Clad in plaid, Jay-Z performed a Lil’ Mama-free version of “Empire State of Mind” on “Friday Night with Jonathan Ross” in the U.K. If you’re wondering who the chick filling in for Alicia Keys is, her name is Bridget Kelly. She also sang at Jay’s Madison Square Garden show on 9/11.

What do you do when you get the call to perform with Jay-Z at Madison Square Garden? “Don’t f**k this up,” says Kid Cudi on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The rap newcomer tells Rap-Up TV what it was like to share the stage with hip-hop’s “O.G.” and record for The Blueprint 3.

Is a Drake and Cudi collaboration in the near future? “Me and Drizzle are definitely working on something as soon as he gets better.” Plus, if Cudi, Wale, and Drizzy were to form a supergroup, what would it be called?

Jay-Z has one up on Elvis. The rapper’s latest album The Blueprint 3 has shattered a record previously held by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

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The Three Musketeers, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West, assembled the troops and stormed NBC’s “The Jay Leno Show” on Monday (Sept. 14). The trio performed “Run This Town” on the show’s premiere.

Wale’s debut album Attention: Deficit has been pushed back again to November 3, but there’s good reason. Last night at the 2009 MTV VMAs, the D.C. native revealed to Rap-Up TV that he is about to hit the road with the “biggest boss” on a tour of college campus arenas and traditional venues, beginning October 9.
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Whoa Lil’ Mama! What was the 19-year-old femcee doing on stage during Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” closing performance with Alicia Keys? We know she’s on MTV’s payroll, but that doesn’t give you the right to upstage Hov.

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From Marcy to Madison Square. Jay-Z made a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday for his “Answer the Call” 9/11 charity concert. Hov shared the stage with some famous friends including Kanye West, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Diddy, Swizz Beatz, Santigold, Kid Cudi, and Mrs. Carter herself, who performed “Diva.” Even Jigga’s mother-in-law Tina Knowles was caught throwing up the diamond.

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Even if you were not one of the lucky ones seated inside Madison Square Garden, you could still witness history in the making from the comfort of your living room as Fuse aired Jay-Z’s “Answer the Call” benefit concert live on 9/11. Jigga pulled out all the stops, giving fans way more than their $50’s worth. Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Diddy, John Mayer, Kid Cudi, and more helped Hov make it a night to remember.

Watch the monumental show in its entirety below, courtesy of Mr. World Premiere.

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Jay-Z has an appetite for music, sports, and philosophy as he lunches with Angie Martinez, Harry Allen, and Stephen A. Smith for BET’s “Food for Thought: Conversations with Jay-Z” interview special. After you’ve digested part one, take in part two below.

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