Drake Getting Back Into Acting

Drake is returning to acting, not Degrassi but a new movie - a thriller called Arbitrage. The cast of the indie movie includes Susan Sarandon and Eva Green, but there is no word on who Drake would play as of yet. The story centers around a "hedge fund magnate who is in over his head and desperate to complete the sale of his shady trading empire to a major bank before his fraud is revealed." Production starts in March.

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Dr. Dre feat. Eminem x Skylar Gray - I Need a Doctor (Artwork)

Look what we have here; above is the official artwork for Dre's new single off of Detox which will feature Eminem and Skylar Gray. The track is produced by none other than the great Alex Da Kid. Detox‘s lead single is set to hit iTunes on January 25th

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Distant Relatives Present Hope Road pt.2 (Video)

Here is part 2 that constitutes out of a 3-part short film where Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley take a trip out to Jamaica. On the third night Damian and Stephen Marley went to work over a new Stephen song called ‘Jah Army.’ The song is pure heat. Dubplates are the stock and trade of the Jamaican musician. Tuff Gong itself is a place filled with so much history as Stephen explains to Nas at the beginning – even Bunny Wailer made an surprise appearance.

Previous: Distant Relatives Present Hope Road pt.1 (Video)

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Line-Ups For Coachella & SXSW Announced

If you're a festival head, like myself, you'll absolutely love the line-ups for two of the biggest music events this year! From Kanye to Big K.R.I.T., Dom Kennedy to the #BasedGod himself, both are going to EPIC. Click the links below for more information, including the full list of performers/events and ticket prices.

Official site for SXSW | Official site for Coachella

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Distant Relatives Present Hope Road pt.1 (Video)

Nas and Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley visit the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road. This is Part 1 of a 3 part series directed and produced by B+ (Mochilla). Enjoy.

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Miguel Set To Appear On J.Cole’s Debut Album

An update on J. Cole's album, r&b singer Miguel has recently spoken out about his involvement in Jermaine's upcoming album! Miguel and Cole have collaborated once before on "All I Want Is You". This is probably the first time someone has gone public about J. Cole's upcoming untitled album which remains much of a secret. He was quoted saying that he is featured on one of Cole's songs and that he thinks the fans will like what they hear:

“I’ve been working on something specifically for [J. Cole's album]. He sent me something maybe a month ago. “It sounds exactly like what his fans love him for—storytelling, wit, and just a really smooth flow. As far as what I’ve done to it, it’s really playful. The chorus reminds me of a Passion Pit song. I don’t know why. I haven’t sent it back yet. It’s more melodies than a full voice.”

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Any Given Monday ep.9 w/ DJ Green Lantern, J. Cole, Yeawolf, Big Sean, Donnis & Laws (Video)

It’s hard out here for a producer! So DJ Green Lantern uses the promise of a hot meal to trick J Cole, Yelawolf, Big Sean, Donnis and Laws into listening to beats. 

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Kid Cudi's Most Wanted List (Gotham Magazine)

Kid Cudi sat down with Gotham Magazine and together they discussed Cudi's "most wanted list". A list where Scott breaks down his favorite clothes, food, kicks, etc. Check it all out after the jump.

IN MY DREAMS

LATEST GADGET/TECH ITEM THAT YOU WANT:

I’m excited about the new Ford Super Chief that’s supposed to come out in 2012.

MY WORLD

EATERIES: I like The Standard Grill (848 Washington St.; thestandardgrill.com) or Wolfgang’s (409 Greenwich St.; wolfgangssteakhouse.net). Everybody there is really cool— they show a lot of love. I take my steak medium well. And for a quick bite, Ruby’s (219 Mulberry St., rubyscafe.us). And I must have ketchup. Lots of ketchup.

W IS FOR WHISKEY: Drinks? I like shots. My favorite is a Jameson shot.

DAY ‘N’ NITE

WORN OUT: I like Bape (91 Greene St.; us.bape.com) and American Apparel (140 West Broadway; americanapparel.com)—I’ll always have a fresh tee for any shoot. For sneakers, I like Jordans or Converse, and skinny jeans from Levi’s and A.P.C., and I have a staple leather jacket. I love vintage wear. And subtle jewelry—I sometimes wear a chain, but I mostly like to have just a ring and wristwear like my rose-gold 41mm Rolex. I keep in mind the kind of things my father would do, the simple rules, like a man wears a watch on the left hand. WORN ON: I’m really simple when it comes to products, but I do like Sabon (434 Sixth Ave.; sabonnyc.com).

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

FAVORITE NYC MEMORY: Landing at LaGuardia Airport for the first time, knowing I had a one-way ticket. That was October 7, 2004.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT NYC: Everybody in New York is on a mission. Everybody has a really solid go-getter mentality, and it’s hard not to be inspired to achieve something and want to do something great.

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Saigon talks Atlantic, Lupe, Jay-Z, & More (Video)

Nick Huff Barili caught up with Saigon recently at our Hard Knock TV studios and this is part 2 of that interview. This segment starts of with Saigon breaking down what happened with his former label Atlantic and why his record never came out. Sai gives us insight as to how Atlantic was trying to change him as an artist, which he wasn't feeling. The conversation transitions into Lupe Fiasco's current situation with Atlantic delaying the release of his album.  (via HKTV)

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B.o.B: NFL x Pepsi Commercial (Packers Vs Falcons) [Video]

B.o.B. is getting one hell of a push. Pepsi recruits the ATLien to make a track about the Packs vs Falcons game. Shouts to deFt for the heads up in the chatbox below.

The NFL and Pepsi are celebrating the NFL-post season by bringing some of hip hop's best artists together to create original tracks about the playoff games. This weekend's track includes one from ATL's B.O.B, killing it on Game Green - the Packers vs the Falcons.

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Big K.R.I.T, Cyhi Da Prynce and Donnis Discussion About Social Media (Video)

Three young & talented up n coming artists Big Krit, Cyhi Da Prynce & Donnis discuss what it's like being a new artist in the age of Social Media.  J. Cole in there too playing pool in the background as well. 

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Shady Records Takeover: Signing of Yelawolf & Slaughterhouse (Cover XXL)

Rebuild and dominate. That is exactly what Eminem and Shady Records' plans are going into the 2011 year with the signing of some of the premire hard hitting gritty rappers Slaughterhouse (which includes Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9") and up n comer Yelawolf. XXL will feature The New Shady Records on the March 2011 Issue as you can see the cover up above.

Continue Reading After the Jump    ↓ 

Eminem broke the news to XXL stating “Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it’s kinda phase two of Shady,” he explained. “It’s the new generation of Shady Records and as we’re trying to rebuild our label, it’s exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody’s capable of on the mic, it’s gonna be fun.”

Yelawolf expressed excitement and gratitude upon hearing the news: “Considering where I’m from and the shit I’ve been through, it’s hard to put into words what partnering with Shady means to me, my team at Ghet-O-Vision, and my state of Alabama,” he said. “I can tell you that when you’re willing to give your life up to see a dream through, the reward is great. And now that I’ve become an apprentice to one of the greatest artists in the world, my potential reaches beyond anything I ever imagined. Let’s kill this shit.”

Looking forward to some new material from the supergroup Slaughterhouse, and Yelawolf as they try to make their stamp on the hip hop game via expansion and new music, but will it be enough to dethrone Lil Wayne's Young Money or Kanye's G.O.O.D. music?

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Beyond The Video: Lupe Fiasco's - "The Show Goes On" (Video)

Check out some behind the scenes footage of 'The Show Goes On' as Lupe talks about the concept behind the video and the track. If you'd like to see Lupe's video on BET's 106 & Park vote for it here!

Previous: Music Video: The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

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Video: TDK Chronicles: Nas

This is the trailer for Nas’ short film on his experiences of childhood mixtapes, directed by the talented Jonathan Mannion, and is also now live at www.tdkhifi.com with the full mini-movie set to drop on January 19th.

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Mac Miller "Incredibly Dope" Tour

Mac Miller is back.

The recent Rostrum Records signee—the same label responsible for fellow Pittsburgh MC Wiz Khalifa—will be making over 25 stops starting on January 12 in San Diego’s Epicentre and ending in Philadelphia’s Club 27 with dates in Canada, Texas and Colorado, along the way, and more to come.

Miller, who dropped his K.I.D.S. mixtape in mid 2010, is currently prepping his new project, Best Day Ever for release this year. —Elan Mancini

View tour dates after the jump!

January 13th – Epicentre San Diego, California

January 14th – Troubadour West Hollywood, California

January 15th – Glass House Pomona, California

January 16th – Velvet Jones Santa Barbara, California

January 17th – SLO Brew San Luis Obispo, California

January 19th – The Catalyst Santa Cruz, California

January 20th - Slim’s San Francisco, California

January 22nd – Aracata Vet’s Hall Arcata, California

January 23rd - Wow Hall Eugene, Oregon

January 25th – Peter’s Room At The Roseland Portland, Oregon

January 26th – Fortune Club Vancouver, BC

January 27th – Upstairs Cabaret Victoria, BC

January 28th – Garfinkles Whistler, BC

January 29th – Vera Project Seattle, Washington

January 30th – Stubblefields Pullman, Washington

February 1st – Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah

February 3rd – Fox Theatre Boulder, Colorado

February 4th – Marquis Theater Denver, Colorado

February 5th – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fenruary 7th – Sunshine Theater Albuquerque, New Mexico

February 9th – Drink College Station, Texas

February 10th – Warehouse Live Houston, Texas

February 11th – Ace’s Lounge Austin, Texas

February 12th – Tree’s Dallas, Texas

February 13th – Kamp’s Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

February 15th – The Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas

February 16th – Old Rock House St. Louis, Missouri

February 17th – University of Illinois Urbana, Illinois

February 20th – Club 27 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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BTS: Kanye West - All of the Lights (Music Video)

After being kicked out of the scene for illegal filming, Hollywood TV came back, this time on the roof to shoot some footage of Kanye West's All of the Lights. Here you can see Mr. West completely into it as he normally is in his music videos grabbing his head, punching air, and that type of stuff. We'll have the official video when it drops.

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Video: Jay Electronica x Mountain Dew Commercial

Looks like Mountain Dew knows good hip hop. They recruited Jay Electronica for their latest commercial, Mountain Dew Code Red. "Hip Hop is different on the mountain."

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Video: Good Christmas (Ft. "Various Artists") [Parody]

Merry Christmas from Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Rihanna, Birdman, Plies, Waka Flocka, Willow Smith, Lady Gaga & Wyclef. Not really them, but hilarious nonetheless.

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Wale Goes Off!

A man can only take but so much hate before the shit hits the fan. That's exactly what happened when Wale called into Baltimore's 92Q radio station to go off on Bossman, a rapper who's been coming for the DC MC for the longest with diss tracks such as "No Hands" and "Nail In The Coffin".

Is it just me or does it seem like Wale just can't get the credit he definitely deserves? Where's the love, fam? Seriously ...

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Video: Talib Kweli Talks About Kanye West Before The Fame

Talib Kweli sits down with Vlad to speak on his first run-in/meeting with Kanye at a studio session where Ye was originally looking for Mos Def, but ended up playing some beats for Kwe, which later led to them forming a bond and collaborating on joints such as: Good To You, Get By, and Guerilla Monsoon Rap. He also remembers how a then unsigned Ye wanted to be on Rawkus Records (as we’ve heard), before landing some placements on Jay-Z’s Blueprint, and also reflects on hearing Kanye’s College Dropout while on the Electric Circus tour, and being blown away after listening to the project. - YK2

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