When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke with Mavado’s manager Julian Jones-Griffith he explained that two weeks ago Drake donated US$25,000 (JA$2.15 million) towards the building of the library. The popular rapper shot the video for his latest single Find Our Love in Jamaica in April. The rapper also visited the island prior to that for vacation.

Jones-Griffith explained: “Basically Mavado and Drake shot some scenes in Cassava Piece and struck up an immediate rapport with the people there. He thought they showed him a lot of love and he was very down to earth with them and wanted to do something positive.”

The idea for the learning center which includes a computer lab and a library, according to Jones-Griffith, was one Mavado had plans for so Drake decided to assist the project.

When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke to Drake he commented: “I had a great time when I was in Jamaica and the people of Cassava Piece showed me a lot of love. I just wanted to show back some love by helping out with Mavado’s project on the Gullyside. It’s a very positive move and something I am very happy to be a part of. Education is the key to life so to be able to assist in that process is very fulfilling.”

Two weeks ago Drake gave Mavado his contribution and since then construction has started in Cassava Piece. Jones-Griffith added: “Obviously it’s going to take more than what Drake gave so Mavado has contributed to it and pledges to put more towards it.” Tentatively the name for the library is ‘Drake and Mavado Peace Center’.

Mavado said: “I was born and grow inna Cassava Piece so mi always a look to impact di community in a positive way. We recently helped create peace between rival communities dat is going good, so we want to do sumpten new. We have been planning it for a while, when Drake was here it came up an he wanted to do sumpten to help and we mek di arrangements.”

He added: “We’re grateful for his contribution, it’s a great gesture, he is not even a Jamaican, so for him to do dis and help build a foundation of knowledge and learning in our community is, yuh nuh, appreciated. Odda successful Jamaicans should tek a leaf out of Drake’s book and gi back to di communities from weh dem born and grow.”

For Mavado and his team they are looking to Corporate Jamaica to assist in the project. Jones-Griffith said: “We’re reaching out to Corporate Jamaica which is always talking about transforming the garrison so it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is. LIME has already pledged to give us free Internet connection and we appreciate that.”

The learning centre will be free of cost to persons from Cassava Piece as Jones-Griffith explained: “It’s a community project not a business venture. People from the community are contributing to it from the ground up and are very happy about it.”

Mavado has turned a peaceful leaf of late with a number of socially-conscious musical releases of late including: Messiah, Change Right Now and Can’t Believe.

Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj’s “Your Love” has made Billboard history as the first single by a female emcee to top the Rap Songs category in over seven years. According to reports, the last solo female artist to top the chart was Missy Elliot.
‘Your Love’ is the first single by a female rap artist to top the Rap Songs chart in seven years, with Lil’ Kim’s ‘Magic Stick’ featuring 50 Cent serving as the last track to hold the same position back in June 2003 for five consecutive weeks. And while Kim had some male assistance, Missy Elliott is the last female artist to have a solo track top the chart with ‘Work It’ in November ’02. (The Boom Box)
Minaj’s new record is reportedly a sample from 1990′s pop star Annie Lennox.

25-year-old Queens, New York-raised rapper Nicki Minaj earns her first No. 1 on Rap Songs, as “Your Love” surges 4-1. The song, which samples “No More ‘I Love You’s',” a No. 23 Hot 100 hit for Annie Lennox in 1995, is the first Rap Songs No. 1 by a sole lead female artist, and by a female rapper, since Lil’ Kim led with “Magic Stick,” featuring 50 Cent, for five weeks beginning June 14, 2003. (Billboard)
Writing via Twitter, Minaj publicly thanked her fans for supporting the record.

“Thank you for making “Your Love” the #1 Rap song in the Country,” she wrote.
“Minaj is the 1st female artist unaccompanied by any other act to top “Rap Songs” since “Work It” by Missy Elliott in 2002 – Billboard.com” (Nicki Minaj’s Twitter)
At last weekend’s BET Awards 10, Minaj also thanked female rap veterans for helping pave a lane for her.

Minaj took the high road telling viewers “I just think it’s so important right now for positive energy among women because I’m fighting for women. This is not for me, this is for all of us, so thank you to all the female rappers who paved the way for me.” (Examiner)

Part 2

Kid Cudi has revealed that his upcoming Man On The Moon 2 album will most likely be released late summer.

The rapper, who recently reunited with Kanye West for a pop-rock song for his upcoming effort, has also thanked his fans for the reception of new track ‘Dance Yrself Clean’, featuring Chip Tha Ripper.

Cudi wrote on his official blog: “Thanx for all the love on the new joint y’all. I really appreciate it, sincerely. This was an idea I had that me and Chip decided to do for fun. As of right now, it’s not on anything, we just recorded it and put it out just for the f**k of it.

“It’ll be awhile til MOTM2 (still gunnin’ for August or September release). So I might keep releasing some fun joints here and there. I’ll keep you all posted faaashow.”

kid cudi all talk feat. chip tha ripper and christian bale

“It’s been a ride, I guess I had to go to that place to get to this one. Some of you might still be in that place. If you trying to get out, follow me,” he says, talking at the beginning of the track.

As the raps starts to kick in, Em threatens to “tear down” those who looked down on him.

“You can try to read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay ‘em/ But you won’t take the sting out these words before I say ‘em.

“I’m not afraid/ To take a stand,” he continues on the chorus. “Everybody come take my hand/ We’ll walk this road together through the storm/ Whatever weather come the war/ Just letting you know that you’re not alone/ Holla if you feel been down the same road.”

On the second verse, Em admits to some artistic missteps and declares that his last album, Relapse, was a bit of letdown.

“To the fans, I never let you down again, I’m back/ I promise to never go back on that promise,” the MC says in the song’s second verse. “In fact, let’s be honest/ That last Relapse CD was ehh/ Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/ Relax, I ain’t going to do that now.”

Later in the verse, Em talks about his personal struggles.

“But I think I’m still trying to figure this crap out/ Thought I had it mapped out, but I guess I didn’t/ It’s time to exorcise these demons / These muthaf—as are doing jumping jacks now.”

As the song comes to a close, Em says he doesn’t want any more drama and wants to focus on raising his family.

“I can’t just keep living this way,” he sings. “So starting today, I’m breaking out of this cage / I’m standing up, I’mma face my demons/ I’m manning up, I’mma hold my ground/ I’ve had enough, I’m so fed up/ Time to put my life back together right now.”

Recovery is slated for a June 22 release.

Drizzy Drake and crew jumped on a Gulfstream G4 yesterday and jetted back from Kingston, Jamaica after wrapping up an epic three-day video shoot for “Find My Love,” a forthcoming single from his highly anticipated album Thank Me Later.

But while in the island of the sun, the Toronto-born actor/singer/MC didn’t waste the opportunity to link up with some hometown talent. Dancehall hitmaker Mavado was on set of the new Anthony Mandler-directed flick to play a major role.

“Drake loved the vibe, mi nah lie,” Mavado told VIBE. “We did our best to make sure everything was as comfortable and smooth as possible.”

he video production team staged scenes throughout Kingston, shooting a bikini-and-bonfire beach party at Port Royal, capturing club action inside The Building (a popular New Kingston hotspot better known by its former name, Asylum), and finally heading to Mavado’s birthplace, the garrison community of Cassava Piece, better known these days as The Gully Side.

“We goin’ all the way in with this one,” Mandler tweeted of the neighborhood where many fear to tread. But Drake had so much fun kicking it in Mavado’s “Gully” community that he hung out long after Mavado had turned in for the night.

“Even after mi lef’ Cassava Piece, Drake was still there!” Movado told VIBE. “It coming like ah dessoh him born and grow!”

The camaraderie between Aubrey Drake Graham, one of the most in-demand rappers on the planet, and David Constantine Brooks, one of the hottest dancehall artists in the game, has been developing for a while now. Back in late February, the two spent some time together at Gee Jam Studios in Port Antonio—the secluded soundlab where No Doubt worked on their hit album Rock Steady.

“We really planning on doing songs together,” Mavado stated in a YouTube interview, though he also made it clear he wasn’t about to rush the process. “Big up Drake,” Mavado added. “Drake ah me dog.”

Michel—Drizzy’s love interest in the video—was just as approving, describing the Young Money rapper as “a super sweetheart” via Twitter.

Her favorite take? “The bedroom scene (by far lmao) wink wink,” she tweeted.

As reported yesterday on THISIS50, rumors are running rampant that Jay-Z and Dr. Dre have collaborated for Dr. Dre’s first single off the much anticipated DETOX album.

According to the Twitter account of E! News’ Michael Yo, the legendary producer will be hooking up with one of Hip Hop’s premier artists for his first single: “Look for it this week New Jay Z and Dr Dre!!!” tweeted Yo.

Michael Yo later added that Interscope Records was “buzzing” about the as-of-now unnamed song. According to YouHeardThatNew.com, the track has been described as “up-tempo,” and is indeed intended as Detox’s first

“i recorded the snoop joint that leaked around the time i was workin on MOTM, its a deleted scene that im including on Cudder. I DID NOT LEAK IT and i barely have a name for it so ill let u guys kno whats its really called as soon as i figure it out haha. By the time u hear it on the album it will be a bit diff with a better mix and some other shit added. Also, the homie Rashad “Ringo” Smith produced the record, NOT DR. DRE. if u got the record already cool. if not, if u can find it rock out. and remember WE SHININ WE ROLLIN WE SIPPIN WE SMOKIN WE LIVIN WE HAPPY THEYY MAAAADDDDDDD! F*CK EM peace and love from ur bud, cud” (Kid Cudi’s Blog)

“Here’s how I look at it, because the wording in there is kinda funny. ‘Impostor.’ I liken it to this: I’m a director as well as a writer. I choose different characters, I choose their direction and where I want to put them. So who I choose to put as the character is up to me. The character that I hired, he got paid for it…..Any cats that are coming to see me as a physical person, I can switch the [actor] any time. I’m not gonna play the part of that character every time. Like how [actors] changed through the Batman series, where it was George Clooney[and] it switched like five [other actors].”

Antonio L.A. Reid has found himself in hot water after being accused of mishandling many of his label’s biggest projects during the last year. The Island Def Jam CEO has reportedly been facing pressure from Lucian Grainge, the new Universal Music Group CEO, following his rampant spending and the incredibly low sales ofMariah Carey and Rihanna’s recent releases. Moreover, Reid’s recent efforts to sign Jennifer Lopez (who has not had a hit  record in years) have made him the target of serious media criticism.

Reid was scheduled to answer questions  from fellow industry moguls regarding the issue at the Billboard 2010 Music & Money Symposium at the St. Regis last week but failed to make an appearance after one of his sons mysteriously fell ill. To date, Carey’s ‘Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel’ has sold just short of 500k units since it’s release in September while Rihanna’s ‘Rated R’ has only shipped 2.5 worldwide compared to the 2.6 million that her ‘Good Girl Gone Bade’ album sold in the US alone.

Waka Flocka Flame called Shade 45 to speak with DJ Whoo Kid along with Vanessa Satten and Rob Markman from XXL Magazine about his songwriting techniques, surviving in the industry and the details on his recent shooting.

How did Waka Flocka get his wild rap name? Why does he say he doesn’t have lyrics, and why is having them a bad thing in today’s market? Who wrote Diddy’s verse for the “O Let’s Do It” remix? Why does he think mixtapes are better than albums? What special body parts does he think are hidden by his So Icey momager Debra Antney (who also manages Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj and OJ da Juiceman)?

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.”

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.