Jay-Z's Future Plans
Jay-Z is to quit the music business following the release of his next album, the rap star has revealed.
Jay-Z stated that he felt it was time for a new challenge, which is why his next album, 'The Black Album', will be his last. "My plan is to make the next album my last. There comes a time when you've got to go and challenge yourself with other areas, you know what I'm saying? Take myself out of my comfort zone. Take the safety blanket off," he explained.
"I'll make 'The Black Album' and release a book with it at the same time," the rap star continued. "It'll be autobiographical. I'll be working on writing it. Writing's tough, though. I've done basically everything and it's time to take on new and different channels. I feel that I'm at that point in my career."
Jay-Z also said he may have a crack at movies, perhaps following in the footsteps of Eminem. "A feature length film would be cool," Jay said. "I haven't seen '8 Mile' yet. Maybe not the same storyline but maybe something. It's a natural evolution for artists... I've done pretty much everything in hip-hop, you know what I'm saying?"
Meanwhile, Jay-Z's new single '03 Bonnie And Clyde', a duet with his 'friend' Beyonce Knowles, is on course to debut in Sunday's chart at No 2.
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Paperwork Scotches Neptunes' Grammy Chances
Fans may have been rightly surprised by the fact that the ubiquitous Neptunes weren't nominated for producer of the year, non-classical, for the upcoming 45th annual Grammy Awards. But it turns out that the Neptunes' name was never submitted for consideration.
"We're disappointed by the Neptunes' omission," says Angelia Bibbs-Sanders, the regional VP and executive director for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which presents the Grammys. "However, being members of our New York chapter, they should certainly be aware of this process. Members have the right to enter product themselves. It's hard to put the onus on one label here, as we're talking about submitting a specific body of work. It's about relying on someone who has knowledge of what the Neptunes have done. That's one reason why managers and attorneys join [NARAS], to make sure their clients are covered."
In the nominations process, academy members and record companies submit entries (from June 1 to Sept. 30) that are screened for eligibility (this year, it was Oct. 1, 2001-Sept. 30, 2002) and category placement by 150 music business professionals. This year's 15,000 entries were narrowed down to about 10,000 on the first-round ballot. It was sent in mid-November to the 13,000 voting members, who can nominate in the four major categories (best new artist, plus record, album, and song of the year) and nine out of 28 fields. Special committees determine final nominations in such categories as producer of the year.
"It's one thing to join and another to vote. Anyone who is a member could have entered the Neptunes," says Bibb-Sanders, who adds that Nelly and Eminem's major-category nods "directly reflect on the outreach and work we've done on a national level. I see a tremendous amount of growth in the urban membership.
"It's not perfect by any means. But we've seen a major increase from this community, especially on the elected-leadership side. Jermaine Dupri is our Atlanta chapter president and attends the trustee meetings. Jimmy Jam, Rodney Jerkins, and Nile Rodgers are also very involved. You can't affect anything without becoming involved and active."
Having staged previous urban music forums on women in power and the state of R&B music, NARAS -- in association with Def Jam -- is presenting an "Up Close and Personal" session with Russell Simmons Feb. 6 in New York.
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50 Cent and Wu-Tang To Do A Track?
For the past few years, 50 Cent & Wu-Tang Clan have been going back and forth with beef. It all started with 50 Cent's controversial track "How To Rob (An Industry Nigga)" which included disses to Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. After a response from Raekwon on the skit track "Clyde Smith," released on Ghostface Killah’s album "Supreme Clientele", 50 Cent came back with another freestyle that basically shitted on Ghostface and the rest of the Wu. The beef came back on several tracks, like "One Blood" released on "The W" and several other subliminal disses on different tracks but eventually it died out. Since 50 has now stepped into the spotlight, people are treating this beef as if it presently happened. However, Raekwon makes a clear statement that the beef with 50 Cent is over, and appears on a freestyle with him and Stumic over the "In Da Club" instrumental. You can find it and listen to it on
www.wutangdynasty.com and see for yourself.
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Nelly And Kelly Announced As Grammy Performers
This year's Grammy Awards may have a "Dilemma," but don't worry, it's a good thing.
Grammy organizers revealed on Monday that Nelly and Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland will hit the stage together as performers at the 45th annual Grammy Awards. Grammy reps would not say which song or songs the two will perform, but the pair's duet, "Dilemma," which is nominated for Record of the Year, seems to be a good bet.
Nelly and Kelly are the first performers confirmed by the Recording Academy for this year's ceremony, which will be held at New York's Madison Square Garden on February 23. Nelly and seven other artists are heading into the show at the front of the Grammy pack, tied with five nominations apiece. Nelly will vie for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in addition to Record of the Year.
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Fabolous And Lil' Mo Buddy Up Again In Two New Videos
Fabolous' "Can't Let You Go" and Lil' Mo's "4Ever" are both about touchin' and squeezin', but their titles also sum up the special bond the two seemingly inseparable artists share.
They've repeatedly worked on one another's records, and last week the rapper and pint-sized R&B star traveled from coast to coast together to appear on each other's videos. Lil' Mo's video for "4Ever" was shot in Brooklyn, New York, on January 19 and 20 and directed by Benny Boom, who has also recently worked with Nas, Fat Joe and LL Cool J. In the video, Mo reminisces about her relationship with her boyfriend as she climbs the stairs of her apartment building. Each flight of steps brings up a new flashback, one of which features Fabolous.
When shooting was wrapped up for "4Ever," Mo and Fabolous flew to Los Angeles to work on the Fab's lustful tune, "Can't Let You Go." The video was shot on February 21 and 22 and directed by Erik White, who has worked on clips for Ludacris and B2K.
The footage captures the MC getting busy with, first one twin sister, then the other. The clip reveals the qualities Fabolous admires in both the ladies, one of whom is more refined than her raunchy sibling. Lil' Mo appears in the chorus, breaking up the various romantic set-ups, and the video ends with Fab dancing with three hot babes who are holding up giant letters that spell out the word "damn."
Fabolous' new album, Street Dreams, comes out March 7 and Lil' Mo's The Girl Next Door drops April 29.
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Keith Sweat, Big Tigger & Bounty Killer Join Swizz Beatz’s Full Surface Records
R&B veteran Keith Sweat, reggae kingpin Bounty Killer, and radio and television personality Big Tigger are all recent signings of Swizz Beatz. The superproducer--who has helmed hits by DMX, Jay-Z, Nas, Eve, the Lox, and Jermaine Dupri--has a label deal for his Full Surface Records through Clive Davis's J Records, which recently merged with RCA Records to form the RCA Music Group.
The Full Surface roster also includes R&B singer Mashonda, Atlanta-based rapper Yung Won, and Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy. Swizz Beatz recently shared his thoughts on Cassidy in a statement, saying, "Cassidy offers the industry a young and fearless approach to hip-hop. Not only can he battle with the best but he has uncanny songwriting abilities."
In addition to his duties as a label head, Swizz Beatz has been busy touting his own solo album, Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories, which is Number 93 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Swizz Beatz has also written scores for the forthcoming movies Bad Boys 2 and Charlie's Angels 2. He also wrote the score for Any Given Sunday, and he recently told New York's Daily News that he's upgraded his techniques. "I have a new way of scoring," Swizz Beatz said. "I take my equipment, and while I watch the movie I make my beat right to it. Rather than taking in a 100-piece orchestra, I do it myself."