Jay-Z Shuts Down Chris Brown from Performing at BET Awards

New York, NY – After the airing of the BET Awards, speculation has been swarming all across the industry that Chris Brown was apparently dismissed off the performance roster. It seems as though he was scheduled to make a comeback at the prestigious show. Reports are stating that the reason behind the immediate oust may have something to do with Hov himself.

According to different credible sources in the media, Jay-Z may have shut down chances for Chris Brown to perform during the Michael Jackson tribute at the show. The New York Post states that Jay-Z threatened to pull out of the show if Brown was to perform, while celebrated magazine, The Source, states that Jay demanded Brown not be the show. According to the New York Daily News, an inside source told the outlet that both Jay and Rev. Al Sharpton had heavy influence in ousting Brown from the show. However, according to MTV news, Sharpton denied the statement saying that it had no validity.

Ever since the assault on Rihanna took place before the Grammy Awards earlier this year, Jay-Z has had guns for the young R&B star. Hov has considered Rihanna as a little sister for quite some time and during his reign as President, he was the main reason behind her signing to Def Jam. Chris Brown has been an avid fan of Michael Jackson as long as he can remember, he states that Michael had heavy influence on his reason for being in the music industry. Brown performed ‘Thriller’ at the 2006 World Music Awards.
At press time, representatives for Chris Brown have stated that the rumors are false and that he wasn’t officially scheduled to perform at the show.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for updated news as this situation is still in the developing stages.

Drake Officially Signs with Young Money

New York, NY – Drake has been on a hot streak for quite some time now as he quickly rose to fame and stardom in just a matter of months. At the time still an unsigned artist, he was still receiving co-signs from many heavyweight artists in the industry as well as major features. Features that included Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, and even Rihanna, this all includes lyrical features and writing credit.

Apparently, over the course of the passing weeks, it seems as though many offers were given to him to sign and at one point in time it wasn’t official whether or not he was even considering Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint as his future home. All that speculation can now come to a close as the Canadian MC has officially found his home with Young Money, a place where he’s been comfortable for quite some time now. According to a source close to Drake, the contract is a joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money, with distribution from Universal Republic.

Drake recently spoke to MTV News about his decisive move towards Young Money. These were his comments:

“Today is a definitely a comfortable day for me, having my team now that’s been in place for a couple of years. It’s just a great day, it’s something new, but it feels familiar.”

He is quite content with the signing to a conglomerate as it is a great push to what he gained independently over a short period of time.

“Independent is a funny term. I can go independent, but you need distribution, period. You need somebody to distribute your record and you need that army that a label has to really push the record.”

Drake’s recent popularity landed him a spot on the BET Awards that aired last Sunday. He performed alongside his now CEO Wayne and the rest of his Young Money labelmates. His recent single ‘Best I Ever Had’ has become a hot single all on an independent level alongside ‘Every Girl’ which features him, Wayne, and Gudda, Gudda. That show has recently received mixed reviews by the fans and the critics.

At press time, Drake’s official studio LP entitled ‘Thank Me Later’ in still in production slated for a release date later this year. Possible collaborators may include heavyweights such as: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, and of course, Lil Wayne.

Diamond aka Ms. 32 Flavas Returns with ‘Can’t Tell Me Nuthin’

Atlanta, GA – The last time we saw or even heard from Diamond, she was one of the powerful female MCs from the young group, based out of Atlanta, entitled Crime Mobb. The acclaimed Ms. 32 Flavas left the group sometime in 2007 to pursue a solo career, which many thought was wise. After two years of being on hiatus to hone her craft and record new material, she has been itching to return to the spotlight. With that being said, her mixtape was just released last week with brand new material for her fans that have waiting for a minute.

Hosted by DJ Dammit through Block Starz Music, Diamond releases ‘Can’t Tell Me Nuthin’ with a collection of heavyweight features co-signing for the young femcee.

Here is the official press release for the mixtape with tracklisting:

“Ms. 32 Flavas aka Diamond (formerly of Crime Mob) is back with a new mixtape and this time she’s doing it Shadyville style with “Can’t Tell Me Nuthin” hosted by DJ Dammit and featuring appearances by Cee-Lo, Lil Scrappy, Nicole Wray, Webbie, Lil Boosie, E-40, and Shawty Lo.

Diamond released three installments of her “Bitch Music” mixtape series after leaving Crime Mob in 2007, but says her newest offering will show fans a different of the 21-year-old rapper.

“The mixtape with DJ Dammit and Block Starz Music titled ‘Can’t Tell Me Nuthin’ is really a reflection of me – good and bad emotions,” says Diamond, who is now represented by Polo Grounds management. “My music now reflects the mature/adult side of Diamond. I just want to show my true fans and soon to be fans that there is more to me than crunk.”

“Can’t Tell Me Nuthin” features seventeen tracks and will be available for free download exclusively at www.blockstarzmusic.com on June 25. Diamond’s debut album “P.M.S (Please Excuse My Swag)” is scheduled to hit shelves in August 2009. The first single off of her mixtape is Sicknan.”

Official Tracklisting:

Diamond ft. DJ Dammit – The Arrival/Always Strapped

Diamond ft. Cee-Lo – Superbad

Diamond – Wazup With That Pussy

Diamond ft. Lil Scrappy – Tag

Diamond – Skit

Diamond – Every Bag in The World

Diamond – The New Chief

Diamond – Tore Up

Diamond – Sicknan

Diamond – My Skittles (Remix)

Diamond – Turn My Swag On (Remix)

Diamond ft. Will – Dance For Me

Diamond ft. Webbie & Lil Boosie – Independent (Remix)

Diamond – Like A Hoe

Diamond ft. E-40 & Shawty Lo – Break Ya Ankles (Remix)

Diamond – Outro

BONUS: Diamond ft. Nicole Wray – Role Model

To learn more about Diamond, visit www.myspace.com/missdiamondatl

Website: www.blockstarzmusic.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/BlockStarzMusic

Twitter: twitter.com/blockstarz

Contact: info@blockstarzmusic.com