Kanye West may be earning rave reviews for Yeezus, but don’t count out J. Cole. Jay-Z’s protégé is back for another round with his sophomore album Born Sinner. Cole enlists TLC, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Jhené Aiko on the follow-up to his 2011 debut, while handling the bulk of production himself.

Did he win over the critics with his beats and rhymes? The reviews are in.

Read the rest of this entry »

Yeezy season is officially upon us. Kim Kardashian gave birth to the couple’s daughter over the weekend, and now Kanye West delivers his highly-anticipated sixth album Yeezus.

The new father crafts his most dark, audacious, and brash album yet. The 10 tracks feature production from Rick Rubin, Daft Punk, and Hudson Mohawke, with appearances by Chief Keef, Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, Charlie Wilson, and even God.

The music mastermind has complained that despite his 21 Grammys, he has never won Album of the Year. Will Yeezus be the album to change that?

Find out what the critics are saying.

Read the rest of this entry »

Iggy Azalea has been making the media rounds with T.I. this week. She stopped by “Sway in the Morning” on Tuesday, where she revealed that her debut The New Classic is due in September.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lil Wayne is facing more heat from critics. While shooting a video for his new single “God Bless Amerika” in his hometown of New Orleans, the Young Money rapper was seen walking on the American flag.

TMZ claimed he was “trampling” it, but Wayne says it wasn’t done on purpose. In a statement released via Facebook, he explains that the scene was set up for a camera trick. The flag dropped to the floor to reveal faces from his Hollygrove neighborhood as he continued performing with the flag under his feet.

“It was never my intention to desecrate the flag of the United States of America,” said Weezy. “In the final edit of the video you will see the flag fall to reveal what is behind it but will never see it on the ground.”

Read his full statement below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Drake scores his third cover for GQ. In anticipation of his upcoming album Nothing Was the Same, hip-hop’s heartthrob gets decked out in designer fashions including a Tom Ford belt, Ralph Lauren Black Label denim, and leather jacket by Alexander Wang for the July issue. The men’s magazine visited him at his $7.7 million mansion in the San Fernando Valley, which his friends refer to as Disneyland.

In the interview, the 26-year-old superstar opens up about his beef with Chris Brown, advice from Will Smith, putting his work before sex, and making $250 million by the time he turns 29.

The issue hits newsstands everywhere on June 25. Check out more photos and highlights below.

Read the rest of this entry »

After announcing her new single last week, Michelle Williams debuts a 30-second snippet of the soulful number, “If We Had Your Eyes.”

“If we could just see from your point of view, then most things won’t be as they seem/ If we had your eyes,” sings the Destiny’s Child member.

The full song hits iTunes on June 24, while her fourth solo album is due later this year on eOne Music.

Get a preview of what Michelle has in store.

Read the rest of this entry »

Juicy J has no plans on giving up his crown. Following “Bandz a Make Her Dance” and “Show Out,” the king of the strip clubs gives the strippers another anthem to twerk to with his new single “Bounce It.”

He recruits Trey Songz, who “throws a couple thousands” on the hook, and Wale, who keeps the cheeks clapping with his guest verse. Juicy gets high on molly, doobie, and codeine before retiring to his hotel room.

His debut Stay Trippy is due this summer featuring Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, The Weeknd, Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, and Big Sean.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jay-Z has a lot to celebrate. In addition to his upcoming album Magna Carta Holy Grail and lucrative deal with Samsung Mobile, the hip-hop mogul toasted the 10th anniversary of his 40/40 Club in New York on Monday night. Some of his famous friends in the music and sports industry dressed up and turned out to the star-studded bash.

Jay looked sharp in a grey suit, while his boo Beyoncé stunned in a white Roberto Cavalli dress with a plunging neckline.

T.I. and Tiny held court with Mr. and Mrs. Carter in VIP and Amar’e Stoudemire and Roc Nation Sports’ own Robinson Cano were in the building.

Guests including Maxwell, Kylie Minogue, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Meek Mill, Adrienne Bailon, and RaVaughn Brown sipped D’Usse cocktails as DJ FirstChoice and DJ Big Jeff provided the evening’s soundtrack.

Check out more photos from the 10th anniversary celebration below.

Read the rest of this entry »