V Exclusive: Lil Wayne Elaborates On His Jay-Z Diss

Just a day after the leak of superstar Lil Wayne’s blog-igniting track “It’s Good,” a two-fisted cut that’s making noise for its perceived brazen diss at hip-hop legend Jay-Z and his omnipresent wife pop-R&B queen Beyonce, the skateboarding Gremlin doesn’t seem at all fazed. During an interview for an upcoming Oct./Nov. VIBE story, Wayne says he’s not worried about any fallout from the presumed lyrical barb at the Watch The Throne MC which features Drake and Jadakiss as Weezy snaps, “I got your baby money/Kidnap your bitch, get that how much you love your lady money.” (The sneering line comes off as a rebuttal to Hova’s Birdman-aimed “H.A.M.” slap “Really you got baby money…You ain't got my lady’s money.”)

“I know there won’t be any repercussions behind what I did,” says a confident Wayne when asked if he had second thoughts about recording his acidic verse for ‘It ‘s Good.’ “I know for a fact music is about perception. You can’t do anything but perceive what you hear. I know that for a fact. So I can’t ever be upset about someone’s reaction.”

Wayne added that while he understands the intrigue and buzz behind the record, it’s just another song. “I’m not going to say I don’t know what would happen before I even say [something on record],” he explains. “I do know what will happen. I’m aware of it. But it is what it is.”

Lil Wayne is currently headlining his I Am Still Music Tour. He is set to digitally drop his highly anticipated release Tha Carter IV on Sunday, August 28th. —Keith Murphy
source: www.Vibe.com

Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ‘Throne’ Reigns Atop Albums Chart for Second Week

Jay-Z and Kanye West remain kings of the charts for another week. The rap superstars’ collaborative album Watch the Throne holds the No. 1 spot again on this week’s Billboard 200.
Throne sold an additional 177,000 copies in its second week to bring its sales total to 613,000, according to Billboard. The album officially spent one full week at digital and physical retailers since its release on August 8. It opened with 436,000 copies based primarily on digital sales at iTunes.
Unlike the previous week where digital sales accounted for 74% of Throne‘s intake, digital purchases only represented 35% of sales this week.
On the Digital Songs chart, Lil Wayne’s Drake-assisted single “She Will” debuts at No. 1, marking the largest sales week for a single since LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” in July.

Jay-Z & Kanye West Facing “Watch The Throne” Sample Lawsuit?

Looks like soul singer Syl Johnson’s going to take a quick piss over all of the “The Joy” Kanye & Jay have had surrounding Watch The Throne. It seems as if the duo did not clear the use of Johnson’s “Different Strokes” before sampling the track for Watch The Throne’s bonus track. The original song’s copyright holders, Johnson and Numero Group, were shocked to see the song clearly used and credited, but not cleared. And thus, they thanked Jay & ‘Ye for providing them with “a huge pay day,” whether it comes by lawsuit or settlement.



The Numero Group has posted their version of the full backstory regarding the back-and-forth maneuvering regarding Kanye camp’s original attempts to clear the song previously for use on MBDTF, failing to do so and the song appearing on WTT. No way am I going to try and Cliff Note their whole story but it’s worth a read.
Two quick thoughts:
1. The move by Johnson and Numero may seem money-motivated but I can’t blame them one bit. They created material, they own it and they should be compensated for any use of it. Furthermore…
2. If indeed the material wasn’t cleared by The Throne’s team and was being sold beforehand, yeah, they have minimal leverage in this one. The fact that the album sold like hotcakes means Johnson just secured himself financially for a while. Inadvertently perhaps, but I’d take it too if free money fell in my lap.
Cred: Al Lindstrom

Jay-Z & Kanye West - Otis

2010 FORBES HIP HOP CASH KINGS

Taking the number one spot on this year’s Hip Hop Cash King list from Forbes is Jay-Z. He raked in $37 million last year and is followed by Diddy with $35 million and Kanye West with $16 million.

Hip-hop’s reigning Cash King continues to reap the benefits of a 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal, as well as stakes in the New Jersey Nets, the 40/40 Club chain, ad firm Translation and others. This year marked the first time he out-earned wife Beyonce since their marriage in 2008.

1. Jay-Z – $37 million
2. Diddy – $35 million
3. Kanye West – $16 million
4. Lil Wayne – $15 million
4. Birdman – $15 million
6. Eminem – $14 million
6. Dr. Dre – $14 million
6. Snoop Dogg – $14 million
9. Akon – $13 million
10. Ludacris – $12 million
11. Wiz Khalifa – $11 million
11. Drake – $11 million
13. Pharrell Williams – $10 million
14. Timbaland – $7 million
15. Swizz Beatz – $6.5 million
15. Nicki Minaj – $6.5 million
17. Rick Ross – $6 million
17. 50 Cent – $6 million
17. Pitbull – $6 million
20. T-Pain – $5 million
20. B.o.B – $5 million

Beyonce and Jay-Z get close in 'Watch the Throne' video

With excitement akin to the sighting of a bald eagle, the Ministry has stumbled upon rare video of power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce. At the same table. Sitting very close. Just like mortals do.

B and Jay are notoriously private when it comes to their marriage, quality time and, above all else, PDA. But the moguls aren't sly enough to escape the magic found in a leaked 10-minute documentary about the making of Jay and Kanye West's joint album "Watch the Throne."

The clip below shows a heartfelt moment at a luxurious private estate in Australia, where West is presenting Jay with luxurious birthday gifts: framed artwork from their single "Monster" and a major ring that Kanye hunted for in Paris that allows Jay to dip the bauble in hot wax and leave an insignia.

The gift giving is a fantastic look behind the curtain, but we're taken with the sight of man and wife, nestled at a dinner table smiling over taper candles and an haute cuisine spread.

Start at 1:10 to see Beyonce coach her hubby on how to stamp his ring after it's dipped in hot wax, and for sweet man-hugging between Jay and Kanye.

Jay-Z Already 2 Songs In On Next Solo Album

Jay-Z is not wasting any time transitioning from collaboration mode back to a solo emcee mindset. Having just wrapped his highly anticipated 'Watch The Throne' album with Kanye West, Hov has already turned his attention to his next album.

MTV is reporting that the Brooklyn rapper already has two songs recorded for his next album that he says are the two best he's ever recorded for a cd, and has ideas for four more.

"I know exactly the tone and the whole feel of the album," Jay-Z said of his next project. "I think when you experience creativity, you should get it out as much as possible."

With J. Cole's Roc Nation debut 'Cole World: The Sideline Story' scheduled to drop September 27, Jigga was asked if his cd would be in stores first.

"I don't play that," he said. "We're all competing for the same mind share. J. Cole and Jay Electronica are both making inspiring music."

Kanye West Debuts His “Monster” Video With Rick Ross, Jay-Z & Nicki Minaj

JAY-Z CLOSING HIS 40/40 CLUB IN NYC FOR RENOVATIONS

Jay-Z and business partner Juan Perez announced they will be temporarily closing their midtown Manhattan 40/40 Club for the summer. The club will re-open after extensive renovations have been completed.

"Starting June 1st, The 40/40 Club's New York City flagship location will undergo a complete transformation from floor to ceiling," read a letter from the two owners. "Lead by world renowned designer Jeffery Beers, The 40/40 Club's makeover will draw inspiration from the energy, grandeur and opulence of New York City nightlife. We are eager to re-open our doors in September and re-introduce a revolution in luxury sports watching and nightclub experience. We appreciate your patience and continued dedication to our growing brand as we vow to return to the scene stronger than ever." The 40/40 in Atantic City it will be open.. Go to the 40/40 website for upadates www.the4040club.com

Drake Denies Jay-Z Diss Via Twitter

In the ultra-competitive world of rap, where MCs throw shots both directly and indirectly, even the most subliminal mentions draw attention from the media and fans alike. Drake has delivered two such lines in the past two weeks where many felt that he was sending shots at Jay-Z.

On Friday (May 20), Drizzy took to Twitter to shut the rumors down. “Hov diss? Hov of all people has not lost it...that’s god body flow.”

The tweet was in reference to a line on Drake’s newly leaked “Dreams Money Can Buy.” On the track which is said to be off of Young Angel’s upcoming sophomore album Take Care, Drake spits, “And I feel like lately I went from top five to remaining five/My favorite rappers either lost it or they ain’t alive.”

A week earlier Drake appeared alongside Lil Wayne and Rick Ross on DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One” and dropped the line: “Hate the rumors, hate the bulls--t, hate these f--kin’ allegations/I’m just feelin’ like the throne is for the takin’; watch me take it.”

On May 13, RapFix asked fans if they felt Drake took a swipe at Hov and Kanye who are readying the release of their new album Watch the Throne. 53% of fans answered “No” while 37% of readers thought “Yes.” 10.5% of fans were unsure.

Seems like the majority of fans were right, as Drake’s tweet shows that a Hov diss is out of the question.

Still, you can’t front, from a purely competitive aspect, it would have be interesting. Not that we’re trying to stir the pot.

Jay Shuts Down Rumors