The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards just got a shade pinker. Nicki Minaj, who was previously announced as a presenter during the award show, will give her first-ever televised solo performance at the 2010 VMA Pre-Show, where she will dazzle red carpet patrons with a live rendition of her No. 1 hit “Your Love.”
Wiz Khalifa makes his major label debut with “Black and Yellow,” the first offering from his 2011 Rostrum Records/Atlantic Records release. The Pittsburgh-based MC made a name for himself on the indie circuit, but has been receiving lots of shine in recent months. Drake even offered him an opening spot on his tour, to which he politely declined. Instead, you can catch him on his own 50-city trek, which kicks off September 16 in Philadelphia.
The 22-year-old puts his Pittsburgh Pirates pride on display on “Black and Yellow.” Listen below.
In the final part of our interview with Lloyd, Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. as Polow Da Don calls him, opens up about his relationship with Young Money/Cash Money. The “BedRock” singer, who was once rumored to be signing with Lil Wayne’s label, puts his friendship with hip-hop’s hottest crew above everything. “What’s most important is that there’s a comradery behind the music,” he tells Rap-Up TV. “It is bigger than just money and fake handshakes and pretentious friendships.”
Lloyd has been a staunch supporter of Young Money before its members blew up. “Drake is my favorite rapper in the game and he’s a breath of fresh air,” he shares of Drizzy, who he collaborated with on his So Far Gone mixtape. He also champions Nicki Minaj, who he enlisted for “Take It Off” from The Young Goldie EP. “At the time, Nicki didn’t have a single. She just had an energy and a fire that was burning brighter than any female MC I had ever heard. Her delivery was flawless.”
While he admits that he hasn’t spoken with YM’s chief while he’s been in jail, that’s not because he doesn’t want to. “I don’t want to bother him and I’m sure he doesn’t want to bother me,” says Lloyd. “I’d rather see him when he’s a free man.”
Looks like April Fool’s Day found its way to August. Last night, Young Money’s Drake and Nicki Minaj took to their Twitter pages to announce that the pair had gotten hitched, putting the internet into a frenzy. But as it turns out, the joke was really on us.
Cash Money isn’t wasting any time putting Lil Wayne to work as soon as he gets out of prison. Mack Maine, president of Young Money, recently spoke on Weezy F. Baby’s upcoming projects, revealing that in addition to releasing the I Am Not a Human Being EP on his 28th birthday (Sept. 27), the label plans on putting out Wayne’s highly anticipated Tha Carter IV on November 5—the day that he gets out of prison.
Though Houston’s Bun B has been carrying the UGK flag in the wake of his partner-in-rhyme’s passing, Pimp C is back like he never left. The late emcee is resurrected on his upcoming third solo album The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones, due October 5, with the first track giving a taste of the Southern goodness to expect on the joint. On the Boi-1da produced “What Up,” Pimp reunites with Bun and brings along “honorary resident of UGK town” Drake for the ride, spitting greasy bars over a tinny synth beat with popcorn snare drums and a tasty melody. And if this isn’t your speed, look out for other tracks on the album including “Dickies” featuring Bun B and Young Jeezy, “Midnight Hoes” featuring Rick Ross and “Get Down” featuring Devin the Dude. Looks like Pimp will get a chance to tell his girls to get down on the floor one more time.
Diddy-Dirty Money meets Young Money on “Loving You No More,” reportedly the next single from the oft-delayed Last Train to Paris. The track, previously leaked under the title “Hurt,” is the official mastered version of the candy sweet electro-R&B tune. And in a surprising change of roles, Diddy sings alongside Dirty Money members Dawn and Kalenna, while Drake handles the rap verse, spitting, “Trying not to over-think, only ’cause I drove and I done had a lot to drink.” He should have boarded the Last Train to Paris and saved himself the risk.
The 2010 MTV VMAs just got a dose of Raymond. Usher, who released his new EP Versus earlier this week, is the latest artist to get added to the lineup at this year’s Video Music Awards, where he will grace the same stage as fellow performers Paramore, Drake, Kanye West, Eminem, Justin Bieber, B.o.B and Florence + the Machine. Ursh, who’s nominated for three awards for his clip for “OMG,” is making his first appearance on the VMA stage since he danced in the rain while performing “Yeah!” during the 2004 event.
