Icon vs. Icon

Dr. Dre

A new song purportedly set to feature on Dr. Dre‘s new album ‘Detox’ has appeared online. The track, which is titled ‘Turn Me On’, began circulating on blogs and file-sharing websites on Monday (August 16). It is the second seemingly unfinished song to leak from ‘Detox’ in recent months. In June, the Jay-Z-featuring ‘Under Pressure’ also appeared online.

‘Detox’ is Dr Dre’s long-awaited follow-up to his 1999 album, ’2001′, and is expected to arrive later this year, although no official release date has been set.

Dr. Dre recently revealed that he was also working on an instrumental hip-hop album about the planets that make up the solar system. The veteran producer said he had been thinking about the record for “a long time” and that he wanted to call it ‘The Planets’.

“It’s just my interpretation of what each planet sounds like,” he said in an interview with Vibe magazine. “I’m gonna go off on that. Just all instrumental. I’ve been studying the planets and learning the personalities of each planet.”

Dr Dre didn’t unveil a release date for that project, but said he was working on the album during spare time and that it would feature special surround sound.

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. and Autumn Games are pleased to announce the release date for Def Jam Rapstar, the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience. Developed by 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive, Def Jam Rapstar will be available in North America on October 5, 2010 and in Europe the week of November 2, 2010 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™. The Def Jam Rapstar bundle will include software and one wired microphone and will retail in North America for $69.99 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 and for $59.99 on Wii. Details on European pricing and bundle information will be forthcoming.

In addition, Def Jam Rapstar is proud to reveal the next seven songs featured in the game, including Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean,” Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day” and more. Def Jam Rapstar is also excited to announce DJ Premier and Just Blaze as the first confirmed producers who will be providing exclusive instrumental beats for Def Jam Rapstar’s Freestyle Mode, which allows the aspiring emcee a chance to deliver their own original rhymes over never before heard tracks by some of today’s hottest producers.

Biz Markie – Just A Friend
Drake – Best I Ever Had
Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
Pete Rock and CL Smooth – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
Redman and Method Man – Da Rockwilder
Salt-N-Pepa – Push It

Freestyle Mode Producers and Tracks Confirmed

DJ Premier – JJ’s Beat

Just Blaze – On the One

The ultimate emcee experience for video game consoles, Def Jam Rapstar is the only music game that focuses exclusively on Hip Hop, you and your social networks. With more than 40 of the greatest Hip Hop songs available at release, including region specific music for the UK and Europe, Def Jam Rapstar allows you to be the star: by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community at www.defjamrapstar.com. Def Jam Rapstar also offers you the ability to freestyle over tracks by some of the hottest hip hop producers and upload your freestyle performances for the world to decide how good you really are.

For more information of Def Jam Rapstar, including all confirmed tracks in game, please go to www.defjamrapstar.com.

To follow Def Jam Rapstar on Twitter please visit www.twitter.com/defjamrapstar.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who is known for not only his legendary mic skills but also for his chiseled physique, has a whole new look these days. The rapper has lost an incredible amount for weight for his upcoming role in Mario Van Peebles’ upcoming football flick, ‘Things Fall Apart’.

According to Thisis50.com, the rapper dropped 54 pounds to star as a football player who discovers he has cancer. “He went from 214 pounds to an astonishing 160 with a liquid diet and three-hour-a-day treadmill walks for nine weeks.” he tells Us Weekly. 50 is co-producing the film with Randall Emmett, his partner in Cheetah Vision Films. The film also features Ray Liotta, Lynn Whitefield and Steve Eastin.

Check out the astonishing photos below!

50 Cent will soon launch The Invitation, a 19-date US tour which is set to kick off at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland on March 28th. The tour will take him across the country to mid-size theaters before winding up with a June 25 show at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 50 Cent is expected to preview songs from his forthcoming album ‘Black Magic’ during the cross country trek.

The dates for The Invitation tour are:

5/28 – Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center
5/29 – Detroit, MI @ Chene Park Riverfront Amphitheater
5/30 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
6/1 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
6/3 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
6/4 – Los Angeles @ Club Nokia at L.A. Live
6/6 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms
6/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
6/10 – Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre
6/11 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
6/12 – Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
6/15 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
6/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
6/18 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
6/19 – Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
6/22 -New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
6/23 – Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater
6/24 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
6/25 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues

50 Cent recently partnered with VH1 for a new documentary called ’50’s Roots’ where he makes an unprecedented trek to the Deep South in search of his family’s slave lineage. Along the way he reunites with living family members and connect the dots on his ancestral heritage. An airdate has not yet been announced.

Legendary rapper 50 Cent has announced that he will launch The Invitation, a 19-date US tour which is set to kick off at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland on March 28th.

The tour will take him across the country to mid-size theaters before winding up with a June 25 show at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

50 Cent is expected to preview songs from his forthcoming album ‘Black Magic’ during the cross country trek.

The dates for The Invitation tour are:

5/28 – Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center
5/29 – Detroit, MI @ Chene Park Riverfront Amphitheater
5/30 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
6/1 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
6/3 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
6/4 – Los Angeles @ Club Nokia at L.A. Live
6/6 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms
6/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
6/10 – Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre
6/11 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
6/12 – Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
6/15 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
6/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
6/18 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
6/19 – Raleigh, NC @ Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
6/22 -New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
6/23 – Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater
6/24 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
6/25 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues

50 Cent recently partnered with VH1 for a new documentary called ’50’s Roots’ where he makes an unprecedented trek to the Deep South in search of his family’s slave lineage. Along the way he reunites with living family members and connect the dots on his ancestral heritage. An airdate has not yet been announced.

Source: MTV

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., is excited to announce that it has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with Autumn Games, 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive for the upcoming music videogame Def Jam Rapstar. Developed by 4mm Games, Terminal Reality and Def Jam Interactive, Def Jam Rapstar is the first true interactive Hip Hop music game experience for consoles, and will be available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Nintendo Wii™ this Fall.

“Hip Hop music has for 30 years re-defined the sound, boundaries and culture of popular music,” said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. “We look to bring that ambition to fruition by pushing the boundaries of music games with Def Jam Rapstar. The star power development teams of 4mm Games and Def Jam Interactive are going to bring a music game experience that no one has seen to date, which is why we are so excited to be a part of such a unique game.”

“Hip Hop is a global phenomenon that has permeated pop culture to become the most important youth movement of our generation. We are proud to deliver the first authentic Hip Hop music experience to gamers that will undoubtedly change the way music games are played,” stated Kevin Liles, President and CEO of Def Jam Enterprises. “It is an incredible opportunity to work with 4mm Games and Terminal Reality in developingDef Jam Rapstar, and by partnering with Konami we ensure that everyone around the world will have an opportunity to compete with the best of the best. So show us what you got!”

“4mm was founded with the intent of bringing the experience of Constantly Connected Gaming™ to the next generation of gamers,“ said Nick Perrett, CEO of 4mm Games. “We look forward to providing Hip Hop fans worldwide a powerful example of that vision this fall with Def Jam Rapstar.”

The ultimate emcee experience for video game consoles, Def Jam Rapstar is the only music game that focuses exclusively on Hip Hop. With more than 40 of the greatest Hip Hop songs available at release, including region specific music for the UK and Europe, Def Jam Rapstar allows you to be the star: by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community atwww.defjamrapstar.com. Def Jam Rapstar also offers you the ability to freestyle over tracks by some of the hottest hip hop producers and upload your freestyle performances for the world to decide how good you really are.

Initial confirmed Def Jam Rapstar gameplay tracks include:

2 Pac – I Get Around
50 Cent – I Get Money
Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg – Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang
Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx – Gold Digger
Lil’ Wayne – A Milli
Notorius B.I.G. – Juicy
Slick Rick – Children’s Story
T.I. featuring Rihanna – Live Your Life
Wu Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.
Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West – Put On

Def Jam Rapstar is being co-published by Autumn Games, and represents the publishers’ first major release as part of its ongoing efforts to provide a new way for top-flight developers to independently make and release games that challenge traditional boundaries.

For more information of Def Jam Rapstar, please go to www.defjamrapstar.com.

To follow Def Jam Rapstar on Twitter please visit www.twitter.com/defjamrapstar.

The winners of the 2009 American Music Awards have been announced. Taylor Swift took home five awards, including Artist of the Year. The evening was dominated by a series of memorable performances from some of the biggest names in music at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The show included performances from Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Eminem, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, Shakira, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Green Day and Adam Lambert.

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist: Gloriana
Favorite Soundtrack: Twilight – Various
Favorite Alternative Rock Artist: Green Day
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Latin Music Artist: Aventura
Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Mary Mary
International Artist Award: Whitney Houston

Rap/Hip-Hop:
Favorite Male Artist: Jay-Z
Favorite Album: “The Blueprint 3″ – Jay-Z
Favorite Band/Duo/Group: Black Eyed Peas

Pop/Rock Music:
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Black Eyed Peas
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Album: “Number Ones” – Michael Jackson

Country Music:
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Male Artist: Keith Urban
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Album: “Fearless” – Taylor Swift

Soul/R ‘n’ B Music:
Favorite Male Artist: Michael Jackson
Favorite Female Artist: Beyonce Knowles
Favorite Album: “Number Ones” – Michael Jackson

50 Cent‘s fourth studio album, Before I Self Destruct, will be released exclusively on the iTunes Store on November 9th at 12:00AM EST (midnight, Sunday night).

The album will be available exclusively on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) until its November 16 street date.

Selling more than 30 million albums worldwide, 50 Cent continues his phenomenal rise from street culture hero to pop culture icon.

About the album:
For the explosive Before I Self Destruct album, 50 Cent returned to working closely with Dr. Dre and Eminem as he did on Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, his first official album. With Dr. Dre and Eminem producing and guesting, Before I Self Destruct is darker and harder than 2007′s Curtis, as shown by the grimy single and video to “OK, You’re Right” (produced by Dr. Dre), which was released earlier this year. In early September, 50 released the hit single “Baby By Me” produced by Polow da Don (Fergie, T.I., Ludacris).

This November 50 Cent will be hitting the road to screen his latest film, Before I Self Destruct. Beginning on Tuesday Oct. 27th, fans can log on to www.movietickets.com/50 to download their tickets* to these exclusive screenings.

Date and Market
2-Nov – Boston
3-Nov – Philadelphia
4-Nov – DC
5-Nov – NYC
7-Nov – Atlanta
9-Nov – Chicago
10-Nov – San Francisco
11-Nov – Los Angeles
12-Nov – Houston
13-Nov – Dallas

About the Film:
Inspired by 50 Cent’s latest album of the same title, Before I Self Destruct is a gritty 90-minute film, written, directed and starring Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent). The film is a coming of age story about an inner city youth raised by a hardworking single mother. When his dream of becoming a basketball player fails to materialize after his mother is tragically gunned down, Clarence (played by Jackson) is consumed by revenge and takes up a life of crime in order to support his younger brother.

About the album:
For the explosive Before I Self Destruct album, 50 Cent returned to working closely with Dr. Dre and Eminem as he did on Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, his first official album. With Dr. Dre and Eminem producing and guesting, Before I Self Destruct is darker and harder than 2007′s Curtis, as shown by the grimy single and video to “OK, You’re Right” (produced by Dr. Dre), which was released earlier this year. In early September, 50 released the hit single “Baby By Me” produced by Polow da Don (Fergie, T.I., Ludacris).

For a limited time, the album and movie package will also include a second DVD featuring “Two Turntables and a Microphone: The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay,” a documentary about 50 Cent’s late mentor and friend.

Before I Self Destruct continues 50 Cent’s phenomenal rise from street culture hero to pop culture icon. Both album and film will be released on Shady/Aftermath on November 23, 2009.

Logon to Yahoo! Movies for the debut of the new Before I Self Destruct trailer.

*Tickets will be downloadable while supplies last. No purchase necessary. One pass per person. Each pass admits two people. Admission is not guaranteed. This movie is rated R. Please visit www.movietickets.com/50 for additional screening details.