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Jay-Z Releasing New Album, “American Gangster”, November 6th

Friday, September 21, 2007

Jay-Z will release a new album called "American Gangster" Tuesday November 6th. The album’s title is also the name of an up-coming movie starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington.

The first song from "American Gangster" entitled "Blue Magic" is expected to be released tomorrow (Sept. 21). The track is produced by the Neptunes Pharrell Williams. The song is said to have a 80s New York feel to it.

"American Gangster" is a brand new studio project and is the follow-up to Jay-Z’s previous release "Kingdome Come"

Jay-Z’s new album is certain to out due what had been a year of relatively slow sales for Def Jam until the huge chart debut this week of Kanye West’s CD “Graduation.” Jay-Z is said to be debating whether to extend his three-year employment contract, return to recording and touring full time or explore other options. In the interview he deflected questions about his future. “I would love to work it out” and stay at Def Jam, he said, but he added that he was wavering and would do some “soul-searching” after finishing the album.

His decision to record “American Gangster” is a surprise, given that his last album was released less than a year ago. “Kingdom Come” sold about 1.5 million copies, his weakest figure for a full studio album since 1997. And its elaborate marketing campaign, including alliances with Budweiser and ESPN, prompted some suggestions that Jay-Z’s branching-out into other business endeavors, and taste for the jet-setting life, had begun to undermine his gangsta credibility

Jay-Z ft. Pharrell - Blue Magic (Trailer)

Kanye West Debuts At #1 Selling A Whopping 930K in The Fight to be # 1

Kanye West’s newalbum "Graduation" has debuted at the #1 spot moving a amazing 930K copies which tops his own Late Registration, which topped at #1 in August 2005 with 860k in sales.

And while he didn’t debut in the #1 spot, 50 Cent has nothing to be ashamed of. His new album "Curtis" topped at #2 selling an outstanding 660K copies, which represents the second-largest one-week total of the year, topping Linkin Park’s 625k back in May.

The much talked about third entrant in the sales battle, Country artist Kenny Chesney moved an impressive 400k tally for his new album Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates.

In other news: After being concured by Kanye West on the UK album charts, 50 Cent has accused Def Jam of rigging Kanye’s album sales.

"He’s never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has. They (Def Jam) could have one scan and have it count four times. West’s entire career hasn’t sold half what I sold on my first album" 50 told UNCUT.

This calls for a celebration bitches



ahh the good life

Monday, September 17, 2007

Diplomats clean-up man Hell Rell is ready to show the world why he’s the next to blow out of his Harlem crew. SOHH recently caught up with the Dips’ street enforcer as he broke down the science behind his new disc, For The Hell Of It, and his feelings on Dipset Capo Jim Jones cozying up with Cam’ron’s rival 50 Cent.

When Jones appeared alongside 50 Cent on BET’s "Rap City" earlier this week, in a show of support and respect for the G-Unit boss, Rell didn’t approve.

"However people want to interpret that, they can interpret it that way, but my loyalty lies with Cam and I would never sleep with the enemy," he says. " Jim is an executive, he can do what he wants to do. That don’t mean I have to agree with it. But there’s no problem between us. We are a movement. It’s not based on one artist. We can all function on our own. We’re not on the decline, business is just getting much deeper."

Building off the momentum that his Dipset family has undoubtedly set in motion, Hell Rell is ready to step into the forefront with his new album, For The Hell Of It.

"This is a New York street album," Rell told SOHH. "That’s how I’m doing things, I’m coming with that hardcore, grimy flow. I’m catering to my hardcore fans, they know what I do out here."

The album, which features guest spots from the entire DipSet roster as well as Young Dro and Styles P, will also be followed up with a book by the same name that details the atmosphere and environment that inspired each song on the album.

"Every chapter of the book is a name to a song on my album" Rell explains. "Have you ever wondered what Marvin Gaye was thinking when he made ‘What’s Going on?’ There was a war going on and all of these different things, what was going on in his head? I pretty much wrote out a blueprint of what was going on for each record, where I was, what was happening, my whole thought process. A lot of people might not like certain records, but they’ll be able to understand what I was going through on each one."

With several other projects in the works, including a collaborative album with Cam’ron tentatively titled Uptown Boys, and his own label, Top Gunners, Rell is definitely striking while the iron is hot. He also has a few tips for those in the industry who want to be smart and avoid the same fate as MC Hammer.

"You gotta be around young, black entrepreneurs, you have to invest your money," Rell said. "Nobody wants to be on VH1 talking about, ‘Where are they now.’ You gotta capitalize on lucrative business opportunities and stay focused. I always have more than one means of income."

For The Hell Of It is set to hit stores on September 25 on Koch Records.

Source: SOHH

50 Cent with Jim Jones & Juelz Santana LIVE In NYC

Plies

Hypnotized (Feat. Akon)

Havoc

I'm The Boss

Wyclef - Dollar Bill

(Feat. Akon, Lil' Wayne, Niia)

Wyclef (Preview)

Dollar Bill (Remix feat. Raekwon)

Cassidy

My Drink N' My 2 Step (Feat. Swizz Beatz)

A Triple Dose of Dipset

Hell Rell - Show It Off *World Premiere*




Hell Rell - I Ain't Playin' With 'Em / You Know What It Is *World Premiere*




40 Cal - The Big Boys (Feat. Jha Jha)

Playaz Circle

Duffle Bag Boy (Feat. Lil' Wayne)

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