Of all the artists that pass through the MTV headquarters here in New York every week, there are few that bring the same level of excitement to the building that 50 Cent does. With his fourth studio album Before I Self Destruct set to hit stores, the G-Unit General is hard at work on the promo trail talking about everything from music to his rivals. Interviewing 50 never gets old. He has as much charisma as he does bottles of Vitamin Water in his fridge, so whenever he comes in for a big sit-down interview you never know what to expect.
It's an interesting time for 50. He's nearing the end of his five album deal with Interscope, and he appears to have come full circle, as the aggression of his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' is matched only by the new album. Despite having a reported $300 million in the bank and an empire that spans clothing, beverages, books and movies, it's refreshing to see that 50 still approaches each interview as if it was his first.
We started by breaking down the album, picking out some key songs including "Baby By Me" and his collaboration with Eminem on "Psycho." We touched upon his recent rivalry with Jay-Z and his longstanding relationship with Dr. Dre and Eminem both inside and outside of the studio. He broke down some standout lyric,s including the line on "So Disrespectful" that addresses Dre's position in 50's beef against the Game.
In the video for "Baby By Me," 50 takes on the role of a suburban father complete Kelly Rowland playing his wife and three Argyll-wearing kids. So we asked him if this could ever be a possibility for the hip-hop heavyweight or if it will have to remain a video fantasy. And somehow we got into that game you play with your friends: Halle Berry or Megan Fox? Halle or Angelina Jolie? Megan or Jessica Biel?
Yes, we went there. And he answered. Stay tuned to MTV News all week for more on 50 Cent.
50 Cent has certainly kept busy on his way to landing in spot number nine on the MTV Hottest MCs list. He put out two mixtapes, unleashed a couple of videos and even took the time to take a few shots at Fat Joe. But the main event for 50 is the release of Before I Self Destruct, his long-awaited and oft-delayed fourth album. It has had a number of release dates (it was even teased to come out the same day as Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3), and the most recent date — November 17 — just seemed like another guess.
Until today, because now Before I Self Destruct has an album cover, which 50 unveiled via his Twitter feed this afternoon.
As you can see, 50 has taken the "self-destruct" imagery very literally, as the cover shows him literally about to burst into flames. The imagery is consistent with 50's insistence that this album will be a departure for him and will set up the next series batch of records for him. It's as though he's doing away with his old persona in order to allow for a career rebirth. (Or perhaps Curtis is just a big fan of Spike's death scene on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"?)
So it looks like the hotly-anticipated Before I Self Destruct will actually hit stores on November 17. Album details are still unclear, though you can bet that it'll feature top-shelf production and intense guest spots from 50's many friends in the extended G-Unit family.
By Jayson Rodriguez
50 Cent is peddling his new book, "The 50th Law," a collaboration with author Robert Greene in which they present a strategy for achieving a fear-free life, whether in the boardroom or on the block.
Fif definitely preaches what he speaks.
The G-Unit rapper appeared on "Rachael Ray," of all places, on Wednesday morning (September 16) to promote his project, taking square aim at the, er, coveted housewives market. They're desperate, right? Fif must think so.
But the New York native, clad in a gray suit with a purple shirt and tie, charmed the host nonetheless, toying with his gangster image by joking with Ray that they should start a Tupperware line together.
"We can talk right after the show," she responded. "I'll make some time for that."
Guess he ain't never scared?
Three months ago, former Dipset affiliate Max B (real name Charles Wingate) was found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit robbery (among other charges) stemming from a 2006 incident in northern New Jersey. Today, the Harlem rapper was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
A jury found Max B guilty of nine of the 11 total counts he faced during his trial, all of which stemmed from an incident wherein the rapper and two other men attempted to steal $30,000 from another pair of men at a Holiday Inn, leading to one of those two getting shot. Max fired his attorney Gerald Saluti shortly before the sentencing and plans on appealing the sentence.
The rapper was first introduced to the rap world as a member of Jim Jones' Dipset offshoot crew Byrd Gang a few years ago and is known best for delivering a scathing verse on a Jay-Z dis track called "You Gotta Love It," which was anchored by Cam'ron. He was just building a healthy mixtape portfolio when he was arrested in 2006. He has still managed to release music, most notably the Coke Wave mixtape (a collaboration with French Montana) and a proper full-length album that has seen its release delayed by a falling out with Jones and his ongoing legal troubles. In fact, G-Unit's Tony Yayo talked to MTV News correspondent Shaheem Reed back in December and said that he was considering trying to acquire Max B's contract. However, B's musical future is clearly in doubt, though incarceration hasn't stopped other rappers — like Shyne and C-Murder — from putting out albums.
By Selina Kaye
On Tuesday, I hung out with MTV News' Mixtape Daily crew on their trip to G-Unit headquarters in New York City to check in on Tony Yayo. The rapper was promoting his latest mixtape: A project called Gangsta's Paradise that is hosted by DJ Drama, one of the hottest DJs in the game.
Though he always projects a steely cool alongside fellow crew members 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks, Yayo was energetic during the Mixtape Daily shoot. He shook my hand like a real gentleman and asked me about working for MTV while wearing a killer pair of Louis Vuitton sunglasses (which easily must have cost him $700) with a matching Vuitton headband.
Yayo talked about his mixtape as well as his upcoming projects for G-Unit and how he feels about former crew members Young Buck and the Game. And of course he weighed in on MTV's "Hottest MCs" countdown, which will be unveiled next month.
The biggest challenge of the shoot? The weather. We got all the equipment set up on the building's balcony (which gave us an amazing view of the city) only to bring everything back in once it started raining. Once it finally cleared up, Yayo and Drama unveiled a few Gangsta's Paradise tracks before Yayo headed downstairs to give an interview sitting in his cream-colored Cadillac Escalade. Pretty soon a crowd formed around the car, and I heard a girl on her phone saying "Oh my god, that's Tony Yayo!" He signed a few autographs for his fans before heading back into the building. Like his always glad-handing G-Unit cohort 50 Cent, Yayo remains a man of the people despite his stardom.
By Andrew Ross Rowe
John Cena apparently wants it all. He starred in a movie, won a WWE championship this weekend and now he's making a move for Eminem's job.
Similar to Em's extravagant performance of "The Real Slim Shady" at MTV's 2000 Video Music Awards, Cena graced the stage of the WWE's 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania XXV with an onslaught of carbon-copied-clones — all posturing their trademark, "You can't see me" move. As he runs through the line of imposters, explosions of fireworks line the sky. It was definitely a entrance to say the least — and was clearly inspired by Em's entrance.
Compare Cena's and Em's entrances on video, below.
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If you're even a casual observer of Kanye West's blog, you know the Louis Vuitton Don has a sweet tooth for the high life. Six-figure custom cars, high-end furnishings and designer clothes are all on 'Ye's wish-list.
He also has an eye for fashion — especially high fashion — so it's probably also no surprise that his collaboration on the Kanye West for Louis Vuitton sneaker line is not for the average recession-bitten shoe-hound. The shoes, which will reportedly drop in June, come in three different styles, ranging from the Mr. Hudson ($840) to the Don's ($870-$960) to the high-top Jasper's, which go for anywhere from $990 to $1,140.
While the LV folks could not be reached for comment, we thought it was worth a look at how many pairs of other celebrity shoes you might be able to buy for the price of one set of Jasper's. Read more...
By Talia Manzo
There's a lot going on in the world that doesn't necessarily get addressed in our Newsroom blog. Here's a look at some top stories making headlines today.
How does Etta James really feel about Beyoncé covering her signature song, "At Last"?
Will Britney's kids join her Circus? Read what ex-husband K-Fed's attorney has to say.
The Grammys brings Blink-182 back to the stage! Does this mean reunion?
T.I. for president ... of Atlantic Records? See what's in store for the rapper and what his swagger is bringing to the Grammys on Sunday.
50 Cent switches it up from rap to reggaetón. Read about his special appearance onstage in Venezuela.
Speaking of 50, the Game actually took sides in the G-Unit general's beef with Rick Ross.
"Sex and the City" sequel? Mark your calendar for martinis and Manolos!
By Jayson Rodriguez
Battle lines were drawn between rappers this weekend. Diddy (along with Snoop Dogg) is a hard-core Pittsburgh Steelers fan, as he said on a video blog last week (which we can't link to, owing to his provocative language) before he headed down to Tampa, Florida, for all the festivities surrounding Super Bowl weekend.
We're guessing former G-Unit rapper Hot Rod rides for the Arizona Cardinals, since he is from Phoenix. But after Super Bowl XLIII, where the Steelers defeated the Cards 27-23, Hot Rod didn't return a text asking for a comment on the game. After all, this hasn't been a good year for Arizona: John McCain took an L in the presidential election, then Kurt Warner and company caught one on Sunday night.
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By Jayson Rodriguez
Sure, Diddy knows how to throw a bash, but don't sleep on Russell Simmons' ability to put together a shindig too. The legendary hip-hop mogul held a press conference today, where he announced he was going to serve as editor in chief of GlobalGrind.com, a Web site he's invested in since its inception and launch in 2008.
The proceedings definitely played out like a party. DJ Cassidy manned the turntables, playing everything from Biggie's "One More Chance" to Slim's "So High." Uncle Russ arrived fashionably late with LL Cool J, G-Unit's Whoo Kid, nieces (and "Daddy's Girls" stars) Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Warner Music Group exec Kevin Liles, model Toccara and Hip-Hop Action Summit head Ben Chavis in tow. Read more...
