Apparently Jermaine was dropped from his position at Island Records yesterday. He was the President of their Urban Music Division for nearly two years. He didn’t really win them over with his performance over the past couple of years. He brought his wifey, Janet Jackson to the label and we all know how well that worked out. She accused the label of not being able to promote her album properly. Next JD brought Jagged Edge, where have they been? Check out the full article here.

Lil Kim has been angered by the way she has been portrayed in the upcoming movie, Notorious. In a recent interview with Hip Hop Weekly, the Queen Bee spoke about how she feels about the way the movie portrays her.

“I’ve had enough and I’m about to expose them both… I’ve been quiet for a long time,” Lil Kim told Hip-Hop Weekly. “I’m very disappointed in Faith. There’s nothing Faith or Ms. Wallace could do to stop me from reppin’ B.I.G. all day. I’m gonna always do that… It’s time for Ms. Wallace to be exposed.”

Interesting. For those of you who don’t know, Diddy and Biggies mother, Voletta Wallace served as producers of the film. Faith Evans also played a part in how the film was made. I’m very excited to see the movie and we’ll see how it portrays Lil Kim.

What’s good people. Blogging live from Chicago just before we jump into 2009. Open bar tonight, drinks will be in full rotation. So before we hop into 09′ lets take a look at some of the current hip-hop and R&B album sales for this past week. Hit the jump to see their ranks, units sold and more.

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As some of you know, the site was down since late last night until early this morning. We had some technical difficulties due to our friends at Atlantic Records (they don’t like us very much). The site was taken down for a little bit but as you can see we’re back in business bringing you the latest hip-hop and R&B music, videos, interviews and more. Keep it locked.

Common will be at the Union Square Virgin Megastore in New York City on Thursday December 11th at 6pm signing copes of his latest album Universal Mind Control. The word on the street is that he will only be signing copies of his new album so if you didn’t purchase it we would recommend you don’t wait an hour in line.

Previously: Common – Universal Mind Control (Preview)

He kept around 40 journalists waiting as he arrived fashionably late for a news conference in Auckland today, sporting his trademark dark glasses and designer threads.

He’s not afraid of admitting he does not plan to do any sightseeing while here.

“I’m going to sleep. All I want to see is the back of my eyelids,” he said. “The correct thing for me to say would be I’d go and see the capital, but I’m just going to perform really good, then I’m going to sleep.”

West is touring to promote his latest album, 808s & Heartbreak, which is hugely inspired by what’s been going on in his personal life. Check out the full video and see what he had to say.

Via HHDX:

I didn’t go and start nothing. If they rewind the cameras, they’ll see how it started,” Shawty Lo told MTV. “I’m a man. I respect every man as a man. If a man disrespects me, what am I supposed to do? T.I. needs to contain his people. We’re not standing down. I performed my music; 107.9 called me to perform. I didn’t come to start no beef with him. I gave Tip a shout out at the BET [Hip-Hop] Awards.

Shawty Lo also speaks on his beef with T.I.

Basically, I didn’t start saying anything about Tip. I was performing my music,” Shawty Lo explained to MTV. “During ‘Foolish’, all of them was coming in front of the stage doing their mugging. After ‘Dunn, Dunn’, I performed the diss record ‘Don’t I’. That’s what made me perform the diss record. I ain’t gonna lie; they was disrespecting me. I wasn’t gonna let them disrespect me.

Check the jump to see video footage of the scuffle.

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Via SPIN:

As Plies’ DJ dropped the first beat of the night, an ugly truth was unveiled: The rapper’s style seemed less like the future of the genre and more like its mediocre present — his set was heavy on crunktastic Southern beats and light on artistry or word craft. Worse, not one song was properly finished, including “Please Excuse My Hands” and “Who Hotter Than Me,” both from 2008’s Definition of Real, and “Shawty,” a track originally featuring T-Pain found on 2007’s The Real Testament.

As if this is a surprise to anyone. Plies, in New York City and they’re supposed to go wild? I can’t see it. And the people at VIBE should be slapped for calling him the “future of rap”.

“Just the positioning. I’m not comfortable where I’m at right now,” he adds. “My song ‘Get Up’ is performing great. I’m happy with ‘Get Up.’ It moved faster than ‘I Get Money’ at radio. But I’m just looking for the opportunity to present more of my material [prior to the album's release]. It’s not the strongest effort on my album; it’s just a great start for me.”

Curtis, maybe you should just work on putting out some better material and then people might be happy. You were happy with ‘Get Up’? That song was absolute trash. Lets see what you can manage to put out in 2009.

Damn it feels good to be back. I always feel so out of the loop when I get back from being out of town enjoying my social life. Meantime, the internet never sleeps, nor do these rappers. For all you New York people, Jadakiss is going to be making some stops at various retail locations on the 20th and the 21st. I wish I could make it so I could hear that laugh of his in person.

Via Billboard:

Kanye West was arrested after an alleged assault outside a U.K. nightclub, but was released without charge, according to British press reports.

The 31-year-old artist was detained in the early hours of this morning (Nov. 14) after an incident involving a paparazzi photographer.

The incident took place outside the Tup Tup Palace club in Newcastle, north-east England, after West’s performance at Newcastle Arena last night.

Damn, Ye’ and photographers don’t mix too well. Relax, smoke a blunt and chill. Life could be worse. Anyway, check out what Kanye had to say after the incident after the jump.

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Today, Q-Tip kicks off the 2K Sports Bounce Tour in San Francisco backed by his live band and EPMD’s DJ Scratch with supporting acts The Cool Kids and The Knux. Pacific Division and Janelle Monae will join select dates. Check the tour dates after the jump.

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Via XXL:

Suge Knight apparently has his eyes on Kanye West’s money. The former Death Row mogul reportedly blames Kanye West for being shot at his Pre-MTV party at Miami’s Shore Club back in 2005.

Knight recently (09/12) filed a lawsuit in Bankruptcy Court suing West and The Shore Club for negligence, personal injury and premises liability. The court document states that in addition to being wounded, Knight also lost a 15-carat diamond studded earring worth $135, 000 inside the Shore Club. Suge claims an employee found the earring and assured it would be returned to him. The earring has yet to be returned. Knight also claims he was so embarrassed he had to flea Miami in a private jet.

Suge is seeking for all his medical expenses to be covered and “for damages for the loss of use and enjoyment of the earring.” Though he’s bankrupt, Knight secured a deal that will allow him to keep a percentage of the money should he win the suit.

Suge Suge Suge…I guess you have to try and get that money somehow. This dude needs to get his priorities straight.

cou⋅ture: being, having, or suggesting the style, quality, etc., of a fashion designer; very fashionable.

Dope Couture: a sarcastic interpretation of upper class bourgeois style, high-class art, fashion, street and pop culture. If you’re un-familiar with Dope Couture you best get familiar. Artists such as Lupe Fiasco, David Banner, Big Sean, Talib Kweli, Kidz In The Hall and Mick Boogie have rocked apparel from Dope.

They just launched their Fall 2008 lineup featuring some of the hottest t-shirts to ever grace the fashion industry for men and women. Check the jump to see some of the Fall 2008 lineup as well as some pictures of your favorite artists rockin’ the tee’s.

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So here are the details of the project, straight from Mick Boogie.

“Hello all. So… we are back again. This time, with a special mix and a website devoted just to this really exciting project. Me and Terry Urban got together and decided to do a project honoring two of our favorite musical forces… Jay-Z and Coldplay.”

“If you love Jay-Z and you’re not into Coldplay, this is for you. If you love Coldplay, but don’t mess with hip-hop, this is for you. If you love all good music, this is definitely for you.”

We proudly present to you…

TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT EST…