Music News: Nicki Minaj & Jay-Z Win Big at the BET Hip-Hop Awards

Nicki Minaj doesn’t even have an album out yet, but she was one of the biggest winners at the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, which were taped on Saturday, October 2 in Atlanta for an upcoming broadcast. The Young Money rapper took home Rookie of the Year, People’s Champ, and Made You Look (style) awards, MTV News reports.

Fitted to kill in a black dominatrix-like outfit, NYC-ish blond bob hairdo, pink nails and lipstick, Minaj grabbed her awards and “ran.” Minaj made sure to thank her “Barbies” as she accepted the award for “Favorite By Fans.”

“Last year, I was here in anticipation of the cypher,” she told the crowd, referring to the artist rap freestyles that run in between the award presentations and performances. “Now I’m here in anticipation of my debut. [‘Pink Friday’, set for release November 23.]

“I’m paving the way for girls,” she continued. “I wanna thank all the girls of hip-hop.”

Jay-Z, who was not in attendance at the awards, was also able to bag three awards. Tied Minaj’s award total, taking home trophies in the categories of Perfect Combo (Alicia Keys duet “Empire State of Mind”), CD of the Year, and Best Live Performer. Other awards went to Rick Ross (Club Banger of the Year and Track of the Year for producer Lex Luger, both for “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)”), Salt-N-Pepa (I Am Hip-Hop), Diddy (Hustler), Swizz Beatz (Producer of the Year), and DJ Khaled (Best DJ).

Now let me remind you, the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards kicked off on quite the high note as Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, and Diddy opened with “B.M.F.,” one of the year’s biggest hits. To the surprise of those in the audience Ross‘ set then segued into an unexpected performance from MC Hammer, who danced frantically with a group of dancers as he performed ‘2 Legit 2 Quit.’

The 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards welcomed a number of newcomer’s including Alabama’s own Yelawolf who performed alongside Big Boi for their hit song “You Ain’t No DJ.”

“I feel overwhelmed, you know, coming out with Big Boi from OutKast and doing our record. I never thought it would lead to here, but I’m taking it in. I’m happy and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Yelawolf explained to The BoomBox.

The Hip-Hop Awards cypher’s proved yet again to be one of the highlights of the show with a number of artists taking part in this Hip-Hop Awards staple. Kanye West gave folks a taste of G.O.O.D. Music with a cypher that featured verses from himself, Common, Big Sean, Pusha T, and Cyhi Da Prynce.Ice Cube and Rev. Run kept it all in the family with a cypher that consisted of performances from Diggy Simmons, JoJo Simmons, OMG, and Doughboy.

More images from the performances below and after the cut.

This year’s 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards, hosted by Mike Epps, will air Oct. 12 at 8 P.M. on BET. Will you be tuning in? Which award categories are you most looking forward to seeing televised?

Source: B.E.T.com

Music News: Kanye West Signs Mos Def to G.O.O.D Music

Kanye West has been Non-Stop for the past few weeks as he will be featured in XXL Magazine next month. In that feature it will include a featured profile of West‘s record label, G.O.O.D Music, which is flourishing almost as impressively as his career’s resurgence. There’s also a paragraph dedicated to each artist on the label’s current roster which include Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi who is his longtime friend, Big Sean, Consequence, GLC, Mr. Hudson, and CyHi Da Prynce, Pusha T of Clipse was also added to the fold, and now his most recent collaborator, Mos Def.

From XXL:

“Just as Kanye returned to his roots to scoop up Common, he recently recruited buddy Brooklyn rapper/singer/actor Mos Def into the G.O.O.D Music fold. Long regarded as a formidable talent by underground devotees and mainstream fans alike, Mos appeared on ‘Two Words’ (from Kanye’s 2005 The College Dropout) and ‘Drunk and Hot Girls’ (from KW’s 2007 Graduation). Since his 1999 solo debut, Black on Both Sides, Mos has increasingly been pushed — whether by generational choices or self-exile — to the fringes of indie, alternative hip hop. Maybe it will take Kanye to reign him in.”

West has picked up the rapper at an optimal time to foster Mos’ creativity. Their recent “Good Fridays” collaboration, “Lord, Lord, Lord” found the two working together comfortably in new ways. Details for now are to be determined, but we are sure that what West has planned for Mos Def is going to be DOPE.

They already have a recently released G.O.O.D. Friday track called, “Lord Lord Lord”, which you can listen to below.

LISTEN:
Kanye West – Lord Lord Lord (feat. Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon & Charlie Wilson)

Let us know what you think about Kanye‘s decision to add Mos Def to his roster?

Source: PrefixMagazine

Tune In: Chris Brown, Rihanna in running for Image Awards

Despite his recently tarnished image, crooner Chris Brown may win an NAACP Image Award.

The 19-year-old singer, who’s accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, is in the running for outstanding male artist at the 40th annual awards. The awards are being presented tonight at the Shrine Auditorium and airing on Fox @ 8pm.

Brown won the outstanding male artist trophy last year.

Rihanna, his longtime girlfriend, is up for outstanding female artist.

It’s unclear if either Brown or Rihanna will attend. Both canceled their appearances and performances at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

Other nominees for outstanding male artist are Common, Jamie Foxx, John Legend and will.i.am. Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey are also nominated for outstanding female artist.

Over 30 awards honoring television, film, music and literature are to be handed out in categories such as outstanding reality series, literary work, jazz artist, music video and documentary.

Television shows including “The Game,” “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” “Ugly Betty,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Grey’s Anatomy” are nominated for multiple awards. “Cadillac Records,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Seven Pounds” and “The Family That Preys” are nominated for outstanding motion picture.

The 40th annual Image Awards coincide with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration.

For More check out NAACP Image Awards.

Designer Spotlight: Common “Softwear”

So here’s a fashion collab we never saw coming: Rapper Common has partnered with Microsoft to create a clothing line called Softwear.

Microsoft’s soft launch party for Softwear, the company’s new line of graphic tees designed by hip-hop artist Common and “inspired by the 1980s when both Microsoft and hip-hop really came of age.” The software giant’s foray into fashion is intended to conjure a sense of nostalgic hipness around the brand, while reacting to the “I’m a PC” stereotype made popular by Apple. The shirts (which hit select stores in the US on Dec 15) incorporate old DOS iconography, geek vernacular, and a retro-futuristic aesthetic into some surprisingly stylish designs. Softwear’s two lines – Classic and Common’s designs – can be previewed at Microsoft’s Softwear site where viewers can also learn about the impetus and story behind the concept, narrated by Common.

In the words of Common, shirts that make you go, “Man, this is incredible artwork and I want to wear this and I want it to reflect beauty, creativity and humanity…look fly but say something, too. So some of the shirts got messages, some of it bring…all of it got a purpose.”

The t-shirts are expected to retail for around $32 a pop.