Our favorite artists are dying right before our eyes. In one music video after another, singers, rappers and musicians are being shot, decapitated, crushed, drowned and bludgeoned.

Why are pop stars having themselves mock-executed on camera with numbing regularity? Are they looking for sympathy, trying to shock us, or do they have something profound to say?

Check out these raconteurs of ultra-violence:

1.

“Find Your Love” by Drake

What a great single! This 808s & Heartbreak-influenced mid-tempo jam was shot on the “gully” side of Kingston, Jamaica. Drake gets caught up in a torrid love affair with bombshell Maliah Michel and a set-up with her boyfriend,  local kingpin Mavado. Unfortunately for Drake, stone-faced Michel pulls the gun on him, using the rapper for target practice. Ouch!

2.

“Russian Roulette” by Rihanna

The reggae mademoiselle turned to the shadows on her last effort, Rated R. A dish best served cold, the Bajan ice princess sings about the game of love and getting hurt in the process–tell us about it! She is run over by a car in the woods, shot at under water and then sprayed by ammunition through the heart in the interrogation room. Yikes!

3.

“Window Seat” by Erykah Badu.

The ethereal and off-beat Queen of Neo-Soul returned with a vengeance with this homage to iconic president John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Shot guerrilla style, Madame Badu walks through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, stripping down to her birthday suit. Then she is shot in the head and blue blood spurts out onto the pavement, spelling the word “groupthink” beside the grassy knoll. I admire Badu’s nerve, but I can’t help but think the video was done mostly to unnerve us.

4.

“99 Problems” by Jay-Z

The Bed-Stuy rapper and sometime street prophet made us turn up our stereos and blast this unforgettable classic. The Mark Romanek-directed clip shows the Roc-A-Fella mogul getting ripped by a barrage of bullets sent by unseen assailants. The rapper noted that the shooting was analogous to the death of his moniker “Jay-Z,” and was a “rebirth” of Shawn Carter. Apparently, H.O.V.A. rose from the phoenix’s ashes with his acclaimed “The Blueprint 3,” but I’d have to assume he has more freemen than Pac-Man.

5.

“Flashing Lights” by Kanye West

The Chi-town wunderkind of hip-hop clobbered ghetto blasters everywhere with this Grandmaster Flash-esque disco-rap, and its accompanying video did the same to our eyes. It was visually epic: hot Playboy model in sexy lingerie–check! A pyre of burning clothes–check! Kanye West, tied-up in the trunk of a car, screaming for help until his lungs give out–check? And it gets worse as Rita G, the sexy sadist, gives him a farewell kiss before stabbing the hip-hop iconoclast with a shovel over and over again.

6.

“It’s My Life” by No Doubt

This delicious, Golden Age Hollywood red carpet affair directed by pop culture surrealist David LaChapelle was genius. However, when you aren’t paying attention to the pretty colors, the designer threads or Gwen’s MGM femme fatale shtick, its quite scary. In the four minute clip, we see Stefani as the blushing black widow picking off the boys one-by-one: lacing a plate of dinner with rat poison, running a victim over and tossing a vintage hairdryer into a bathtub with the victim inside. But what’s a story without a happy ending? The clip ends with the boys laughing at Gwen Stefani from the afterlife as she is thrown into a gas chamber.

7.

“Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga

The neo-cosmopolitan duchess of electro-pop scored big with this chart topper and the eight-minute video was a crowning achievement! Pushed over the ledge of a veranda by True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård, she falls to what should have been her death but instead, falls out of fame. Luckily,  her love of kooky fashion broke the star’s fall. Unfortunately for him, it meant keeling over after she sprinkles a little poison in his morning tea.

Summer is officially over. With concert tours by MIA, Kelis & Robyn, Rihanna, Maxell and Jill Scott among the big go-to “urban” cool radio monsters to sell-out concert halls and arenas, it’s cool to see that the autumn may also have its share of luster. Among the various tours that have been announced, there are two concerts we can not wait to attend:

Mary J. Blige, the undisputed queen of hip-hop soul, recently announced her ninth consecutive tour (the cheese-fest fromage titled Music Saved My Life). Why are we so excited in the first place? Well, “Bust Your Windows” princess Jazmine Sullivan and up-and-comer soulman Miguel (who crooned “All I Want Is You” aside J. Cole) will tour in her native United States. That’s why! Mobo-winner and Briton R&B scribe Lemar and the iconic El DeBarge will also make appearances…and with Mary J. Blige celebrating her 18 years of fabulosity, its easy to fall head-over-heels in love with the great expectations we know that she will fulfill on stage.

10/01/10: Mobile, Ala. (BayFest Mobile Music Festival)
10/02/10: Atlanta, Ga.
10/03/10: Virginia Beach, Va.
10/05/10: Raleigh, N.C.
10/07/10: Washington, D.C.
10/08/10: Atlantic City, N.J.
10/10/10: Mashantucket, Conn. (Fox Theatre at Foxwoods)
10/11/10: New York, N.Y. (Radio City Music Hall)
10/12/10: New York, N.Y. (Radio City Music Hall)
10/15/10: Detroit, Mich.
10/16/10: Chicago, Ill.
10/19/10: Los Angeles, Calif. (Gibson Amphitheatre)
10/20/10: Los Angeles, Calif. (Gibson Amphitheatre)
10/22/10: Las Vegas, Nev.
10/23/10: Oakland, Calif.

Then there’s the ultimate WTF, I mean, “OMG” zeitgeist; R&B dance-pop prince Usher—who abandoned his crunk and quiet storm ponderings for a Europop electro sound—tapped crooner heartthrob Trey Songz for his 25-date OMG Tour. Songz, who just wrapped up his Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour in New York City with Monica, will embark on his third tour of the year after a guest appearance on Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 Tour.

There will be mayhem, bedlam and absolute pandemonium as sultry-and-sexy ladies go hoarse after bloodcurdling screams reverberate in the atmosphere and the smell of pheromones ooze from the arena walls. Get ready for all the shirtless and tightrope choreography of lifetime! And make sure to bring water. Fellas, be on your best behavior. Wink. Let the murderball began. The tour kick starts  November 10th at Seattle’s Key Arena!

11/10/10: KeyArena Seattle, WA
11/12/10: ORACLE Arena Oakland, CA
11/13/10: Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, Nevada
11/14/10: Honda Center Anaheim, CA
11/17/10: San Diego Sports Arena San Diego, CA
11/18/10: STAPLES Center Los Angeles, CA
11/19/10: Jobing.com Arena Glendale, AZ
11/23/10: Toyota Center Houston, TX
11/24/10: American Airlines Center Dallas, TX
11/26/10: Scottrade Center St. Louis, MO
11/27/10: Sprint Center Kansas City, MO
11/29/10: Air Canada Centre Toronto, ON
11/30/10: Centre Bell Montreal, QC
12/02/10: TBD Detroit, MI
12/03/10: Allstate Arena Chicago, IL
12/05/10: Phillips Arena Atlanta, GA
12/07/10: Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC
12/08/10: 1st Mariner Arena Baltimore, MD
12/10/10: Prudential Center Newark, NJ
12/11/10: Scope Arena Norfolk, VA
12/13/10: Madison Square Garden New York, NY
12/14/10: TD Garden Boston, MA
12/16/10: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA
12/17/10: Verizon Center Washington DC
12/18/10: XL Center Hartford, CT

Rihanna Kicks It Poolside With Katy Perry [PHOTOS]

Drake Still Doesn’t Feel Completely Successful [VIDEO]

Superstardom is ultramodern. Define superstardom today and textbook examples would be long lost Motown songstress Alicia Keys, world pop phenomenon Beyoncé Knowles and post-Warhol shock art fashionista Lady Gaga. All of those women have changed views of feminism, sex appeal and physical lyricism in one way or another. Alicia Keys encourages women to be superwomen. Superwoman Beyoncé is the biggest sex symbol since Farrah Fawcett and Janet Jackson. Lady Gaga has reinvigorated the meaning of life imitating art.  Amidst their peers, Barbadian chanteuse Rihanna is a hard sell.

Finalizing her first headlining world tour, Rihanna had some thing to prove: that Miss Sunshine could let her freak flag fly high. With Travis “Travie” McCoy nowhere insight to open for her and with glitter brat Ke$ha also M.I.A., there was no warm up for her tour kiss-off on Saturday, August 28. She was also at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, which meant a lot of distraction, considering the buzzing lights of Ferris wheels in the backdrop.

Opening instead was DJ Ross Rosco who played the grand-slam list of 80s and 90s Top 40 club anthems who kept the place jumping, while up-and-comer J Brazil sang a 10-minute set of three songs, drawing a mix of cheers and jeers for scream-belting like an Adam Lambert hopeful.

With face-melting guitar licks, lipstick lez-ploitation strappado swinging, and some kinetic chick-chick-kaboom pyrotechnics, Ri Ri kicked off the show with moxie. Introduced by a sci-fi silver screens and a dream machine motif, the dreamscape nirvana and nightmare underbelly of Rihanna’s world is perplexing and at the same time, visually stunning presentation.

Wearing a cascading, floor-length black ball gown, she preformed “Russian Roulette,” the first single of her recent Rated R album, to the images of nude, burning mannequins. Gunned down by pink rifles held by her shirtless male backup dancers, she is lit up like a red Christmas tree, as a platform below her rose to the heavens. ‘Dead,’ she began to the first of six costume changes, stripping into a tiny pink leotard with padded shoulders.

There were many highlights: From her epic straddling of a florescent life-size pink tank in “Hard,” to her take-no-prisoners flouncing amidst outer space tarantulas on stilts in “Disturbia.” Her vandalizing a graffiti-ed car to hell with a slugger in “Shut Up and Drive” to her gas-masked backup dancers hitting their marks on “S.O.S.” to the pair of tightlacer aerial Cirque Du Soliel vixens dangling like autumn leaves from two colossal machine guns in “Te Amo.” Ri Ri produced the goods. Even more surprising, she actually sang most of her songs—with few signs of miming—belting out notes yet experienced via recording on a shrink’s chair, adorned with sham disembodied limbs.

The tour highlighted why Rihanna is cherished today. She’s not a dancer per se and with contagious earwigs like “Rude Boy” and “Don’t Stop the Music,” she let the backup handle it. Which is wise: she played to her strengths. The only weakness in the nigh two-hour spectacle was the awful air guitar “solo” she did on “Rockstar 101.” Couldn’t they have given her a few cords to play? But at last, all was forgiven when she actually did some awesome banging on the drums when she covered Sheila E.’s “Glamourous Life.” She even performed the cameo performances that built her celebrity such as “Love the Way You Lie” and “Live Your Life.”

Finishing up with her signature “Umbrella,” red confetti blasted into the crowd, as a grungy distorted guitar howled, she left a barrage of images in one’s head by the end of the show: crash test dummies, mushroom clouds, creepy claws crushing a heart. She may not be playing with the big girls, but this girl knows how to leave a lasting impression.

Rihanna Set List:
“Russian Roulette”
“Hard”
“Shut Up and Drive”
“Fire Bomb”
“Disturbia”
“Rockstar 101″
“Rude Boy”
“Hate That I Love You”
“Rehab”
“Unfaithful”
“Stupid in Love”
“Te Amo”
“Pon de Replay”
“Don’t Stop the Music”
“Breakin’ Dishes”/”The Glamorous Life”
“Let Me”
“SOS”
“Take a Bow”
“Love the Way You Lie”
“Wait Your Turn”
“Live Your Life”
“Run This Town”
“Umbrella”

Rihanna’s Got A New Hairstyle [PHOTOS]

Rihanna’s Wax Figure Finally Unveiled [PHOTOS]

The world is changing. In this tech-savvy world of ours where sexting is cool and Craigslist killing is in vogue, where online dating is becoming more popular than face-to-face interaction and employers use Skype™ for interviews, you can say we’re lost together. Gone are the simply days where you could simply run to the library or a local bookstore to read celebrated novels and novellas. Now, we have the Kindle as designed by Apple™. And, our conversations are now lacking depth. Instead of simply writing this out, we have gotten accustomed to abbreviating everything. Here are 7 songs we love (and love to hate) that are probably to blame for the C.O.O..L.-ness of abbreviation.

1.

“OMG” by Usher

Seriously, Usher needed a comeback. His newly-found socially conscious grown-ass man swag was embodied in the 2008 lukewarm so-so effort Here I Stand, shifted from stoic father figure to lighthearted balladeer. Despite his latest album Raymond V. Raymond, as inspired by the divorce epic Kramer vs. Kramer, releasing to mixed reviews, it was indeed a step forward from the snapping of piano strings on his last album. “OMG,” an abbreviation for “Oh My God” or “Oh My Gosh,” moved us to the dance floor with its radio arena chants and electro quenched tenor delivery from the R&B prince we’ve grown to love.

2.

“LOL Smiley Face” by Trey Songz

Surprisingly inspiring an answer song from Usher, the tacky titled song with its gimmicky, staccato-repetitive, bouncy-bounce pop pyrotechnics is still making splashes on airwaves everywhere. Why? We don’t know, but there’s got be a reason why so many people are in love with it. We’re still waiting to understand why it became so popular, considering we’ve been laughing out loud by the addition of the smiley face.

3.

“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson

One of those rare B-sides that should have been a released single (as with all of the other unreleased songs from Thriller), The King Of Pop’s 1982 tour de force divvied up an amusing post-disco standard. Sampled on numerous occasions by Monica, Kanye West and Donnell Jones to name a few, the up-tempo R&B jam with the funky-synth featured two pretty young things, sisters Janet and Latoya as backup singers. Talking about giving one lucky lady some extra TLC who craves Mike’s tender love and care, we are still rocking out to a record that is nearly 30 years old. Long live the king.

4.

“U.N.I.T.Y.” by Queen Latifah

Man, was Dana Owens feisty! Before she went on to become a banking black Hollywood powerhouse in films Set It Off, Life Support and Chicago, Queen Latifah was the reigning sovereign of hip-hop. Her landmark All Hail The Queen launched a post-feminist movement in hip-hop but it was her third album Black Reign, was her most dynamic record (and most successful). The hit U.N.I.T.Y. which sampled The Crusaders’ “Message from the Inner City,” totally changed the landscape of the male dominated hip-hop culture and won her the coveted Best Solo Rap Performance award at the 37^th Grammy’s (over Snoop Doggy Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” no less). We’ve been coming together every summer since at barbecues, blasting this hip-hop and rap classic.

5.

“O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature

Are you down? No, we’re not talking about the Ontario Provincial Police but other people’s… er, property. The demurely ambiguous second “P” is now iconic and has been parodied hundreds of times over, most famously “Down wit’ MTV” for hip-hop emblem Yo! MTV Raps. Why? Well, imagine if you will, one having the willingness to have sex with someone in a relationship with their significant other… No wonder why its notorious! The infectious single released in the fall of ’91 by Naughty By Nature, that sampled Melvin Bliss’ “Synthetic Substitution,” “Oh Honey” by Brit one-hit-wonders Delegation and the No. 1 Jackson 5 smash hit “ABC,” turned a bunch of baseball-bat-wielding droogs into accidental hip-hop legends.

6.

“YMCA” by The Village People

Disco fever was in full effect when this 1978 novelty hit sports arenas around the globe. Six men were to blame: a biker, a cop, a cowboy, a construction worker, a Native American, and a G.I. The result was one of the most ambiguous and catchy songs of all time. Heterosexual leader singer Victor Willis penned the song allegedly after reflecting on activities that cater to young inner city black youth like basketball and swimming at the Young Men’s Christian Association. But the band of boys, who sprang to fame from their lair in the underground gay circuit scene, sang the song with a reverie that made others pick up the implication that the tune was a celebration of the YMCA’s rep as a popular cruising and shack-up spot for young gay men. The double entendre is now iconic.

“Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” by Jay-Z

The self proclaimed god of all hop-hop emcees finally cut his teeth. The –izzle lingo that surrounded one of Kanye West’s greatest cuts (sampling The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”) delivered one of best the rags to riches anthems since Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” proving The Blueprint was one for the records. Here, Jay-Z stepped out of the shadows of his regular street swag with a noughties anthem that sparkled like a Sierra Leone blood diamond. Its grit gave us chills and considering it surpassed his debut Reasonable Doubt with flying colors, had less of the Mafiaso shtick and had more of a carefree, naïve child sensibility than previous records.

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Chi-town hip-hop whiz kid Kanye West is taking the term “innovative” in a very odd direction. This time, he’s adding show tunes to his repertoire. Surprisingly though, this technique is not uncommon.

West, known for constantly expanding his musical palette, has encompassed  a variety of sounds into his gamut—70s-era R&B, baroque pop, and arena rock to trip-hop, disco and electronica, to name a few. So, this may not come as a shock from “The Blueprint” producer.

On Friday, June 18, a five-minute behind-the-scenes clip was leaked on Youtube showing West spinning records, sampling a signature from The Great White Way: “Popular,” a sassy show tune from Broadway machine Wicked, made famous by lyric soprano Kristen Chenoweth. Mr. West, is an obvious fan of the the Wizard of Oz parody from which the song originates.

With a few cuts and sweet loops embellishing the frenzy of sound, Mr. West bridges the gap between theatre snob and hip-hop head within seconds. For sure, this is closest Chenoweth has come to letting it all hang loose. Who knows, maybe she might get some street-cred.

Celebrating his tentative fifth studio LP album Good Ass Job, the neo-cosmopolitan rapper has been hard at work since he was shunted by the public for gatecrashing Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Awards. With his latest single “Power” featuring soul-bro crooner Dwele blasting the radio, the maverick emcee is back. Will we see this cut on his latest effort? We can’t quite say until it drops in September or when it leaks.

But here are some of our favorite (and not so much) show tune hip-hop anthems:

1.

“Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” by Jay-Z. While one can critique Roc-A-Fella East Coast rapper Jay-Z on his professionalism or God complex, no one could hate on this definitive hip-hop throwback. Partnering with The 45 King to sample Broadway’s favorite ginger-headed orphan, Jay-Z took Broadway to a new level, peaking the interests of unlikely fans. Returning to the American stage in 2012, 35 years after it premiered on Broadway, Annie is guaranteed to be hot seller for fans old and new.

2.

“Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani. On the cover of the Orange County girl’s 80s-inspired electro-bootylicious soda pop Love. Angel. Music. Baby., she made a statement: she was the reigning lady sovereign of pop . With songs like the slowjam “Luxurious,” she made it known that she was the official material girl. Ironically, she samples Fiddler on The Roof’s “If I were a Rich Man,” a song about aspiring to be rich when it was impossible. No matter, because on this ragga-juiced radio smash featuring the First Lady of Ruff Ryders, Eve, Mrs. Stefani let it rain with her cashflow!

3.

“Roc-A-Fella Billionaires” by Freeway. Freeway never really carved out a name for himself amongst friends and fellow talents like Beanie Sigel or Lil’ Wayne, and not even his high-pitched vocal growls could save him. However, on this upbeat rap track, Freeway and buddy Jay-Z took the cabaret classic “Big Spender” from the musical Sweet Charity and voilà! They made a track, worthy of nigh-billion dollars.

4.

“Wind It Up” by Gwen Stefani. It’s unanimous: No Doubt’s leading Madame loves her show tunes! In her sophomore effort, when she wasn’t flossing her bling libido, the L.A.M.B. style icon came back with a big beat marching band caliber and a cute yodeling. Sampling “The Lonely Goatherd”  from American landmark The Sound Of Music, the ska queen wound us up in a tornado.

5.

“Love Hater” by OutKast. by 2003, OutKast had reached a level of superstardom that was unheard of for a funk-rap duo. While the phenomenal “Hey Ya!” and the clubland chart topper “The Way You Move” were making their rounds on the dance floor, fans got to tune into some sweet jams like the jazz-influenced  “Love Hater” which sampled another Sound Of Music standout, “My Favorite Things.” The result: A great start to arguably the best side of the Speakerboxxx/The Love Below double album.

Rock & Roll is a tradition that thrives in the American music psyche because of its iconic figures and imagery. Now it seems that rap has taken over the torch.

The rock movement marked the birth of the rockstar. These unique individuals became the face of rock music, easily identified by their incomparable look, sound and attitude. Figures like Keith Richards and Slash personify Rock & Roll, in all of its metal-music, wild-child infamy. Today though, the nouveau rockstar apparently has dreads and spits rhymes. It seems that the rock movement has been replaced by the rap movement, which currently dominates the music industry. Accordingly, the iconic rockstar figure has been replaced by the rap star. It is the Jay-Zs, Lil Wayne’s and Kanyes of the world who are leaving the legacies in music that are comparable to that of the heavy-0metal originals who helped coin the term rockstar. Here are GIANT’s top 5 pics for the new age rockers, most of whom, surprisingly come from a culture as far away from Rock & Roll as possible. With rappers taking three of the top 5 spots we are left wondering…is the rapper the new rockstar?

1.

Jay Z

2.

Lil Wayne

3.

Lady Gaga

4.
Kanye West

5.
Rihanna

While these guys didn’t invent rock, you simply can’t deny that they are currently the reigning industry rockstars. What do you think? Who is the nouveau rockstar?

In this debut episode of COVER STORIES with SMOKEY D. FONTAINE hear why the phenomenal ALICIA KEYS says she is sooooo happy right now!

And check out her amazing pictures from the Winter ’10 Preview issue of GIANT here:

Related:

See former GIANT cover girl PAULA PATTON (from Precious) steam it up here.  Is this the sexiest celeb video ever?

Or want some MAXWELL??  See him here

Everyone’s favorite girl-next-door-turned-mega-star poses for GIANT… in rollers!

Platinum plaques cover every inch of the walls welcoming visitors to Downtown Music Services. The names under the shiny vinyl read Michael, Madonna, and Barbara, to name a few.

That we find William Griffin, now-and better-known as Rakim Allah, here at his manager’s office in downtown Manhattan serves as a reminder of his standing. Never one to have owned the Billboard charts and a decade removed from his last full-length offering, Rakim could’ve been written off as a titan of times past. However, like the other aforementioned single-named talents, his place in music as a whole-cemented by his genre-defining debut Paid In Full at just 19 years young-is assured and everlasting.

Now a father of four young adults, the 41 year-old sits calmly in a conference room, dressed in 501s and a black leather jacket, looking like he just exited the set of “When I B On The Mic.” With Yankee memorabilia all around, directly over Rakim’s head hangs a blue championship flag for the famed 1949 team. The likes of Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra suited up in pinstripes then, weaving their legends into the fabric of New York City. As perhaps the greatest at this New York invention that is hip-hop, he, too, has his legend sewn.

Finally ready to release his comeback effort, the upcoming The Seventh Seal, Ra opens up about his absence in-depth, from his departure from Aftermath to his take on his natural heirs. Peep the technique.

GIANT: Since your last album in ’99, was most of your time was spent with your family?

Rakim: Yeah, G. I used to go on tour and fly home every week just to be with my kids. And that’s what brings me joy at this point. When I ain’t touring, I really just like chillin’ with the family. It don’t matter if we just sitting home doing nothing.

GIANT: So what’s a normal day like for you?

Rakim: I get up in the morning… can’t tell you what I really do in the morning [laughs] but I get up in the morning, do a couple things, and I take a hot shower. And depending on what kind of work I gotta do, I just like letting the day kinda squeak by. I try to take shit as slow as I can. If I ain’t got no work to do, I might play around with a little music. And if my son plays video games all day, I might play a little Madden or something. I just try to be as normal as possible.

GIANT: Well, since you’ve been gone, TV has kept your music fresh with songs like “Don’t Sweat the Technique” appearing in Finishline ads, etc. With declining record sales facilitating that kind of usage, how do you feel about it from both a creative and financial standpoint?

Rakim: Well, the good thing about that is hip-hop is everywhere now. The bad thing about the decline in sales is there’s really nothing we can do about that but keep the genre alive. But when you look at where hip-hop came from to where it’s at, it’s like you can’t do nothing without hip-hop. I was sitting in the crib the other day, watching ESPN, man, and Kobe Bryant pops up on the screen for a basketball videogame and “Don’t Sweat The Technique” starts playing. Turn the radio off or the music videos off, and we’re able to go outside of the box and still hear hip-hop.

We got hip-hop slang being used by politicians, so it’s everywhere, which is good. But we gotta save it, though-keep that integrity up so that people take it serious. Then, maybe they’ll respect hip-hop as a real music genre and sales will start going back up.

GIANT: When Jay-Z was retired, a lot of rappers took shots at him and his standing in the game. You more or less occupy the same space as him. Why do you think nobody took similar shots at you on wax or in the press?

Rakim: I don’t know, man. Maybe because my situation is a little more… like, I never wanted to retire. I just had setbacks in my career that prevented me from dropping when I wanted. But I think Jay is at the forefront and he lets people know he’s at the forefront everyday. So once he starts saying he wanna fall back, or whatever he say he wanna do, he’s gonna be scrutinized. But me, I was just a little more laid back with it. I let the people say that I was that dude. And Jay is that dude, but he lets the people know he’s that dude, so it’s just that people are waiting for him to fail. People are just mad skeptical of everything he do.

GIANT: On to Dr. Dre, the story goes some of the beats from 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ were originally for you.

Rakim: Well, what it was is Dre had a library of beats made before I came through. It was just one of them things where Dre will be like this [slides plate of food over to interviewer], “Try that out.” And if you don’t like it [slides plate over to friend], “Try that out.” If it don’t come out right, he just keeps passing it around until it fits. Like the beat for Mary J… [starts humming beat]

GIANT: “Family Affair”?

Rakim: Yeah, I had that track first. That’s the way Dre do. If he got eight beats he feel is hits, he’ll pass them to his camp until he get a hit off of it.

GIANT: So when you were working on the album, how did you feel about it shaping up around Dre’s signature sound?

Rakim: I think the main problem with me and Dre was what he wanted me to say on the tracks. Dre got a formula that he like to stick to because that’s his formula. It works for him. It just so happens to be gangsta rap. And that was the thing. Every time he passed me a beat, he’s like, “B, I want you to talk shit on that one.” I’m like, “What you mean talk shit?” He’s like, “Remember that shit you was telling me in the studio the other day?” I’m like, “Nah man, that was something that happened in the hood. And I just so happened to be talking to my man and happen to tell you, but nah, that’s not something I’m going to put on wax, man.” But that’s what Dre wanted me to do, man, in a nutshell. He wanted me to speak about a lot of the things he heard about and some of the things we spoke about, but to me that’s sacred. I got people that’s trying to get outta jail now, man-people that’s doing 25 to life trying to get a trial and things of that nature. Speaking on that is not gonna help them one bit. Like I said, his formula works for him. It just wasn’t good for Rakim at the time.

GIANT: So where did you envision the album would go when you first hooked up with him?

Rakim: Originally, I just wanted to make a good album and not have to worry about where I was getting my beats. I wanted more of a conscious album than a gangsta album.

GIANT: Another thing, you take a look at Rolling Stone and you’ll see Bob Dylan on the cover. But you take a rap magazine and you won’t see yourself or a KRS-One on the cover. Why do you think that is?

Rakim: Rap is today and like any newspaper, a magazine is trying to show you today. It gets to a point where they do their history thing and reflect back, or if an old artist happens to drop something new, I think they give him that love. But I think it’s more of them trying to be fresh and speak on what’s going on today and tomorrow. In a way, that’s not good because in our genre, we don’t leave room for an artist to grow.

You look at R&B at the 2009 Grammy Awards when my man Al Green came in and tore it down and he ain’t drop a record in forever [Editor's Note: Green's last album, Lay It Down, was released in May 2008]. Ain’t nobody in there cared, though, because that’s Al Green. In R&B, they keep up that integrity. With rap, we gotta follow some of the leaders that was in front of our genre to know how to keep it strong and to keep it valuable. If you was to let new artists come out and throw them in the garbage after so many years, rap won’t be as strong as other genres because what makes R&B what it is, is Al Green to Alicia Keys. You got that whole span of music that you can go back and listen to, and I’m sure out of all that, you can find something you like. With rap on the other hand, they just want you to listen to what came out last year. So, that’s what’s stagnating us, and that’s what’s allowing our substance to slowly die out and people to look at rap like it’s just a fad music.

We gotta respect what we got, respect what we started, and cherish it, and not let nobody else dictate how this is supposed to be done. We don’t have no spokesman for rap. We don’t have no guideline for rap. We don’t have no rules and regulations. So, until somebody get a committee and try to put some things in order, it’s gonna be handled a little unprofessional. I’ll say it like that.

GIANT: Older heads usually call Paid in Full the greatest hip-hop album ever, but cats who are slightly younger might say Illmatic. How do the two albums compare to you?

Rakim: Well, yeah, that’s what it is. When I dropped Paid In Full, my audience was in tuned with the movement and what was going on. That’s what made it a big album. Nas used to come to the studio when I was doing Follow The Leader. You watch people that see a movement and then you watch them come with their movement.

I don’t get mad when the times don’t play in my favor. A lil’ while ago, somebody asked me how I felt about what Jay said on his new record. For somebody to come out and it’s their time to say, “Well, we doing like Rakim did,” then I can’t find nothing negative in that. If Jay say, “Follow the leader,” what he’s saying is he’s the new me. You know, I feel good. It’s almost like James Brown. James Brown did his thing, and years later, people started picking up his records and sampling them. For a minute, James might’ve felt bitter. But you can’t tell me when he sat down and said, “These little rap bastards is sampling all my shit,” he didn’t think, “Yeah, that shit is hot!” You know at some point he realized his shit was so hot that we couldn’t leave it alone. It’s the same thing with me. Every now and then, I get a little upset. But at the end of the day, I sit back and say, “Yeah, I must’ve did my thing for this dude to come out with a brand new single and he’s talking about he’s the new me.” At the same time, he keeps me alive.

GIANT: Since you fathered a lot of cats’ styles, which emcees do you feel have carried on the torch?

Rakim: It’s a couple cats out there, but I don’t wanna say their names. They might take it the wrong way. I think the style that I brought out was… I don’t know if it was a transitional time where we was coming out of one era of rap. When I came out, Run [DMC] and them was hitting. It was just when I came, talkin’ what I was talkin’, it was just at the right time. I think it kinda caught people off-guard. Everybody else was rhyming one way, then I came out rhyming a different way. I think they gravitated to it. I think it was time for that next concept and I just happened to be there at the time. Yeah, you got a lot of rappers that kinda grabbed onto it but, man, I don’t wanna blow nobody’s spot up.

GIANT: You gave birth to a lot of cats’ fashion sense as well with the Gucci leathers and all that. Where did you pick that up?

Rakim: I kinda got that straight from the street. I was watching what people was doing in the hood. You walk up the block and see what sneakers everybody’s wearing. After a while, you got an idea of what sneaker is winning right now.

The Gucci stuff I got from Supreme Magnetic. He was doing his thing back in the day. Back then, it was only a select few that could afford that Dapper Dan thing. Everybody now talk about how it was fake, but back then, to kick out $3,500 for a suit, ain’t nothing fake about that. You know, it was the style. It was us bragging. We was like [motioning to all black leather jacket], “Yeah, check this out, baby paw. We got the Gucci all over the Timbalands.” And everybody know they wasn’t making Gucci Timbalands, but it was just that we could do it. We felt good, like [snaps fingers], “Throw the Louis Vuitton on there for me. Yeah, put it on there, too. Gimme that jacket, yanamean?” It was that door to say we can go through there and open that up. So, it was more of a swag thing than having the real thing. You just gotta get in where you fit in, do what you do, and stick to your guns.

GIANT: How did you take the rapping to a next level when no one else had done it?

Rakim: Umm, it was the weed, man [laughs]!  Nah, nah. I grew up on music and I played in the band when I was young. I kinda got deep into the theory of music, like, I knew how to read music. I played instruments and shit. I think that, with my little bit of vocabulary that I had, man, and my hunger for more vocabulary-I think that with knowing the meaning of time and space, music as well-I think that pushed me to sound different and to affect people differently, yanamean. Then, once I knew that I had a little something, then I started going at the concepts. I think my thing was to try to converse with the people, like almost put myself in their shoes to the point where as they was listening, they can put themselves in the song. So I think that concept is what made me write in a different perspective. What it was, like why I don’t seem all that to me, is because what I was doing was just writing what the streets was thinking. And I think at that time, nobody was conveying the message from the street. It was rap songs, then. I think I came and started making the people feel I was talking about them or made them feel the records. That kinda tied the whole thing together, man.

Last week, Beanie Sigel released his diss track “Average Cat” against his long time partner and friend Jay-Z. In the song, He claims that Jay at his September 11th tribute concert “called the police on me//cause I was front row at the Blue Print 3.” He also raps “I can say shit, that will make Bey look at you different.”

At one point, Rocafella Records reigned supreme with hits and artists that ruled hip-hop. There was a time when the Roc expanded its resume and ventured into Hollywood with movies like The Streets Is Watching, and Backstage. Memphis Bleek, Amil, DJ Clue, Young Guns, Nore, Freeway, “Beanz,” Dame Dash, and of course, Jay added thespian to their repertoires. The Roc’s most successful movie venture was State Property (2002). It put lyricist Beanie Sigel in the forefront and he led the way straight through Lionsgate studio onto our theater screens. The movie didn’t have incredible numbers, but it instantly became a hood classic.

Besides Jay, Beanie was the next best thing on Rocafella. Memphis Bleek couldn’t rap, and Amil played the token female mcee position and The Young Guns and Freeway couldn’t sell records. However, as a whole they were hot! If you didn’t like “Do It Again” or “What We Do”  then you didn’t appreciate the Roc!

But, like any record label there were  problems looming in the air and in the backgrounds. After dissecting Beanz diss track it seems as though he was the backbone of the Roc. He brought all the talent to the label, and he maned all battle stations when rocks were being thrown at the throne. He even would’ve taken a bullet for the Roc at the time!

Leave it to Jay-Z to defend himself by retaliating with, “What people choose to do when they attain that type of success … at some point, you gotta look in the mirror and look at yourself. Beanie Sigel had a record deal, a record label, and a clothing line. Never went platinum, ever. I don’t know in the history of rap, if anyone has done so much with so little.” Jay gave him all that stuff because he was his friend, but Jay, where is what Beanz actually earned?

By the way after losing to Nas, Jay hasn’t thrown a rebuttal to anyone who could rap so if Jigga and Beanz got into a lyrical battle, who would win?

“I made the Yankee hat more famous than the Yankee can!”
-”Empire State Of Mind”  - Jay-Z

The Yankees headed into the World Series last night and well for lack of better words- Sucked! (Lost to Phillie, 6-1) Maybe some Yankee pride could help them, check out this gallery of all the celebs who keep a Yankee fitted in their repertoire:

If you would like to purchase your very own New Era Yankee Fitted ,head to newera.com.

Baby a.k.a Birdman has made it his business to share some controversial opinions to the world on 106 & Park the other day. According to him, Lil Wayne does more in Hip-Hop than none of than Jay-Z! What a claim to make right?

Well, let’s evaluate this further…

According to this years “Cash King’s” list from Forbes.com Hov topped off the chart with revenues in the $35 million dollar range. Lil Wayne came in at number six with $20 million.

Jigga is estimated to have a net worth of $150 million dollars. Lil Wayne is estimated to  have a net worth of $65 million dollars. Hm… Isn’t looking good for Wayne.

Lil Wayne’s record label “Young Money” includes artist like Nicki Minaj, Drake, Bow Wow, and some others we could care less about.

Drake (the most famous of the bunch) has made a strong imprint in hip-hop already, and he hasn’t even put out an album yet. Nicki Minaj is on her way to the female Drake status. With her hips, lips, and t*ts you can’t help but pay attention- f*ck what she’s saying! And Bow Wow well no comment…Drake may be the new hot sh*t but he can’t carry the team by himself!

At one point Roc-A-Fella Records controlled the radio,and music game. Dame Dash, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, Young Gunz, Freeway, Kanye West, Amil, Teirra Marie, and Rihanna were all throwing up the rock sign at one tie or another. Priceless songs in hip-hop have come from these artist. Such songs like: “Can I Get A What,” ” Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” “Through The Wire,” ” Is that Yo Chic?” and “Pon De Replay.”

It’s safe to say that Jay wins again.

Both men are currently on tour. Recently Jay-Z donated his proceeds to the victims of 9/11( The release date of The Blueprint album). He’s brought out  guests including Beyonce,Rihanna,Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Pharrell,Mary J. Blidge  etc. Lil Wayne has brought out the likes of Keyshia Cole, T-Pain, Keri Hilson, and Young Money Artists (of course), etc.

It is safe to say again that Jay wins in that category.

VS.

When it comes down to reproducing, Wayne is NO stranger to putting that work in! All of his chicks are beautiful but are they messing with Mrs. Jay-Z,the baddest chic in the game? Hell No!

Jay you win again!

Besides these obvious accomplishments Jay-Z has won seven Grammys, and Lil wayne, four. Jay- Z is the owner of the 40/40 club, and owns the sole license to distribute Armadale vodka in the US. Jay-Z has stocks in the New Jersey Nets and was the President of Def Jam Records and still is president of the revamped Roc-A-Fella records, Roc Nation. Yeah Lil Wayne sold a mil in his first week but all his sales put together doesn’t even come close to Jay. Wayne is TALENTED and he gets props for selling the h*ll of his Carter 3 album but…

The Winner is:

“The Dynasty Continues, Yall Die!” Birdman “We don’t believe you, you need more people!”

They are true street goons and bosses, but they also know how to clean up and get their grown man on! Mixing urban trends with high fashion pieces, these trendsetters  know how to get fly.   Zania Black

Even though P.Diddy claims that he invented the remix, he did not invent the remake. There is nothing fresh about the idea of sampling songs, but we have found a list of artists that created songs as good, if not better than the original. Like the saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun, and when it comes to our favorite artists we are glad that they too appericiate the sentiment of embracing a blast from the past. By borrowing some of the magic from yesteryear and adding something special to the exsisting songs, they recreate musical must-haves and re-introduce them to our rotation. Here is a list of ten songs that stand out but are in no particular order.

Steph Jones: “LaLa”

This remake of the Delfonics Lala means I love you puts a unique spin on the break up to make up fad. Not only does Lala mean I love you, but according to Steph Jones it means you can press the replay button, start over and come back better than before. Good thing Steph Jones came along in order to remind us that all it takes to get things back on track is a lil Lala and some familiar faces,places, and tunes. Next time you want to get your girl back, don’t spring for flowers, go back to the basics and turn your speakers up so you can remind her that “you were never just another dude”. Afterwards be sure to thank the Delfonics and Steph Jones for making things easy for you.

Kanye West: “Through the Wire”

Before the auto tune, Amber rose and all the heart break, Kanye was making music that’s fire and spitting his soul through the wire, literally. After his car accident in October 2002 he went to the studio so the world could feel his pain. This was the debut single from his classic freshman album College Dropout. Kanye may be many things, but he knows his music and who better than to help him find out how to spit through the wire than some one who has been through the fire? With the extra star power of Chaka Khan Kanye’s single stayed on the charts for 22 weeks.

Jay-Z: “Show Em What You Got”

Even Mr. H.O.V himself can use a little inspiration from those who graced the hip-hop charts before him. Being number one comes with its fair set of challenges, including some major hatin’ from those who are always gunning to take the top spot. Its no wonder Jay decided to take notes from Public Enemy and borrow their track to give a shout out to all those who provoked him to come out of his short lived retirement. Jay told every one to give tha drummer some, but his whole song was a shout out to Flav and his throwback crew, if you ever want to show some one what you got, just remake their song.

Alicia Keys: “Girlfriend”

While there have been blogs and twitters galore dubbing Ms.Keys as a home wrecker, I am pretty sure anyone has yet to call her an Ol’ Dirty Bastard. But if you do your home work, then you would know that she might not take offense and instead feel honored. Her hit single “Girlfriend” has ODB’s “Brooklyn Zoo” to thank. It seems that Alicia has some Ms.Cleo psychic powers and was writing “Girlfriend” from the future perspective of  Swizz beatz soon to be ex-wife. I hope that her ability to predict the future via lyrics doesn’t come back on her in the form of Karma.

The Fugees: “Killing Me Softly “

Most of the time “Killing” has such a negative connotation but in 1996 every one wanted a brotha with a nice voice to kill them softly when this song hit the radio. Thank goodness for Roberta Flack because her song inspired the Fugess to give new life to the idea of dying for love. Although Wyclef reminds the listeners that being killed softly can only occur one time (one time) this song was in heavy rotation and introduced the world to Lauyrn Hill’s killer talent.

NWA: “Express Yourself”

NWA might have had an attitude problem but they took notes from one of the greats and saw the genius in identifying self expression. Charles Wright gave the NWA crew and the rest of the world some great advice and encouraged everyone, to speak up, stand out and Express Yourself. The young West Coasters call out hypocrisy, drug usage and corruption. Even with all the negative feelings “gangster rap” was stirring up back in the day,CD breaking and all, NWA came out with a positive message. After all, the world is stage, so EXPRESS YOURSELF!

LLoyd: “You”

Lloyd makes loyalty sound so good. Ladies, you know that if Lloyd is checking for you, even if your home girl is fine too, he’ll still want you. Since infidelity is not on Lloyd’s agenda,even with all of the eye candy running around in Atlanta, it seems that Lloyd either knows his history or enjoys Adam Sandler movies. Lloyd or some one in his camp studied up and took notes from the 80s band Spandau Ballet to make a hot single that his lady friend would be happy to make Street Love too.

Miarah Carey: “I Remember”

Memory lane is one of the best roads to travel. Mrs. Canon is teaming up with T-Pain to make nostalgia the hottest musical necessity for fall 2009. So new in fact, that we can only hear a snippet. Full song or not, Mimi is giving a nod to the one hit wonder Ahmad with his west coast classic Back in the Day. Although I can’t really picture Mimi rockin some chucks, khakis and a flannel shirt, her remake of the song seems like a winner. Its always important to look forward, but thinking about how things were back in the day can be a fun past time.

Lupe Fiasco: “Fire”

Run-DMC tapped into the genius of the rock and rap combo in the 80′s and Lupe is smart enough to follow suite. Even though playing with fire can get you burned, Lupe is standing right next to it and extinguisher or not, it’s working out well for him. Taking his musical ques from the late great Jimi Hendrix’s Fire, Lupe seems to be aiming high and showing off his rock star power. Cliche as it is to say something is hot when discussing fire, this song is indeed blazing… fire and all.

Drake: Lets Call it Off

Well, there is something to be said for honesty. I guess if you are dating Drake, one thing is for sure, he will let you know what’s on his mind. If you are trying his patience he will be sure to let you know he can’t effing stand you. Heart break Drake must be a good poker player because if nothing else, he sure knows when to fold ‘em. At least Drake cannot take full blame for his quick draw relationship approach, Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong came up with this strategy first. Calling it quits is never easy but at least you can thrown in the towel with some good tunes on in the background.

Vintage is not just a good look for trendy clothes, its a good fit when it comes to music too. When attempting to create quality songs what better way to ensure a good out come then trying something thats already worked out well. While newness is always encouraged every once in a while an oldie but goodie can be just what artists need to get those creative juices flowing.

You’ve checked out the sexiest single ladies in Hollywood, now take a look at some of those who are off the market.

Fans are hyped over the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys duet performance (sans Lil’ Mama) on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Listening to these two heavy hitters on the “Empire State of Mind” track recalls to mind all the other collaborations in music. Songs with one superstar are good, but songs with two or more superstars are even better.

Watch the music videos for some of the hottest track collaborations over the years:

Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

Jay-Z and Mary J Blige – “Can’t Knock the Hustle”

T.I., Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and M.I.A. – “Swagga Like Us”

T.I. and Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”

Ciara and Justin Timberlake – “Love, Sex and Magic”

Diddy, Jermaine Dupri, Murphy Lee and Snoop Dogg – “Welcome To Atlanta (remix)”

Diddy, Faith and 112 – “I’ll Be Missing You”

Busta Rhymes, DMX, Mary J Blige, Missy, Rah Digga, Papoose and Lloyd Banks – “Touch It (remix)”

Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson – “What’s It Gonna Be”

Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – “Scream”

R. Kelly and “Mr. Biggs” (The Isley Brothers) saga -

• “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)”

• “Contagious”

• Kelly Price’s “Friend of Mine (remix)”

Drake and Trey Songz – “Successful”

Left Eye, Lil’ Kim, Missy, Angie Martinez and Da Brat – “Ladies Night”

Brandy and Monica – “The Boy is Mine”

1. Barack Obama: One thing the president of the United States can’t be accused of lying about are the feelings that still surround the 9/11 attacks. On the eight year tragic anniversary Obama has marked September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

2. Jay-Z: HOV laid out the blueprint to his life surrounding The Blueprint 3, marriage, and owning the New Jersey Nets when he appeared on “The Late Show With David Letterman,” Wednesday night. The multi-mogul, in a recent interview pouted about not getting enough credit for all he’s done as the president of Def Jam. Right, because your millions are pions and you couldn’t possibly be satisfied could you Jigga.

3. Rihanna: The quiet spoken diva was all look and flair while she galavanted around NY for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s “Fashion Night Out.” RiRi looked fierce in her all black dress while paparazzi clang to the superstar singer like a bee to honey. Other R&B sexy ladies attended “Fashion Night Out” including Amerie, Solange, and Keri HIlson.

4. 50-Cent: Curtis Jackson’s been a real business thug, I mean man lately. The rapper was in NYC yesterday promoting his new book ‘The 50th Law,’ and he just released a new single with Ne-Yo called “Baby By Me,” for his upcoming fifth studio album Before I Self-Destruct. Hope the book sells more than his last album did.

5. Mary J. Blige: The paparazzi couldn’t seem to get enough of the veteran R&B singer as she left her Manhattan hotel wearing a dazzling black leather jacket, black pumps, and blue rolled up jeans number. As usual the paparazzi were on the prowl in NY also catching Jamaican rapper Sean Paul leaving Bryant Park and Chris Breezy arriving at the JFK International Airport Thursday morning. Aren’t you suppose to be doing community service mister?

6. Keri Hilson: The sultry singer/writer is letting it all out in her new music video “Slow Dance.”

7. Drake: The Canadian newby and Weezy F. Baby can’t seem to get enough of each other. Seems like Wayne is taking the place of Birdman as a teacher and Drake has taken over the role of Wayne as the pupil. The duo released another track called ‘My Darlin’ Baby.” Let’s just hope there’s no kissing on the mouth in the future for these two man-crushes.

8. Kanye West: With a jigsaw-puzzled new haircut Ye had to have known he was going to win at the famed BMI Urban Music Awards last night. Among the other winners to take home awards were LIl’ Wayne and Keri Hilson.

9. Michael Jackson: When will they leave leave MJ at peace in his grace? Now, the scheduled tribute concert for the late great King of Pop has been cancelled because of scheduling conflicts. It’s probably not happening because all the celeb singer’s that were supposed to be involved denied affiliation. Hopefully Jermaine Jackson wasn’t lying about the tribute to get some attention.

10. Whitney Houston: After the circulating rumors that Whitney cracked on the Oprah Winfrey Show turned out to be more of a publicity stunt Grammy winner has been going full force with her brand new video for her hit single “I Look To You.” The R&B singer is currently #1 on the Billboard charts.

Every woman wants a sensitive man and lately it’s not hard to find one of the ‘it’ guys in hip-hop spending time in the booth playing the vulnerable card. For some, this sensitivity bit might appear to be a recent trend in keeping it real. But if the new comers ever run out of tissue, they should do their homework and tap into the old school.

Here’s the formula: Listen: Old School, Learn: New School

1. Listen: LL Cool J “I Need Love”

Learn: Kid Cudi, “Day N Night”

If the lonely stoner would have opened up a lil like LL and admitted he needed love, maybe he could put down the Mary Jane and leave the house for something other than a swisher. If he’s lucky maybe he will find love with a lady with similar ”interests.”

2. Listen: Tupac, “Do for Love”

Learn: Bow Wow, “Outta My System”

If Bow Wow would have just signed up to be a “sucker for love” like Pac, he wouldn’t have got caught up and lost CiCi. Admitting you’re a sucker from the beginning would have saved him alot of time and heartache. He should have just embraced his sensitive side.

3. Listen: The Roots, “You Got Me”

Learn: Kanye ” Paranoid”

,
If Yeezy had the Roots in heavy rotation, he would know that when someone has your back, paranoia is the last thing on your mind. Him and Amber Rose should sit down and bump the track together. Being down for one another is half the battle.

4. Listen: Whodini, “One Love”

Learn: Drake “Successful”

Drake should wax on Whodini’s life lesson about love and all the luck you need just to find it even once. This way he can avoid all the groupies that want to get in his rented Phantom. Less groupies= smaller bills=more successfuuuulll.

5. Listen: Slick Rick, “Teenage Love “

Learn: Diddy, “Angels” (Dirty Money)

When Puff feels sad about his bad relationship choices, instead of calling on the Angels he should listen to Slick and keep in mind that love is tough for everyone. Even though he is no longer a teenager, “Daddy” could use a lil love cuz his new Emo style is a red flag that he might want to step it up and buy Cassie some flowers.

*****Note to the new school******

Dear MC,

Life is hard. The economy sucks. Sales are down. Girls don’t respect you cuz your chain ain’t heavy. We understand. Everyone needs to let it out. It’s OK to feel hurt, and it’s nice to know that the game is opening up to MCs who are in touch with their feelings. But please, please, let’s not make it habit. Club bangers are still a must.

No need to make all the songs cry…

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If T-Pain’s circus buffoonery wasn’t enough, how about him coming at Jigga to tickle your fancy? It has been revealed via Fabolous’ twitter that Mr. Pain was taking shots at Jay’s (old) age. It might be Jay’s “DOA” track that got the ball rolling, but sorry T-Pain, if your’re not Nas, then don’t try your luck.

In this matchup there’s no contest. 

Winner: Jay-Z

T-Pain at Rehab in Los Vegas:

2. Eminem vs. Mariah & Nick

Eminem may be lyrically devastating but Mariah embarrassed him in the “Obsessed” video (Come on, he got hit by a bus!). Slim Shady tried to save face by coming back at  at Mariah and Mr. Canon but at least Nick can last in the bedroom.

Winner: Mariah

Eminem-”The Warning”

3. Nelly vs. KRS-1

Nelly a.k.a Dr. Seuss wouldn’t understand lyrical content if it slapped off his Band-Aid. Good thing this beef didn’t get onto the Jay-Z and Nas level or Nelly may not even have a career. 

Winner: Nelly

KRS-1- “Ova Here” (Nelly Diss)

Nelly- “Roc The Mic Remix”(KRS-1 Diss)

4. Suge Knight vs. Diddy

Whether it be about East Coast vs. West Coast, or Biggie vs. 2 Pac, these two have gone back and forth for years. Suge Knight has bullied and patronized Puff since 94′. Suge recently got knocked the f*ck out by some barber dude and hasn’t been seen since. Good for Diddy,now he can dance in his artist’s video all he wants!

Winner: Diddy

 Suge Knight at the Source Awards (94′)

5. Kanye vs. The Paparazzi

 Three words Kanye. GET OVER IT! The paparazzi have been here before, and will be here after you.

Winner: Paparazzi ( They don’t quit!) 

Kanye vs. Paparazzi

6.  50 Cent vs. Everyone

50 cent has no life and too much money, period point blank! If he isn’t coming at someone’ throat then he’s making mediocre songs about getting money. He used to be hot but not even his current beef with um…. everyone can bring back his career.

Winners: Lil’ Wayne, Jadakiss, and Rick Ross

50 vs. Fat Joe & The Game

Young Buck Crying

50 vs. Ja Rule

50 vs. Jadakiss

Pimpin Curly (50 Cent) vs. Rick Ross

50 vs. Nas

50 vs. Lil’ Wayne

7. Vida Guerra vs. The Game

Really, Game you couldn’t touch Vida with a ten foot pole! There are plenty of good rappers she could mess with if she wanted to get to the top. What foolishness were you trying to pull?

Winner: Vida Guerra

(Game Diss)

 ”Wouldn’t Get Far” (Vida Diss)

Bonus Round: Hmm…You know what battle I’d like to see… Jimmy vs. Rick (The kid that put him in a wheelchair on Degrassi)

Winner: Kick his ass Drake!

We all joke about which celebs favor each other, or what animal our favorite singer sounds like, but sometimes the familiar resemblances are all too realistic. This week GIANT puts together a family reunion between celebrities and their cartoon cousins, twice removed that is. Check which celebs and characters might share a blood line…

When 50′s video for “Flight 187″ (below) hit the net last week, it was hard not to roll your eyes at 50′s attempt to draw yet another rapper into battle, this time Jay-Z. In the past two years alone, we’ve seen the jabs at Kanye after losing the well-documented sales battle, the constant Wayne-baiting, and of course, his forays as porno-narrating Pimpin’ Curly in his attempts to discredit Rick Ross.

As Wendy Williams stated recently, “people don’t care anymore” about 50′s new album. It’s certainly hard to argue against Wendy, with  failed single after single from Before I Self Destruct, from “Get Up” to “I Get It In” to “OK, You’re Right.” Outside of those cuts, the majority of 50′s recent output-a return to “aggressive content” as Curtis said repeatedly-has been some of the best music in years from the Queens rapper, beginning with 2008′s “Return of the Body Snatchers” mixtape and most recently his “Forever King” tape. Yet with the standoffish bully image he’s carved over the years, the only attention paid to his music has been centered on whom he’s dissing.

The timing of 50′s diss came at a time when the buzz surrounding BP3 was at its zenith (in other words, when it leaked). Coincidentally, it also comes at a time when a common enemy has also been taking shots at Jay: The Game. Early in the summer, The Game first came with the super-disrespectful “I’m So Wavy,” stepping up his efforts to get Hov’s attention by jumping on a track with longtime Jay-Z foe, Jaz-O. But as Jay says numerous times on his latest effort, he has no time for anyone still throwin’ rocks at the throne. It might get a little hard to ignore, though, if both 50 and Game could conceivably reconcile for a united attack. Stranger things have happened in this here hip-hop (i.e. Mase’s entire career).

50 almost needs to elicit a response from Jay-empty shots from Fif could only serve to heighten the growing sense that he’s becoming increasingly relevant. And at this point, Before I Self Destruct needs some serious traction before that title figures itself redundant. Another “I Get Money” could definitely work-but perhaps another “Takeover” would be best.

Everybody’s gotta have a best bud in this business we call entertainment. Sometimes today’s superstars need that shoulder to lean on after that embarrassing public break-up or even to galavant around town for some good ol’ paparazzi love. If you don’t see these trendsetting and controversial celebs with their favorite “pals” and “gals” then their probably sleep or getting dropped by their music label. GIANT highlights the bond of the industry relationship and its topsy turvy ways.

Today’s hottest celebs rock the flyest clothes, drive the paparazzi wild, and make controversy the new “it” factor. But, before these trendsetters started shopping at Louis Vuitton and chowing down on calamari they were struggling to find their place in the entertainment world. Through their bumpy transitions, a little money in the bank, and help from a good publicist today’s attention getters have made an even better name for themselves. Check out the GIANT alterations that made these lack luster appearances pop into household stars.

With the leak of two Timbo-produced joints from The Blueprint 3 confirming the tracklisting that made its way to the Internets last week, Jay-Z stans everywhere have been up in arms when faced with the reality that a follow-up to the ’01 original will lack production from the likes of Just Blaze (or Bink! for that matter), while also featuring newcomers such as KiD CuDi and Mr. Hudson. In a perfect world, here’s what the tracklisting to the feverishly anticipated album would look like:

1. Hand It Down Part 2 (Featuring Pain In Da Ass and J. Cole) (Produced by DJ Premier)

If President Obama was the hip-hop fan he claims to be, he’d pass a law mandating that every Jay-Z album begin with Pain In Da Ass doing his best Tony Montana impression, with a beat provided by Premo.

Jay also seems intent on letting J. Cole get some shine seeing as homey got on BP3 with only one mixtape to his name. At least this way, he’d do it in classic style. Hell, Jay wouldn’t even have to write his verses.

2. D.O.A. [Death of All Y'all] (Featuring T-Pain) (Produced by No I.D.)

The OG joint had Jay biting his tongue a bit too much. T-Pain on the hook would serve notice to everyone except for the rapper-turnt-sanga to kill that Auto-Tune’d noise. And then Hov could slip Pain one of his trademark build-you-up-and-break-you-down subliminals, kinda like what he did to mixtape Weezy.

After going at Auto-Tune, Jay could turn his attention to Jaz’s bum ass once again, as well as the always disrespectful Game (their new Hov diss is heat rocks, btw).

3. Run This Town (Featuring Beyonce) (Produced by Rich Harrison)

Forget Rihanna and her attempts at singing. Hov should’ve got at B, so she can be all up in the video (I’m thinking something along the lines of “Single Ladies” here) for this surefire radio single meant for z100.

And remember how go-go was supposed to be the next big thing in hip-hop? It didn’t quite pan out that way, but Jay can take another stab at it–after “Jockin’ Jay-Z” failed to get more spins–by recruiting the man best suited for bringing the sound (Harrison), thus rekindling the musical magic between Hov and his wifey.

4. Empire State of Mind (Featuring Nas) (Produced by L.E.S. and Wyldfyer)

Ms. Keys is cool and all, but early reports had the Lil’ Homey on the track instead. L.E.S. and Wyldfyer should handle the beat, as they’ve already been responsible for two of the dopest collabos between the two formerly feuding emcees. And it’s always entertaining to hear Nas continue to throw shots at Jay even when they’re on the same track.

5. Off That (Featuring Drake) (Produced by Timbaland)

This track is actually not that bad. Here, Jay gets all the money talk out of his system, all the while tapping into the Lil Wayne demographic with Drake’s cameo (i.e. the high school chicks who actually throw down on tix to see the “America’s Most Wanted Tour”). Oh, and Timbo spazzed on this beat.

6. U Don’t Know Part 3 (Featuring M.O.P. and DMX) (Produced by Just Blaze)

It’s the only series of songs to make the first two BPs, so why not the third one? Adding Crackhead Earl to the mix should up the ante (no pun intended), even if Danze and Fame ripped the beat to shreds already. This shit right here, though, would really make cats wan’ go and commit felonies.

7. Hate (Featuring Kanye West) (Produced by Kanye West)

Going by the title at least, this joint seems eerily similar to that cut from BP2 when a hungry Hov was rapping like he “got a chip on [his] shoulder the size of the Golden Nugget in Vegas.”

8. Real As It Gets (Featuring Young Jeezy) (Produced by Don Cannon)

Another actual cut from BP3, Don Cannon should be behind the boards for this instead of The Incredibles. Cannon usually brings out the best in Jeezy. Not to mention, he’s like a poor man’s version of Just Blaze so this would sorta help to fill the necessary Justin Smith quota for a Jay album.

9. Guess Who’s Back Again (Featuring Scarface and Beanie Sigel) (Produced by Kanye West)

“This Can’t Be Life.” “Guess Who’s Back.” “Some How, Some Way.”

10. Another Murder (Hidden Guest Verse) (Produced by Just Blaze)

“Back to Shawn Carter the hustler, Jay-Z is dead.”

Building on the theme from the Volume 3 standout, it’s the perfect way to end the Blueprint series, as Jay shifts roles from artist to robber baron executive.

So, naturally he’d have to pass the torch to someone right? J. Cole seems the right business move being a Roc Nation artist, but the natural heir is someone with actual Rocafella pedigree who isn’t best suited for weedcarrying duties (or in Hov’s case, washing his Jay-Z blue Lex bubble Maybach). Hence, Young Chris to close out the show.

And Just would have to produce this last track, after crafting the perfect sendoff for Jay with “My 1st Song.”

So yes, only ten tracks. Isn’t the GOAT album the true hip-hop blueprint, anyway?

On the verge of an ending summer the hottest in the game are rearing forward with music leaks, performances, and your expected “shop-till-you-drop” frenzies, while other celebs are ending their summer with break-ups, behavior leading towards break-ups, and just the usual bodyguards taking the fall for their richly puppet masters. Check out the buzz from this week’s GIANT A-listers.

1. Snoop Dogg: The D-o-double-g is taking his A-list status from last week and running with it. The West Coast rapper was caught showing some Cali love to a pretty lil’ young thang in the club while Mrs. Dogg was at home with the pups. Smh … Snoop, get it together.

2. Ashanti: Looks like the midwest swang and the Jersey girl hair wasn’t enough to keep Nelly and Ashanti together. The couple broke up and it rumor has it that Nelly was dipping out with a certain “tip drill” named Jessica Rabbit.

3. Jay-Z: Of course you had to have known that it wouldn’t have been long before Drake did a song with HOV. Ironically Drake’s comedic lyrics behind “Best I Ever Had” match up pretty well with Jay-Z’s nonchalant play on women on his leaked track from The Blueprint 3, “Off That.”

4. Day 26: Day 26 are feeling “So Good” in their new video. Hopefully Diddy doesn’t replace any of them with folks from his shows Starmaker and Making His Band.

5. Rihanna: RiRi’s been running through every town this summer galavanting all types of couture fashion. The newly nicknamed “Ms. New Booty” was in Las Vegas popped into Las Vegas to chill with Kings of Leon, came back to NY to work on her album in the studio, and then partied like a rock star in the NYC club scene. Slow down Rihanna, you can’t possibly think Chris Breezy is gonna keep following you around.

6. Ciara: It was only a matter of time before CiCi realized that naysayers and gossipers would get tired of her short cut/weave. The singer sported her longer weave shopping in Beverly Hills over the weekend with her little doggie. Tiz a shame that she was driven to conform, but, ah well, she looks ten times better.

7. Chris Brown: Maybe there is hope for the youngster to make a comeback from his slap-boxing days with ex-girl Rihanna. Breezy’s new track, “Drop It Low” featuring new artist Ester Dean is making some waves in the music world. But the question is will it be enough to push the young star back into the limelight???

8. Kelis: Doesn’t seem like Kelis is struggling at all after her big b-day celebration at the Hotel Griffou in NY. Nas‘ baby momma’s been trying to rake him to the coals in there divorce settlement by asking for close to $100,000 a month. Kelis, stop partying and get a job!

9. Lady GaGa: It’s just becoming wrong that nobody knows if its Lady GaGa or Mr. Gaga. The poker face blondie performed over the weekend in England. Seems like the singer is having fun keeping her fans and the paparazzi guessing about her sexuality. Any who, it doesn’t matter because her music speaks for itself.

10. Beyonce: After the vacation gone bad, The Carters are back in NYC but not without a Croatian court date for Bey’s bodyguard, Julius. The bodyguard’s camera equipment throwing match between the paparazzi brought on charges and a court sentence.

Note to celebs: The economy is in bleeding, fa real. Just peep your latest concert ticket sales. Sure, schlepping it out and cutting back on your morning latte routine is cool, but we need you out there, doing what you do best: Spending money. And you know what? We’re no longer gonna throw shade when we see you on yet another European vacay, because we realize you’re doing your part. So here are five informal economic indicators of how celebs are doing their best to help boost the economy.

They dine at expensive restaurants
Jay-Z and Beyonce recently shared a romantic dinner at Nello, a swanky upper East Side eatery known for its hefty prices and clientele with even heftier pockets. Here, celebs drop upwards of a $150 for a meal for one. Add to that the notable wine list, and you’re on your way to a $600 date.

They still don’t fly economy
Paps recently snapped Rihanna at the 34th Street heliport returning from a weekend in the Hampton’s; a ride that averages about $2,500. And that’s just one-way.

They shop at high-end boutiques
Yeezy and Amber Rose recently went on a shopping spree at H.Lorenzo in LA. This high-end boutique is the go-to spot for LA’s fashion elite looking for avant-garde designers like Ann Demeulemeester, Viktor & Rolf and Junya Watanabe, whose t-shirts start at about $195.

They sleep in expensive-ass hotels
Rihanna makes her exit from the exclusive Gramercy Park Hotel. A night at the chic midtown boutique hotel costs anywhere from $600 – $2200.

They still pop bottles like it’s 1998
Solange and big sis’ Bey recently hit up Hyde Lounge in Hollywood to celebrate DJ Rashida’s bday. Bottle service is the order of the day at this teeny celeb trap, where regulars like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton drop anywhere from $200 to $1000, and that might just be on a slow night.

These A-listers can’t keep themselves out of the public. Find out which celebs are making headlines and have made todays GIANT list…

1. Jamie Foxx: Who knew Jamie had a baby on the way? Will he blame this one on the alcohol? 

2. Ashanti: Giving back to the kids, Ashanti premiered her billboard in New York to promote her new Boys and Girls Club “Be Amazing” campaign. Atleast someone from Murder Inc. is doing big things… 

3. Fabolous: With Loso’s Way already platinum (the first of all of his albums) and a spread in Complex showing off his fashion sense, Fab is living what he sings about, “The Fabolous Life.” 

4. Jay-Z: For holding Rocawear down for 10 years and still finding time to dine with the wifey, Beyonce.

5. Sanaa Lathan: Sexy and comical, who needs more of a combination? This sexy single lady is also starring in the new “The Cleavland Show.” 

6. Oprah Winfrey: Although she won’t put any rappers on her show she’s still hood enough to dine in New York with her cynical and irate best friend Gayle King and homewrecker Alicia Keys. If she can kick it in Marcy Projects, we assume she can handle these two. 

 7. Naomi Campbell: Anger problems, catfights and all, she’s still a banger in a bathing suit. 

8. Gabrielle Union: Taking a break from the dating scene, Miss Union will produce as well as co-star in an upcoming Lifetime film. 

 9. Janet Jackson: After losing Michael, Janet is still on blazing track to success, dropping new promo pics for her upcoming album. 

10. Reggie Bush: After realizing his ex-flame, Kim Kardashian was damaged goods, Reggie cut all ties and even defriended Kim along with her sisters on Twitter. Ouch!

Here’s a quick glance at today’s movers and shakers in the business. From breakdowns to top selling albums, these celebs are on the rise and have made the cut for the GIANT List‘s A-List…

1. Maxwell

Who knows how to make a better comeback then Maxwell? Though “Pretty Wings” is still in rotation on everyone’s Ipod, Maxwell has also dropped the video for his newest single “Bad Habits” with a chameo from the irresistible Kerry Washington. BLACKsummers’Night debuted at number one and proves that R&B is still alive and kicking. 

2. Jay-Z 

With the drop of The Blueprint III around the corner, Hov has been hitting these streets promoting the most anticipated album of 2009 with a stunt of publicity overdose. The CEO of the ROC was seen in New York this weekend on set for the video for the second single off the album, “Run This Town” with his little brother ‘Ye and sister Rihanna in tow. Checkout exclusive backstage pics of the super-hero crew on set here. Also while in the city, the Jigga man was spotted strolling through the hoods of Marcy Projects with mogul Oprah Winfrey on his arms. I guess the advantage of not being put on her show is being her personal tour guide through your hood, literally. 

3. Kimora Lee Simmons

After months of baby Kenzo being MIA, we doubted we would ever get a glimpse of the bouncing bundle of joy. Though Djimon and Kimora didn’t receive anywhere near the money Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubrey received for leaked pics of baby Nahla, Kimora looks stunning with her new family in their OK! Magazine photoshoot. 

4. T.I.

Though Tip is still behind bars, it doesn’t mean he can’t be King while he’s gone. His single “Remember Me” featuring Mary J. Blige was No. 3 on the itunes top downloads and the he has also dropped a video for “Slide Show” featuring Justin Timberlake. Check it out below….

5. Solange

Though its been months since her alleged buzz cut, Solange has been causing a scene with her new do. With a remixed version of her cut (new side part) and her own eccentric swag, Solange is proving she isn’t just Beyonce’s little sister. Check out pictures of the sisters in Japan this weekend…

6. Kerry Washington

For simply being the sexy Ms. Washington. Did you see her in Maxwell’s “Bad Habit” video?

7. Wendy Williams

The queen of cyncisim and snide remarks is killing the television scene right now and has everyone saying “How ya doing” even when her show isn’t on.

8. Michael Jackson

Just cuz we miss him.

9. Whitney Houston

We’re all about comebacks and have already pre-ordered the next Whitney album.

10. Stephon Marbury

Just for remaining consistent with all of his foolery…

Oh, no! Big Shyne Po, back in the muthafuckin’ heezy, fa sheezy” might be the first thought running through Puff’s head when Shyne walks out of jail after serving eight years in the NY penitentiary system. After all, it’s been said that Puff played Shyne on the way to his own acquittal and Shyne’s imprisonment. Naturally, after losing almost a decade of his life, Shyne may want some type of revenge on Puff. So, come October, for safety reasons—and of course, financially beneficially ones, too—Puff should consider the following approaches.

1. Hop on the last first train to Paris

With Shyne facing traveling restrictions due to terms of his parole, there’s no way he’d be able to chase Puff down across the pond in Paris, or even across state borders for that matter.

2. Hide behind Jay-Z

If the rumors are to be believed, Hova’s thinking about inking Shyne to Roc Nation, perhaps in an effort to keep the crown in Brooklyn—a problem when you consider Fabolous and Memphis Bleek’s careers up to this point.

Puff could even get in on the action and garner some goodwill by throwing Shyne some Grind Music beats for a possible album.

3. Pay his debt to Shyne

Since Shyne took the fall for Puff, the Bad Boy boss should hand over a suitcase full of millions, some of those light-skinned models from the Ciroc ads, make him the spokesperson of Ciroc, give him some Sean John billboards, and whatever else opportunities he has to offer. Shyne would know better than to sign a recording contract with Puff, though.

4. Executive produce Bad Boyz That’s Gangsta

Puff can commission a biopic on Shyne and call up Cheo Hodari Coker to pen it, using Shyne’s music—which in all likelihood Puff owns the masters of—in the film and on the soundtrack as well. The two could then break bread over the box office receipts.

5. Show up at Woodbourne Correctional Facility on October 6th.

Puff should be the first one to greet him there. Granted, Shyne might attack him or the omnipresence of press could sully the moment but if Puff were to offer a helping hand right as Shyne walks out, who knows what could happen? Hell, J.Lo could mediate any discussions.

The summer of ’09 has played host to some of the best, worst, and unexpected concerts that we’ve seen in years. From Young Money’s paragon, Drake “Drizzy,” to Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce-like performances, this summer’s artists got ya bobbin ya head to the beat or making you question your recent ticket purchase. Yes indeedy, this summer’s cinematic concerts have earned the right to administer their own awards show: the CTA’s.

Check out the categories below and who’s taking home that prized mantle piece or that disappointing dust collector.

And the first CTA Award goes to: Drake for “Best Epic Fail”

Taking a cue  from his role as Jimmy on Degrassi: The Next Generation, hotshot rapper Drake shocked fans at an “America’s Most Wanted” tour performance in Camden, New Jersey, when the Canadian superstar flopped to the stage in pain just seconds into his hit single, “Best I Ever Had.” It is said that the Young Money youngster, unaffected by the doctor’s orders prior to the concert, decided that the show must go on, even after injuring his ACL. Drizzy, along with Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, and Soulja Boy have teamed up for the “America’s Most Wanted” tour, one of summer’s most anticipated hip-hop performances. Drake will be twittering his performance speech along with his up-to-date surgery schedule

CTA’s second award goes to: Beyonce for “Future Comeback Queen”

The bombshell diva has been touring all summer promoting the presence of her alter ego Sasha Fierce in her “I Am” tour which has had its ups and downs as far as success goes, with rumors floating around of hubby Jay-Z  buying a lump sum of tickets to boost her concert sales. Nevertheless, Bey has always reigned supreme and come out on top, but with thoughts of temporarily stepping off stage to have S Dot Carter’s children, there’s no mistaking that Beyonce earned this award. A mini-Bey onstage with the original Sasha Fierce makes a hiatus all worthwhile.

The third CTA Award goes to: Jay-Z for “Till I Croak”

With his long awaited Blueprint III LP on the way, Mr. Carter has pulled out all the cards for his summer 10-city tour. The seasoned rapper, best known for his sellout shows, insists on being relevant in the rap game until “death do them part.” Even though the Jigga followers are staying consistent, it’s evident that HOV has reached his pinnacle. In an ever-changing hip hop world the ROC proprietor refuses to separate that diamond and bask in his millions.

The CTA’s present an all new category for the 4th award given to: Kid CuDi, Asher Roth, & 88 Keys for “New Skool”

Hip-hop’s freshmen class, Asher Roth, Kid CuDi, and 88 Keys are kicking butt and taking names. The kickoff of  ”The Great Hangover” Tour have placed these young bucks in a class of their own. The 19-city tour began at the legendary House of Blues and has been rocking out-of-spacers and college-lovers all over. This trio will definitely be collecting more and more awards as their careers launch forward.

And last but not least, the final CTA Award goes to: Kanye West & Lady GaGa for “Wonder Twins Power”

The Louis-Vuitton Don is teaming up with pop music’s newest bad girl, Lady GaGa for one of the most anticipated tours since “The Glow In The Dark.” The Kanye West/Lady GaGa Tour is sparking so much buzz that fans are squirming over tickets to see the co-headliners. The flashing lights surrounding both superstars have catapulted a movement above and beyond, marking the un-slated tour as one of the best in hip-pop history.