UG Rap Community

Last year DJ Khaled told us all to "listennn." Now that he has everyone's attention, he has a major announcement to make: "We the best!" Get used to it. That's Miami's number-one DJ's slogan right now, as well as the name of his second album which is coming out independently this June on Koch. He just released the first single from We the Best, which has an equally unabashed title, "We Takin' Over." It features Fat Joe, Lil Wayne and Baby, Rick Ross, T.I. and Akon singing the hook.

"This record, nothing sounds like it, it sounds real big," Khaled, who spun at club Bongos in Miami all Super Bowl weekend for guests like Jamie Foxx, Fat Joe, Jim Jones and Lil Wayne. "It's gonna be a #1 record at urban radio, #1 record at crossover, #1 record at MTV. I guarantee it. We the best!"

Khaled says as soon as he got the track from producer Danjahands, he knew it was going to be huge, and the first person he thought of was Akon.

"I said, 'I gotta put Akon on the chorus to make it into a movie,' " he remembered. "This record is gonna change the game, man. When I got it to Akon, the minute I gave it to him, he said 'Khaled, congratulations, you got "TRL" now.' He was in Africa, Europe, I had to go find him. I had somebody hand him a phone in Africa, like, 'Khaled wants to talk to you.' When he was in Europe, somebody handed him a phone, like, 'Khaled needs you.' It's probably going to be one of the biggest records in '07."

Obviously, it was no problem to get any of the rappers on the track. Khaled is close friends with all the MCs, and says he recorded them separately in Miami.

"I got a record for New York City that's gonna sound so big and feel so big. It's gonna remind you of something. I don't wanna give away the surprise, but it's coming. When I was out promoting my last album, I started on this one. In this game you have to stay relevant and be in these people's faces. Fans want music. I'm making good music. This album has big records. We the best!"

N.O.R.E. Splits With Def Jam

Rapper N.O.R.E. has confirmed with AllHipHop.com that he has severed his ties with Def Jam and will no longer record for the label.

The tumultuous relationship was marked by a studio album that was never released and in the past, N.O.R.E. voiced his displeasure about the lack of promotional support of his previous projects, including his Reggaeton album, Nore Y La Familia...

The Queens native states that his decision to move on was purely business and there are no hard feelings.

"I love Def Jam and every bit of history that we have together, but it's time to move on," N.O.R.E told AllHipHop.com. "I'm fully on my own and I want to be my own boss. There will not be a Jay-Z diss or an LA Reid diss record, because this is what I asked for."

N.O.R.E. said executives granted him an early release from his contract.

With his new found freedom, the rapper is free to explore his entrepreneurial side.

"I've been in this game quite some time and it's time I own my material, as well as, ringtones and masters," N.O.R.E. continued. "I'm just grateful to have a chance to show my executive side. So it's about time and I'm very thankful to all of the Def Jam personnel and staff. I still have great relationships in the building."

While N.O.R.E was coy about whether he's planning to re-sign with a major or go the independent route, he confirmed that he has several offers on the table.

"I won't speak about my eggs before they hatch, but I will tell you the meetings have been going pretty good and I'm still weighing the independent distribution, route. So hanghang too all and too all a hanghang."

In addition to keeping himself busy with a new untitled solo project, N.O.R.E is recording a new studio album with CNN (Capone-N-Noreaga) member Capone.

Michael Jackson is back, and he brought along Pras (formerly of the Fugees) and Tampamental for the ride. This is the latest recording from the pop legend, and is causing a major buzz in the industry.

MICHAEL JACKSON, PRAS, TAMPAMENTAL - NO FRIEND OF MINE

M.O.P. Plans G-Unit Debut LP

Brooklyn group M.O.P. have signed on to endorse the Sizzurp Purple Punch Liqueur product originally developed and marketed in conjunction with Cam’ron and Jim Jones. According to Sizzurp’s distributor, Straight Up Brands, the group will push the drink with product placement in new song lyrics, music videos, and while on tour worldwide with tour van wraps, stage banners and on-stage pours. Straight Up Brands acquired Rappin’ Brands, the company that originally developed the drink, in early 2007...

The company also has plans to launch a pineapple flavored beverage called Lucky Nites with Houston native Lil Flip, a brand of sparkling wine with Foxy Brown, and Storm Vodka with DJ Clue. In related news, “7:30” the first single from the duo’s upcoming G-Unit debut LP, has been selected by CBS Sports and the New York Knicks for use during their broadcasts. The video for the song, which will feature Sizzurp product placement, is currently being edited for MTV and is scheduled to debut on March 1. The new album, rumored to be called Yearly Physical, is set for a May 2007 release and the group is preparing to launch their first world tour since signing to 50 Cent’s label.

E-40 Keeps Wiggling, "For All Those Who Wish I Was Dead - Get A Life"

Paul Wall isn't the only one that's got the internet going nuts. With rumors of an All-Star fracas, to tales of his own demise, E-40 has provided a constant source of grist for the rumor mill as of late. He took the time to speak with SOHH in an exclusive interview to set the record straight...


"Nothing happened at my party. I ain't hear about no Bay Area people getting into nothing," E-40 responded to claims that a fight broke out at an All Star Weekend party which allegedly led to several Bay Area rappers being arrested. "I did a MySpace party. It was a small, exclusive secluded party. It was conducted well. I did another at the Orleans with Ice-T, who was the host. That was big. I performed, me and Lil Jon and [Lil'] Scrappy. We had the crowd control and everything, ya smell me."

40 Water also took the time to address the rumors that he had been killed in either a shooting or car accident, as different reports would have it. Though a representative for the rapper, attorney Zvi B. Edelman, issued a statement dispelling the rumor, 40 wanted to put an end to the story himself.

"I'm not happy about the rumor but one good thing is I see that a lot of people love me," E-40 told SOHH. "I have no idea why somebody would pick me to start a rumor about. They said I got killed coming from Fresno going to Las Vegas. I'm from the Bay. That's not even the route to Las Vegas. And I was on 'Soul Plane,' South West [Airlines]," the rapper said jokingly. "It was ghetto as hell. I didn't even drive. And while I was out there in Vegas, I been square as a box of peanut brittle."

"All star was cool," 40 continued. "My shit was cool. People were like 'you hear what they say about you?' Give you hugs. I'm alive. I'm alive and in effect on the roulette wheel. I was up $3,000 lost $1,500. My wife came up $2,300."

With the rumors behind him, 40 hopes to get back on his grind and also revealed that he's been hard at work on his latest project.

"Been working on that album, just getting it started, ya smell me. [The] album [will be] coming out in August. It's gonna be called The Ball Street Journal. Right now the album is in the making," he explained. "All the people that wrote in and commented [on the accident rumors] I thank them for the concern. All those who said 'I wish he was dead,' I'm gonna keep wiggling. Get a life, get to the place where they love you. Cause I'm loved."