Nas Self-Title Album Cover Unveiled

New York, NY – Sometime last week, the infamous Nas made a decisive move by dropping the controversial racial album title that apparently caused a stir amongst civil rights activists and the world media. It came as an interesting, yet surprising news to the media and society as this abrupt decision arrived to the industry. This week, the controversy surrounding his next studio album has yet to die down as we thought it would have, Nas recently unveiled the album cover to his now self-titled album.

Last Thursday night (May 29), Nas invited several journalists and bloggers to the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York for the world premiere of his new video ‘Be A Nigger Too.’ In that same conference, he also discussed ideas and abrupt changes into his new album. These were the statements he gave to reporters.

Nas expressed different angles into his pivotal career moves, gaing his simple reasoning behind his choice for the title, be as it may, the initial reaction was what he was expecting. He also added his reason for the immediate title drop just a month before the scheduled release date.

“I ain’t Farrakhan or Chuck D, I’m just a Queensbridge nigga that got rich. I love pissing people off and stirring up stupid muthafuckas.

“This record is about how the older generation looks down on us. There’s a crew of older black people, [they’re] on their way out and we’re on our way up. It looks like hip-hop niggas is about to make that Oprah money, and that’s scary to them.”

“I take a lot of chances with the music. At this point, if you’re not taking chances, putting your career on the line, it ain’t fun no more.”

The symbolism behind his album cover expresses a loud representation to the previous title. It illustrates his back with whip lashes in a giant shape of his N.

He told the media that it basically speaks for itself.

At press time, the album is still set to be released on July 1. This will be an ninth studio album in his music career, but the second to be released under the Def Jam imprint.

On the real, I have to admit that it was an ingenious move on Nas’ part to use symbolism as a form of expression instead using a word. In all honesty, the album cover does speak for itself adding to the interesting tracks that he has incorporated into his ninth album. If you read the track listing they have confirmed, the controversy continues.


Xzibit’s Newborn Son Passes Away

Los Angeles, CA – Last week during the early morning hours of Monday (May 26), the host of MTV’s Pimp My Ride experienced a sudden loss. His newborn son, Xavier Kingston Joiner, sorrowfully passed away.

West Coast Hip-Hop Artist and popular MTVhost, Xzibit, shortly welcomed his newborn son into the world on May 15th only to lose him days later. Xavier was already born pre-mature and was showing signs of breathing difficulty. He passed away on May 26th at 3:30am due to complications of weak lungs. Xzibit recently wrote on his myspace blog after losing his son. This is what he told his fans.

“AS you all know, I shared with you the announcement of my newborn son Xavier Kingston Joiner on May 15th and also informed you that he was born prematurely. Well this week was extremely difficult for him because his lungs were not strong enough to handle regular oxygen on his own. Xavier passed away this morning at 3:30am and I must tell you this, it is unnatural for a parent to bury a child. I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when im having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids if you have them, protect them and show them you love them every day you wake up and see them, don’t take a second you get to hug them teach them and care for them for granted. You can have all the material wealth in the universe but it is NOTHING compared to having your family. I am thankful for all of my blessings and im not one to question God’s perfect plan, so I leave you with great love and thanks for the love that was sent earlier on my pervious blog to my son. Of course I need to take some time and handle my loss, STAY FOCUSED PEOPLE. It’s not promised to any of us.”

Yesterday afternoon he recently wrote another blog thanking his fans for their love and support.

“IN this time I must say the whole entire world seems like, reached out in some sort of way and embraced my family. The emails, the flowers (my house was like a flower shop for a few days) and all love from my friends. I appreciate the love people, foreal. The service was yesterday and it was a beautiful day, for what we had to carry out. I want to repeat the message about loving and caring for your children EVERYDAY! They cry, they scream, they laugh, they run when you tell em not to, they run up your phone bills, they leave messes! Whatever….just realize that right now it’s hard to see little ones with their family’s because it reminds me that I’m missing one. It’s a fresh wound that needs time to heal. Honestly I am humbled by the support thru these last few days. I offer you this in return….please enjoy my unreleased video for “THANK YOU,” Filmed in LONDON ENGLAND. I send this to you with all due respect. GO TO http://www.ntsh.co.uk/xzibit”

24hourhiphop.com sends our deepest condolences to Xzibit and his entire family during these times of hardship.

Rest In Peace Xavier Kingston Joiner May 15th 2008- May 26th 2008.

The worst thing any parent should experience is losing a child. I must admit it is hard to even bury a child, that’s not how the circle goes. X, keep ya head up!

The Game Working On ‘L.A.X.’ on his Own

New York, NY – In the midst of the anticipation of the release of his third studio album, The Game recently spoke to MTV News about his recent situation with serving time and working on an album he feels gave him freedom and creativity. Without Dr. Dre, the label, and 50 Cent on this next album, he shows the world that this is all him with the help with other major artists in the game. While speaking with Swayin New York, they happened to cover a lot of issues.

While serving time in prison the end of last year, he discussed how correctional officers and other inmates caused conflicts with him because of who he was.

“They was doing all kinds of crazy stuff. They were playing G-Unit songs through the intercom while I was asleep. They was playing ‘Window Shopper’ just to irritate me. First couple of days, I was getting irritated and pissed off. But then it started to set in that this is a big game to them and they just kids, and they don’t really understand life yet. It was funny after a while. It wasn’t funny the first couple of times, though.”

After serving his short 120 day prison term, he spoke on how it was a relief for him to get back in the studio and immediately begin work.

“I was just free, I was so happy to record, even though I was in there for just two weeks. In jail, you’re counting seconds: ‘1, 2, 3.’ Nothing’s happening, man. You’re just standing there. No TV, no radio, you’re in your cell. You gotta find time to meditate. Read a book. Work out. That’s what I did. I read four or five novels in two weeks. Got my push-ups on.“

He continues to add that throughout all his albums there have been messages that present moral and dedication. With this album he wants to prove, not a message, but his ability to provide his own creations without assistance.

“There was a message in The Documentary, there was a message in The Doctor’s Advocate, there is no message in L.A.X. If there is a message, that message will be that for the first time in my career, I was able to record a studio album in peace without drama, without anything rendering me helpless, without having to fight with my label or 50. Or without worrying about if Dre would be producing on the album. I can do it on my own. I proved that with my last album”

The Game omits that his lyrics and delivery have gone to the next level and that it will be definitely expressed in his artistry.

“My lyrics, 10 times elevated. I’ve grown as an MC more than I’ve ever thought I could have done. I got to record with people that really wanted to do music with me. I came up with a couple of concepts. Two times in a row, he outwrote on my hooks. They became Ne-Yo hooks., Ne-Yo is like my Nate Dogg right now.”

At press time Game’s third studio album will be set to be released on July 8 under the Geffen, Interscope imprint. Rumor has it that this is said to his final album, but speculations have yet to be confirmed. Confirmed guest appearances include Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, Ne-Yo, Marsha Ambrosius, Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne, and Nas.

All of Game’s albums have always had top notch producers; as a matter of fact Dre didn’t even grace his last album. If Game is set to retire after this last album, I’m not quite sure that might be the best of ideas, it would be interesting if he decided to pursue an acting career, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Chris Brown and Rihanna Gives Some Expansive Friendly Gifts

New York, NY – For the past several months we’ve been hearing about Chris Brown and his alleged relationship withRihanna in which they still claim are just rumors and that they are just friends. The media has been hounding them about this ever since pictures of them together have been surfacing all over the internet. As their relationship rumor seems to continue to carry more evidence, apparently the media has picked up on the pair’s shopping habits as well, as they’ve been dishng out an extraordinary amount of cash on some lavish jewelry which they claim are just friendly gifts.

Recently both R&B superstars were reported to have shopped in the same jewelry store, Jason of Beverly Hills, in the past month. The jewelry designer of the store, Jason Arasheben toldOK! Magazine that Chris Brown purchased a ruby and diamond necklace for Rihanna, worth over $100,000. This is what Jason told OK! about Chris Brown’s choice of jewelry. “He went for the heart theme.’She’s going to love this because she loves hearts,'”

Rihanna on the other hand also purchased a gift from Jason and this was how she requested the item, “Rihanna gave specific instructions about Chris’ gift. She was very particular about wanting the cross to match his other jewelry.”

At press time, these two R&B chart toppers are still denying their rumored relationship and told several media outlets that they are very good friends.

What do I got to say about this? There a bunch of kids trying to fool the media about their relationship. Look they need to get off of it and admit the damn relationship. Why am I even reporting this, I’m not paparazzi? It’s not my business if they fucking or not, I really don’t care.