J & J Rundown: All About Jay-Z

Jay-Z and Kanye West to release full album

Jay-Z and Kanye West are working on a full album together.

The pair previously announced they were to collaborate for an EP called ‘Watch the Throne’, but Kanye has since revealed this will now become an album.

He told MTV:

“We’re putting out a whole album now. We had done five songs so far, but then a few of them kind of were out there – and I put them on my album. Sorry, Jay!”

Although Kanye used some of their initial ideas for his forthcoming ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ album – including the track “Monster”, a version of which featuring Jay-Z has been released – he added the pair have set a date to record again, and he doesn’t expect Jay to have any problems coming up with lyrics.

He added:

“We’re going to the South of France at the end of this month just to record new ideas. We’ll probably be done with the album in like a day or whatever. If you think about it, it’s really easy for Jay: He only has to think of, like, 10 verses!”

Kanye has a long association with Jay, working with the star as a producer on his breakthrough album ‘The Blueprint’ in 2001.

Jay-Z to Stump for Obama Again in 2012

During the 2008 presidential election, Jay-Z made it known that he was rooting for now-President Barack Obama. The rap superstar appeared at campaign rallies with Obama and even sang his praises during (typically sold-out) shows.

Jay-Z hasn’t been involved in the upcoming mid-term elections, but that doesn’t mean he’s done with politics. While speaking with the New York Post, Deputy White House Press Secretary William Burton made it sound like the Obama camp is expecting Jay-Z to help out in 2012.

Burton joked about the rapper taking over a key economic post before admitting his appeal to the Democratic party.

“In all seriousness, keep in mind he was pretty active during the 2008 election, so I don’t think it’d surprise anyone that he would be involved again,” Burton said. “But it’s a little premature.”

I’m A Business, Man! Jay-Z’s 10 Smartest Business Decisions According to Vibe Magazine

Guess who’s bizzack? Less than a month before the release of “Decoded”, a book that breaks down the meanings behind many of his most complicated lyrics, Jay-Z is proving once again why he landed atop of the Forbes “Hip-Hop Cash Kings” list late last summer.

Last week, Hov teamed up with Microsoft‘s search engine Bing to launch an advertisement campaign that will see pages from his upcoming book plastered to billboards throughout the country as well as surfaces like the bottom of a pool and the top of a pool table. Jay-Z fans are encouraged to use Bing to find and locate these pages, and the first fan that locates all of them and “decodes” them properly will win a chance

to catch a Jay-Z concert in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.

It’s already proven to be an incredibly deft business move by Jay-Z. The promotion has given the book a ton of free press and a good chance of moving off bookshelves quickly on Nov. 16.

In honor of Hov‘s latest deal, VIBE looks back at 10 of his smartest business decisions. If you’ve ever wondered how he managed to take his life from Marcy to Madison Square, look no further.

Check out the list at VIBE.com.

“I think the list is a bit bogus. Nothing against VIBE by all means they are a great magazine. I just feel the list could have been put together more for his Business/Investment ventures, rather than what kind of champagne he prefers, but that’s just me.”

Here’s one from wikipedia.org:

Jay-Z has also established himself as an entrepreneur like his fellow hip hop moguls and friends, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre and Sean “Diddy” Combs, who also have business holdings such as record companies and clothing lines. In an interview, he stated that “my brands are an extension of me. They’re close to me. It’s not like running GM, where there’s no emotional attachment.” He is the founder of the urban clothing brand Rocawear along with Damon Dash. Rocawear has clothing lines and accessories for men, women and children. The line was taken over by Jay-Z in early 2006 following a falling out with Dash. In March 2007, Jay-Z sold the rights to the Rocawear brand to Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Jay-Z will retain his stake in the company and will continue to oversee the marketing, licensing and product development.He also co-owns The 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar that started in New York City and has since expanded to Atlantic City and Chicago. In 2008, the 40/40 club in Las Vegas was closed down and bought back by the hotel after attendance steadily declined. Future plans will see 40/40 Clubs in Tokyo and Singapore. In 2005, Jay-Z became an investor in Carol’s Daughter, a line of beauty products, including products for hair, skin, and hands, as well as fragrances.

Jay-Z serves as co-brand director for Budweiser Select and collaborates with the company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. He provides direction on brand programs and ads that appear on TV, radio, print, and high-profile events. He is a part-owner of the New Jersey Nets NBA team paying a reported $4.5 million for his share. He is interested in relocating the team to Brooklyn. In October 2005, he was reported in English media as considering buying a stake of Arsenal F.C., an English soccer team. He has also invested in a real estate development venture called J Hotels which recently acquired a $66 million mid-block parcel in Chelsea, New York. Jay-Z and his partners are contemplating constructing a high-end hotel or an art gallery building on the newly acquired site which has the potential to go up about twelve stories. Through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, had an interest estimated between 2 and 7% in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) consortium which in January 2010 was awarded a contract to operate a 4,500 slot machine racino at the Aqueduct Race Track. Jay-Z became interested in the project after New York Governor David Paterson who awarded the contract said there had to be an affirmative action component to the ownership. Jay-Z initially approached Steve Wynn who was also bidding on the contract. On March 9, 2010, Jay-Z and Flake withdrew from the project and Paterson recused himself from further involvement.

Jay-Z’s Interview With The Wall Street Journal

Here are excerpts from an interview from The Wall Street Journal with Jay-Z in his office.

WSJ: This book puts a frame around your career. When did you really start thinking about how you wanted to present your legacy?

Jay-Z: You think about legacy before you even start. When a kid is practicing on the basketball court, it’s “5-4-3-2-1 and the crowd goes crazy!”

As you start realizing your dreams and it’s tangible, you think about it in a real way. But I think that emotion happens from the beginning, from record one.

The legacy, I think about that as I make the music, all the time. How can I make the best album of all time? You always fail. But every time I go up to bat, I’m thinking how can I make an album better than “Thriller.”

WSJ: I’ve talked to some of your friends who say that when you guys make personal career decisions, you’re taking into account how the decisions will move hip-hop culture forward overall. Can you give me an example?

Jay-Z: For us, this is the music that saved a generation. So there’s a big responsibility for those who it saved to make sure that thing is intact for the next generation. We’re the first generation that really took advantage of it, starting with Puff [Daddy] and Master P, guys who really made a name and became successful as entrepreneurs.

Even more than that, when you’re under attack so much as a genre [as hip hop is], you’re forced to come together. But probably the last time we really came together on something was working for Obama, lending our voice and the people we had toward that campaign. Whether he does a great job or not is almost secondary to what it did for the dreams and the hopes of an entire race. Just based on that alone, it’s a success, the biggest we’ve had. Period. To date. It’s Martin Luther King’s dream realized. Tangible. In the flesh. You can shake his hand.

WSJ: What would you change about hip-hop if you could?

Jay-Z: We have to find our way back to true emotion. This is going to sound so sappy, but love is the only thing that stands the test of time. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was all about love. Andre 3000, “The Love Below.” Even NWA, at its core, that was about love for a neighborhood.

We’re chasing a lot of sounds now, but I’m not hearing anyone’s real voice. The emotion of where you are in your life. The mortgage scandal. People losing their jobs. I want to hear about that.

WSJ: What’s the most important decision you made along the way to help keep your career in your own hands?

Jay-Z: We got lucky. In the beginning we couldn’t get a deal. We had to work our own records in the beginning. It gave us a different way to negotiate when we came to the table. Most people get excited and take the first deal they’re offered. We had a little bit of success already, so we were stubborn enough to think that we could really do it at that point. They offered us a deal and we asked for a co-venture. That pretty much ensured that we’d have control from the beginning, from album one.

WSJ: You don’t hand out awards. Are there other things you say no to automatically?

Jay-Z: That doesn’t have anything to do with building the myth. I’m just uncomfortable speaking. I can do a stadium show for two hours and I’m in my comfort zone. But if you look at any of my acceptance speeches they’re maybe seven seconds. I want to get off the stage.

For more on his interview, check out The Wall Street Journal

Check out a video below of an exclusive Amazon.com interview with Jay-Z about his book “Decoded”

Jay drops some book knowledge in this exclusive interview for Amazon.com. He gives more detail about what we can expect from “Decoded” when it hits stores on November 16th.

Source: Zimbio

Related Articles

• Jay-Z & Kanye West To Release Full Album, Not EP (current.com)
• “Jay-Z To Campaign For President Obama? + Eminem Is The #1 Hottest MC?” and related posts (theybf.com)
• President Obama To Hire Jay-Z For 2012 Campaign? (current.com)
• Kanye West Cutting Album With Jay-Z (spin.com)
• Kanye And Jay-Z To Collaborate On A Full Album! (perezhilton.com)

Music In Ya Ear!: Diddy Dirty Money Debuts Video for “Hello Good Morning” [VIDEO]

It’s here! Check out the hot new video from Diddy – Dirty Money, the latest project from Sean “Diddy” Combs in which he is joined by singer/songwriter Kalenna and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard.

Rappers Rick Ross and T.I. also are featured on the track from Diddy – Dirty Money’s debut album ‘Last Train To Paris’. The video was directed by Hype Williams, the talent behind such videos as Jay-Z‘s “Big Pimpin'” and Kanye West‘s “Gold Digger.”

After numerous obstacles, Diddy‘s long awaited ‘Last Train to Paris’ will finally hit stores June 29th.

Check out the video below….

Source: YouTube, CONCRETE LOOP

Music News: Jay-Z Tops Forbes’ List

Forbes‘ annual list of Hip-Hop’s Cash Kings for this year has been unveiled, and it witnesses music mogul Jay-Z on the very top spot. Over the past 12 months, between June 2008 and June 2009, he has been pulling in an estimated $35 million, an amount which is $47 million less than his earnings in 2008.

Last year’s winner, 50 Cent, drops to the 4th place. He is reported taking in $20 million, down from $150 million a year ago. The earnings are said coming from his Vitamin Water deal, G-Unit clothing line and numerous licensing deals.

In between Jay-Z and 50 there are P. Diddy and Kanye West, who secure the 2nd and 3rd slots respectively. P. Diddy rakes in $30 million over the past year from his expanding business that includes a brand of premium vodka and his Sean John clothing line. Kanye, meanwhile, earns a total of $25 million, thanks to his multi-platinum album “808’s & Heartbreak” and his sold-out Glow in the Dark Tour.

“Despite the economy, hip-hop is just as powerful as it’s ever been in the endorsement and licensing world,” says Ryan Schinman, chief of Platinum Rye, the world’s largest buyer of music and talent for corporations when commenting on Forbes’ Hip-Hop’s Cash Kings 2009 list. “Tween stars and rock legends are very reliable, but the impact of hip-hop on pop-culture and fashion continues to lead the charge.”

The music mogul’s earnings over the past 12 months, between June 2008 and June 2009, are listed as much as 35 million dollars.

Source: Via AceShowbiz.com

Celebrity News: Diddy Twitters Memorial Amongst Others

Celebrities took to Twitter to relive their experiences of Michael Jackson’s memorial – with some stars even tweeting from inside the event, which was held at the Staples Center venue in LA. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs tweeted from inside the ceremony: “I’m at the memorial. RIP Michael Jackson.” He later added: “Just left funeral. Very sad! RIP MJ!”

Mariah Carey’s husband, Nick Cannon, also wrote his tweet from inside, saying: “A day of mourning. Here in the Staples Center, God is absolutely present.”

From one famous family to another, Kim Kardashian, her sisters Khloe and Kourtney and their mother Kris attended the memorial service for Michael Jackson Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Afterward, Kim shared her thoughts on her Twitter page:

“Kourtney, Khloe, my mom and I just left the Memorial. Everyone had such amazing memories of MJ. We all cried & laughed & remembered!” “Michael’s children were so brave … 2 stand there on stage & speak to the world about their father” “I spoke at

my dad’s funeral & it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I was shaking & crying & what Paris did was sooo soooo brave!”

Kim, who once dated one of Jackson’s nephews when she was a teenager.

Other celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Kevin Jonas, and Kelly Osbourne wrote about being moved by the memorial as they watched it on TV. Pamela Anderson said: “I’m starting with the woman in the mirror. Bless you Michael. You made the world a better place. Rest in Peace. P x.”

Source: Splash News

Celebrity Couples: Chris Brown and Amber Rose?

Singer Chris Brown may have scared off some women by beating up his ex, Rihanna, but Kanye West’s on-and-off girlfriend, Amber Rose, apparently isn’t one of them.

Brown and Rose locked lips at the July 4 White Party thrown by Sean (Diddy) Combs and Ashton Kutcher in Beverly Hills, spies tell the Daily News.

Brown, 20, arrived at the party with singer Teyana Taylor, an 18-year-old Rihanna look-alike, but is said to have hooked up quickly with Rose.

Brown appeared to be the center of attention, especially when Combs announced, “It’s the Michael Jackson hour!” Brown, who has often been compared to the late King of Pop, busted out moves to “Rock With You,” “PYT,” “Thriller” and, ironically enough, “Smooth Criminal.”

“Diddy announced the deejay would do a tribute to Michael Jackson,” said a guest. “Chris did an amazing impression of Michael’s moonwalk. It wasn’t long before he was dancing with Amber.”

Speaking of Jackson, Brown told us he’d like to perform at tomorrow’s memorial service, but as of Saturday night, he had no plans to participate. “They have to ask me first,” he said.

Later, as the party wound down, the pair nestled on a couch in the backyard of the Beverly Hills mansion.

“They were holding hands and making out in the shadows,” said a witness. “She had her hand on his leg.”

Taylor is said to have been irked by the amount of time Brown spent with Rose, but still accompanied him to an after-party at the club Guys.

There, Brown again got upclose and personal with Rose, who is 26.

“They were kissing on the dance floor in front of Teyana,” said a witness. “But he and Amber left separately.”

Some wondered whether the flagrant display was a defiant message both to Rihanna and West. Rihanna dumped Brown, who last month pleaded guilty to assaulting the Grammy winner.

West, who has said he was “devastated” by Brown’s attack on a woman who was like “my little sister,” has run hot and cold on Rose lately. Although he reportedly broke up with her last month, they came together at last week’s BET Awards show.

A rep for Brown had no comment. Reps for Rose and West couldn’t be reached.

Check out the video below of Chris Brown Dancing Thriller @ Diddy’s All White Party

More photos below.

SOURCE: ChrisBrownWeb/YouTube

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“I think this is BULL S***, but hey – you never know… Your thoughts?”

Celebrity News: More Celebrities Speak Out About Michael Jackson’s Death

Madonna

“I can’t stop crying over the sad news… I have always admired Michael Jackson… The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever!… My heart goes out to his 3 children and other members of his family… God bless.”

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Lisa Marie Presley

“I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”

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Justin Timberlake

“I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only Pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”

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Brooke Shields

“My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”

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Sean “Diddy” Combs

“Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life! He made me believe in magic. I will miss him.”

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Hugh Hefner

“Michael’s first date was in the grotto at the Mansion. All quite innocent, he assured me.”

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Britney Spears

“I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!”

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“To read what more celebrities had to say check out Access Hollywood.”

Music In Ya Ear!: Cassie Feat. Diddy – This Must Be Love

Video of the Week!…Here’s the newly released video for Cassie’s “This Must Be Love” featuring Diddy.

“The song is ok, I think it could be better. I’m a Bad Boy Fan, but this video was not one of my favorite ones. What do you think of the video?”

Bedroom Blog: Dawn & Que Talk Sex

Well fellow readers, in the past few months the media has really talked a lot of shit about, Aubrey O’ Day {former member of Danity Kane}. They’ve talked about her saying too much in her feature of Complex Magazine and of her being on the cover of Playboy. Let me just tell you, that is nothing compared to what I just watched on WSHH. I just got finished watching Dawn & Que talk about their sex life on an interview for Shade 45’s Lip Service and I must say that it was definitely TMI {Too Much Information} for their fans to hear.

I think as artists who have young teenage girls and guys as a majority of their fan base, it was very inappropriate. There is just certain things that should be kept behind closed doors amongst themselves. This interview was definitely one that should have been kept more private. This is not a good look for Que and definitely not for Dawn, being that they make themselves look so vulnerable talking about how bad they want to get back to work on their MTV show, “Making The Band 4”.

She really doesn’t sound so innocent in this interview as she looks and Que definitely doesn’t stay behind. I’m sure Diddy will not be happy to hear about his artists’ sex life, especially when they are all talking about struggling with having no money or not having any new group members for Danity Kane.

In my opinion this interview was straight nasty.

Check out the video here.

“We would like to hear your opinion. What are your thoughts?”

Just In: Rihanna is looking cheerful while in NYC

Beaming Rihanna puts her troubles behind her to enjoy a night out on the town…

Rihanna was all smiles as she headed out for a night out with friends in Manhattan.

Rihanna may not have much to smile about recently after reports she was attacked by boyfriend Chris Brown.

But the R&B singer was clearly determined to put her troubles behind her as she headed out for a night out on the town in New York.

Wearing sunglasses and a big grin, there were no signs of the ordeal which left the 21-year-old with a swollen and bruised face last month.

A-list friends: Rihanna met with Beyonce and Jay Z for her night out

After arriving at a friend’s apartment, she met with fellow R&B stars Beyonce and Jay Z. The A-list crowd headed to The Spotted Pig restaurant in the west village, Manhattan, where they met with celebrity chef Mario Batali.

Rihanna appeared in good spirits and was seen laughing and joking with one of her friends as they headed out in the back of a car.

Girls’ night out: Rihanna shares a laugh with a her friend in the back of a car.

The night out is thought to be a belated birthday night out for the star, who was forced to cancel her 21st celebrations last month in the wake of the alleged attack.

She is said to have reconcilled with Brown earlier this month after a stay at millionaire producer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ $20million home in Florida.

However the 19-year-old recording artist, who was charged with two felonies for the beating, was nowhere to be seen on the birthday night out.

Source: Daily Mail

“I’m so glad to see her so cheerful and smiling. She looks like she had a blast with her friends.”

Music News: Diddy Speaks Out About “Ready To Die”

Is Diddy a genius?Barry Michael Cooper, acclaimed director of such films as Sugar Hill, Above the Rim and New Jack City, attempts to answer this question in a candid interview with the Bad Boy CEO where he discusses the making of Biggie’s acclaimed first album Ready to Die, among other things.

The conductor of the Last Train to Paris reveals a lot of intimate details including how he convinced Biggie to make party records, his chemistry with producer Easy Mo Bee and why he sampled “Juicy Fruit” for the B.I.G. classic “Juicy.” He even affirms that Big was actually getting oral sex on that album’s particular skit. Watch the interview from Sean John Combs: Once Upon A Time In America in three parts below.

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Source: GIANT