Claude Kelly has written for everyone from Michael Jackson to Kelly Clarkson. Rap-Up TV caught up with the multi-platinum songwriter at the BMI Pop Awards, where he spoke about his latest work with two of pop’s biggest stars, Jessie J and Britney Spears.
Kelly has been in the lab with the British singer cooking up more hits for her sophomore album. “Jessie is doing something that right now would probably be unheard of in that she’s not apologizing for big vocals,” said Kelly, who penned “Price Tag” and “Domino.” “It’s a lot of big vocals, a lot of vocal tricks, but still huge pop choruses. She’s colorful and over the top so you’re gonna have that still.”
The almost is “98 percent done,” and she has been working with the same collaborators from her first album including Dr. Luke and Ammo. The first single, “Wild” featuring Big Sean and Dizzee Rascal, was co-written by Kelly.
He has also been brainstorming ideas for Britney Spears’ upcoming album with producers Danja and Ammo. “When I write for her, I kinda ignore the directions,” said Kelly, who co-wrote Spears’ 2008 hit “Circus.” “I just write what I think is a great pop song, and I’ve been lucky that she’s taken it two albums now.”
Ludacris is back with his first project in three years, DTP Presents: I Don’t Give a Fuck. On the eve of its release, the Atlanta rapper-actor-businessman shared some insight into the star-studded set, which features Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, Mac Miller, Pusha T, French Montana, and more.
He explained why he decided to release a free mixtape at this point in his career. “Basically, I put this mixtape out as an appreciation for all the fans that’s been supporting me for over a decade,” Luda told Rap-Up TV.
Chris Brown is featured on two tracks including Da Internz-produced “Dancing Dirty.” “I feel like it’s a club record, I feel like it’s something women can appreciate,” he said. “I vibe in the studio so much with Chris Brown. We play each other so many records and there’s no method to the madness.”
He has also recorded a song called “Fantasy” for Breezy’s upcoming album X, but he’s unsure if it will make the cut.
Brown also makes an appearance on “Mad Fo” featuring Meek Mill, Swizz Beatz, and Pusha T. “That record is talking back to all the haters. What the hell are you really mad fo?” explained Luda.
He wanted to work with Mac Miller (“She’s a Trip”) because he respected his independent movement. “I love the fact that he had this underground following,” said Ludacris, who also got his start independently.
His eighth album Ludaversal is due later this year, while Fast & Furious 6 hits theaters Friday. But despite his success in Hollywood, music will always be Luda’s first love. “This mixtape is showing everybody how hungry I still am and that the music is still number one in my life regardless of how many movies I’ve shot.”
Fabolous is currently traveling across the country with Pusha T on “The Life Is So Exciting” tour, which wraps next month. Fresh off the stage at Club Nokia in L.A. last Friday, Loso caught up backstage with Rap-Up TV.
Surrounded by ladies and his friend Trey Songz (who he brought out to perform with Cassie), the Brooklyn MC told us what to expect from his upcoming album Loso’s Way 2: Rise to Power.
“Just a little bit of growth. I’ma give you what I do and some collaborations here and there, but definitely some evolution as an artist, as a man, as a father, as a friend,” he said of the sequel to 2009’s Loso’s Way. “Just talking about some real shit and still doing what I do, giving you some witty lines, giving you some catchy stuff for the ladies. Just good music overall.”
The album will feature collaborations with Future, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Ne-Yo, 2 Chainz, and Trey Songz, who was in the room during the interview.
Previously due June 18, Loso’s Way 2 will now arrive in late July (either the 23rd or 30th). “We actually pushed back a little bit. We needed to handle some technicalities.”
Twelve years after releasing his debut, Fab feels confident about his status in the game. “I’m cool, I’m blessed, and God has blessed me to be here,” he said. “This is a young man’s game, so it’s a blessing just to be here still now.”
He plans to do some acting, but music remains his focus. “I definitely want to get more present in the game.”
Iggy Azalea has a few collaborations in the works for her upcoming debut The New Classic including one with a global pop superstar. During her interview with Rap-Up TV, the “Work” rapper hinted that she has a track with Rihanna’s name written all over it.
“Hopefully I would be able to make that stick ’cause I would love to have her sing on my album. Who wouldn’t?” she said of RiRi, who is also signed to Island Def Jam.
She shared more details about the seductive song called “Designer Drugs.” “I actually sung the hook and then I thought, ‘I can think of someone who would sing this better,’” said Iggy. “It sounds like if someone was playing an acoustic guitar, but then you went out into a tepee in the middle of the desert and got really drunk and started hallucinating. It’s a bit warped, but strangely acoustic. I sound like a bit of a phone sex operator on it.”
While Rihanna may not be 100% confirmed, T.I. is. The Hustle Gang chief is set to appear on Iggy’s third single “Change Your Life.”
Toni Braxton dropped a bombshell when she said that she was done with music. In the weeks following her announcement, the R&B icon has received an outpouring of support from her peers. While hosting her sister Tamar’s Backyard Boogie Baby Shower at the Hotel Bel-Air, the oldest Braxton spoke out about her leave of absence from the industry.
“I’m kinda still on the done with music side, but we’ll see,” she told Rap-Up TV. “I haven’t done any recording, nothing in the studio.”
Some of her famous friends including Anita Baker, Babyface, and Missy Elliott have tried to encourage her to get back in the studio. “Missy called me. [She said], ‘I’ll be in town, come by, just come say hi,’” she shared. “They’re kinda tryna push me to do something. But I love them for that and it makes me feel so much better ’cause I don’t feel so alone.”
She’s not the only superstar who fell out of love with music. “Someone told me Barbra Streisand, who is like the queen bee, felt the same way, but she didn’t do it for 10 years,” said Toni.
Even if it takes that long, she sees the silver lining. “Maybe I’ll be a better singer ’cause I feel like Barbra got even better, so we’ll see.”
Tamar Braxton was surrounded by friends and family at her Backyard Boogie Baby Shower at Hotel Bel-Air on Sunday. Rap-Up TV was on the scene as the glowing mom-to-be arrived to the carnival-themed party in a white DVF dress.
Her husband Vincent and sister Toni hosted the lavish event, which will air on an upcoming episode of her WE tv reality show.
Tamar’s mother Evelyn and sisters Towanda, Traci, and Trina showed up fashionably late. Trina sported a pink onesie in honor of the occasion, which prompted Tamar to ask, “What the hell are you wearing?”
T.I. and his wife Tiny sent their love to the parents-to-be, while Toni was the last sister to arrive. She shared her advice for Tamar, who’s been telling her to buy yellow items.
“She’s having a boy… She says yellow, but I think it’s a boy,” said the oldest Braxton.
Before she gives birth to her baby, Tamar will deliver her new Biggie-sampled single “The One” on Tuesday. The video was shot last month on the beach in Santa Monica. “I saw the video for the first time last night. It’s amazing. The whole movement behind ‘The One’ is throwback and it’s so, so great. I can’t wait for everybody to see it,” she said.
With all the rumors surrounding her affiliation with T.I. and Hustle Gang, Iggy Azalea set the record straight during her visit to our Hollywood studio.
“It’s confusing for even me,” laughs the “Work” rapper. “It seems like everybody always wants me to not be friends with T.I. T.I.’s like my family, he’s like an older brother to me. I love everybody at Grand Hustle.”
While she is signed to Island Def Jam, Iggy maintains a close relationship with Grand Hustle. “As far as a record deal, no, I don’t have a record deal with Grand Hustle, but we do have contractual ties together. I’m a part of Hustle Gang and I’m a supporter of Grand Hustle and they’re a supporter of me.”
The blonde bombshell can be heard on Hustle Gang’s upcoming mixtape G.D.O.D., due May 7. She has a collaboration with T.I. (“Chasing Me”) and there is also a remix to her album single “Work” featuring some of Grand Hustle’s own.
Tip also appears on “Change Your Life,” the third worldwide single off her upcoming debut The New Classic. The melodic song finds the 22-year-old singing for the first time.
“It’s a big record,” says Iggy, who’s already planning an epic video. “I think it will be good to have T.I. on that single and just show that we’re together, we’re still family. It’s definitely not me trying to make my silent exit from Hustle Gang.”
With the ink still drying on her new deal with Island Def Jam, Iggy Azalea stopped by our Hollywood studio to discuss all the buzz surrounding her career and why she decided to sign with Def Jam over Interscope.
“Def Jam’s just always been my favorite team, and I love everybody over there,” the Aussie rap sensation tells Rap-Up TV. “They’re really young and energetic and you can tell when they’re passionate about the project.”
While she continues to promote “Work” as her first U.S. single, she recently traveled to Mumbai, India, to shoot a Bollywood-themed video for her next U.K. single, “Bounce,” calling the experience one of the highlights of her career.
“Shooting ‘Bounce’ in India was surreal,” recalls Iggy. “It’s just so crazy to dream something so big and actually see it happen.”
She imagined putting an elephant in the video, and she was able to make it happen. But it wasn’t an easy task.
“It took us a month to find it and we got it, and it was such a shit fight,” says the 22-year-old, who had to get the Indian mafia to shut down the street. “We just took this elephant and thugged it down the street, and it was insane.”
See Iggy’s dreams come to life when the big-budget video premieres next week.
