Some of the biggest hip-hop and R&B stars in the U.S. traveled Down Under for Supafest 2012, Australia’s largest urban music festival.

A tatted Chris Brown thrilled with his chart-topping hits, Kelly Rowland added some sizzle to the stage, Lupe Fiasco raged in a Bulls jersey, and Big Sean and Trey Songz catered to the ladies during the second day in Sydney.

Diddy and Rick Ross pulled out at the last minute, citing issues with promoters, but hip-hop vets Ice Cube, Ludacris, and Naughty by Nature filled the void.

The four-date festival will also play Melbourne and Perth, and is expected to draw over 100,000 attendees.

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From being an outcast to putting his signature stamp on pop music, T-Pain recalled his unlikely rise to stardom on VH1’s “Behind the Music.” Born Faheem Rasheed Najm, the rappa-ternt-sanga grew up in a middle class family in Tallahassee, Florida, and was picked on in school. He eventually dropped out in the eighth grade to pursue his dreams full-time and found local success with his group the Nappy Headz.

With problems at home and hardly a dollar to his name, T-Pain ran away and signed with Akon’s upstart label Konvict Records, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after producers for his Auto-Tune sound.

During the one-hour episode, T-Pain opened up about his father’s drug addiction and his unconventional marriage, with commentary from his wife, parents, brother, and Akon.

“I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t let anybody or anything hold me back,” said the platinum Pain.

Watch his rags-to-riches story in the full episode below.

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It’s “5 O’Clock” in the morning and Mateo is feeling in the mood for another cover. The singer-songwriter, who released his EP Love & Stadiums II in December, turns T-Pain’s Auto-Tuned hit “5 O’Clock” into an acoustic gem. The cover is the latest in his Stripped Series, which has included Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” Lil Wayne’s “Shoot Me Down,” and Kanye West’s “POWER.”

What do you think of Mateo’s stripped-down version? Listen below.

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Rick Ross celebrates two of his favorite things, money and women, on “Bag of Money,” the first single from the second installment of the Maybach Music Group compilation, Self Made, Vol. 2.

“My chick bad, lookin’ like a bag of money,” repeats Rozay before throwing it to his MMG signees Wale and Meek Mill. T-Pain provides the Auto-Tuned hook over the Beat Billionaire production.

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Melanie Fiona duets with T-Pain on “6 AM,” inspired by their individual hits “4 AM” and “5 O’Clock.” The track will appear as a bonus cut on Melanie’s sophomore album The MF Life, due March 20.

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The King of Auto-Tune is looking to be taken more seriously these days. T-Pain is readying the release of his new mixtape The Heath Ledger Project, which will consist of material that he’s recorded while on the road.

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Tallahassee has never seen a homecoming like this. T-Pain is set to ignite the stage in his Florida hometown on March 31 with a few famous friends including Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, and Ace Hood for “Come to the Crib 2,” his second benefit concert to raise money for his foundation, If I Could Change the World. The organization encourages people to post ideas about how they would help someone in need. Pain, in turn, tries to make some of these dreams come true. Rap-Up.com spoke with the charitable superstar about giving back to his community, Chris Brown’s wholehearted support, and the surprises in store.

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In the final part of his interview with Rap-Up TV, T-Pain opens up about his friendship with Chris Brown and Ke$ha.

“I think my relationship with Chris is better than anybody else,” shares the “5 O’Clock” singer. “I don’t think I chill or bond with any other artist like that.”

T-Pain collaborated twice with Chris on his new album rEVOLVEr. “He’s winning more than anybody right now,” says a supportive Pain. “I don’t bother him, I don’t even call him, I just wait till he calls me.”

While they may seem like an odd pair, he and Ke$ha bonded because they’re both “rock stars.” But the “TiK ToK” singer is holding out on a collaboration. “She’s disappeared off the face of the Earth,” jokes Pain. “She has a song for me, but she don’t want to give it to me ’cause she think I’ma put it out.”