Drake Talks About “Tuscan Leather” & Reveals “Paris Morton Music II” Is On N.W.T.S.

Today some more info from and tidbits from the album came to light. 40 and Drizzy spoke about the intro to the album titled “Tuscan Leather,” saying that it has a Whitney Houston sample and that 40 flipped it into three different beats for the three verses.‪

Of bombastic album opener “Tuscan Leather,” 40 says, “It’s a three-staged record – one sample flipped three different ways, with a verse over each beat.”‬

The other exciting part of the preview is that Drake reveals that the album features a sequel to his popular song “Paris Morton Music.” The first one was absolute flames so we really can’t even begin to imagine what kind of fire Drake is bringing for the sequel.‪

Drake, meanwhile, cites the standout track “Paris Morton Music II” as the clearest proof that he’s stepped up his game. “That track excites me from a rap standpoint, just getting off bars and different flows,” he says. “I played it for J. Cole, on some rap buddy-buddy shit, and he was like, ‘Damn!’”

Big Sean, Juicy J & Dr. Luke On The Cover Of The Source Magazine

Here is a look at the covers for the upcoming Power 30 issue from The Source. The first one features G.O.O.D. Music artist Big Sean and the second has Juicy J and Dr. Luke.

2013 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations

BET have released the nominations for their 2013 Hip Hop Awards. This year, Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with 14 nominations. Drake is next with 13 nominations, followed by J.Cole with 10. The show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and will be taped on September 28th at the Civic Center in Atlanta. It will then air on October 15th.

Best Hip Hop Video
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
B.o.B f/ T.I. & Juicy J – “We Still in This”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
Drake – “Started From the Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Reese’s Perfect Combo Award (Best Collabo, Duo or Group)
Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future – “Bugatti”
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne – “Pop That”
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – “Poetic Justice”
Wale f/ Tiara Thomas – “Bad”

Best Live Performer2 Chainz
J. Cole
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Kanye West

Lyricist of the Year
J. Cole
Drake
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Wale

Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & A$AP Ferg
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

DJ of the Year
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Funkmaster Flex
DJ Khaled
DJ Scream

Producer of the Year
J. Cole
Hit-Boy
DJ Mustard
Mike WiLL Made It
Pharrell Williams

MVP of the Year
2 Chainz
J. Cole
Drake
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar

Track of the Year
“Power Trip” – Produced by J. Cole (J. Cole f/ Miguel)
“Problems” – Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib (A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
“Don’t Kill My Vibe” – Produced by Sounwave (Kendrick Lamar)
“Bugatti” – Produced by Mike WiLL Made It (Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future)
“Started From The Bottom” – Produced by Mike Zombie & Noah “40″ Shebib (Drake)

Album of the Year
J. Cole – Born Sinner
JAY Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
Nas – Life Is Good
Wale – The Gifted

Who New? Rookie of the Year
Action Bronson
A$AP Ferg
Earl Sweatshirt
Joey Bada$$
Trinidad Jame$

Hustler of the Year
Diddy
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
T.I.
Kanye West

Made-You-Look Award
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
JAY Z
Kendrick Lamar
Nicki Minaj
Kanye West

Best Club Banger
Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future – “Bugatti” (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It)
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems” (Produced by Noah “40″ Shebib)
Drake – “Started From The Bottom” (Produced by Mike Zombie & Noah “40″ Shebib)
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne – “Pop That” (Produced by Lee on the Beats)
Trinidad Jame$ – “All Gold Everything” (Produced by M.e. (Devon Gallaspy))

Best Mixtape
Big Sean – Detroit
Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap
Travi$ Scott – Owl Pharaoh
Stalley – Honest Cowboy
Trinidad Jame$ – Don’t Be S.A.F.E.

Sweet 16 (Best Featured Verse)
Diddy – “Same Damn Time (Remix)” (Future f/ Diddy & Ludacris)
Drake – “Versace (Remix)” (Migos f/ Drake)
Future – “Bugatti” (Ace Hood f/ Rick Ross & Future)
Kendrick Lamar – “Problems” (A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
Wiz Khalifa – “U.O.E.N.O. (Remix)” (Rocko f/ Future & Wiz Khalifa)

Impact Track
J. Cole f/ TLC – “Crooked Smile”
JAY Z f/ Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Same Love”
Wale f/ Sam Dew – “LoveHate Thing”
Kanye West – “BLKKK SKKKNHEAD”

People’s Champ Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar – “Problems”
J. Cole f/ Miguel – “Power Trip”
Drake – “Started From the Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar – “Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Ray Dalton – “Can’t Hold Us”

2 Chainz – B.O.A.T.S. 2: #MeTime (Album Tracklist)

2 Chainz unveils the official tracklist for his upcoming sophomore album ‘B.O.A.T.S. 2: #MeTime’. The LP will feature guest appearances by Drake, Lil Wayne, Rich Homie Quan, Fergie, Lloyd, Mase, T-Pain, Pusha T and more. Production will be handled by Mike Will Made It, Pharrell, Mannie Fresh, Drumma Boy, DJ Toomp, Diplo and more. The album is set to hit stores on September 10th.

Earl Sweatshirt’s “Doris” & A$AP Ferg’s “Trap Lord” First Week Projections

HDD is reporting that Earl Sweatshirt’s debut album Doris is expected to sell 55-60k first week, placing him #4 on the charts. A$AP Ferg’s debut album Trap Lord is projected to sell 30-35k, placing him #5. Stay tuned for the official numbers.

Drake – Nothing Was The Same (Album Cover)

We have an older Drake looking at a young Aubrey as we’re assuming one will be for the standard edition of the album and the other is for the deluxe. Let us know your thoughts on the cover in the comments!

Drake’s ‘Nothing Was The Same’ Album Pushed Back

 

It looks like we are going to have to wait a little bit longer to hear Drake’s new album. According to Amazon and Best Buy, ‘Nothing Was The Same’ has been delayed for a week and now has a release date of September 24th. In other news, Drake announced this morning that he will be performing at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The Weeknd – Kiss Land (Tracklist)

Here is a look at the official tracklist for The Weeknd’s upcoming studio album ‘Kiss Land’. The LP only comes with a feature from Drake as well as a Pharrell remix and Kavinsky’s ‘Odd Look’. It is set to hit stores on September 10th and is available for pre-order on iTunes.

01. Professional
02. The Town
03. Adaptation
04. Love In The Sky
05. Belong To The World
06. Live For
07. Wanderlust
08. Kiss Land
09. Pretty
10. Tears In The Rain

Mac Miller On The Cover Of FADER Magazine

Mac Miller graces the cover of FADER magazine’s issue #87, which serves as their annual Fall Fashion issue. The cover story can be read here.

Check out Mac Miller’s freestyle outside Brooklyn’s Grand St. Bakery below.

Video: Big Sean’s “Hall Of Fame” Tracklist Breakdown

In this latest vlog, he describes tracks like the producer collaboration on “10 To 10,” how his mom is featured on “Nothing Is Stopping You,” how hard the No I.D. beat on “First Chain” is and reveals that “Ashley” was one of the first tracks he had for the album. B.I.G.

Nas & J.Cole On The Cover Of VIBE Magazine

Here is the second cover for VIBE’s Summer 2013 issue, which celebrates their 20 year anniversary. This one has Nas and J.Cole appearing on it. In the cover story, they talk about ‘Let Nas Down’, storytelling, state of Hip Hop and much more.

Drake On The Cover Of XXL Magazine

Drake graces the cover of XXL magazine’s latest issue, which is their 150th one. In the cover story, he talks about his new album ‘Nothing Was The Same’, his image, his competition, his success, Amanda Bynes and much more. Here is what he had to say about the album:

I remember coming into this year thinking, “How am I going to cut through all these people and shine?” I’ve never been part of a year when so many legends are dropping projects. How am I going to be seen? I’m going to be like the kid waving in the background in the photo with all of his tall relatives. And, I guess, those were my initial thoughts, and not to say that I haven’t enjoyed some of the stuff that has come out this year, but it didn’t pan out the way I thought it was going to. I think I am going for it, to really establish what are murmurs or things being said quietly, “Um, I think that Drake might actually…” On September 17th I want people to be like, “Oh, we were right.”

A Bathing Ape (Fall/Winter 2013 Lookbook)

A Bathing Ape are back for the upcoming Fall/Winter seasons with their latest collection; bringing us a nice selection of pieces to keep warm for the cooler weather. The A Bathing Ape Fall/Winter 2013 collection will be available very soon at all BAPE retailers worldwide, and also their online shop. For now, check out the entire lookbook.

Cam’ron Pens A Letter To His Fans Before The Release of ‘Ghetto Heaven’

After rejecting all interviews and press Killa Cam decided to get a little personal with his fans by penning a letter about his new material, love life & everything in between. Ghetto Heaven is out July 4th. Same day as Manga Carta: Holy Grail.

“Dipset! ‘Fore I set it off, okay, first off, you a bitch nigga. Knock knock, who’s there? Killa Cam! Killa who? Killa Cam, hustler, grinder, gorilla, true! Ma, I been hugging the block. That’s right, hustling rocks. I’m from where Nicky Barnes got rich as fuck. Rich and A hit the kitchens, they were pitchin’ up. Rob Base, Ma$e, Doug E. Fresh switched it up. I do both, who am I to fuck tradition up? With the goons I spar, stay in tune with ma. She like, ‘Damn, this the realest since Kumbaya!’ Bomaye, Killa Cam, my lord. Still the man with the plan, scrilla fan, oh boy. Bitches, they want to neuter me. Niggas, they wanna Judah me. The hooligan in Houlihan’s, maneuvering’s nothin’ new to me. Doggy, I’m from the land of the grind, where these kids need food. Niggas need guidance, and bitches need rules.

Listen—I been coppin’ them pieces. Maybe that’s part of the reason I feel like a boxer—bobbin’ and weavin’. But I’m gettin’ head—she’s bobbin’ and weavin’. Yes sir! I’m grabbin’ her neck to stop her from breathin’, I’ma wild out until I part with my breathin’. But when it came to dope, I always copped it in fingers. Money missin’, oh shit, I almost chopped some fingers. Slit some wrists, that’s when they said, ‘Oh shit, he’s not a singer.’ Fuck the rap, fuck movies, fuck Siskel and Ebert. The pistol I’ll squeeze it, missiles if needed. Killa! Shaking to bake, shaking the Jakes. Kill you, shoot the funeral up and Harlem Shake at your wake. Bird gangs, it was birds I flew. And word I blew, off herb I grew. I would swerve on stoops, now I swerve in coupes. I’m like a teacher, I need me a sabbatical. It’s not irrational—I grew up radical.

Look mami—I’m no good. I’m so hood. I run scandals with savages. All my niggas get together to gather loot. Bodyguard for what? Dog, I’d rather shoot. I go to war, old Timbs, battered boots, hand grenade, goggles and a parachute. I chop up the rocks, and I stock up the drop. Blocka blocka block! Hello mate. Yellow tape; helicopter your spot. What you wanted is not what you got, and I pop up them cops, cause dog, it ain’t about Cam. I got a son homeboy, it’s about Cam. It’s about being bout it, if you’re not, you’re ass backwards. My mathematics, ’cause cash matters. Little niggas need to sit up and read. If the town’s too hot, get up and leave. Niggas already got a trick up their sleeve. Nigga like me? I always got a brick up my sleeve.

And I got some girls, about five or six. And a five and six, about five or six. I surprise the chick, that’s when her eyes get lit, let her drive the whip, see if she ride a stick. Who as live as this? My pool size is sick, but swim in my pants and dive for dick. Lookin’ like I’m nicotine, but it’s all for the green like Listerine. Had to diss the queen, thinkin’ I’m gon’ get her jeans. I ain’t Ginuwine, ma, my mission is mean. All the niggas on my team fixin’ to get the cream. I sit in Bahamas, with Alyssa Milano. Got the Cris’ and the ganja and it’s gettin’ her calmer. Now she cryin’, she missin’ her mama, but she just a steppin’ stone for me, now I’m hittin’ Madonna. And she twistin’ the fauna as we sit in the sauna. Guess it’s just my persona, got her kissin’ my condom. Ay yo, I pull up to the hotel with my shit on blast. Tell the valet, ‘Motherfucker, don’t hit my Jag!’ Seen the bell boy, nigga he can kiss my ass. Just show me my room, and get my bags. Saw the girl, that’s my hon, almost dropped his glass. I guess he was really shocked when I touched her ass.

I’m on the westside of Chicago, lookin’ for a bust-down to make me put my two arms up. Touchdown! So come home with me, where the girls wanna come home with me. They say, ‘Cam, if you need dome, hit me!’ My dick hard as a motherfucker. You don’t what?! Tell that shit to another sucker. I ain’t no sucka, mama, come on, fuck the drama. And kiss it down, little pucker-rama. I’m so active, you being so drastic. Got something for your face, fuck Pro-Activ. Yo, I need a girl that can sing like Selena, ass like Trina, tits like Janet, get beat like Tina. Have you seen her?”

Jay-Z Gets RIAA To Change Digital Album Sales Rules

After learning that Jay-Z’s first million downloads of his upcoming Magna Carta Holy Grail album will not count towards Neilson’s Soundscan, it looks like that won’t be the case after all. The Recording Industry Association of America have officially decided to change their certification policy for the sale of digital singles and albums.

We think it’s time for the RIAA – and Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman – to align our digital song and album certification requirements. That’s why today we are officially updating this rule in our G&P Program requirements. Going forward, sales of albums in digital format will become eligible on the release date, while sales of albums in physical format will still become eligible for certification 30 days after the release date.