Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Grammy-nominated rapper Fabolous has linked with Rick Ross‘ “B.M.F.” producer Lex Lugerand hitmaker Ryan Leslie to assist on his upcoming There Is No Competition 2 EP.

For his re-release, Fab gave a brief synopsis on each bonus cut.

“I worked with Sonaro, a producer who just signed to Street Family. He did ‘Body Ya.’ I worked with the guy who did [Rick Ross'] ‘Blowin’ Money Fast,’ Lex Luger. He did a song for me called ‘Lights Out.’ The one with Sonaro is called ‘Body Count.’ I did one more with Ryan Leslie called ‘You Be Killin’ Them.’ It’s a little bit more for the females but keeping with the theme. I think when people hear these three joints, they gonna be like, ‘He’s still giving us great music, and it’s just a mixtape, just an EP.’ And from here, I’m working on the album.” (MTV)

The project’s eight-song tracklisting landed online last night (July 16).

1. “Lights Out (I Don’t See Nobody)” 2. “Girl You Be Killin’ ‘Em” 3. “I’m Raw” 4. “Body Ya” 5. “Body Count” 6. “Tonight” feat. Red Cafe and Lorel 7. “The Wake” 8. “Body Bag” feat. Cam’ron andVado (Rap-Up)

When his mixtape dropped in the spring, it featured 20 cuts.

01. The Wake 02. I’m Raw 03. Body Ya 04. Hard Feat. Kobe, Paul Cain & LA The Darkman 05. Oh Let’s Do It 06. Suicide 2 Feat. Paul Cain & Freck Billionaire 07. It’s Goin’ Down Feat. Freck Billionaire 08. Roger That Feat. Freck Billionaire 09. Love Come Down 10. Popular Demand Feat. Paul Cain 11. Mr. R.I.P 12. Body Bag Feat. Cam’ron & Vado 13. Beamer, Benz, or Bentley Feat. Lloyd Banks & Juelz Santana 14. For The Money Feat.Nicki Minaj 15. Tonight Feat. Red Cafe 16. All The Way Turnt Up Feat. Trey Songz 17. Say Somethin’ N*gga 18. Funeral Service Music Feat. Kobe, Paul Cain, Red Cafe & Willie The Kid19. Bring Death To Em’ 20. Exhibit F (There Is No Competition 2)

Earlier this month, Fab broke the news of his free mixtape being put in stores by Def Jam.

“Def Jam decided to put out TiNc2 the Funeral Service mixtape as a EP in August… So im in the studio workin on a few new songs…,” he revealed Thursday (July 1). (Fabolous’ Twitter)

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys has decided to go for self after releasing a statement announcing her termination of longtime manager Jeff Robinson.

Details on the decision were revealed Friday (July 16) night.

Robinson and Keys will continue to collaborate and produce future albums through MBK/J Records while Keys will now oversee her career, according to a statement. Keys’ company, AK Worldwide, will take the reins on opportunities ranging from touring and licensing to film, television, and new business development. (Billboard Business)

A statement addressing the situation was also released.

“This decision will allow Alicia more control over all aspects of her career from singing and songwriting, to leading many business ventures and social causes,” the statement read, adding that the decision was “amicable.” (Statement)

Reports suggest Keys and Robinson have maintained a relationshipfor over a decade.

Robinson had been Keys trusted friend and manager since she was 14 years old. He is credited as executive producer on her last four studio albums. “I have known Alicia since she was 14. She has matured as an artist, going from a ‘wide-eyed and curious-about-the-world girl’ to a ‘wide-eyed and curious-about-the-universe woman,” Robinson told Jet magazine in 2007. “She continues to absorb knowledge like a sponge and I feel like a proud father watching his daughter grow into a take-charge woman.” (Rap-Up)

Keys is currently preparing her annual New York City Black Ball charity concert.

Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Sade Adu will join musical forces later this year for charity. Keys has recruited Jay-Z and Sade to perform at her charity’s annual Black Ball on Sept. 30 at New York’s Hammerstein Ball. Keys will also hit the stage. The charity didn’t know whether Sade’s band would accompany her to the ball. The 51-year-old singer and her group won a Grammy for their song, “Lovers Rock,” which was released in 2000. (Associated Press)

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

West Coast rap veteran Ice Cube has shared his thoughts on NBA superstar LeBron Jamesrecently leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and joining Dwayne Wade on the Miami Heat.

Writing in a blog post, Cube said his hometown Los AngelesLakers are too dominant for James and company.

“Kurupt is one of my favorite MC’s. He’s got complicated metaphors that’s still gangsta,” Cube wrote on Thursday (July 15). “15 minutes after he left the room in came Snoop. We talked about the Lakers kickin’ the Celtics a** in the Finals. We laughed about LeBron joining The Heat. It won’t work, Lakers are still the team to beat.” (Ice Cube’s Blog)

LeBron James made his long-awaited decision to join the Heat last week.

In the here and now, LeBron James probably did the best thing for himself. By joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to form an NBA superpower squad, James, who announced Thursday night that he was bolting Cleveland via free agency, will more than likely win a championship — or two or three — sooner rather than later. And ultimately, that’s what James so desperately wants after seven “failed” seasons with the Cavaliers. (ESPN)

This decision sparked excitement from Miami’s Rick Ross.

“Lebron coming too the release party!!!king of diamonds!!!july20,” Ross wrote following the announcement.

“Miami the spotlight of the world!!!!”

“Courtside seats went up 30stacks in 30mins!!!!!got 5 anyway!!!!” (Rick Ross’ Twitter)

Miami production duo Cool & Dre said they predicted James’ destination would be with the Heat.

“can i get some props for predicting Bron coming to Miami for thepast couple months. i dnt wanna start going back to my old tweets.”

“u know what i’ma do, i think i’m gonna retweet some of your old replies…there were some that was airing me out saying i was krazy.” (Cool & Dre’s Twitter)

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Def Jam South President DJ Khaled recently talked about his working relationship with Kanye West and how the Grammy-winning superstar is not your typical emcee.

Recalling his past experience working with him and T-Pain on “Go Hard,” Khaled said Yeezy has to respect artists before linking up.

Kanye is great friend of mine. He was doing a show in Miami, and so I went backstage to try and find him. It’s hard to get with Kanye. You got to have patience, and he don’t just f*ck with just anybody; everybody doesn’t get a verse from him. ‘Ye has to really respect you to work with you. So I’m talking to him in the lounge area at the arena and I played him ‘Out Here Grindin” before it leaked and he went crazy. And then I played him the ‘Go Hard’ beat, and I started singing the hook right there myself. His eyes opened up wide, and I knew he understood my energy.” (VIBE)

Aside from being an executive and producer, Khaled recentlydefended his decision to rhyme on the “All I Do Is Win” remix.

“I love music, [Ross] is definitely gonna be a ghost writer for me,” Khaled told DJ Envy in an interview. “I ain’t hiding it…Everybody said ‘Khaled you need to spit something one day,’ so I said you know what, it’s only right that I do it on the ‘All I Do Is Win’ remix and I waited four albums to do it. I’m not a rapper, I’m having fun. You will hear a few verses once in a blue moon, just doing my thing. Shout-out to Swizz Beatz, my brother had took it to another level. Shout-out Puff Daddy, I’m just doing what I do. I love music.” (Power 105.1)

Earlier this year, Khaled spoke on his placement in hip-hop.

“I’m like the LA Reid of hip-hop, the Berry Gordy of hip-hop,” Khaled told radio personality Jenny Boom Boom. “I feel like I’m the executive right now that’s in the streets and going to take it to the next level, that’s the goal, you know what I’m saying? That’s the next goal. At Def Jam, we’re one big team, and I’m an executive at Def Jam, office in Miami, but I gotta come to NewYork, do big meetings…LA Reid is a boss — those [firing reports] are rumors, that’s not happening. He hired me, so I’m with LA Reid for life, man. Shout-outs to LA Reid, one of the best execs in the game and also he’s a music guy, he’s another Berry Gordy.” (“Jenny Boom Boom TV”)

The hitmaker recently discussed how involved he is with artist development.

“DJ Khaled’s involvement is everything in the record,” Khaled said in an interview speaking of himself. “DJ Khaled comes up with the concept. DJ Khaled gets with the producer and is either me making it or somebody else making it with me orchestrating the situation. DJ Khaled is bringing the energy from the artist, to me, to the producer, then to the room. I am Berry Gordy of hip-hop.” (All Hip Hop)

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Actress/Singer Tila Tequila has come forward to claim a man is trying to leak naked photos of Bad Boy Records CEO Diddy and his artist Cassie.

Writing on her blog, Tequila gave details on the alleged photos.

“Somebody out there is trying to leak some scandalous photos of Diddy, in some compromising positions with one of his artists, “Cassie”. Some dude on the street is trying to sell some pics, speculated to be about a year old. One of the pics shows Puffy sitting in what looks like a steam room or sauna, with a virtually naked Cassie sitting on his lap, both wearing no more than 1 towel.. haha. Then there’s another picture that shows definitely Diddy’s lips in a one-on-one smack down with definitely Cassie’s lips!! Now, the legality of these pics are questionable, because the dude trying to sell them won’t reveal where or how he got them, which means, dangerously litigious material!!! So we aint effin with it!! We all remember what happened when those pics of Cassie’s cooter leaked on the net, Diddy’s legal team sent Cease & Desist letters to virtually every media outlet and celebrity gossip blog in existence, and yeah, we’re not trying to get one of those, so Diddy dodges a bullet from us. But for some other unscrupulous media outlet out there, somebody will probably pick them up, and we will keep our hands clean from that blood. But don’t say we didn’t warn ya! BUT WE DEFINITELY SAW THE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND OH MY GOD!!!!! THAT’S ALL I HAVE TO SAY!” (Miss Tila OMG)

In a recent interview, 50 Cent said he previously had scandalous photos of Cassie.

Diddy thinks he can send subliminal hints to 50 Cent but if anyone remembers the 50 and Rick Ross beef you would know 50 hits below the belt. Everyone knows Cassie is Diddy`s side piece and when her nudes were exposed a while back the Bad Boy legal team were working over time to get her vag shots removed from the internet. 50 knows the only way to get to Diddy is by Cassie , that’s why on a radio show 50 claimed that he had photos of Cassie getting “penetrated” by some other dude. (iHipHop)

Last year, Cassie blamed her GMail account for leaked naked photos of herself hitting the Internet.

“True,” Cassie said confirming the photos were leaked. “Not by me. We’re closer to an idea of who did it, yeah. It’s being somewhat investigated, I don’t even know if I’m supposed to talk about it like that. But um, yeah, I think we’re closer to finding out who it was. I wasn’t sure what the situation was until we asked more questions and found out more things but it was in an old e-mail from like last year that I had. Actually it was GMail and sometimes GMail is the worst. Kinda lost a lot of music too, I got music leaked as well…It was a year ago I took the pictures and sent them. I don’t even have the pictures anymore, so that was the crazy part about it…[I found out after] I got a phone call about 11 o’clock at night and my stomach fell. I freaked out for a second and then, what can you do when that happens. A lot of people take pictures like that for their significant other and that’s what it was for me, I had sent them to someone. Now I’ve learned not to use an e-mail to send a picture obviously.” (JoJo Wright)

Tila Tequila made headlines earlier this year when she accused Game of impregnating her.

“Game, I don’t need to bicker and fight with you love, when I know a lot of shady things about you, that I can sell you out on but I’m not,” Tequila said in a statement to RadarOnline.com. “You know d*mn straight everything you said in that video [interview in which he denies he is the father] is a lie! Why would you do that??? But I don’t even care.” (Radar Online)

Written by Rosario Harper

Grammy-nominated rapper Fabolous recently explained his reason for re-releasing last spring’s mixtape The Funeral Service: There Is No Competition 2.

Fab believes his mixtape has won the right to be called a classic and caught Def Jam’s attention.

“It’s really incredible how people will connect with the work,” Fab said. “I think we put a lot of work into it, with the whole funeral theme. We didn’t just say it and you had to daydream it. We went into the funeral homes. We picked caskets out for the competition. Def Jam, this summer, is gonna put the mixtape out as an EP. So I did about four new songs, put ‘em with some of the original joints from the mixtape. We got more viral videos coming. We just gonna keep it going and let it end as the classic it is. A lot of people saying it’s a classic, one of the, if not the best mixtape of 2010. It’s crazy to me, because it started out as something I wanted to give free to the fans and people who accept my work. Def Jam even came in and said, ‘Whoa, we gotta get a piece.’ It’s a good thing, man.” (MTV)

Reports show the album having a modified name and dropping in late August.

The Funeral Service may be over, but Fabolous is still in mourning. The Brooklyn rapper has selected a title and release date for a repackaging of his mixtape. F-A-B-O had the Internetabuzz with his mixtape There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service. Released in March, the 20-track set featured appearances from Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Juelz Santana, and more. Now Fab will release his street offering to retail on August 24 under the title There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music EP, Rap-Up.com has learned. He has been in the studio recording new material for the project. (Rap-Up)

Earlier this month, Fab broke the news of his free mixtape being put in stores by Def Jam.

“Def Jam decided to put out TiNc2 the Funeral Service mixtape as a EP in August… So im in the studio workin on a few new songs…,” he revealed Thursday (July 1).

“Back in the studio workin on the TiNc2 Funeral Service EP.. Despite what u heard i wont be inMiami 2nite.. #NYC”

“Its a hard job killin the competition & keepin them dead.. But somebody gotta do it.. #FuneralFab” (Fabolous’ Twitter)

Last March, Fab talked about the original mixtape’s constant delays.

“Nah, timing was the hardest part,” Fab explained about his delayed release. “You know I have a very crazy schedule, I have a lot of shows — I wanted to take time out and make time to do this album, to do this mixtape, I keep referring to it as an album because that’s what it felt like…I chose the opportunity to work with some of the people I didn’t get to work with before like Nicki [Minaj] and Cam. They make good music, I make good music and you put good music and good music together and you make great music. I think they were helpful in making the mixtape as well, it’s a great project…I put a lot of hard work into it.” (Real Talk NY)

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

G-Unit’s Tony Yayo has re-ignited his rap rivalry with Rick Ross by publicly calling him out onTwitter.

Writing via his Twitter page, Yayo taunted Ross’ “Ricky Rozay” rap alias.

“Just rocked Sao Paulo! (@ Via Funchal w/ 3 others),” he wrote Friday (July 16) morning.

“F*ck ricky rozay its tony rozay !!!!!!! Sau paulo brasil !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get a stamp international tony yayo.” (Tony Yayo’s Twitter)

Last year, Yayo released multiple diss records going at Ross including “Somebody Snitched On Me.”

“Yeah, it’s the ‘Talk of New York’, Tony Yayo,” he says in the intro. “Check out my new video, f*ck Rick Ross, n*gga.” Throughout the video, Yayo is seen throughout a neighborhood surrounded by an entourage rapping. Showing clips of an Italian mobster film, Yayo adds various images including Ross’ corrections officer picture, animated cartoon pictures and local shopping center vendors and restaurant employees holding signs and saying “Officer Ricky.” (This Is 50)

Earlier this month, Rick Ross talked about moving forward from his past beef against the Unit.

“That’s the beauty of art,” Ross told us. “You can take it and channel it any way you want to. Of course, I realize I put a lot of pollution out there as well that I wouldn’t this year. That was a part of me learning. I’ll forever be attracted to some form or fashion of war. I feel it’s competitive but at the same time, I’m focused on my numbers. I’m focused on my business. I’m focused on my brand. I wanna see other things blossom around me, versus back-and-forth with nothing. For the most part, I feel when you prioritize your business, that’s the result — that’s the advice I’ve been given for so long. I’m trying it out.” (MTV)

Last month, 50 said he never reached out to make a truce with Ross.

“I never had a conversation with him. My focus shifted during that record. A lot of times, earlier in my career, I was competing with artists because that was what I loved about hip-hop: The idea that battling someone was necessary to defend your spot and you had to take on all challengers — so I did that constantly. No one thinks that way now and everyone looks at me like I’m the Broad Street Bully. The younger kids coming up missed that time frame, and even the conscious rap is gone too. The stuff that Common Sense and Talib Kweli and Mos Defwere rhyming about. What was socially conscious and responsible about the music has been replaced by hipster kids in skinny jeans and mohawks. Of course, that’s always been around, but it was usually confined to the Village. Artists have always had the opportunity to influence the culture, but now it’s the other way around: They’re trying to look like their audience to attract their audience. Now you can’t tell the difference between a Led Zeppelin fan and a hip-hop fan.” (Los Angeles Times)

Written by Rosario Harper

R&B singer Amerie has officially altered her stage name after being known by her government name for the past decade.

According to reports, the singer has modified how her name appears to project more positivity.

If you see Amerie’s name spelled with two Is from now on, that’s not a typo. The “1 Thing” singer has officially changed the spelling of her name. The Grammy-nominated artist, who now goes by Ameriie, added an I to her name to reflect positive energy. She announced the change to Rap-Up.com last month, but didn’t go public with it until her new Twitter page (@ItsAmeriie) was set up. In addition to changing her name, Ameriie has also become engaged to her longtime manager Lenny Nicholson. The couple are planning to wed in 2011. (Rap-Up)

The singer has been known as “Amerie” since her 2002 debut album.

While living in Washington, D.C., she met producer Rich Harrison, who worked with such performers as Mary J. Blige, and began developing demos with him. This led to a deal with Rise Entertainment and, in turn, Columbia Records. In the spring of 2002, Rise/Columbia released Amerie’s debut single, “Why Don’t We Fall in Love.” By the time her first album, All I Have, appeared that July, the single had reached the Top 20 of the R&B/hip-hop chart and the Billboard Hot 100. (All Music)

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj recently announced a new rap alias.

“I’ve officially changed my name and will only respond….to Roman. Roman Zolanski. Out.” (Nicki Minaj’s Twitter)

Last October, Game decided to change his name from “The Game.”

“It’s just Game now, I took the t-h-e off, you know what I’m saying,” Game confirmed in an interview. “I’m just coastin’ through, day-by-day, somebody got a script, I’ma read it, if it fits me, hopefully I’ll get it. I’m just day-by-day right now.” (Hip Hollywood)

Written by Biz Jones

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne reportedly owes over $1 million in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

According to reports, a tax iien was filed against Wayne in early June.

Lil Wayne owes some serious cash money to the IRS, which filed a $1.13 million tax lien against the star last month, according toFlorida court records. The IRS filed a $1,138,760 lien against Carter on June 3 in Dade County (Fla.) Circuit Court. According to the lien, which you can see here, he owes income taxes from 2004, 2005 and 2007. The address on the lien is the same office occupied by his One Family Foundation charity. (Detroit News)

Producer Bangladesh recently accused Cash Money Records co-owner Baby of withholding money from Wayne.

“This is why Manny Fresh don’t f*ck with [Cash Money] because he never got any royalty money,” he said in an interview. “That’s why Baby can go around flaunting this cash, because that’s everyone else’s money… It’s not even Wayne’s fault. Wayne is not getting money. He is given money, he’s not getting money. If Baby gets a million dollars he’ll buy Wayne a Phantom, but that’s in Cash Money’s name. That 14-bedroom mansion isn’t Wayne sh*t. That’s why he have his own company, because he was trying to leave Cash Money and the only thing that would keep him there was [if they] gave him his own thing. But Baby still controls that. All those Young Money artists don’t even know that they not getting royalty money.” (VIBE)

Currently incarcerated on a gun conviction, Wayne released a letterto fans this week.

“So I’ve been writing and let me be the first to tell you that the lyrics that I’m writing are… well there’s no word that I can think of that properly defines them. Amazing would be too typical and perfect would be unfair. I listen to the radio sometimes, emphasis on sometimes, and I hear the new music. I like some. I applaud my Young Money family for what they’re doing. As I’m not surprised. This is what we’re supposed to do. Congrats to Drakeand Nicki for all their recent success. Those 2 are going to have me retiring early. I love my team. Much love to Tez and Mack. I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That’s my day.” (Weezy Thanx You)

Despite serving a one-year jail sentence, Wayne could be out as early as November.

Lil Wayne is approximately halfway through his one-year jail sentence, which began March 8 when the superstar MC turned himself into authorities after reaching a plea deal. According to prison records accessed by MTV News, the rapper has a projected release date of November 4. Pending any violations or infractions for behavioral issues, the rapper is expected to see the light of day eight months after entering prison. (MTV)