Jay-Z focused on his side gig this week as part owner of the New Jersey Nets, which he announced will be called the Brooklyn Nets and will welcome them next year with an eight-concert series. T.I. finally got released from prison this week, dropping the new single “I’m Flexin'”
as well as hopping on a few new cuts, while Dame Dash spoke on his BluRoc Records and a few of his artists and former associates (Murs, Freeway) spoke on his situation. Meanwhile, J. Cole finally released his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story and reflected on its creation.
Jay-Z Announces Brooklyn Nets & Eight-Concert Series
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Jay-Z has been part owner of the New Jersey Nets for a minute, but has grand plans for when the team moves to Brooklyn’s Barclay Center next year. During a press conference this week, Hov announced that he will perform an eight-concert series for the Brooklyn Nets, with rumors swirling that he will have a hand in redesigning the squad’s logo and jersey. Outside of basketball, Jigga fell out of Lil Wayne’s mouth a few times, while he also spoke on Beyonce’s pregnancy at a charity fundraiser in New York City, New York.
T.I. Gets Released From Prison, Hits The Studio & Puts Out New Single
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T.I. is finally a free man. After serving an 11-month bid (the last of which was spent between a halfway house and prison), Tip was released back into the wild, hitting the studio with Pharrell and several others. This week, he hopped on Jeezy’s new single “F.A.M.E.” and 2 Chainz’s “Spend It (Remix),” triumphantly returning with his own single “I’m Flexin’” produced by and featuring Big K.R.I.T. Already on his plate? His VH1 reality show and upcoming novel. Oh, and most likely a comeback album.
Dame Dash Explains BluRoc Mission & Its Artists Speak On Releases
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HipHopDX got the chance to chop it up with BluRoc Records CEO Dame Dash, formerly of Roc-A-Fella Records. The music industry guru, who recently teamed up with a Brooklyn company for a new motor oil project, explained his approach to running his indie label and how these days, he’s just going with the flow. Meanwhile, The Black Keys revealed that BlakRoc 2 will not be coming out, while Murs spoke on his upcoming Ski Beatz collabo LP Love & Rockets, Vol. 1: The Transformation and Freeway dismissed Dash’s tax woes.
J. Cole Finally Releases His Debut “Cole World: The Sideline Story”
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After years on the grind, J. Cole finally released his debut Cole World: The Sideline Story earlier this week (HipHopDX gave it a healthy rating). The Roc Nation rapper spoke on why it was delayed, performed a New York City, New York show for just a dollar, downplayed beef between Jay-Z and Lil Wayne and spoke on Hov’s creative input on the album. And on top of that, his first retail release is projected to sell 250,000 copies in its first week. Not so bad.
Other stories of note:
– Game Responds To 50 Cent Diss Record, Promises Counter-Track
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– Michael Jackson Manslaughter Trial Begins
– B.o.B Reveals Title For Sophomore Album, Speaks On “Strange Clouds”
– Petey Pablo Sentenced To 35 Months In Prison For Firearm Charge
