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: Outkast Coming Out With New Album?

Georgia hip-hop duo Outkast are back in the studio, working on the follow-up to 2006’s acclaimed Idlewild. One half of the “Ms Jackson” pair, Antwan André Patton, says a new Outkast offering will be presented to fans as soon as his bandmate, Andre 3000, finishes up work on his upcoming solo disc.

“As soon as Dre finishes his solo record, we’ll get the ‘Kast cranking,” Big Boi told Rollingstone.com, in a new interview about his own forthcoming solo debut, Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty.

“Since we’ve both been working with [Atlanta-based hip-hop production group] Organized Noize on our solo projects, we hear different records and be like, ‘Well, we’re gonna keep this one for the ‘Kast album.’ We’re cooking up tracks, all right. Never stop. That’s an everyday thing.”

Showcasing tracks from Sir Lucious Leftfoot… at the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, last week, Big Boi described his latest work as “electro, funk, blues, some of everything.”

Source: bigpondmusic.com

“Yes! I can’t wait for the album to come out.”

Music News: Big Boi Preps For Solo Album

Rapper/actor Big Boi, one-half of the Southern hip-hop music group Outkast, is ready to unleash his debut solo album which he has been working on for the last two years. The album will follow behind the group effort and double CD “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” and soundtrack Idlewild. The previous CD “Speakerboxxx” which consisted of tracks featured by Big Boi and the CD “The Love Below” featuring tracks from his partner Andre 3000, were released as a double CD in September of 2003. Idlewild soundtrack featuring Oukast was released August 2006.

Now, following up with his own solo effort, Big Boi’s album “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty,” is coming and according to previous reporting, is expected to have at least 16 tracks on it ranging with production from Scott Storch, Lil’ Jon, Organized Noize, amongst others, with each track including Big Boi’s involvement as co-producer.

The first single from the album, “Royal Flush” featuring André 3000 and Raekwon was released in March of ‘08. The second single “Sumthin’s Gotta Give” which features Mary J. Blige was later leaked online along with a video. The latest single to be released off the album is the track entitled “Ringtone.”

The album “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty” is expected to be released later this year with the hopes to release sometime during the Summer.

Hip-Hop group Outkast has gone down in history as one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all-time winning over six Grammy’s, selling overall over 25 million albums with “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” being one of only three hip-hop albums to be certified Diamond along with Notorious B.I.G.’s album “Life After Death,” and MC Hammer’s “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em.”

Current Tracklisting For “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty”

1. “Ringtone”
2. “Sumthin’s Gotta Give” (feat. Mary J. Blige) – 4:26
3. “Royal Flush” (feat. André 3000 & Raekwon) – 3:18
4. “For Your Sorrows” (feat. George Clinton & Too Short)
5. “Night Night”
6. “Never Like This” (feat. Ciara & Jadakiss)
7. “Daddy Fat Sacks”
8. “Tambourine” (feat. T.I.)
9. “Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves the Day” (feat. Big Rube)
10. “Bust That” [Skit]
11. “Terrified” (feat. B.o.B)
12. “Dubs” (feat. Backbone)
13. “Hustle Blood”
14. “Hustle with Me” (feat. Chris Brown) (bonus track)
15. “Backup Plan”
16. “General Patton”

Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 and Raekwon – Royal Flush [3:18m]: * Listen to Song Here.

Source: HipHopRX

“I can’t wait to hear the album.”