ystikal called in to Shade 45 last week to let Whoo Kid and Coach PR know he is prepared to be back on top in the music biz since his return from prison! “Things have changed, but they’re about to change again!”

Does he intend on working with Master P again? How are things between him and C-Murder? Why have fans been so important to him? Did his friends stand by him while he was away? Does he feel his sentencing was fair? How is he catching up with new technology? What are his feelings about Lousiana artists like Lil Wayne and Lil Boosie gaining success? Will he be dating anytime soon?

Rapper Lil Wayne arrived at Rikers Island in New York City on Tuesday to begin serving a one-year jail term on a weapons conviction.

Wayne, 27, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., chose not to speak at his sentencing on Monday, the New York Post reports. With good behavior, he could be out of prison in eight months.

After initially pleading not guilty to gun possession after a July 2007 arrest, Wayne changed his plea to guilty in October in exchange for a reduced 12-month sentence.

Wayne had had his sentencing postponed twice in the past month – once so he could have dental work done, and once because of a fire in the courthouse basement.

He recently tried to put his ordeal in perspective, telling Rolling Stone: “I look at things as ‘Everything is meant to be.’ I know it’s an experience that I need to have if God’s putting me through it.”

“I did it overnight, it couldn’t happen any quicker,” Drake raps on his new single “Over,” which premiered yesterday on his native Toronto’s Flow 93.5. After scoring a major hit and Grammy nods with “Best I Ever Had” and headlining the all-star “Forever,” Drake ascended to the top of the rap game without even releasing an official debut album. After signing with his mentor Lil Wayne’s Young Money last year, that debut LP, Thank Me Later, is due out this May, and “Over” is the first peek at what Drizzy has in store for his much anticipated first album. Grab a free download of “Over,” both the explicit and the clean versions, on Drake’s October’s Very Own blog.

Produced by Drake’s in-house producer Boi-1da and Al Khalliq, “Over” finds Drake rapping with a more aggressive flow compared to the laid-back vibe of “Best I Ever Had,” with Drake’s cadence marching along with the track’s military beat before slowing down on the strings-laden chorus. “I could teach you how to speak my language, Rosetta Stone / I swear this life is like the sweetest thing I’ve ever known,” Drake rhymes before boasting, “About to go Thriller, Mike Jackson on these niggas / all I need is a fucking red jacket with some zippers.”

“This record sums up where I am right now in my career,” Drake told Flow 93.5 (Listen to the full interview over atNah Right.) “I think it’s a great first impression. The album is going to be a great body of work for you to get lost in. Right now I just wanna have some fun.” While “Over” is more than enough to get us excited for Thank Me Later’s May arrival, Nah Right says Drake and Lil Wayne shot the music video for their collaboration on the album this week (since Weezy is prison-bound) and that song has been dubbed “a banger.” As Rolling Stone previously reported, Kanye West and Jay-Z will also guest on Drake’s debut.

Click here to download the full episode to your ipod or blackberry now!

NUBIAN-Rise to the top Produced/Directed by:Yorle Director of photography: Katrice www.SlamVideoMagazine.com MySpace.com/JahNubian

The Hope For Haiti Telethon brought together some of the best acts the music world has to offer in an effort to raise funds for the people of Haiti.

It was an extraordinary event that once again showed the good will we as people have towards each other in great times of need.

The event is being made available for purchase via iTunes for $7.99 with all proceeds going to Haiti Earthquake Relief.

Performers on the night were Madonna, Alicia Keys, Wyclef Jean, U2, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Sting, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Emiline Michele, Rihanna, Dave Mathews and Neil Young.

50 CENT – THE BEST OF 2009 from DJ SEMTEX on Vimeo.

There is no doubt that 50 Cent is one of the hottest artists of the last decade. Recently, i caught up with him to reflect on the best/worst moments of 2009.

We started on the best album, then we kinda got stuck on the ‘beef’ issue, specifically the Jay-z & Beans situation. I really wanted to get into this, but I ran out of time.

What do you think is the situation with Fif and Game the same as Beans and Jay-z?

I don’t think it is. You would have heard about Game one way or another via Dre. 50’s done so much damage to other artists, what he did to Ja Rule is actually historic. I dont think people are that concerned if someone attacks 50. Its his field, his speciality, its kinda what the people expect from him/comes with the package.

50 is like Genghis Khan when it comes to Beef, so when he got into it with Game, people were skeptical, some people still think it was all a publicity stunt.

Regardless, 50 is a unique artist. There wont be another story like his for a long time.

NAS & DAMIAN MARLEY INTERVIEWS | DISTANT RELATIVES from DJ SEMTEX on Vimeo.

Nas and Damian Marley at Rock the Bells in L.A. They talk about their forth-coming ‘Distant Relatives’ project.

*The concept of Distant Relatives.
*How they hooked up.
*Working in the studio.
*K’naan gets the ultimate co-sign.
…..and more.

The Nas footage isnt the best, but thats how it goes when you get 10 minutes with one of the hottest rappers in the game in his tour bus, 12 minutes before he hits the stage.

There wasn’t enough room on the tour bus for my camera crew.

Sidebar: this was shot before the Blueprint tracklist leaked.

MOS DEF | OFFICIALLY JOINS THE GORILAZ [3 of 3] from DJ SEMTEX on Vimeo.

Part 3 of 3.

Mos Def announces that he is officially the 5th member of the Gorilaz.

The group that inspired 50 Cent to create the G-Unit concept has a new member called ‘SunMoonStars’ [Mos Def].

Mod Def talks on:

*His involvement in the Gorilaz project.
*Working with Damon Albarn.
*Kanye West.

…..and more.

It’s the seasoning of giving and Wyclef has done so through international channels.
Known for his humanitarian work in Africa as well as his homeland of Haiti, the former Fugees front man Wyclef Jean partnered with Western Union to bring Christmas cheer to the unfortunate children of Haiti.

Yesterday, Wyclef boarded a plane from Miami international airport to Haiti where he gave out gifts to its unfortunate children. Before taking off for this special occasion Wyclef took to twitter to express his thoughts.

He states:

When looking back @ my past it makes me believe that there is a force greater then me that is Governing the Universe.@ times when I go to haiti I ask myself what would have happen if I never made it to America what would I be doing right now?
–What if I never became Wyclef n wyclef was getting on the plane today to Come to haiti to bring me Food n Christmas Gifts how would I feel. When I Reflect of such things it makes me Understand that to live for others is the Non selfish way to live.

@ times we R so caught up with R selves that we forget about those around Us. some say they can’t help the needy because they have no money to give to the poor I say know one gave me money n the hut they gave me Hope. A man once said 2 me wyclef giving hope is not enuff da hungry can’t eat Hope, da hungry can’t eat hope but hope Can lead da hungry to food. The Good teaches Us that when Christ showed Up n the clubs,da church, the streets the First thing he Bought with him was the Word! N the beginning was the Word! Words R powerful, words Can bring a since of Hope to those that need it right Now!

I could not agree more with Wyclef. Hope is a trait we all share despite our struggles and differences in life. This generous act by Wyclef and Western Union will impact the lives of many.

UP CLOSE is a real talk with the dancehall culture that takes an in depth look into the life of dancehall artistes, their circumstances, and influences that motivate their artistic genius. The series is shot at Studio 45 in Kingston Jamaica

Executive Producers: Jeremy Whittaker and Delano Forbes

Video Interview: Bounty Killer – On Stage – Talks Kartel, Beenie, Gully-Gaza [A Must See!!] (part 2)

UP CLOSE is a real talk with the dancehall culture that takes an in depth look into the life of dancehall artistes, their circumstances, and influences that motivate their artistic genius. The series is shot at Studio 45 in Kingston Jamaica

Executive Producers: Jeremy Whittaker and Delano Forbes

Bounty Killer – On Stage – Talks Kartel, Beenie, Gully-Gaza [A Must See!!] (Part 1)

UP CLOSE is a real talk with the dancehall culture that takes an in depth look into the life of dancehall artistes, their circumstances, and influences that motivate their artistic genius. The series is shot at Studio 45 in Kingston Jamaica

Executive Producers: Jeremy Whittaker and Delano Forbes

Eminem has reportedly agreed not to perform any anti-gay songs in order to appear at the Wireless Festival next summer.

The festival was said to be concerned about protests from gay groups such as OutRage! over some of the rapper’s lyrics.

The UK-based gay rights group has been vocal in protesting against homophobic singers, most recently Jamaican stars Buju Banton and Beenie Man. It last protested against Eminem in 2001.

But when a deal was struck between all three parties was made to ensure there would be no anti-gay lyrics or protests, the singer agreed to sign up for the summer event.

According to the Evening Standard, a festival insider said: “This is a huge signing for Wireless and it will be the hottest ticket this summer.

“The organisers were afraid campaigners could potentially ruin the event. So there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and Eminem only agreed to sign up when assurances had been made that there would not be any protests.

“It was very touch-and-go but he has finally agreed to appear. Any kind of demonstration against him could have been disastrous.

“He will be bringing a huge entourage of security with him but there is still the risk that protesters may picket the hotel he stays in.”

OutRage! spokesman David Allison said: “We have a condition that he does not use lyrics that encourage or incite hatred against gay people.

“He is free to express his views on gay people, as long as he stays off the violence and hatred. He has got plenty of other lyrics to choose from. In recent years he has become quite well-behaved.”

In a song titled Criminal on his second studio album. The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem’s lyrics include: “My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge/ That’ll stab you in the head, whether you’re a fag or lez/ Or the homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest/Pants or dress? Hate fags? The answer’s yes”.

His lyrics have had an unlikely defender in the form of Elton John.

John reportedly helped Eminem recover from painkiller addiction and has performed on stage with him.

The gay singer said: “I honestly don’t think people will go out and start beating and killing people because of this album. It appeals to my English black sense of humour.”

Kid Cudi was held at gunpoint by police in Los Angeles Tuesday (Dec. 21), in a case of mistaken identity that occurred just one week after the rapper left his opening slot on Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour.

Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, was in the midst of a photo shoot for NME magazine when he and his entourage were pulled over on Fairfax Avenue by police offers in search of suspected robbers.

NME reporter Emily Mackay later blogged about the incident, describing a dramatic scene that included “an angry, shaven-headed American policeman screaming, ‘KEEP YOUR TWO HANDS VISIBLE’ while pointing a gun at the back your head through the rear window.”

According to reports, Cudi and his entourage were ordered to exit three vehicles and kneel on the ground, where they were handcuffed. Police soon released the group, however, upon realizing that they had detained the wrong party.

“Such is life, apparently, when you roll with Kid Cudi and his crew,” added Mackay.

On Dec. 18, Cudi’s representatives announced that he was leaving Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour after playing just a few dates on the trek “in order to balance his schedule surrounding the recording of his next album and acting commitments.” The announcement came shortly after the rapper was criticized for punching a fan at a tour stop in Vancouver.

Los Angeles’ Beat Club is the latest in a line of venues that claim MF DOOM sent an imposter to perform in his stead.

“It’s hard to see here but you can catch glimpses of him.” Explained a concert viewer who posted a video of the perfomance (shown below). “It was obvious that he was an imposter since he never once laid his hand on a microphone and just played his new tracks on a laptop.”

When asked for comment by consequenceofsound.net, the rapper’s label, Stones Throw – which does not handle his booking – said it was “obvious that he wasn’t going to show up at a venue that fits only 200 people when his performance fee requires venues about 10 times that size.” It should be noted that the label did not explicitly confirm nor deny that the perfomance was an imposter’s.

In the past, DOOM has explained that the allegations were the result of his being unrecognizable due to massive weight loss. He was also called out for the alleged practice by The Cunninlynguists’ DJ Kno in an open letter.

[bells ringing]

ho ho hoo
merry christmas!

[Ludacris laughing]

[chorus]
here comes santa clause
here comes santa clause
right down santa clause lane
all his raindeer
all his raindeer
pullin’ on the reins
bells are ringing
children singing
bells are ringing
children si.. b-bells are b-bells are ringing
children singing
santa clause comes to town

[Ludacris verse 1]
yeah
i tell ‘em all i want for chistmas is two gold front teeth
and ten carat diamonds on a fat gold wreath
that i could wear around ma neck
get money in respect
tell santa claus to bring a ten million dollar cheque
so i could spread a lil’ cheer
fly a couple leers
eat a lil’ chicken
drink a couple beers
kick back and just chill
like a player would do
remix all the christmas carols
then i play em for you
luda
turn it up until i wake up all the neighbours
they say that i’m a nuisance
but i say they all some haters
just because i’m poor they always callin’ me a faker
and cause my christmas tree decorated in toilet paper
but little do they know
they bout to see a show
cause when they come up out the house
i’m gonna blast ‘em with some snow
frosty’s never seen
nothin quite like this
and st. nick’s never seen
nothing quite like ‘cris
so um…

[chorus]
here comes santa clause
here comes santa clause
right down santa clause lane
all his raindeer
a-all his raindeer
pullin’ on the reins
bells are ringing
children singing
bells are ringing
children si.. b-bells are b-bells are ringing
children singing
santa clause comes to town

[Ludacris verse 2]
yeah…
chestnuts roastin’ on the fire in the hill
down below we firin’ up the barbeque grills
ice skatin in the drive way
imma do it my way
eggnogs got daddy swirvin’ on the highway
chains on the tires
ice up on the window
10 degress fahrenheit
freezing as the wind blow
help me take my boots off
and my snow suit off
get up in the house
and my nose is redder than rudolph’s
i think i need some help
with the buckle on my belt
and if santa doesn’t show
i want his cookies and his milk
tell him i need a jacket
new jordans and a x box
new suits for church
and a couple pairs of dress socks
stuff my stockin’ with jolly ranchers and candy canes
invite my aunties and uncles
lets do the family thing
meanwhile i’m hopin’ santa got my wishlist
so i could wake up to a very merry christmas

[chorus]
here comes santa clause
here comes santa clause
right down santa clause lane
all his raindeer
a-all his raindeer
pullin’ on the reins
bells are ringing
children singing
bells are ringing
children si.. b-bells are b-bells are ringing
children singing
santa clause comes to town

[Ludacris verse 3]
oh yeah
i hear the sleigh bells ringing and the jingle bells rock
santa never seen the jingle bells on my block
i hear he’s makin that list
chekin the thing twice
i guess it’s prolly cause i been naughty not nice
but imma straighten up my act
get up on track
make a couple bucks and buy mama a catillac
and then maybe santa clause will come around my way
so all the kids on my block can look up and say
hey!

[chorus]
here comes santa clause
here comes santa clause
right down santa clause lane
all his raindeer
a-all his raindeer
pullin’ on the reins
bells are ringing
children singing
bells are ringing
children si.. b-bells are b-bells are ringing
children singing
santa clause comes to town

[fade out]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry has died, one day after falling out of the back of a pickup truck in what authorities described as a domestic dispute with his fiancée.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Henry died at 6:36 a.m. ET Thursday. Henry was 26.

“We knew him in a different way than his public persona,” Bengals owner Mike Brown said of the player who was suspended five times during his career. “He had worked through the troubles in his life and had finally seemingly reached the point where everything was going to blossom. And he was going to have the future we all wanted for him. It’s painful to us. We feel it in our hearts, and we will miss him.”

The NFL is steamrolling toward its final three weeks of the 2009 regular season but lashmoove.com football pool members still have plenty of opportunities to boost their trophy count with some wise picking of NFL games over the course of the regular season and well into the playoffs.

Week 15’s full slate of thrilling action will point all you NFL sharps in the right direction toward making more winning picks than ever. Week 15 kicks off with Thursday night’s matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars.