Jennifer Hudson was a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Friday night. She discussed her recent engagement to “I Love New York 2’s” Punk and performed “Spotlight” (below). J-Hud’s debut album drops Tuesday.

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Janelle Monáe premiered the first short film for “Many Moons” off her major-label debut Metropolis: The Chase Suite. This is on some other type of stuff. Now we know where Bad Boy’s video budget went.

DJ Cassidy, the popular hip-hop DJ who’s DJ’d everything from Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s wedding to Diddy’s birthday, has jumped on the bandwagon and recorded his own version of “Swagga Like Us” called “Swagga Like Cass.” The song and video were inspired by Diddy’s “Swagga Like Puff.”

LOL at this video! White boys got swag too.

Fatman Scoop (”Music make you lose control”) and Shanda are bringing their hilarious online show to MTV. “Man and Wife” features candid sex, love, and relationship advice from Scoop and his wife. The couple will take calls, emails, and videos from fans, answering even the strangest of questions about…err…gerbils?!

“Man and Wife” premieres Monday, September 29th at 11 p.m. on MTV. Watch a clip from the Internet show below with an appearance from T-Pain.

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Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton sat down with Rap-Up TV in West Hollywood, CA for an exclusive interview.

The youngest Doll dished about PCD’s second album Doll Domination, working with the “shy” Missy Elliott on the set of the group’s new video for “Whatcha Think About That,” plans for her 24th birthday, and shooting another video for the Dolls’ third U.S. single “I Hate This Part.” Plus, is she or isn’t she dating Bow Wow?

This is a must-watch for all PCD fans!

“Why Me?” is the new single off Ice Cube’s eighth album Raw Footage. The video was directed by Benny Boom and shot in Lancaster, CA. Check out some behind-the-scenes photos and watch the video below.

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Kanye West has shot a half-hour pilot for Comedy Central called “Alligator Boots.” Described as “hip-hop meets the Muppets,” the project is being produced by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla’s Jackhole Productions, the production company behind Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers.”

The show, which is under consideration for the network’s 2009 schedule, would feature music produced and performed by West and rapper Rhymefest. Watch a preview below.

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On Monday, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins launched his first-ever vlog right here on Rap-Up.com where he announced to the world that Janet Jackson had been released from Island Def Jam. The video was so popular that it prompted an official statement from Janet’s camp within hours of hitting the net. Everyone from MTV News to Perez Hilton scooped it up. How’s that for a kick off?

And we’re not about to slow things down. In Darkchild Vlog #2, the producer reveals some exciting news about the Pussycat Dolls. Rodney is in the studio with the Dolls this week remixing their new single “Whatcha Think About That” with Missy Elliott and another elusive rapper. Watch the video to find out who!

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The Pussycat Dolls sexed up the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Tuesday when they performed “When I Grow Up.” The Dolls’ new album Doll Domination is out now.

We’ve got a one-on-one interview with PCD member Melody Thornton coming up on Rap-Up TV later in the week.

Click below to check out an official teaser for the upcoming Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious (Fox Searchlight), in theaters January 16, 2009. Get a closer look at the actors playing Biggie, Diddy, Faith Evans, and Lil’ Kim. This should be good!

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