Monica warned us before. She’s just “Too Hood,” as evident in her new video for “Everything to Me,” the first single from her sixth studio album Still Standing (March 23). Mo fights to protect her man, played by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who’s being stalked by an Eva Mendes look-alike in the Benny Boom-directed clip. It’s goin’ down.

The West Coast is officially back. If the forthcoming release of Snoop Dogg’s More Malice and Game’s R.E.D. Album weren’t enough, now L.A.’s own Ice Cube is returning to the scene with his ninth studio album.


The rapper-turned-actor has announced the title, I Am the West, and tentative release date for his first musical project since 2008’s Raw Footage. In a blog entry dated Wednesday (Feb. 24), Cube also laments about the current state of radio and thanks the West Coast MCs who have kept the genre alive.

I AM THE WEST…is the name of my new record. After completing about 65% of my music, this is the perfect title. This shit is cocky, no apologies, West Coast gangsta shit. I can’t help it. That’s what I do. June seems too tight for a release, but July is very doable. We’ll see how things go. Now that I have my title, I can work on the concept of my photoshoot and artwork. I want to provide early merch before the drop date.

For 7 or 8 years now the West Coast has been trying to do music that appeals to the South and Mid-West. The words, “too West Coast” would be heard throughout the industry whenever our music was played. Even by our own dj’s. Left coast MC’s were now trying to change their sound to cater to all the followers. We lost our way. Thank God for b-boys like Snoop, The Game & WC for keeping the West alive, but we were all guilty of over reaching. No more. At least not from me. I do it how I feel it; not how I think it should be done. Radio fucked us up. I hate the politics at radio. I don’t know who to pay to get my shit played. Having a hot song is not enough. Ridiculous.

I AM THE WEST. It’s coming….

Keep It Gangsta
Ice Cube

The Blueprint 3 is still paying off for Jay-Z, but the music mogul is already on to the next one.


Mr. Carter tells The Associated Press that he has started thinking about his twelfth studio album. “Maybe after I finish [the 'BP3'] tour I’ll start another album,” he reveals, adding, “Maybe at the end of the year. We’ll see if the inspiration hits me.”

But for now, he’s concentrating on perfecting the second leg of his arena tour. “I’ve been working on my live show for 10 years now, just trying to get it better and better. I used to come out with just a DJ, now I got a band. The production’s gotten bigger and the lighting guy takes off his shoes and he plays to the beat,” he laughs. “The whole thing is being upgraded every single year.”

The Blueprint 3 tour makes its next stop in New Orleans on Thursday with supporting acts Young Jeezy and Trey Songz.

Kanye West does not appear in his latest video for “Coldest Winter” and his absence is haunting. The dark song from 808s & Heartbreak gets an equally chilling video directed by NABIL. A woman, in what appears to be her wedding dress, is chased by Grim Reaper-looking figures.

Once you get past the double Ds, the video is open to many interpretations. What does it mean to you?

KANYE WEST "Coldest Winter" Directed by: NABIL "ITUNES link below" from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Rihanna’s 22nd birthday was full of surprises. Rumored boyfriend Matt Kemp threw the pop star a party over the weekend in Phoenix, Ariz., where he is training. According to E! Online, RiRi and around 40 guests sipped Ace of Spades and Johnny Walker Blue, feasted on Jamaican cuisine, and finished off with Sprinkles cupcakes. The L.A. Dodger reportedly presented the birthday girl with a custom diamond necklace.

To top it off, a porn star midget known as “Bridget the Midget,” gave her a lap dance she won’t soon forget. Watch the footage below courtesy of TMZ.

There’s no stopping the Bieber. The teen idol has already appeared on the “We Are the World” remake, kissed Rihanna, and now he’s hanging with Ludacris in the video for “Baby,” the first single from his new album My World 2.0 (March 23). Even Drake wants in on the action, making a cameo in the Ray Kay-directed clip, which was filmed at Universal CityWalk

Beyonce Knowles married hip-hop superstar Jay-Z in a secret ceremony in 2008, but both are try to keep their home life out of the press. She said: "Jay and I have always been very discreet when it comes to our relationship. Even after we got married nothing changed about that. I think that saved us a lot of trouble."

These two try to keep their romance out of the spotlight (Photo Agency)The 28-year-old beauty -- who publicly thanked her spouse when she won a record six Grammys at last month's ceremony -- also revealed she was initially "scared" when she was regarded as a role model for young women but is now embracing it.

She told Germany's FHM magazine: "The thought scared me at first. But now I think my music is more than just performing, dancing and shooting videos. I try to show women that we need to be there for each other and support each other and that you have to work to reach your goals."

But one thing still worries Beyonce: falling over on stage. She said: "The only thing I really worry about is falling over! I always perform in high heels and sometimes the choreography is really exhausting and complicated."

Time isn't healing all wounds, as evidenced by Morgan Freeman's left hand, which has been paralyzed since he was injured in a car accident a year-and-a-half ago, he tells PEOPLE.

The Oscar-winning star, again nominated this year as Best Actor for playing Nelson Mandela in Invictus, says he's never fully healed after the August 2008 crash.

"I suffered nerve damage and it hasn't gotten better. I can't move it,” Freeman, 72, said at Wednesday's Los Angeles County Museum of Art premiere of The Eastwood Factor, a documentary about the storied career of Freeman's friend and frequent director, Clint Eastwood. (The featurette is part of the 19-disc Warner Home Video collection, Clint Eastwood: 35 Films 35 Years at Warner Bros., which was released Tuesday.)

"If you don't move your hand, it will swell up," Freeman said. "Do you know you move your hand about a million times a day?"

Jennifer Hudson dons a milk mustache in the latest Got Milk? campaign. The Oscar winner, who lost 56 pounds to play Winnie Mandela in the biopic Winnie, proves milk does her body good.

“[Milk] was definitely a part of my upbringing for sure,” says the proud mother, whose sophomore album is due this May. “I definitely want to have that on my kitchen table.”

Go behind the scenes of J-Hud’s Milk shoot below.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's relationship is under constant scrutiny, but they at least have one fan: Justin's mom Lynn Harless. She said she and her husband Paul count the actress as “one of us.” And, she's hoping the "SexyBack" singer hunkers down soon and starts a family. Lynn wants to be a grandma!

Jessica and Justin make a great pair, according to his mom. (Getty)Lynn said about Jessica: "She's amazing. She's so down-to-earth and her family is great. I've had friends who have grandchildren and I've tried to express to Justin that I'm losing that race. But I have grandpuppies. Justin has two boxers and she has a pitbull who's now part of the family. I said, ‘I'll leave you alone about the grandkids as long as you leave the puppies with me.’”

Although Lynn was full of praise for Jessica, who has been dating Justin on and off for three years, she refused to say if she thinks the actress is "The One" for her 29-year-old son. She told People magazine: "You should ask him. I've thought that before. They're young. They have plenty of time."

As well as thinking Jessica makes a great girlfriend for Justin, Lynn admires the 29-year-old beauty’s accomplishments. She said: "She was at my house around Christmas and there was this crazy noise coming from my gym. To get ready for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Jessica had the treadmill to the highest level and was running with a 40lb backpack. I want to be her when I grow up."

Lionel Richie is one proud papa! The singer is thrilled his daughter Nicole is tying the knot with Joel Madden, and he can’t wait to perform his father-of-the-bride duties.

Nicole was flashing this ring onLetterman (Pacific Coast News)Lionel, who legally adopted Nicole when she was nine but had been a dad to her since the age of two, told People magazine: "My happiness for Nicole and Joel knows no boundaries. They have given me two beautiful grandchildren, Harlow and Sparrow, and have proven to be great parents. I am not sure who is luckier, Nicole and Joel to have each other, or me, to have both of them in my life. I cannot wait to give away the bride!"

Earlier this week, Nicole confirmed she was getting married when she appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman, sporting a sparkling engagement ring. Good Charlotte singer Joel later confirmed the news, revealing they had managed to keep their engagement secret for some time.

He tweeted: "Yep. I'm engaged. Very happy. Yeah we've been engaged for a while so your all kind of late on that. But Thanks for the hooplah all the same."

It has been reported the couple are planning to marry this summer and wedding plans are already well under way.

You’ve seen the video that has the Internet abuzz. Now check out some behind-the-scenes footage of Rihanna on set of “Rude Boy” in Hollywood. Watch her unleash her wild side, joke with the crew, and get tipsy on champagne.

The Making of Rihanna's "Rude Boy" Music Video (Behind The Scenes) from ILLIONAIRE on Vimeo.

Soulja Boy Tell’em helped Keri Hilson turn her swag on, and now she’s returning the favor.


Hilson, who did her own remix to Soulja Boy’s hit “Turn My Swag On,” has collaborated with the 19-year-old rapper on a new song that may appear on his third album The DeAndre Way, due this spring.

“Shoutouts miss keri baby,” he tweeted. “Ladies I think yall gon love the song we did together for my album.”

The “Knock You Down” singer has also been in the studio with Polow Da Don recording the follow-up to her debut album In a Perfect World…

Ludacris brings four of rap’s baddest chicks—Nicki Minaj, Trina, Eve, and Diamond—together on set of his video for “My Chick Bad” and its accompanying remix. The clip, set to premiere Friday, was shot in Miami over Super Bowl weekend and co-stars Young Money’s First Lady, who rocks a look more Edward Scissorhands than Barbie.

“It hasn’t been this many women on the same song or the same video set in… I don’t know how long, so we making history and it feels damn good,” says Luda.

My Chick Bad BTS from DTP TV on Vimeo.

Ten years away from the spotlight hasn’t hurt Sade’s career. The British soul singer and her band storm the charts with their first album in a decade.


Soldier of Love, Sade’s sixth studio album, had no trouble debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with a whopping 502,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It also marks Sade’s first No. 1 debut and personal best sales week since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991.

To add to the list of accomplishments, Soldier of Love holds the best sales week for an album by a group since AC/DC’s Black Ice in 2008 (784,000). The group’s previous album, 2000’s Lovers Rock, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3 with 370,000 sold in its opening week.

Music fans were definitely eager for Another Round from Jaheim. The R&B crooner scores the second-highest debut of the week with his fifth studio project, making its way in at No. 3 with 112,000. Jaheim’s last studio effort, The Makings of a Man, benefitted from a Christmas sales boost in 2007 with 176,000 units.

Last week’s biggest debut, Lil Wayne’s Rebirth, falls two spots to No. 4 with 89,000, a 49% drop off from its first week.

Toni Braxton has enlisted some of entertainment’s biggest stars for her new album including Trey Songz, Robin Thicke, and Usher, and now she’s rounding out the prestigious list with an Oscar nominee.


Comedian-turned-actress Mo’Nique, who is up for an Academy Award for her role in Precious, makes a cameo on Braxton’s sixth studio album. “She does a monologue on one of my songs,” the R&B diva exclusively tells Rap-Up.com. The track was inspired by Oran “Juice” Jones’ 1986 hit “The Rain.”

“It’s about this relationship where this guy finds out his girl is cheating on him. We do a song, it doesn’t sound anything like that, but it’s the reverse of a guy who gets busted cheating. [Mo'Nique] does this whole monologue and it’s really funny and comedic.”

The Grammy winner reached out to the Golden Globe winner, who happily obliged. “She said, ‘Oh my God, I’d love to do it.’ I’ve always been a fan of hers and we’re both from Maryland. I love her.”

The winning combination can be heard on Pulse, due May 4. Until then, the “Un-Break My Heart” singer is rooting for her friend at next month’s Oscar ceremony. “We’re great friends, she’s really cool. I’m really excited for her about her Oscar.”

Mary J. Blige treated her hometown fans to a performance and interview on Tuesday’s “Late Show with David Letterman.” She returned for a 30-minute post-show concert streamed online from New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater, covering over 15 years of hits from 1994’s “Be Happy” to 2010’s “I Am.”

Strap on your seatbelts as Robin Thicke takes you on a romantic “Rollacoasta” ride with the always-chic Estelle in the Gil Green-directed video for the second single from his latest album Sex Therapy.

“We’re trying to film a nice little house party that’s representative of my house parties that I throw at my house, which is classy and sexy and crazy and wild and naughty all at the same time,” says Thicke.

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys presided over London’s Earls Court on Tuesday (Feb. 16) for the Brit Awards 2010. The duo performed “Empire State of Mind” and Jay accepted his award for International Male Solo Artist from Spice Girl Mel B. “I also want to thank the Spice Girls ’cause they inspired me,” he remarked.

Lady Gaga dedicates her performance at the Brit Awards 2010 to the late Alexander “Lee” McQueen. “We miss you so bad Lee,” she sings during a stripped-down version of “Telephone” and “Dance in the Dark” from The Fame Monster. The three-time Brit Award winner later thanked the fashion designer during her acceptance speech.

Beyonce's father, Mathew Knowles, has not acknowledged he's the baby daddy of Alexsandra Wright's child, but a judge may force him to pay child support -- at least until DNA results are in.

Alexsandra claims she had an 18 month relationship with Knowles and that he's the father of Nixon, who was born February 4.

In an L.A. court this AM, Lance Spiegel, lawyer for Mathew Knowles, and Neal Hersh, Alexsandra's attorney, talked support numbers with the judge. The numbers that were thrown around were in the $20,000 a month range.

Spiegel claims Mathew paid $10,000 for hospital costs related to the birth.

Spiegel said a DNA test will be performed March 1.

The judge just took a recess for lunch, without deciding if Knowles will have to pay support ... and if so, how much.

Sade heads to the West Coast for the next leg of her promo tour. She and the band made a stop on Tuesday’s “Ellen DeGeneres Show” to perform “Soldier of Love.” Their first album in a decade is expected to sell over 425,000 copies in its first week. Don’t call it a comeback.

What happens when Beyoncé visits Tyra Banks? She breaks out with Beyoncé fever. The Grammy winner makes an appearance on “The Tyra Show” to promote her new fragrance Beyoncé Heat and have girl talk. The episode, also featuring Robin Thicke, airs tomorrow on The CW. Watch a preview below.

Have no fear, the world is not coming to an end in 2012. Instead we have one giant dance party to look forward to thanks to the Black Eyed Peas.

The Fantastic Four—Fergie, will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo—bring out the big guns in the futuristic double-video for “Imma Be” and “Rock That Body” from their Grammy-winning album The E.N.D.

Dancing Transformers take to the streets in the visual effects-laden mini-movie, directed by Rich Lee, which was partially shot in the desert of Lancaster, Calif. Blast off below.