The Most Influential DJs

He says US foreign policy helps foster terror

(NEWSER) - Conservatives slammed President Obama for hosting Chicago rapper Common at the White House. Now Obama is taking criticism from a different Chicago rapper. "To me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America,” Lupe Fiasco told CBS in an interview noted by the Huffington Post . “I'm trying to fight the terrorism that's actually causing the other forms of terrorism.” He said “the root cause of terrorism” includes “the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists.” More»

Rapper slams claims he was trying to look good ahead of court date

(NEWSER) - After T.I. talked a man threatening suicide out of jumping from a downtown Atlanta building, some are calling the move a publicity stunt—but that couldn’t be further from the truth, the rapper tells CNN . The video he made, which police played to the man and is credited with helping to save the man’s life, was not an effort to improve his image ahead of a hearing today that could send the musician back to jail, he says, calling such claims “preposterous.” More»

He's even warming up to gay marriage

(NEWSER) - Eminem's album Recovery is out Monday, and he tells Deborah Solomon of the New York Times that his volatile Slim Shady alter ego is less visible. "I felt like I was starting to run it into the ground," he says. Click here for the full interview. Highlights:

• Gay marriage: "I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want. ... It's the new tolerant me!"

Keith Elam of Gang Starr was also celebrated solo artist

(NEWSER) - Keith Elam, who performed as Guru with the high-profile hip-hop duo Gang Starr, died yesterday. He was 43 and had been battling cancer. Although Guru was from Boston and partner DJ Premier from Houston, Gang Starr played a high-profile role on the New York underground rap scene of the '90s. Guru recorded with Gang Starr from its founding in 1987 into the 2000s even as he established a solo career with his Jazzmatazz series of albums, MTV reports. More»

Rapper extraordinaire also takes credit for election

(NEWSER) - Sean Combs sat down with Playboy for an interview, and the artist formerly known as Diddy (and P-Diddy, and Puff Daddy ...) sure is good for a quote. Or several. Highlights:

• On his hip-hop legacy: "If I’m not inspiring you at this point, you’re a lost hope. I’m one of the baddest motherfuckers to ever do this shit, and I’m not saying that in an arrogant way. I dare you to write down all my achievements. It will be overwhelming."
• On hip-hop's role in Barack Obama's success: "I think we are probably responsible for Obama being in office, yes. If nobody else is gonna say it, then I’m gonna say it. The confidence, the swagger we instilled in our communities made that possible."