50 CENT ALBUM LEAKS

Album leaks have been a problem that has plagued the music industry since the internet became popular in the early 2000s. Before it was just tracks that leaked, these days, full albums make their way to the net before their release dates. 50 Cent became the latest victim. This week Before I Self Destruct hit the net. On Wednesday October 28, 50’s upcoming fourth studio album leaked almost a month before its planned November 23 release date. So far, 50 or Interscope has not commented on the situation. On the new album, 50 gets back to his hardcore gangsta rapping self, spitting tales of drug deals, murder, guns, and of course, does a little name dropping along the way. In one song, titled “So Disrespectful,” 50 goes at former comrades-turned-enemies, Young Buck and The Game. On the track, he calls Buck a drug addict and The Game jealous. Eminem shows up on a track titled “Psycho”, where the Detroit rapper and 50 trade verses about how crazy they both can be. Aside from Eminem, other collaborators include R. Kelly and Ne-Yo, while production includes Dr. Dre, Polow Da Don, and Tha Bizness. While the album is already on the net, the version being released through iTunes will include three bonus tracks, 50’s directorial debut “Before I Self Destruct,” and the Jam Master Jay documentary, “2 Turntables and a Mic: The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay.

By: Jeffrey Ellison

B.E.T. HIP HOP AWARDS RECAP

To start off, Jay-Z won the BET Hip-Hop Awards MVP of the Year trophy, beating Lil Wayne, Drake, T.I. and Kanye West. Hov also opened the show with a performance of “As Real as It Gets” with Young Jeezy. Other performers on the show included the Goodie Mob, Snoop Dogg and Gucci Mane, who got a chance to perform all his big hits of the last few months, including “Break Up” and “Wasted.” If you’re into rap cyphers B.E.T. killed it last night… check them out.

LIL WAYNE EXCEPTS PLEA DEAL

Just days after news broke that DNA profiling was to be used in Lil Wayne’s New York gun case, the rapper pleaded guilty in court on Thursday (October 22). He admitted guilt for a loaded 40-caliber handgun found on his tour bus back on on July 22, 2007. Weezy faces at least 3 1/2 years in prison if he is convicted of the original weapons-possession charges against him. He’s due back in court December 15.

DID PUFF RELEASE MASE?

It’s been a while since rapper Mase made a comeback into hip hop. But recently he became affiliated with 50 Cent’s G-Unit label, but 50 cent and Puff couldn’t come to an agreement to release Mase from his contract under Bad Boy Records. Well earlier this month, Mase surprised Puff by showing up to a interview Puff had with V-103 in Atlanta, and hit him with his walking papers in front of everybody. This action must have caught Puff off guard, cause he seemed to have no problem at all signing the papers right then in there. CONGRATULATIONS MASE!

FREDDIE BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN

Check out the video.

LIL WAYNE CONFIRMS RUMORS

There has been rumors that Wayne has gotten another female pregnant. Well now it’s all out for the world to see it for themselves. In an interview with BBC’s Tim Westwood, Wayne confirmed that the rumors that R&B singer Nivea is pregnant by him is true, and they are expecting a son.The child will be Lil Wayne’s third son in just over a year. Talking about a big family; Nivea is the ex-wife of singer The-Dream, and birth three of his children — a daughter in 2005, followed by twin boys in 2006.While Wayne has son with London, and another last year with an unidentified mother. He also has a daughter, named Reginae, with his ex-wife Antonia “Toya” Carter, and that’s not counting his son with Nivea.