Oh man!! That means we have to go a little easier on the rappers on 106 & Park’s “Freestyle Friday” LOL

While you’re at it download Yung Image’s My Introduction to the World and DJ H.Blendz’s The Eclectic part two

Dame Dash’s name will forever be linked with Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella empire they built together.

Since the break up Jigga has become and even bigger name in Hip Hop while people have speculated about what Dame is up to.

The Harlem kid who made it big talked with Good Day NY’s Julie Chang recently about what’s really going on with him.

Dame revealed he’s working with two artists/groups currently, Black Rok and Curren$y. He’s also opened an art gallery and is starting a new clothing line called CEO.

When asked if the rumors were true that he’s having financial problems, Dame was evasive, but he did say:

“Whoever to me isn’t going through any financial problems is cheating because the economy cracked”

Thisis50.com:

Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley are proud to announce the release of their highly-anticipated collaborative studio album, Distant Relatives (Universal Republic/Universal Music Canada) on May 18. Featuring the signature instrumentation and musicianship of Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley with the hard-hitting beats and lyrics of Nas, the album title refers not only to the bond between the artists, but the connection to their African ancestry, which inspired the album both musically and lyrically.

Throughout the course of their musical careers, the duo has always admired each other’s style. Since first meeting in 1996 the two artists have shared a mutual respect and camaraderie that was most recently showcased on the track “Road to Zion,” from Damian’s critically acclaimed album, Welcome to Jamrock. After having such a positive experience working together, they have now joined forces again for Distant Relatives. In their latest collaboration, Nas and Damian trace hip-hop’s roots to Africa, where the genre originated as a vital form of cultural expression and was then transported by the slave trade to the Caribbean and the American colonies. It blossomed a half century ago in the dance halls of Kingston, Jamaica, and soon migrated to the park jams and recreational centers of New York City, where the culture became known as hip-hop. This evolution forms the basis of the Distant Relatives project which, in addition to the album, also includes a documentary film, performances and a series of public discussions, the first of which took place in conjunction with National Geographic Live in Washington, DC last December.

“Damian and Nas have made a groundbreaking album that combines the depth and vision of these two artists with a seminal musical and cultural thread of multiple generations,” stated Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic Records. “We’re thrilled to play a role on what’s certain to be another pivotal album for both artists and one of the more unique collaborative efforts in recent years.”

The partnership between the two artists is sure to amaze with an album encompassing 14 tracks including the first singles “As We Enter” and “Strong Will Continue”. The album was produced by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and also features several guest appearances from Joss Stone and Lil Wayne, who appear on the track “Generation,” K’NAAN on “Africa Must Wake Up” and Tribal War,” and Stephen Marley on “Leaders” and “In His Own Words.”

Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley plan to hit the road following the release of their album, with a prelude to the tour at SXSW on March 17.

Thisis50.com:

West Coast Don Ice Cube is preparing to drop his new album titled ‘I Am The West’ July 13.

While he’s been away, a few of the younger rappers from the left coast started talking and have awakened a sleeping giant.

Cats like Bishop Lamont, Glasses Malone, Crooked I and others criticized Cube for not supporting the “New West” movement

Cube addresses all drama in his most recent blog

“What’s up with these local MC’s in L.A. who keep disrespecting me? They’re just mad cause I don’t f*ck with they wack-a**. They ain’t on my level, why should I waste my time. I don’t even remember ever meeting these clowns or even being in the same room with any of ‘em. They can’t make a name for themselves so they need help from the O/G’s. I refuse the throw’em a life line. F*ck’em. It ain’t my job to make nobody famous. And for the record, I ain’t scared of no n*gga. Especially, no rappers….seriously people.”

Jay Rock fired back at Ice Cube directly via his Twitter.

“WATTS UP WIT ICE CUBE TALKIN KRAZY ABOUT NEW WEST n***as.IF HE GOT A PROB WIT 1 OF US HE SHUD SAY R NAME N STOP BN SCARED 2 CALL A N***A OUT

ON SOME REAL STUFF I AINT NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH CUBE OR NONE OF THE OG n***as. BUT IF HE SAY NEW WEST IM APART OF THAT

TO ME HE TALKIN BOUT ALL OF US IF HE DIDNT SAY A NAME. THATS HOW THE WEST GOT F*CKED UP IN THE FIRST PLACE

YALL KNOW AINT NO N***A STAMPED ME. I DONT NEED NO N***A. ALL I NEED IS A MIC MY HOOD MY FANS AND THIS BIG A$$ GUN”

Ice Cube also directed a shot at former partner in rhyme Mack 10.

“Me and Mack 10 together again? I never say never, but he has to kiss the ring first.”

Damn, Cube aint playing around, We all know what he can do in a lyrical battle. This could get really interesting so stay tuned.

MTV reports:

The pledge is on wax and MP3: On his new single “Over,” Drake raps, “Making sure the Young Money ship is never sinking.” Even though the head of his label, Lil Wayne, is in jail, Drake insisted there’s no way he’ll let the camp slip from its top spot.

“I’m gonna do everything I told him I would do, what I said in the song: keep us afloat till he gets back,” Drake said on the set of his “Over” video. “You won’t even notice he’s gone. Promise.”

Last week, Wayne was sentenced to a year in jail for a 2007 gun-possession charge, but Drake knows his leader will be OK.

“Lil Wayne is a legend,” Drake said. “I could never classify Wayne as victim. He’s too strong to me. Wayne is who he wants to be. People don’t understand. It’s really not an act. Lil Wayne is a character you’ll rarely run across, probably for the existence of human beings. He is that guy. He is Lil Wayne for a reason. He’s a rock star, a visionary, a workaholic. He doesn’t function like anybody I know. He’s a rare breed.

“I don’t think fame really has anything to do with his situation,” Drizzy continued. “We take precautions. All of us do. To be in the public eye and to be envied and have people who hate you and never have met you or have people who love you and tattoo your face on their body and never have met you, it’s an odd feeling for anybody. It’s a rush [for me]. I love it. It gets weird sometimes. So it’s just personal choices we all make. I never felt that threatened. I’m not sure what’s going through his head at the time. But Wayne has a reason for everything, always. I trust in Wayne. I believe in Wayne. He’s gonna be all right.”

HMMMM? Not bad R.Kelly. Stay on this path and never get “Trapped in The Closet” again.

Anything these guys do is golden!!!!