The gossip blog grapevine is telling us that 19-year-old Joss Stone is dating Raphael Saadiq, who is in his forties! Yeah, she’s legal .. but barely! Talk about robbing the cradle… Anyhow, Joss has been known to date black men, so this isn’t too much of a stretch for her … and Raphael is the lead producer of “Introducing Joss Stone.”

[ SPOTTED @ HIP & POP! ]

After almost 3 full months we all can finally say “Rest In Peace” – for now at least - to the Godfather of Soul. His family finally came to somewhat of an agreement on where to bury his body.

James Brown’s body was placed in a crypt at the Beech Island, South Carolina, home of daughter Deanna Brown Thomas over the weekend, more than two and a half months after the iconic singer died. In the days that followed his death on Christmas, he was eulogized in both a highly elaborate public memorial at the Apollo Theater in New York and a private funeral in Augusta, Georgia, but his six adult offspring declined to inter his remains right away because they could not agree on a final resting spot. Instead, his body was preserved first in a climate-controlled room at his own 60-acre Beech Island residence before being moved to an undisclosed location, where it was tended by the head of a local funeral home. About 50 of the singer’s family members and close friends gathered at noon on Saturday for a quiet ceremony at Thomas’ home, located about three miles from Brown’s estate.

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Mr. FA-BO-LO-US is baaack baby! With his two newest singles “Return of The Hustle,” featuring Swizz Beats and produced by Just Blaze, a nice song you can jam to, the electric piano and bongos are a nice touch to that fiyah beat, and a snippet of “Make Me Better” featuring r&b recording artist Ne-Yo and produced by Timbo from his new album, Nothing To Something, releasing on May 1st Go cop that joint yo!!

Fabolous feat. Swizz Beats » “Return of The Hustle” (produced by Just Blaze) » Download » (Full)
Fabolous feat. Ne-Yo » “Make Me Better” (produced by Timbaland) » Download » (Full)

I wanted to try out this new feature to the site, called “Who Owns the Track?” Where I find some similar songs of artist, post them on Think2wice and you tell me which song is the best and which artist “owns the track.” Now our lucky artists for the very first “Who Owns the Track?” are Fantasia and Monica, they’ve recently record two singles, “No Stoppin,” both of which were recorded and produced by my favorite of all Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott! Well I think both ladies held it down very nicely but the version I most liked was Fantasia’s, now I could be wrong since I’m a Fantasia fan, but I love her soulness on this joint and the song fits her more naturally; Monica’s version was very boring to me, but again, I could be wrong! Which is why I need you to tell me which one is the best! Listen to both versions below and make your decision! Also check out a special mix of both these ladies by MellyMell.

Fantasia feat. Missy Elliott » “No Stoppin” » Listen » (Full)
Monica feat. Missy Elliott » “No Stoppin” » Listen » (Full)
Fantasia + Monica feat. Missy Elliott » “No Stoppin” (MellyMell Mix) » Listen » (Full)

RICH BOY – BOY, LOOKA HERE » This is the brand new full length world video premiere of southern Alabama rapper Rich Boy, who is best known for his debut single “Throw Some D’s” released in early 2005. There is not really much to say about this video or choice of single, I wish he would have picked a better one than this, but I will give Rich Boy his props; his cd is a banger, check out my personal album review here and make sure you visit Rich Boy’s official website WWW.RICHBOYONLINE.COM. CONTINUE READING

Urrggh… Finally new music from Kelly Rowland, I don’t know if this album will be as good as Rowland’s 2002 solo debut Simply Deep but I’ve liked the tracks I’ve heard so far, including an original hip-hop, folky string guitar version of “Still In Love With My X” that was also originally going to be released under the titled album “Lost & Found” then it gradually made its transition from “My Story” to “Miss Kelly,” and at least she finally came out with something; I am all Beyonced out right now; it was confirmed that “Like This” will be the first single to drop and Rowland has recently shot a video for the single on March 12^th, yesterday. It was also confirmed by a news article by PR-Inside.com (click link) that “Ghetto” featuring Snoop Dogg will be the second single released from the amancipated album Miss Kelly. See four exclusive promo pictures after the jump!

** UPDATED – That’s my shit! I know you’ll like it too.

Kelly Rowland feat. EVE » “Like This” » Download » (Rip)
Kelly Rowland » “You Will Win” » Download » (Full) **
Kelly Rowland feat. Young Texxus » “Still In Love With My X” (Remix) » Download » (Full)
Kelly Rowland feat. Da Brat » “Gotsta Go” » Download » (Full) CONTINUE READING

In my opinion, I feel that this is absolutely ridiculous, how can you blame this on Hip-hop in its entirety? What about Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Common, Lupe Fiasco… all of those people who talk about empowerment and the beautiful struggle? I completely agree with what Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur (founder of AllHipHop.com) had to say on this debate. I also feel John Gibson, opposing reporter, felt compelled to say what he said because of what is apparent to him, yes I do agree that most artists are looked up to by younger people, and they are unfortunately “role models” to them; these rappers don’t even let their own kids listen to their music so that’s evident but the childern are going to do what they want anyway ’cause the parents aren’t always going to be there all the time so it’s pretty much the childs own responsibility; IN THIS CASE I will blame the parents because No. 1 it’s bad parenting all together, why would you teach your child that? Have some common sense. But anywho this is my whole thing on this… I like what some people wrote:

“its my opinion that whites who hold the purse strings of America and the rap industry could wipe out hip hop tomorrow if they wanted but they make more money than the artists they promote. it funny when white people criticize black people for the problems they helped create in this society that they’re unwilling to take part in repairing.its funny in a way white record executives are mostly to blame for makeing Rap music promonnent”
CONTINUE READING

Wow, and I thought I liked the original, this “Icebox” remix is on repeat as we speak. But it’s basically the same background vocals with added verses, I think Omarion tore this junk up on the original, he really surprised me – with the vocals and everything! What makes this record even hotter is that Usher is on it, and I think it’s a great tease until his next album, I think their voices do compliment eachother VERY well. It’s crazy!

Omarion feat. Usher » “Icebox (Remix)” » Download » (Full)

With her fine unique sound and balanced mind set, it is obvious that Ms. Reign is a definite “Go Girl,” born and raised in California Jimmie Reign has been on a perpetuating grind, that I can not knock, towards her goal to make her name well known; I wish Ms. Reign the best in her career; I recently had the chance to sit down and conduct a really brief interview with Jimmie over the week. I want to thank her management for making this possible and of course Jimmie Reign for taking the time out her busy schedule to get interviewed… As always comments are disabled on this post, you can leave all inquires and comments on the interview page, you can also hit Jimmie on her myspace and leave a comment and download her mixtape, “Go Girl,” as well or you can visit her official website at Jimmie-Reign.com

*NOTE: Comments are disabled on this post. Please leave all comments and feedback on the official interview page!

And better than he’s ever been! Classic, lol, with his recent single that was released under the Nike Records and features the biggest names in Hip-hop, to celebrate the quarter century anniversary of the Air Force One shoe. It’s actually two versions, I found a video of the remix on the ‘Tube, the original version was mixed and produced by Rick Rubin and the remix of that, entitled “Classic,” which features hip hop heavy weights Nas, KRS-One and Rakim, was produced by DJ Premiere with its heavy mixes, electric cords, funky beat and chimes – Nas, KRS-One, Rakim… all of them did the damn thang!

Kanye West » “Better Than I’ve Ever Been” (Rick Rubin Original) » Download » (Full)
Kanye West feat. Nas, KRS-One + Rakim » “Classic (DJ Premiere Mix)” » Download » (Full)