All eyes are on Lil Wayne as he prepares to release his ninth solo album Tha Carter IV on Monday. Anticipation for the fourth installment in Tha Carter series began several years ago and since then, the hip-hop heavyweight has built up his Young Money empire with superstars including Drake and Nicki Minaj, served eight months behind bars, and still managed to sell out arenas across the country.

Despite his continued success, industry pundits question whether Weezy will be able to repeat the blockbuster sales of Tha Carter III, which sold over one million copies in its first week in June 2008. So far, C4 has spawned four hit singles including “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “John,” “How to Love,” and “She Will,” but has yet to produce massive radio records like “Lollipop” or “A Milli.”

Will Wayne be able to dethrone Jay-Z and Kanye West, who currently have the biggest opening for a hip-hop album this year with Watch the Throne (436,000)? And can he top reigning pop queen Lady Gaga, who holds the biggest debut of 2011 with 1.1 million units sold of Born This Way?

How much do you think Tha Carter IV will sell in its first week? Weigh in by taking our poll below.

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Hip-hop heads counted down the minutes to the release of Watch the Throne on Sunday night. If you’re like us, Jay-Z and Kanye West had you up till the early morning listening to their much-anticipated album, while trying not to wake the neighbors.

Now that the heavily-guarded project has made its way onto your iPod, we want to know your favorite song. Is it the Beyoncé-assisted “Lift Off,” either of Frank Ocean’s stellar contributions (“No Church in the Wild” and “Made in America”), or did Kanye and Jay’s sentimental verses to their unborn sons on “New Day” touch you most?

Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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From Beyoncé and Alicia Keys to Keri Hilson and Cassie, this year’s Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was more star-studded than the Grammys. From Ciara’s feathery Prabal Gurung gown to Jennifer Lopez as a fuchsia Gucci goddess to Rihanna’s one-shoulder Stella McCartney head turner, the ladies flaunted their boldest fashions. Which fierce female was the belle of the ball? See all the pics and take our poll below.

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The nominees for Record of the Year at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards boast a strong urban presence. While last year’s honorees included Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and winners King of Leon, hip-hop and R&B dominates in 2011.

Eminem, who is up for a whopping 10 awards this year, shares a nod with Rihanna for their smash collabo “Love the Way You Lie.” B.o.B and Bruno Mars may find themselves accepting the award for “Nothin’ on You,” while Jay-Z’s first No. 1 single “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys rounds out the dynamic duos. Cee Lo Green’s profanity-laced single “F**k You” also caught Grammy voters’ attention, and country group Lady Antebellum rounds out the category with “Need You Now.”

Who will take home the coveted Record of the Year at tomorrow’s show? Put in your bid below.

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From O.G.s to newbies, this year’s Grammy nominees for Best Rap Album pit newcomers against some of the genre’s biggest titans.

During the 53rd annual ceremony, New York competes against Detroit with Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 going head-to-head with Eminem’s best-selling album of 2010 Recovery. B.o.B and Drake earn nods for their respective debuts The Adventures of Bobby Ray and Thank Me Later, while The Roots hold it down as the sole hip-hop group to be honored for their 11th studio album How I Got Over.

Who’s got the Best Rap Album under their belt? Cast your vote below, and see who takes home the trophy on Sunday night’s broadcast.

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The battle continues for this year’s Grammys. After a strong year of solid R&B records from the genre’s finest, an elite five nominees will go head-to-head for Best Contemporary R&B Album during Sunday’s broadcast.

Of the honored musicians, Chris Brown reps for the young set with his third LP Graffiti, while leftfield songstress Janelle Monáe earns a nod for her genre-bending debut The ArchAndroid. Ryan Leslie scores his first nomination for his sophomore effort Transition, with R. Kelly and Usher holding it down for the veterans with their acknowledged albums Untitled and Raymond v. Raymond.

Each nominee carries its own, but only one can reign supreme at the 53rd annual ceremony. Who has the best shot at striking Grammy gold? Weigh in by voting in our poll below.

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With the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards just around the corner, palms are starting to sweat. Five fresh faces are up for the coveted Best New Artist trophy at this year’s ceremony, but only one can go home with the golden gramophone.

Will voters award Drake, who had the biggest hip-hop debut of 2010, or opt for his fellow Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber? British band Florence + the Machine won over many critics with their breakthrough debut Lungs, but you can’t rule out the underdogs, jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding and folk-rock band Mumford & Sons.

Who will join the company of past winners Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys on Sunday night? Vote in our poll below.

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