Young Jeezy and Rick Ross: The New Def Jam

Over a decade ago, Def Jam was the top label in hip hop. Behind rising stars, Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, Def Jam dominated radio. Those three rappers brought a New York swagger that could not be denided. No one was more Def Jam than Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule. However, like all good things, this came to an end.

After the Irv Gotti controversy, the entire Murder Inc. label was removed from the Def Jam roster. The following year, in 2006, DMX ended up leaving the label for a new deal at Columbia Records. Finally, in 2008, Jay-Z left Def Jam for his own Roc Nation.

Currently, the Def Jam roster has been diminished. Outside of their DJ Khaled-led Def Jam South, the label has nothing going for them. Since all of the label’s former stars are gone, the label’s biggest stars are now Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.

Nostalgic 90s hip hop fans are trying to call Young Jeezy and Rick Ross the new Jay-Z and DMX. While that may be a stretch, Jeezy and Ross are indeed Def Jam’s biggest stars. This year, Rick Ross has carried Def Jam and Young Jeezy is preparing to have a big year in 2010.

Outside of his own music, Rick Ross runs his own imprint label, Maybach Music Group, and his group, The Triple Cs, are gearing up for their debut album. At the same time, Young Jeezy has been running his own label, CTE Entertainment, during his entire time at Def Jam. CTE is behind USDA.

Will Memphis Bleek be more Successful than Jay-Z?

In the history of rap music, there is not a single rapper with a more storied and acclaimed career as Jay-Z. Some would like to call Jay-Z a superhero in rap. Every superhero needs a trusty sidekick.

When Jay-Z finally became a star, in 1998, Memphis Bleek became that trusty sidekick. For years, Bleek remained by Jay-Z’s side and Jay lent some guest verses to Bleek’s albums. While under Jay’s shadow, Bleek never quite reached that superstar level.

Ever since Jay-Z first came into the game, he has hoped that Memphis Bleek would eventually take his place. In 2003, Jay-Z had planned to retire, after the release of his The Black Album, Bleek was supposed to take over the game, then.

However, when Memphis Bleek’s album came, he remained a “second string” rapper. His next album did not come until 2005 and it, too, was a flop. It took Jay-Z coming out of retirement to keep New York hip hop alive. But, Memphis Bleek has been waiting for the perfect time to take over.

Ever since 1998, Memphis Bleek has been running his own record label, Get Low Records. All of Bleek’s albums have been released by Get Low with distribution coming from Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam. In 2008, Jay-Z left Roc-A-Fella Records for his own Roc Nation label.

Memphis Bleek saw this as the perfect opportunity for him to find a new deal for Get Low. With this, Bleek will finally release his fifth album, The Process. Bleek expects this album to take his career to the next level.

What if this album is for Bleek what Vol. 2 was for Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek becomes the biggest rapper on the planet? Then, from there, he ends up releasing albums on a yearly basis and he masters the game the way that Hov has?

So, if The Process becomes that album for Memphis Bleek and he ends up dropping a great, multi-platinum release every year, will his legacy ever be able to rival that of Jay-Z’s? When it is all said and done, will Memphis Bleek be more successful than Jay-Z?

Ja Rule readies Triple Disc, “Venni Vetti Vecci 2010″

Only two years removed from 2007′s The Mirror, Ja Rule is ready to come with eighth studio album, Venni Vetti Vecci 2010. It has been almost three years since any new music has been released from Ja.

Once again, Ja Rule finds himself on the comeback trail. However, this time around, Ja wants to make history. Such rappers as Chamillionaire and Cam’ron have released triple disc mixtapes, but never before has there been a rapper to release a triple disc studio album.

Since it has been three years Ja Rule’s last album, he plans to drop a triple disc set. Venni Vetti Vecci is the same title of Ja’s debut album that was released in 1999. The title means, “he came, he saw, he conquered.” At the time, Rule had not accomplished much, but now he has.

Each of the album’s three discs will focus on each point. The first disc will be the “He Came” disc that details his rise into the game. The second disc will be the “He Saw” disc that details his time finally reaching stardom. The final disc will be “He Conquered,” that disc will detail his career after he became rap’s biggest star.

The first single from the album is “Father Forgive Me,” a recycled treat from The Mirror. A video has been shot and it will be released to media outlets in the near future. However, the album has yet to have an official release date, Ja Rule is said to have been working daily on the album.

Venni Vetti Vecci 2010 will be released sometime in the first quarter of 2010 on Murder Inc./Atlantic with promotion from Ja Rule’s own Mpire Music Group.

Hip Hop Vibe’s Hottest MCs in the Game: 50 Cent

50 Cent has been expected to release his fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, for the entire year of 2009. In January, 50 released “I Get It In” and the single failed to become a hit. It was clear by then that 50 was not about to score a hit with that version of the album.

Instead, 50 Cent returned to the mixtape scene. It was here that 50 scored some major hits. From his barrage of mixtapes released this summer, he scored hits with “OK, You’re Right,” “Flight 187,” and “Baby By Me.” 50 has decided to take some of these best songs and place them onto the album.

There are critics that say that 50 Cent has fallen off. He has proved otherwise with his This Is 50 Fest from earlier this month. 50 was able to get Maino, Cory Gunz, Dipset, and The L.O.X. to all come out and perform for his show.

50 Cent has proved that he has influence over the game by the way that he was able to get these rappers to come and perform for his show. Also, 50 has proved that he can still make great records with his Ne-Yo-assisted “Baby By Me (remix).”

After all of this time, 50 Cent is still definitely one of the hottest emcees in the game.

Red Cafe to make Bad Boy debut Next Year

After years of being forgotten, Red Cafe’s mic skills were noticed by Sean “Diddy” Combs. A brief courtship insued and Red Cafe soon signed with Combs’ rebuilding Bad Boy Records. The label has placed all of their hopes on Red Cafe.

Ever since 2006, his debut album has been expected. A lack of interest from his past labels have led to a number of push-backs. With most of Bad Boy’s roster looking for a way out, Diddy was more than happy to give Red Cafe an official release date.

Always thinking one step ahead, Sean Combs left his deal with Atlantic Records and created a new deal with Interscope Records. Combs is no longer with Atlantic, but the current Bad Boy roster will remain. All new Bad Boy acts will be signed to Bad Boy/Interscope.

Red Cafe is still signed to Bad Boy/Atlantic and the entire terms of this deal have yet to be worked out. Because of this, Red Cafe’s album has been pushed back until sometime next year. It is possible that Red Cafe will leave Bad Boy/Atlantic for Bad Boy/Interscope.

Expect Red Cafe’s debut album to be released sometime in 2010.

Gucci Mane readies Major Label Debut

As an independent artist, Gucci Mane has experienced major success. He has released many street anthems that most fans still remember. Gucci has released several independent albums and mixtapes.

In only a four-year span, Gucci Mane has become one of the most popular rappers in the game. The year of 2009 has proved to be a big one for Gucci and the major labels have taken notice. For the first time in his career, Gucci Mane will be recording for a major label.

Gucci Mane is now a signed artist to Atlantic Records. By December 2009, he will finally make his major label debut. The album is currently set for a December release and a single should hit the radio rather soon.

Has Snoop Dogg become a Hater?

Recently, Snoop Dogg admitted to something truly horrible, the Doggfather, himself, has admitted to being a hater. Seeing how long Snoop has been out of the public eye, it would be hard to even track his recent activities. But, Snoop has shown some hater-like characteristics.

Last month, Snoop Dogg revealed that he had dissed Soulja Boy. People love to criticize Soulja Boy because of his style. His music may not appeal to everyone, but he brought something new, which is the essence of hip hop music. So, Snoop’s negative comments about Soulja Boy do give the impression that he is hating.

For the past few years, Lil Wayne has risen to the top of the game. In this same span, Snoop Dogg has been falling off. Looking at how hard Snoop has been working, this can be very frustrating. It is easy to imagine him going at Wayne out of sheer anger.

A song from Snoop Dogg’s latest album, Malice n Wonderland, recently leaked to the Internet. The song called out Lil Wayne and Birdman for their 2006 public kiss. Has Snoop Dogg become a hater?

Jadakiss speaks on possible Bad Boy deal

For some time now, rumors have had The L.O.X. signed to their former label of Bad Boy Records. Recently, the label has become the hip hop hot spot. Every rapper in the game seems to want to be a Bad Boy.

While no deal has been reached, yet, The L.O.X. would not mind being Bad Boys once again. In 2007, after their feud with 50 Cent, the group left Interscope Records and they began working on their new album.

Just last year, the group officially ended their feud with Sean “Diddy” Combs. For years, The L.O.X. had been at odds with Combs over a contract dispute. That dispute ultimately led to the group leaving Bad Boy to record for Ruff Ryders Entertainment.

Now that some time has gone by, the two parties have been able to forgive and forget. A lot of former Bad Boy acts and former critics are fighting for a place on the label. Sean Combs just happened to offer a spot on the label for The L.O.X.

According to Jadakiss, Diddy offered the group a one-album deal for them to release their next album on Bad Boy/Interscope. It is very likely that the group ends up signing this deal and returning to Bad Boy Records.

Game gives more info on “The R.E.D. Album”

Among other things, Game has confirmed that he has officially changed his name from The Game to simply Game. The first release by Game as Game will be his upcoming fourth disc, The R.E.D. Album.

Recently, the rapper revealed some information about the album. He said that it will be released on December 8, 2009 through Black Wall Street, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records.

Aside from the label situation, he said to look out for the street single, “Crazy,” featuring Gucci Mane. That single will be released sometime next week, while the radio single, “L.A. Girl,” featuring Chris Brown will be released later next month.

Other collaborations on the album will be provided by Akon, Diddy, Rick Ross, and Beanie Sigel. Aside from Timbaland and Pharrell, production will be coming from Akon, Polow da Don, Cool & Dre, and DJ Khalil.

Again, The R.E.D. Album will be released on December 8, 2009 on Interscope Records.

Shyne to be Deported Tomorrow

October 6, 2009 was supposed to be a huge day for Shyne. Over a year ago, this was the day that Shyne was supposed to be released from prison. As the date neared, everyone was talking about Shyne getting out.

However, when the day came, it was not as celebratory as everyone thought that it would be. Instead, Shyne had to trade bad news for bad news. After serving the past eight years in prison, he learned that he would be deported to his home country of Belize.

This came after anticipation of Shyne being released and coming out with new music. Even before his release, he was rumored to have signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. Those rumors proved to be false, but Hov did reveal that the two had talked.

Eventually, Shyne signed with Game’s Black Wall Street label, but he will not be able to stay in America and record the album. For most of his life, Shyne has lived in America. He grew up in Brooklyn and served eight years in American prison for a crime that some feel that he was not guilty of.

By this time tomorrow, Shyne has to be out of the United States of America.