Rock-inspired singer (and songwriter) Janelle Monae took the stage at the 2009 Voodoo Experience Friday (Oct 30) at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Janelle Monae was next up on the Voodoo Stage and quickly won over the crowd with her infectious rock-flavored soul. Dancing her ass off like a female James Brown, she also found time to slow it down for a vocal showcase of “Smile.” Just like at Bonnaroo, Monae finger painted a portrait of a woman’s posterior before launching it into the crowd.

And rapper Eminem performed as the headliner of the live show and closed out Friday’s concert.

The highlight for many of the thousands in attendance was the headliner of Eminem who performed for roughly an hour and 15 minutes as he made his return to the stage after a five-year hiatus. He hit the stage to “3. A.M.” “Hey New Orleans, I’m back. Did you miss me?” Eminem asked the crowd. After a huge applause – “I missed you, too.”

His set mashed up a number of his hits as he quickly went from one song into another in a sort of medley. “We Made You,” “The Real Slim Shady,” “Stan,” “Kill You” and “Toy Soldiers” were big sing-alongs, as was his encore of “Lose Yourself.”

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Continue reading for more pics of Janelle and Em at the concert!

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Ashanti sure is looking good these days! It’s hard to believe Nelly let all of that go. She and Ja Rule reunited on stage at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors Wednesday night (Sep 23), which saw performances from Wale, Kid Rock, Method Man & Redman, Eminem and more. The ceremony honored the pioneers of Def Jam along with the people, past and present, who helped create the label and build it into what it is today. Hosted by comedian Tracy Morgan, the show is set to make its television debut only on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13th at 9 pm.

It’s only right that the first Def Jam artist to be honored was the label’s foundation and face for so many years, LL Cool J. The Roots started it off with “Rock the Bells.” Black Thought ripped the first verse of the record, then gave way for a special guest: Eminem. Last year, Slim Shady publicly expressed his love for LL during a phone prank on DJ Tony Touch’s Shade 45 radio show. Spitting the second verse of “Rock the Bells” on Wednesday night, Em sounded almost exactly like the legend who inspired him. “Now I’m worldwide known/ Whether you like it or not/ My one-man band is Cut Creator…/ When he’s on the fader/ What’s my DJ’s name?” “Cut Creator!” The crowd yelled. Later, Kid Rock paid tribute to LL with “I’m Bad.” The Kid also DJed during the show, as did Ed Lover.

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Rapper Kanye West offered Joe Jackson a sip from his bottle of Henny before last night’s VMAs. The bottle apparently made its way around the audience because Pete Wentz was also spotted drinking straight from the community bottle. Looks like Kanye and Amber were trying to get everybody a little loose!

Kid Cudi and Wale performed as a part of the official house band during commercial breaks/intermissions.

Lady Gaga accepted her award for “Best New Artist” from a shocked Eminem. We would love to know what he was thinking when he saw her in that outfit!

Continue reading for more…

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Young Money’s Drake and Lil Wayne, along with Eminem and Kanye West, have come together to bring us “Forever,” the biggest hip-hop collaboration since last year’s “Swagga Like Us,” according to MTV. This particular track, produced by Boi-1da, is set to appear on the “More Than A Game” soundtrack. And the music video will reportedly be shot sometime in September in New York City. Check out the song below and let us know if you’re gonna rock this … or if you’re just gonna drop it.

D/L: DRAKE, WAYNE, KANYE, EMINEM – FOREVER

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Props: Lil Wayne HQ

Columnist Roger Friedman had a chance to listen to Mariah Carey’s upcoming album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, and has revealed that the official first single will be a gospel-tinged track titled “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The track was originally recorded by British-American rock band Foreigner but has been redone as a ballad.

I heard the Foreigner song yesterday along with all of “Memoirs” and let me tell you: Mariah’s got a hit on her hands along the lines of “Emancipation of Mimi.” The hour-long CD is ballad-centric. Written and produced with The Dream and Tricky (I know, but these are their stage names), “Memoirs” boasts a lot of singles. Starting with the Foreigner song is a canny move in these uncertain times. By the time its run is over, a new generation will think “I Want to Know What Love Is” is a Mariah Carey song.

SOURCE: SHOWBIZ 411

He also revealed the titles of the other tracks on the album, in no particular order: “Betcha,” “Obsessed,” “H.A.T.E.U.,” “Candy Bling,” “Ribbon,” “Standing O’s,” “Impossible,” “It’s a Wrap,” “Inseparable,” “Up Out My Face,” “More than Just Friends,” and “Angels Cry.”

Friedman also describes the album as “radio ready” and “what the kids want,” and mentions that there are no more songs about Eminem. We kind of figured the latter would happen, especially after the rapper’s latest diss track in which he talks about releasing pictures he has of Mariah. As for the album being for the radio and “what the kids want”, it doesn’t make us any more excited. The radio doesn’t really have much music with substance now-a-days and when “Obsessed” surfaced, the “kids” were all into but look how that played out. Nevertheless, we’ll wait till the album drops to properly judge it.

Without explicitly mentioning anyone’s name, Nick Cannon recently took to his Twitter with a series of biblical/inspirational quotes to let off some steam regarding Eminem’s most recent diss track towards Nick and and his wife Mariah Carey.

This ain’t checkers. This is chess!

Quote of the day: “Never argue with fools because from a distance people cant tell who is who”

When there are no enemies within the enemies outside can not hurt you!

Never take your own revenge, but rather give place unto the wrath. For it is written vengeance is mine, I will repay… PREACH!

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In an highly unsurprising move, rapper Eminem has finally responded to Mariah Carey for her “Obsessed” song and video that are both rumored to be aimed at him. He’s dissed Mimi before but this time around he comes harder than ever and completely destroys both Mariah and her husband Nick Cannon. The track is called “Warning” and it explicitly details parts of their “relationship” and proclaims that he has naked pictures of her and he just basically rips her to shreds.

But at this point, we’re not really expecting a response from Mariah for two reasons. 1) She’s too classy and too much of a lady for the petty drama. And 2) If any of this that Eminem says is true, she’s going to keep her mouth shut so nothing will leak. We’re pretty curious to find out what REALLY happened between them for both of them to hate each other so much. Check out the song below!

D/L: EMINEM – THE WARNING

Popular financial gurus Forbes has released yet another list. Their previous list featured Beyonce perched at the top, earning a staggering $87 million in one 12-month period. And now her husband, rapper Jay-Z, is sitting at the top of the “Hip-Hop Cash Kings List,” earning an estimated $35 million over the past 12 months. A far cry from the $82 million he pulled in last year, but still pretty damn good, especially in a recession.

Fellow NY rapper Diddy came in right behind Hov with $30 million in the bank, with Chicago rapper Kanye West following behind with $25 million. Continue reading to see who made the top 10!

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Here’s rapper Eminem’s brand new video for “Beautiful,” which comes straight from his Relapse album, in stores now. Peep the Anthony Mandler directed video below!

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Socialite/entrepreneur Kim Kardashian and her BFF Brittny Gastineau (we see them everywhere together these days!) were spotted as they went on a shopping spree this past Tuesday (June 2) at Harmony Lane in Los Angeles.

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Rappers Jay-Z and Eminem performed live on stage together at the launch of Activision’s “DJ Hero” video game at the Wiltern Theater Monday (June 1) night in Los Angeles. DJ Hero, a spin-off of the popular Guitar Hero franchise, is set to be released in October 2009. Hit up the official website for more information on it and continue reading for lots of photos from Monday’s launch event, in which celebs like Kim Kardashian, Taraji P. Henson, Tyrese and others attended.

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The debate has been settled! If you cared enough to wonder whether or not that crazy … “incident” that happened between rapper Eminem and Bruno (played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen) really happened the way it happened or if it was a staged stunt simply for ratings, then we’re here to let you know that YES, it was staged! Scott Aukerman, head writer for the ‘09 MTV Movie Awards, wrote about it on his blog (the post has been removed now) confirming that the incident was indeed staged AND rehearsed in advance!

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Tyrese and Soulja Boy posed for a pic together as they walked the red carpet of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, held this past Sunday (May 31) night at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, California. Other celebs who hit up the annual event include: Keke Palmer, Will Ferrell, Lil Mama and more. Much more pics from the red carpet, backstage and the show can be found when you continue reading. Oh and if you missed it, get a load of Sacha Baron Cohen putting Eminem at the butt end (literally) of a hilarious (we think it was pretty funny) joke by clicking here!

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Did this really happen … or was it a staged publicity stunt? That is the question running through everyone’s minds after watching British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, acting as “Bruno,” one of his many characters/alter ego’s, descend from the sky and land his ass (literally) in rapper Eminem’s face last night during the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, which aired live.

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In a rather lengthy post on his personal blog, Nick Cannon ranted on and on about Eminem in response to the Detroit rapper’s diss to him and Mariah Carey in the new song, “Bagpipes from Baghdad.” Cannon’s blog entry generated a lot of buzz in the media, saying that he wanted to meet Eminem face-to-face and handle the situation like men. Nick has since taken the post down, saying that the thousands of comments in response to the post coupled with the onslaught of new traffic almost crashed his site. But even though he took the post down, he says he has zero regrets:

“I feel exactly the same way by it and stick by everything, but I think it’s one of those things where it becomes that it’s not really that big of a deal, you know?”

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Rapper Eminem can breathe easy knowing that the hip-hop industry in general has welcomed him back to the scene with open arms. His latest album, Relapse, currently holds the spot as the number one album in the country, with 608,000 units moved in its first week, also setting a record as the biggest sales week of the year for any album.

This also marks Em’s fifth straight number one debut and fifth overall number one out of six total albums. His debut album, Slim Shady LP, bowed and peaked at number two 10 years ago in 1999.

And while we’re shooting off numbers here, we should add that collectively, over the span of his 10-year career, between his six albums he has sold over 34 million units in the United States alone, making him the biggest selling hip-hop act in the SoundScan era (1991 – present).

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Nick Cannon thinks Eminem has gone too far. In “Bagpipes from Baghdad,” a new song on Eminem’s upcoming Relapse album, the Detroit-based rapper talks about an alleged “fling” with Cannon’s wife of over a year, Mariah Carey. The same relationship she denies ever happened … and has been denying since 2002.

♫ D/L: EMINEM – “BAGPIPES FROM BAGHDAD”

“Locked in Mariah’s wine cellar all i had for lunch was red wine more red wine and captain crunch / Red wine for breakfast and for brunch and to soak it up an between snack crackers to munch, ” Eminem raps. “Mariah what ever happened to us? Why did we have to break up? / All i asked for was a glass of punch / You see I never really asked for much / I can’t imagine whats going through you mind after such a nasty break-up with that laughing hump, luis miguel / Nick Cannon better back the f*ck up I’m not playing I want her back you punk.”

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The paparazzi spotted rapper Eminem across the pond once again, this time on the way to a London recording studio with some coke in his hand. No not THAT kind of coke haha. The kind that you drink. Continue reading for a couple more pics!

Relapse in stores May 19th!

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Male pop/r&b sensation Justin Timberlake was spotted by the NYC paparazzi as he made his rounds in SoHo early Monday afternoon. He and Ciara both appeared and performed on Saturday Night Live this weekend.

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The paparazzi snapped up some photos of actress Rosario Dawson and an unidentified male friend Thursday night as the two left a Catherine Malandrino shop with gift bags in West Hollywood, CA.

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Music video director Syndrome put his creatively genius mind to work in “3 a.m.,” Eminem’s brand new music video for his upcoming album, Relapse, in stores May 19th. The video is hella creepy (but hella dope at the same time) … just like the song. You have to see it for yourselves lol. Peep it below when you continue reading!

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Rapper Eminem managed to get himself on the cover of Vibe Magazine’s Second Annual Real Rap Issue, which is also the June 2009 issue for the popular hip-hop mag. According to the good people over at Rap Radar, the issue hits stands on My 19th, which is also Em’s release date for his upcoming Relapse album, and will delve into his past addiction to narcotics. The issue will also feaure a “VIBE Verses Presents No. 1 Stan” contest also. Hit up RR for more info on that. And be sure to pick up this magazine when it hits shelves May 19th!

Originality at its best! Rapper Eminem always comes hard when it comes to the aesthetics of his album artwork, and the masterpiece above is no exception. What you’re looking at is the album cover for Em’s 6th studio album, Relapse – due in stores May 19th (as noted in the prescription on the cover haha).

Nathan Mathers, who raps as Nathan Kane, was arrested early on Wednesday morning in the Detroit suburb of MAComb Township. According to local police, Mathers failed to pull over to let an ambulance pass and failed sobriety tests after he was stopped by cops. His blood-alcohol level was 0.16 per cent, twice the 0.08 per cent legal limit. The 23-year-old was charged with DUI and operating a vehicle while impaired and released on personal bond. He is scheduled for a hearing in Shelby Township’s district court on May 7th.

People REALLY need to chill out with the drinking and driving…

Eminem landed himself not one, but two, covers for the June 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, set to hit newsstands May 5th. After a three year hiatus from the music industry, the Detroit bred rapper is preparing to release his fifth studio album, Relapse, on May 15th. The cover on the right is a special collector’s edition and features Eminem as Marvel Comics’ notorious vigilante “The Punisher.” Below is a quote pulled from the interview where he talks about how he feels about T.I., Lil Wayne and hip-hop and general, which he felt has gone way downhill. But he said he respects Tip and Weezy’s respective flows.

On T.I., Lil Wayne & Hip-Hop:
“I stayed up on the music, and obviously I watch TV and saw what was going on. And without naming any names, it just felt like hip-hop was going downhill. And it seemed like kinda fast. You know, in them three years, it was like everybody just cares about the hook and the beat; nobody really cares about substance. But with this new T.I. album, with this new Lil Wayne album of recent, it seems like things are looking a lot better now. You can appreciate Lil Wayne using different words to rhyme and actually rhyming words that you know. Or T.I., where you hear shit and you’re like Whoa, ah, I wish I would have thought of that! You know what I mean? Or you hear all the compound-syllable rhyming and all that. It just seems like now the craft is getting cared about more.”

Continue reading to peep a few more excerpts from the interview!

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Take a look at Eminem’s hilariously offensive brand new music video for his new single, “We Made You.” The song, produced by Dr. Dre, is the debut track from Em’s upcoming album, Relapse, due in stores and online May 15th!

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Anticipation for Relapse has been building since the fall, when Eminem first announced the album title and debuted the freestyle, “I’m Having A Relapse,” during an interview on his Shade 45 satellite radio station. Last month, the release of “Crack A Bottle” from Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent brought that anticipation to a head. The track soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Eminem’s second #1 after 2002’s “Lose Yourself”) and set a Nielsen SoundScan record for opening week download sales (418,000). The recording ranked third in the history of all weekly download sales. “Crack A Bottle” will be included as an album track on Relapse.

With the announcement of the release date for Relapse also comes confirmation of something that had been rumored in recent weeks: Eminem is already working on a follow-up album, Relapse 2, that fans can expect in the second half of 2009. “A lot of people were expecting Relapse to drop last year,” said Eminem. “I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff.”

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