Hot Off The Presses: Nas, The Game, R. Kelly, 50 Cent & More

Despite constant claims that the title of Nas' controversial Nigger album would remain, it looks like the label is going ahead and making the name change. According to Entertainment Weekly, a rep from Def Jam confirmed that the album's title will be changed to simply Nas, after much debate. ... The rapper also recently revealed that he is working heavily with new producer, Jay Electronica, after hearing his remake of the rapper's classic "The World Is Yours." He told MTV, Jay is "the future." "He's what rappers are trying to be or what they are aspiring to be. He's the whole package," Nas told MTV. "He has visual ideas for videos, and he could show you what he's been working on. He has a whole different take on his production. The guy's an incredible writer. I like his music. He was like, 'Let's go. Let's get in the studio.' He gave me a lot of his time." The collaborations between the two are set to appear on Nas' forthcoming LP. ...

The Game's Bentley was towed on Sunday night (May 18) after police pulled over the rapper in Glendale, California at around 7:00 p.m. According to TMZ.com, Game's Game's tags were expired and he had not proof of insurance. "His car was towed because the tag has been expired for more than 6 months," Glendale PD spokesperson John Balian told TMZ. The vehicle was impounded and will have to pay late fees, fines and show proof of insurance before he can get it back. ... The Compton rapper compares his career to the late Notorious B.I.G., saying three albums is enough for him, referring to the rumor that his forthcoming LAX album will be his last. "Biggie only had two albums and that was enough for people," Game explained to Sohh.com. "People say he was the greatest rapper alive, which is one of the things I agree on, but he only had two albums." ...

Chicago Judge, Vincent Gaughan, wants to insure that R. Kelly gets a fair trial in his child porn case, and to make sure, he's sealed court documents, denying the media's request to access to them. "Of paramount concern is that the defendant gets a fair trial," Gaughan wrote, as reported by The Chicago Sun-Times. "The torrent of media interest in this case has prompted entry of the order which prevents the serious and imminent threat that this case would be tried in the media." He used the 2004 Michael Jackson outcome as an example for his decision. "If it wasn't for the press, we wouldn't have the type of justice we have today," the judge said. "Nobody wants to inhibit the press." However, Gaughan said the documents would be opened at the trial's end. ...

After his official community, ThisIs50.com, reported that 50 Cent was in the midst of locking in a $300 million deal with News Corp., similar to a recent deal Jay-Z landed with Live Nation, the rapper's manager, Chris Lighty, released a statement denying that any such deal is in the works, saying the reports are just that -- rumors. ...

Female rapper Queen Pen's ex-boyfriend allegedly attacked her in front of their children and broke her Grammy Award following a domestic dispute. According to the NY Post, the 35-year-old rapper and her 29-year-old ex, Kendall Wicker, got into a heated argument on May 9th, resulting in Wicker trashing her New York apartment, putting a brick through the windshield of her car, and threatening to kill her. This isn't the first time though. Three months ago, Queen Pen told police that her ex punched her so hard in the face, she needed oral surgery to secure teeth knocked loose by the punch. ...

Singer Rihanna is working hard at building her brand. Following up on her line of umbrellas, she is now working on an underwear collection, according to LiveSteez.com. "There might be a clothing line on the horizon, maybe underwear," Rihanna has said. There is no word just yet as to when the line will pop up though. The singer has already fronted several consumer products in deals with cosmetics giant Clinique, retailer H&M and Secret deodorant. ...

"American Idol's" Jennifer Hudson recently revealed that she is hard at work on her sophomore record, and it will hit stores in September. According to Billboard.com, contributors for the album include Timbaland, soul singer Robin Thicke, the Underdogs, Diane Warren and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, among others. "I think people will be pleasantly surprised, because it shows a side of my work that no one has heard before," Hudson told Billboard. ...

GO BACK TO SITE