lil Wayne on the lips—to signing the very feminine-esque Yung Thug who calls his homies “bae”—and now, evidently, apparently Chasegod & Starshipgod. Like, what it do? Like Lil Wayne & Birdman, Chasegod & Starshipgod love to kiss each other. Have a look!

I really hope these rappers are signed to Birdman! Really! We just ain’t seen any paperwork or photos of Birdman and them together. All we have are these gay rappers Instagram claims & pontifications. Can you please clarify Birdman? How could you have signed a dude that tells the world he f##### and sucked you? Is this the ultimate publicity stunt on their part? And why haven’t you run to the Internet to deny these allegations? Right about now, Baby, Birdman (or Bae to your Young Thug family)—you’re looking hella gay!

Hip-hop needs more diversity. As I’ve always said (as a 1st generation hip-hop head. I was 19 years old when “Rapper’s Delight” hit the airwaves)–Rap music fell off the hump of that gay Disco Era Camel and those of us who really know the deally know that at least one of the founders early pioneers of hip-hop is gay! (Yes! I said it! Don’t make me start name-droppin’!) This too, will one day come out in the rinse once the TRUE history of hip-hop is written–without bias!

I applaud any gay person for living their truth openly & honestly! I abhor the bombardment of the uber-black-machoistic-male stereotype—the black man as hardcore gangster rapper, womanizer, and super-sexualized-coco-money-getter. If Chasegod & Starshipgod are on Birdman’s team, cool. But he might wanna settle them lil n##### down a tad! Or is this Birdman’s way of coming out? We’ll be waiting for an answer Birdman. Don’t let us come to our own conclusions! In da meantime Birdman, hip-hop needs answers!

Khalil Amani writes for Allhiphop.com, DJ Kay Slay’s Originators & Straight Stuntin Magazines. He’s been featured in L.A. Times, Spin Magazine, DaveyD.com, The Biography Channel. Author of six books, including the groundbreaking “Hip-Hop Homophobes…” (iuniverse.com ’07). Follow on IG @khalil_amani, Facebook, Twitter @khalilamani.

Check Out Exclusive Photos From "Hot Tub Time Machine 2"

(AllHipHop News) The cast of Hot Tub Time Machine 2 is set to return to the big screen this week. The sequel to the 2010 comedy will arrive in theaters on Friday, February 20.

Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, and Clark Duke are taking the audience on another time travel adventure. Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) and Gillian Jacobs (Community) also join the fun in the Steve Pink directed flick.

This is Robinson’s second turn as Nick Webber, so the Chicago native is surely an expert at jumping through fictional time eras at this point. But what would be the one thing Craig would change in his real past?

Soul Train! I would be a Soul Train dancer, maybe even change the name to The Craig Robinson Show,” states the alum of the celebrated Second City improv company.

Check out AllHipHop.com’s exclusive Hot Tub Time Machine 2 photos and a movie clip (NSFW) featuring Craig Robinson and Christian Slater below.

[ALSO READ: Hot Tub Time Machine 2 – Big Game Spot]

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Chris Brown And Tyga Perform 'Ayo' On 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon' (VIDEO)

While in town for the Brooklyn stop of their Between the Sheets tour, Chris Brown and Tyga hit the stage at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform the first single from their joint album “Ayo.”  Fan of a Fan:The Album hits stores Feb. 24th and features Ty Dolla Sign, ScHoolboy Q, Fat Trel and Boosie Badazz.

Peep their performance below.