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NEWS ABOUT: Jay-Z

Foreign Policy 101: Jay-Z's Feud With The Game

(Newser) - What does the burgeoning beef between rappers Jay-Z and The Game have in common with US foreign policy? Plenty, writes Marc Lynch in Foreign Policy. Like America, Jay-Z is a hegemon: “Nobody, but nobody, in the hip-hop world has his combination of hard power and soft power.” But... More »

Who Needs Chris? Rihanna Lines Up Duets

Jay-Z, JT, Kanye among those who want to record

(Newser) - Rihanna’s planned duet with ex Chris Brown ended on a flat note when he allegedly assaulted her—but lucky for her, she has five back-ups good to go. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams, and Soulja Boy are all ready to record with her, the Mirror reports. “... More »

Diddy May Hawk Guinness, Too

(Newser) - Diddy may be mixing beer with his vodka soon. Rapper-pitchman-entrepreneur Sean Combs is in talks to help market Guinness and Red Stripe, sources tell Advertising Age. Combs has already worked with Diageo, the British company behind the brews, on its Ciroc vodka brand. If the deal goes through, Combs would... More »

Drake Is Next LL Cool J: Jamie Foxx

(Newser) - Drake is not only dating Rihanna and prepping to sign with a new label for his debut album in the next few days. The Canadian-born singer is also winning support from the likes of 50 Cent and Jamie Foxx, MTV and Sohh.com report. "He can go as gangster... More »

Guitar Hero Spin-Off Lands Jay-Z, Eminem

(Newser) - Two of the biggest names in rap are on board with Guitar Hero’s latest spin-off, USA Today reports. When DJ Hero launches this fall, its celebrity lineup will include Jay-Z and Eminem. Both are working with manufacturer Activision and developer FreeStyleGames to finalize their playlists. “I have a... More »

Jay-Z Close to Sony Deal— or Maybe Warner

Conflicting reports leave it unclear where former Def Jam artist will move

(Newser) - Following his departure from Def Jam, Jay-Z is close to making a deal with a new label—the question is, which one? Sources tell Billboard a deal with Sony’s Epic Records “is 95% complete,” while the New York Daily News reports a deal with Warner Music Group/Atlantic... More »

Producer Kanye: New Jay-Z Album 'Anti-Auto-Tune'

(Newser) - Kanye West says Jay-Z’s new album, Blueprint 3, will not feature the Auto-Tune effects West himself has relied on in the past, MTV reports. “We actually removed all the songs with Auto-Tune off of his album to make the point that this is an anti-Auto-Tune album,” said... More »

Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam

(Newser) - Jay-Z confirmed to RapRadar today that he has left Def Jam Records after more than a decade. The news follows an unconfirmed report on HitsDailyDouble that the rapper bought out his contract for $5 million. Jay-Z, 39, owed Def Jam one more album, but he was eager to move on... More »

Entrepreneur's Vintage Shades Slide Up the A-List

His vintage custom shades take celebs by storm

(Newser) - Shades are a precious necessity for paparazzi-wary celebs, but Jack Bernstein has no sympathy. The vintage-sunglasses peddler demands top dollar—up to $25,000—for his tricked-out eyewear, often scooped up at flea markets, American Way magazine reports. With his own Los Angeles shop and an upcoming line, Bernstein has... More »

Hills' Pratt on Rap Bona Fides: 'I'm the White Jay-Z'

(Newser) - The Hills’ Spencer Pratt has designs on the rap genre, MTV reports. “I’ve always known that I secretly am the hottest rapper in the game,” said the exceedingly white reality star, who plans to record an album on the heels of his single, I’m a Celebrity.... More »

Jay Z: Chris Brown Is a Dead Man Walking

Attack prompts outrage and rumors, from herpes to jealousy

(Newser) - Glimpses into the crazy world of Rihanna and Chris Brown continue to trickle out. The latest tidbits from their pre-Grammy drama:
  • Jay-Z, who discovered Rihanna, is enraged, says a source. “Chris is a walking dead man.”
  • One rumor claims Rihanna caught herpes from Jay-Z and passed it on
... More »

Top Celeb Power Couples

Brangelina have some stiff competition

(Newser) - Brad and Angelina's Oscar nods have confirmed their status as Earth's top power couple, Ben Kaplan writes in the National Post. But they better watch out for these contenders:
  • Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher: Borat’s alter-ego has a Bruno film on way, and Fisher’s red locks are
... More »

Beyoncé Will Sing for Obamas' Inaugural Dance

Sing will also join many other performers for inauguration's Neighborhood Ball

(Newser) - Beyoncé will sing for the Obamas' first dance on inauguration night, the AP reports. The inaugural committee is tight-lipped about the specifics—"It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment,” a rep said—but it's a good bet the singer/actress will be... More »

Beyoncé, Jay-Z Top List of Hollywood Power Couples

Cruises, Beckhams, Smiths, Brangelina also on Forbes rundown

(Newser) - With "an $82 million hip-hop brand and an $80 million R&B empire" in their collective pocket, Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z take the top spot on Forbes' list of highest-earning celeb mates. The runners-up:
  • Will and Jada Pinkett Smith earned a cumulative $85 million from June 2007–June 2008.
... More »

Def Jam Exec Dead in Apparent Suicide

Shakir Stewart took the helm of Def Jam Records in June

(Newser) - Shakir Stewart, who took over at Def Jam Records when Jay-Z stepped down in June, was found dead yesterday, Billboard reports. The rap executive apparently committed suicide, though few details are available. Stewart had signed artists such as Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, and Karina Pasian to his label, and in... More »

Ringtones Killed NYC Hip-Hop

Southern rap out-blasts urban beats

(Newser) - Once the king-maker of neighborhood phenoms, New York no longer spawns hip-hop's best, and the rise of ringtones is the culprit, writes Matthew Mundy in the New York Press. Because Big Apple beats are less pop-friendly than their Southern counterparts, they're not making it to teenagers' cell phones. "Hip-hop... More »

Beyoncé on Secret Wedding: We Didn't Need a Photo Op

Opens up about wedding for first time

(Newser) - Essence magazine got the famously tight-lipped Beyonce talking about her top-secret nuptials to Jay-Z—her first public acknowledgment that the wedding even took place. “What Jay and I have is real. It's not about interviews or getting the right photo op,” the 27-year-old says in an interview excerpted... More »

Back on Stage, Wacky Winehouse Lurches Into Fan

Mutters between songs at first UK performance in months

(Newser) - Whacked out singer Amy Winehouse appeared to lunge for an audience member in the pit yesterday in her first British gig in 7 months, reports the Daily Telegraph. She also blasted headliner Jay-Z, saying he’s “got some front to come here with tunes you don’t even remember,... More »

Barack Rocks Stevie, Dylan on iPod

Pals Jay-Z, Springsteen also on shuffle

(Newser) - Ever wonder what Barack's bumpin' when he's not stumpin'? In a sit-down with Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner, Obama reveals the artists on his iPod, including supporters like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Jay-Z. Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" drowns out the rhetoric on the campaign trail, but Stevie Wonder gets props... More »

Live Nation Divided Over Mega Deals

Signers of Madonna, Jay-Z squabble over bold experiment

(Newser) - Two top execs at music giant Live Nation are squabbling over how quickly to move forward with the enormous new deals they've been striking with artists in an attempt to reshape the failing business, the Wall Street Journal reports. The CEO wants to wait and see how current contracts—which... More »

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