Jay-Z fires back at critics on the politically-charged “Open Letter” which got a 7:45am wake up call debut on Hot 97 today. Hov addresses the backlash on his recent trip to Cuba, his ownership stake in the Brooklyn Nets, and his new deal with Universal on the Swizz Beatz and Timbaland-produced joint. Life + Times.

Reebok tells TMZ … “Reebok holds our partners to a high standard, and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so.”

Reebok goes on: “While we do not believe that Rick Ross condones sexual assault, we are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse.”

Ray J looks like he’ll be throwing some shade Kanye West & Kim K’s way when the single drops on April 9th.

TMZ has obtained portions of the lyrics from the upcoming single, which make very clear references to both Kim and Kanye. Read the lyrics below.

“She might move on to rappers and ballplayers
But we all know I hit it first.

I had her head going North and her ass going South
But now baby chose to go West

No matter where she goes or who she knows
She still belongs in my bed.”

It’s also been reported that Ray Jay will be dropping a video for the single, which will feature a Kim K lookalike.

UPDATE: Check out the song below

Nicki & Wayne puts visuals to her latest single

As reported by MissInfo, Kid Cudi has announced his departure from Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. He made the announcement earlier today during an interview with Power 106 LA, and is aiming to make his own way and properly develop his artist King Chip. There have been warning signs leading up to this – Cudi has alluded to it on Twitter, and the official Indicud tracklist lacks features from the G.O.O.D. Music roster.

Here’s the audio from Cudi’s announcement:

The LP was projected to move 190-210k, and it did just slightly above that. IANAH2 pushed 217k copies off the shelves and into YMCMB fans’ hands. It was good enough to land Weezy at #2 on the charts, but not enough to knock out Justin Timberlake from the #1 spot. For comparison’s sake, Wayne’s last album, Tha Carter IV, moved 946k opening week.

ScHoolboy Q
Trinidad Jame$
Joey Bada$$
Ab-Soul
Logic
Action Bronson
Kirko Bangz
Travi$ Scott
angel haze
Dizzy Wright (10 Spot People’s Champion Winner)

Chief Keef (The 11th Freshman)

Here’s a behind the scenes look at the cover shoot

#YoungCalifornia presents the brand new NCS Mixtape! This volume is of course with and hosted by DJ Kay Rich and Young Jizzo! This FREE mixtape brings together the best music from Northern, Southern, and Central California all mixed into one!

Download Here

Yesterday we reported on Too Short’s arrest for a DUI and drug possession. Short has since been released, but the charge of narcotics is not sitting well with him. Reports say that the rapper ditched hard drugs in the back of the police cruiser after being arrested by the cops. However, Too Short is claiming he had nothing to do with drugs.

Law enforcement sources say the drug was tested preliminary and may be meth, or may be Ecstasy laced with meth. Either way, Too Short says they aren’t his. A rep for the rapper told TMZ, “Short was diligently searched and cuffed prior to being placed in the disgustingly filthy patrol car.” The rep added, “It was 3 AM, the cop car smelled like vomit and was littered with remnants from prior arrests of the evening.”

However, the LAPD says that cop cars are searched thoroughly after each arrest and thus Too Short is getting the blame.

Too Short’s rep also clarified why the rapper felt he need to run from the cops initially, “In the past, Short, like many others, has been mistreated by law enforcement and these unfortunate prior incidents led to the complications after the stop.”

Finally, he assured fans Short was not in possession of any type of powder. “Any assertion that Short was carrying powder is ridiculous! Every rap fan knows Short’s into weed.”

HNHH