Some of the other celebs who walked the red carpet of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards — hosted by Hip-Hop veteran LL Cool J — included Adele, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Diana Ross, Taraji P. Henson, Adam Levine, Flo Rida, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Birdman, Tyga, Nicki Minaj and more.

Check out 50+ pictures from the red carpet of the 2012 Grammy Awards below:

Paying tribute to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, rappers Common, LL Cool J and Lupe Fiasco took to the stage last night at the 2012 Grammy Nominations Concert in L.A.

The three rappers were joined by Hip-Hop veterans Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel and Scorpio were for a one-time performance of “The Message.”

Check it out below:

The official nominees for the upcoming 2012 Grammy Awards were announced with a special concert in Los Angeles last night.

Rapper LL Cool J hosted the event with a little help from Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry. Other celebs who appeared and/or performing at the Grammy Nominations Concert were Usher, Ludacris, Bruno Mars, Common, Grandmaster Flash, Jason Aldean and more.

Check out 30+ photos below:

Lupe Fiasco, dressed in a black tee with the word “occupy” printed on it, tried to make a statement as he performed his “Words I Never Said” single alongside singer Erykah Badu (who, filling in for Skylar Grey, didn’t reveal her identity until the end of the performance when she took a black veil off that was covering her face).

Watch below:

Once again…. Obama-hater Lupe Fiasco has found yet another way to be controversial.

The “Lasers” rapper quit Twitter earlier today.

We don’t quite understand why the all of a sudden departure from twitter, but then again, this is “Lupe Fiasco” we’re talking about here. Who knows what goes through that offbeat mind of his…

If you thought Lupe Fiasco was crazy after his Obama remarks…..you haven’t heard anything yet.

Peep to see what all he had to say about Lil B and his new “I’m Gay” album!

Oh, but there’s more…..

C’mon son!!

Obama hater Lupe Fiasco has released the visuals for his latest single “Out of My Head” featuring Trey Songz.

Lupe Fiasco recently made an appearance on Fox’s “The O’Reilly Factor” Monday night (June 20) to defend his highly controversial comments about President Barack Obama.

To put it in simple words, in a recent interview with CBS, the rapper made a fool of himself as he claimed our president was “the biggest terrorist.” And when Bill O’Reilly caught wind of Lupe’s comments, he challenged the Hip-Hop artist to appear on his show to defend his comments (after calling him a “pinhead” of course).

Watch Lupe Fiasco make an even bigger fool of himself on “The O’Reilly Factor” below:

Lupe Fiasco and Donald Trump have something in common…..their hate for our President, Barack Obama.

In an interview with CBS News, Lupe called Obama the biggest terrorist in the world.

“In my fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama in the United States of America. For me, I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. The root cause of the terrorism is the stuff that you as a government allow to happen and the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists. And it’s easy for us because it’s really just some oil, which we can really get on our own. I don’t vote. I don’t get involved in the political process because it’s meaningless, to be honest. I’m a real big believer if I’m gonna vouch for someone, then I’m gonna stand behind everything that they do. So politicians aren’t gonna do that because I don’t want you to bomb some village in the middle of nowhere.”

Check it out below:

We’re strongly starting to dislike this guy….

Hey Lupe! Maybe you should try doing a lot more rapping and a lot less politicking. Please, and thanks :)

L.A. radio station KIIS FM held their annual Wango Tango concert last Saturday night (May 14) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The event was hosted by Ryan Seacrest and co-hosted by Britney Spears, while stars like LL Cool J, Paris Hilton, Jordin Sparks and more were in the mix and spotted on the red carpet. The concert also featured performances by Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez, Lupe Fiasco and many others.

Check out pics below:

Lupe Fiasco gets a chance to say all the things he never said in his new music video “Words I Never Said” featuring Skylar Grey.

The track is off Fiasco’s latest album Lasers. Check it out below:

Following the biggest selling debut week of his entire career with the release of his third studio album Lasers, rapper Lupe Fiasco is featured on the cover of the forthcoming May 2011 issue of XXL Magazine.

In his feature, Lupe chats with XXL about his uphill battle with his label Atlantic Records, his gun collection (he says he owns “a ton of them”), his confidence with his skills on the mic and more.

The issue hits newsstands nationwide on April 26th!

Lupe Fiasco must be one happy rapper right now!

According to Nielsen SoundScan, his 3rd studio album Lasers has knocked UK singer Adele off of the top spot and sold more than 204,000 copies in its first week, placing him in first position on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

The “Kick, Push” rapper is also making waves over on the iTunes album chart. Again, he knocked Adele to the #2 spot which pushed Avril Lavigne’s 4th solo effort to #3.

Congrats Lupe!

Lupe Fiasco has revealed that he contemplated suicide after some harsh words from his record label.

The rapper told the UK’s Guardian newspaper in a recent interview that after originally recording “Nothing On You,” he let an Atlantic Records exec listen to it. But unfortunately for Lupe, the label rep thought his version of the song was “wack” and gave it to B.o.B and Bruno Mars (who both went on to make the track a worldwide smash hit).

Needless to say, Fiasco was extremely distraught from the rejection from his label.

“That was the tipping point. It was less about the bruised ego but more the audacity of it. It was mentally destructive. I say it with a certain laissez-faire now because I’m past it, but back then, hearin’ that sh*t, it f**ked me up. I was super-depressed, lightly suicidal, at moments medium suicidal – and if not suicidal, willing to just walk away from it all completely.”

Meanwhile, Lupe says Atlantic Records hasn’t been the most supportive label for him at all. After he refused to sign a 360 deal, Atlantic decided to discontinue promoting him, which forced the rapper to promote and fund his own singles and music videos. The label also refused to give a release date for Fiasco’s long-awaited third album Lasers, so in response, Lupe’s loyal fans sent around a petition that eventually gained over 30,000 signatures.

Following the success of the petition, “Lasers” finally got a release date (today — Tues. Mar 8). And though he’s excited to get the chance to share his new album with his fans, Lupe says the process that went into it caused him to resent the finished product.

“I hate this album. I don’t hate the music, but I hate the process. When I look at it, I don’t see song titles and artwork, I see the fight – I see the emotions, the blood, sweat and tears. There are a couple of songs on there that I love; but Lasers is a little bit of what you love, a little bit of what you like, and a lot of what you had to do.”

We guess Ciara isn’t he only artist frustrated over label politics!

Thoughts?

Lupe Fiasco wants everyone to know “The Show Goes On” in his newest music video release. The track is the first single off the emcee’s upcoming album Lasers, due in stores March 8th.

Check it out below…

[See post to listen to audio]
Rapper Kanye West has dropped another track this week for G.O.O.D. Friday.

This one is called “Don’t Look Down” and features Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco and Big Sean. Check it out above and continue reading for the download link…

D/L: KANYE, MOS DEF, LUPE & BIG SEAN – DON’T LOOK DOWN

B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco lend some bars to the remix for singer Janelle Monae‘s latest single “Tightrope.” and accompanying music video. Janelle also shows off her versatility by rapping a few bars herself! She even tries to make her unique dance moves a little more gangster. We see you, Janelle!

Peep the newly released “Tightrope (Wondamix)” video below…

Kanye West treated a series of high school students in Chicago Tuesday (Jun 8) to their very own private shows performed by the rapper himself as a part of his non-profit organization’s “Stay in School” program. Kanye, who celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday, went back to the city where he grew up to perform concerts at three local high schools and brought along his Hip-Hop buddies Lupe Fiasco and Common.

The shows were held at Farragut Career Academy, John Marshall Metropolian and Percy L. Julian High School, all in Chicago. Kanye chose those particular schools because their students performed better out of 7 participating institutions in the area.

At one of the shows, rapper Common congratulated the students on their ahievements:

“We want to congratulate you on the incredible job you’ve done in school. Whatever you do, be the best at it.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, the 1,600 students at Farragut Career Academy surprised Kanye by singing “Happy Birthday” to him at the end of the concert. How nice!

Check out a few pics of Yeezy and his buddies Common and Lupe Fiasco below…

Hip-hop lyricist Lupe Fiasco recently dropped his new “Solar Midnite” music video and here it is. The video featured clips from the new Twilight Saga: New Moon film because the song is a bonus feature on the movie’s soundtrack.

Also, be on the look out for Lupe’s new Lasers album, due in stores in early 2010! But in the meantime, continue reading for the new video…

Flavor Flav, Lupe Fiasco and M.I.A. all took the stage this weekend at the 2009 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. M.I.A. performed live on stage Saturday night, during Day 2 of the festival and Lupe and Flav performed during Day 3 of the festival, which was Sunday.

What’s up with your boy Flav though? How old is he? At one point do you take a look at yourself in the mirror and say “Dammit … I need to grow up!” Dude has gotta be pushing 50, no bullsh*t. Isn’t the “wacky” persona a bit played out? He looks like a clown! Check out the entire gallery of photos when you continue reading.

Flavor Flav performed at Day 3 of the Coachella festival Sunday evening looking like a damn clown. Who does he think he is? A court jester? Dance, monkey! Dance!! LMAO

Lupe Fiasco couldn’t take the Cali heat so he ripped his shirt off when he performed at Day 3 of the festival Sunday afternoon. We’re sure most of the women there wanted him to put it back on but he didn’t care. Hell, he didn’t even care to comb through those naps. SMH… Click here for a review of his performance.

New mom M.I.A. performed Saturday night at Day 2 of the festival taking the main stage for the first time. But she didn’t like it. After her hour-long set in the desert, she said “next time I’m back in the tent. I want to be in the sweat.” Click here for a full review of her performance.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Ethiopion pop singer Kenna has enlisted Chicago lyricist Lupe Fiasco to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in an effort to bring awareness to the worldwide water crisis. This issue hits home for Kenna, whose father nearly died as a child due to a lack of clean drinking water.

“My dad almost died as a child from waterborne diseases in Ethiopia, and he had talked to me about digging a well there,” Kenna explained to Elle Magazine. “I thought, ‘I have too many friends who would be concerned with the subject of clean water.’ Maybe I can help out.”

Mount Kilimanjaro boasts the highest peak on the African continent at 19,330 feet. Most routes to the top of the mountain take a maximum of 6 to 7 days. Although the voyage is a popular retreat amongst climbers, the journey is not without its dangers. An estimated 10 people die every year attempting to climb Kilimanjaro. The majority of the fatalities are due to altitude sickness, which can cause swelling of the brain tissue (high altitude cerebral edema). Despite the risks for a novice climber, Fiasco plans to make the event a light-hearted competition with his friend Kenna.

“I’m an adventure junkie,” Fiasco stated. “Part of the motivation is beating Kenna to the top. Sabotaging his tent, taking the lining out of his coat, [and] lacing it with ants or something like that.”

SOURCE

Along Kenna and Lupe, singer/songwriter Justin Timberlake is also expected to take part in the climb for charity, which is scheduled to take place this Fall. Be on the look-out for Lupe Fiasco’s anticipated third studio album, Lasers, due in stores June 2009.

Days before the graphic photo of Rihanna‘s facial injuries was released, several stars were asked to weigh in and deliver their thoughts on the situation between Chris Brown and Rihanna, which occured about 2 weeks ago.

Gayle King: “I can’t think of anything that makes me support anything that Chris Brown is saying at this time. And my heart just aches for Rihanna.” (Extra TV)

Mary J. Blige: “They’re both young and beautiful people, and that’s it.”

Nia Long: “I know both of them well. They’re young, and all we can do is pray for them at this point.” (US Magazine)

Ruben Studdard: “I’m still praying for him. Everybody always has something negative to say about everything, and I always try to be positive. They’ve both made wonderful careers for themselves, and I think they will continue to do so for the rest of their lives.” (US Magazine)

Mark Curry: “Women, throughout history, have been beaten and prostituted. Even today in movies and music, they’re portrayed as low-grade, so you know, he’s a youngster, and he can correct his ways. It’s just a tragedy – women and abuse.” (US Magazine)

Lupe Fiasco: “They are great live and both are good people. It’s a tragedy.” (US Magazine)

Kellie Pickler: “I think the world would be a better place if people worried more about what they needed to do to be better people, than … judging others on what kind of people they are. I don’t know what really went on with Rihanna and Chris, and I don’t think anyone else does, either. The only people who really, truly know are only the two of them, so I am not going to assume or comment. I’m going to mind my own business.” (US Magazine)

Lindsay Lohan: “I have no comment on that. That’s not my relationship. I have no reason to speak about it. I think they’re both great people.”

SOURCE

The 2008 Video Music Awards aired Sunday night and yours truly is here to bring you the 411 on all of the hottest (and not so hot) styles worn at the show! There were many hot styles worn to the show, but first and foremost, I gotta show some love to the men, because if you take out the select few that I will talk about later on in the post, just about every guy was dressed to impress! Some of the best dressed male celebs of the night were Ludacris, Ne-Yo, LL Cool J, T.I, John Legend, and Chris Brown. Ludacris looked like Mr. Urban High Fashion wearing Gucci from head to toe (tie included), Ne-Yo also looked good rocking Gucci from head to toe, LL Cool J lost the bedazzled tee’s and kept it simple yet classy in Gucci, John Legend really gave an edge to the classic white button up, black tie, and pants look by adding a fly white leather jacket, and Chris Brown decided not to wear his favorite red carpet designer and opted for a Louis Vuitton Jacket, Cassett Jeans, and Dior kicks. Keep reading for more styles from the show.

I was hoping that the ladies would represent after seeing how fly most of the guys looked but, they didn’t. Some looks that did catch my eyes were from Ciara (minus the hair), Vanessa Simmons, Angela Simmons, and Britney Spears. Ciara wore Christian Louboutin pumps with a silver D&G dress and a very cute Jimmy Choo Tube Clutch, the hair was a little out there but other than that her outfit was very cute! Vanessa Simmons wore wore a beautiful black and red checkerboard dress and Angela Simmons looked fashion forward in her dress matched with hot pink Versace platforms. Brittaney Spears looked fab in a Vintage Atelier Versace dress and Jimmy Choo heels.

Some more looks I thought were cute came from Jordin Sparks, Pink, Rihanna (not the shoes), and Solange. Jordin Sparks looked very cute in a Betsey Johnson Evening Sequin Café de Paris Dress with Sergio Rossi Heels. I fell in love with her Pantera gold feather ear cuff! I thought Pink’s red and black Alexis LaMontange dress fit her style perfectly, the same with Solange. I think if anyone else would have tried to rock her Moshino dress, it just would not have been the same! The dress is very different and because she is know as being the “different” Knowls sister … it fits her. Rihanna rock’d the red carpet as usual wearing a Peter Pilotto Skirt, Patricia Field Bustier, and T-Strap Cesare Paciotti pumps.

Now it’s time for my worst dressed picks! Keri Hilson, David Banner, T-Pain, Fat Man Scoop, Lil Wayne, and Lupe Fiasco are all on the top of my “What in the hell were you thinking list!” Keri Hilson’s outfit went totally wrong when she paired a royal blue Opening Ceremony Dress with Gucci Babouska studded Boots, but im sure your not surprised. For some reason Keri always finds herself on the worst dress lists for red carpets. I’m not sure what designer David Banner was wearing, but the “nerdy prep” look defiantly does not work for him. The color choice also didn’t compliment his complexion. I have no words for Lupe and Wayne, I just wouldn’t know where to begin. Although T-Pain did look a hot mess, this was actually an upgrade compared to his past red carpet disasters.

Last but not least we have Fat Man Scoop whose wife looked great, but he opted to rock boxers and an undershirt. I know he was probably attempting to plug his TV show but you just don’t wear pajamas to an award show, that’s just … tacky. What do you guys think? Who are your picks for best and worst dressed?

LOS ANGELES // SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH 2008 » The 2008 MTV Video Music Awards went down in LA last night at the Paramount Pictures Studios, and GOT is here to bring you guys the photos from the red carpet. From T-Pain arriving on a damn elephant, to Fat Man Scoop and his wife, Shonda, hitting up the RC with their pajamas, and even on down to Danity Kane looking like they were forced to take pictures together, there’s a lot to take in. So if you’re ready, hit the link below!

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE

Cassie, Lupe Fiasco & N*E*R*D* all have their own cover for the August/September issue of Complex Magazine. In the multi cover issue, Cassie will be talking about her upcoming album, training with vocal coachs and the haters. Here is a few questions Complex asked her and responses:

The Internet helped launch you, but it’s also home to extremely harsh anonymous sh*t-talkers. How do you feel about that?

Cassie: I love it.

You do?

Cassie: I do. It’s ammunition. I used to be really offended by it. It didn’t motivate me before; I didn’t get that concept. I get it now. At this point, the ridiculousness of the Internet and the things that people say—it’s funny.

What’s the harshest thing that’s been said about you?

Cassie: “She’s f****ng for checks.” I don’t f**k for checks—I’d rather live on the street.

N*E*R*D* talked about there recent success with their album, Seeing Sounds, and their buzzing clothing line BBC (Billionaire Boys Club) & Ice Cream. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

Musically, you guys aren’t exactly mainstream, but you’re probably the biggest producers that ever made it from the world of hip-hop. But then from a style standpoint, it seems you try to keep a proximity to the exclusive sh*t. You don’t have BBC brand in Macy’s, which you could. Why do you feel that’s the way to go for clothes, as opposed to how you handle your music?
Pharrell: Certain things are meant to be amongst a smaller populace. You don’t want everything you do to be ridiculous, you know? Exclusivity is a good thing. It keeps it close to you.

But at the same time, a lot of styles you guys pioneered, and Nigo started, sort of trickled down to a lot of the mall brands. Does that worry you?
Pharrell: I’m not here to take credit. I’m just really appreciative of the opportunity. The most important part is the process. The process of designing?
Pharrell: The process for everything. It’s just having fun, being creative. Of course you want to think futuristically, but I think that if you just kind of walk with today, and you never fall backwards on yesterday, and you’re not stepping too quick towards tomorrow, it’s fun. Today is a process that leads to the finish line of tomorrow. Does that make sense? I’m not trying to be all philosophical and sh*t.

Lupe Fiasco talked about his philosophy on intelligence and he talked about “retiring” and dumb people in the hood…Check out the excerpt from the interview:

Your fans have a perception of you as this well-read scholar.

Lupe Fiasco: No, no, I’m a dummy. I’m Discovery Channel smart, for real. My real learning and education came from my mother and my father, them teaching me to be interested in thinking. My mother would pull me inside, and we would discuss Middle East politics when I was 12, 13.

So when you have a song like “Dumb It Down,” does that seem contradictory? It seemed like you were trying to reach a certain…demographic, right?

Lupe Fiasco: The dumb-ass ni**as in the hood.

Because I’ve heard people who are “dumb- ass ni**as in the hood” be like, “I feel like he’s talking down to me,” like, “Why not just be on some Tupac sh*t and go straight at me?”

Lupe Fiasco: Tupac went over people’s heads, too.

These issues are now available to buy online or on stands now. Take a look at videos from the photoshoots for this issue below!

Here’s the official T2W music video premiere of T.I.’s brand new video for “Whatever You Like” off of his new album, “Paper Trail,” which is due in stores September 30th 2008!

And here’s another T2W music video premiere! Check out N*E*R*D’s brand new video for the remix to “Everyone Nose,” featuring Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pusha T of The Clipse.

RAHEEM DEVAUGN – “TRY AGAIN”

SOULJA BOY – “SHE GOT A DONK”

ROCKO – “TOMORROW”

THREE 6 MAFIA – “LOLLI LOLLI (POP THAT BODY)”

LUPE FIASCO – “MY RADIO IS BIGGER THAN YOURS”

Hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco, who is currently touring North America with Kanye West, released the video for his new single Paris, Tokyo this week. Check it out above!

Y’all know it’s that time of the year again. Spring Bling 2008, BET’s annual spring break celebration, was filmed this year in Riviera Beach, Florida. You already know this shit is gonna be on repeat for the next couple of months. So until that happens, maybe these flicks will hold you over!

Yeah … leave your comments, lol!

Kanye has been dropping hints all week, but he finally let the cat out of the bag in an entry on his blog titled “The End of the World As You Know It!”. Kanye West will be hitting the road pretty soon with Rihanna, N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco in the “Glow in the Dark” tour. Besides the promo poster above, he hasn’t released any major details yet, like dates and what-not, but I expect those will come along shortly. Am I excited? Hell no … I’m ECSTATIC! I don’t really too much care for Lupe and N.E.R.D., but they’re okay. Rihanna’s pretty cool too. But Kanyizzle? You better believe I’m gonna be breaking open my piggy bank and scrounging up some dough for this! Because you know he’s gonna charge a grip or two lol. All I know is that he better bring his ass to Greenville, SC. I don’t feel like driving all the way to Charlotte or Atlanta…

By the way, when is that Flashing Lights video coming? . . . 

Lupe Fiasco returns with his sophomore effort Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool (1st & 15th, Atlantic) which hits stores December 18th, included with Fiasco’s new LP is the first single lifted “Super Star” featuring Matthew Santos and street single “Dumb It Down (which was made into a “virtual buzz” video on Youtube). Now you know I couldn’t wait for this album, ever since Food & Liquor I was hooked! I swear this man is underrated due to lackadaisical promo, every time I would listen to that album and say who’s it by people would be like, “who’s that?” Then I let them HOLD the album and they do not return it. I’m so serious, Fiasco is … the truth! His metaphors and approach are just so stellar and inspirational at the same time! Same case with his latest album, The Cool. I think it’s fairly up to par with F&L. My favourite tracks are “Gold Watch,” “Little Weapon,” “Superstar,” “Go Go Gadget Flow” and “The Coolest.”

// CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL ON MTV’S THE LEAK BEFORE IT HITS STORES DEC. 18TH! //

Keyshia Cole and Mario hit up MTV’s Total Request Live yesterday afternoon. Keyshia performed her new single “Shoulda Let You Go” with Amina, and Mario was there to promote his new album “Go.” Lupe Fiasco dropped by the popular countdown show as well.

Here we got the world video premiere of ‘Superstar’ featuring Matthew Santos, the first single from Lupe Fiasco’s forthcoming album The Cool (1st & 15th Ent./Atlantic) in stores December 18th!

It’s a damn shame that some black blogs aren’t promoting/pushing Lupe Fiasco’s project. I love this song, “Dumb It Down,” from the upcoming album THE COOL. Basically, the song is saying y’all like dumb shit. I’m not saying names but anybody can pick five set of synonyms and rap continuously about dumb shit. And some people will relate to it, because they are dumb. Thus people like Common, Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West getting looked at stupid – because their lyrics are too complex and not dumb enough so it goes past dumb peoples heads. LOL, it’s sad, but true… now say I’m lying! The saddest part about this is it probably won’t get any radio/tv play. Well, I commend Lupe for not dumbing it down, although he probably would’ve sold more records…

UPDATE: MY BAD, THIS IS ACTUALLY JUST A “VIRAL BUZZ VIDEO”. THE FIRST SINGLE OFF THE COOL WILL BE “SUPERSTAR” WHICH YOU CAN LISTEN TO HERE!