Bun B To Release One Last UGK Album To Honor His Late Partner, Pimp C

Bun B's "Free Pimp C" campaign ended after the incarcerated half of UGK was released from prison. Moreover, in the wake of Pimp’s death in December of 2007 Bun is doing his best to launch an effort to lionize his late partner in rhyme.

The veteran rapper told MTV News on Friday (January 23) that UGK's next — and final — album is ready for release. The project, titled For Life, is scheduled to arrive March 31 on Jive Records. Bun hopes the album will do for Pimp C what Bob Marley's Legend did for the great Rastafarian star.

"This will be a good bookend to the legacy of myself and Pimp," Bun said. "And definitely take not just the group, but Pimp C, to true legend and iconic status."

The first single, "Da Game Been Good to Me”, recently appeared online and will be serviced to radio soon. The string-laden track features just the two UGK stars. According to Bun, For Life is not likely to feature any outside collaborators.

"This album is not about who I wanna work with and what kind of beats I wanna do," he explained. "This album is about what the people wanna hear, and that's Bun and Pimp. And I wanna try to give that to them in the most purest sense."

The album is expected to be pared down to roughly 12 tracks. Among them, in addition to the single, is a song tentatively titled "Marvin”, for the Marvin Gaye sample used in the production. Bun said Pimp, UGK's main producer, was experimenting with music more and looking to explore new sounds before his death.

In previous interviews, Bun spoke on how difficult it would be recording a UGK album without Pimp C.

"I know people will support it, and I know that I'm strong enough to do it,” Bun told Mixtape Monday last January. "Just the point of understanding from here on out, it's just [me] — I'm probably never gonna be comfortable with it in that sense. It's just a matter of coming to terms with the reality of it and the finality of the two-man situation in a physical sense."

As Bun B puts the finishing touches on For Life, the memories of Pimp continue to stay at the forefront of his mind. Planning a video for the album's release or impending interviews for the project don't stir emotions much for Bun. When it comes to his UGK cohort, who was more family than musical partner, being reminded of Pimp makes the pain palpable.

"That comes and goes. You don't need an album, video, or songs for that to come out," he said of his friend's memory. "I try to tell people all the time: 'It's never the big things that you think, it's the little things.' Interviews and videos, that don't do it. But when you see something that you know they would have loved to do or see or buy or drive somewhere they would have loved to go ... just [being reminded of] their nature and personality makes you realize they're not around anymore."

 

Will Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 Be Released By Def Jam Or Live Nation?

Last May, Live Nation made deals with Jay Z , U2 and Madonna in an attempt to transform from a concert-promotion giant into a multimedia behemoth.

The rapper inked a reported 10-year, $ 150 million deal with the company. As part of the pact, Jay would be provided funding for business ventures, which he's already taken advantage of by partnering with producers Stargate to launch the label StarRoc. Other benefits of the deal include Live Nation having a hand in the Roc-A-Fella star's recordings and tours for the next decade. (Live Nation later recruited Shakira and Nickelback into the fold with deals as well.)

But with Jay-Z reportedly still under contract to Def Jam for one more album, where does that leave Live Nation in the equation for the upcoming Blueprint 3? The rapper has already been touring heavily in the past year with a number of Live Nation-owned venues included as stops.

So MTV News asked Jay-Z earlier this week exactly which label his next album will be released on.

"Well, whatever it is, it'll be Roc Nation. It's gonna be a partnership with someone," he said. "So whether it's going to be Def Jam or someone [else], that's yet to be determined."

Since debuting, the rapper has released an album every year from 1996 through 2003, when he announced his retirement from making solo LPs. When he reversed course, Jay released 2006's Kingdom Come followed by 2007's American Gangster, his last release to date.

He recently told MTV News the delay in delivering BP3 is due to him having no quotas to meet. It's not clear if any negotiations between Def Jam and Live Nation are standing in the way. But to hear Jay's take on it, the album could have easily been released by now.

"I don't have any quotas, and that's a good thing," Jay said. "It may be too freeing. It's a good thing and a bad thing. You know, I think I need some restrictions. 'Cause if I had restrictions, I would have done it in three weeks. I would have made what I believe to be a great piece of art."

Usher Talks About Working With Pharrell, Adam Levine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — When we caught up with him among the inaugural hoopla, Usher made us a promise: new music very soon. Maybe the record could be a Pharrell Williams/ Neptunes production, because a photo of Usher, Skateboard P and Maroon 5 's Adam Levine collaborating in the studio recently hit the Net.

                                               

"It's a little bit of everything," Usher said of what they've been working on. "Pharrell has his Website where he lets you come inside his world and lets you know what's happening. A few pictures did leak online, just to let you know what he's been working on. There's some synergy between all of us and the record we're working on is gonna be an incredible record. I'm a fan. Adam is incredible — far beyond what I even fathomed.

"[The studio session] was a loose thing," Ush added. "[Adam] came in, picked up a guitar and went to work."

Usher and Pharrell obviously have a rich history of working together. ”U Don’t Have to Call” was a blockbuster, but the Atlanta crooner says he isn't looking to "yesterday" for inspiration — his sights are on right now.

"We want to create music like you never heard before," Usher explained. "Once we create something in the studio that everybody is crazy about, then we try to beat that. Once we create another one, we try to beat that. It's like we're challenging ourselves in the moment, as opposed to chasing what's in the past. Although 'U Don't Have to Call' is always a great reason for us to come back again — it was more or less a celebration."

 

Kanye West Denies Porn Rumors, Claims Accounts Have Been Hacked

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Diddy, Swizz Beatz Celebrate Damion 'D-Roc' Butler's Freedom At NYC Party

Diddy,Swizz Beatz and members of Junior M.A.F.I.A were among the many in attendance at Imperial nightclub Thursday night for Damion "D-Roc" Butler's welcome-home party.

Butler was released from prison late last year for his involvement in a shootout between members of Lil’ kim’s and Capone N Noreaga’s campsC-N-N had collaborated with Foxy Brown, with whom Kim was embroiled in a feud at the time.

The 2001 incident resulted in the imprisonment of Butler and another shooter,As well as Lil’ Kim. The female rapper was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for perjury and conspiracy. The shootout and aftermath fractured the relationships among many in Biggie’s Junior M.A.F.I.A. circle.

New York radio station Hot 97 DJs Mister Cee and Funkmaster Flex spun sets at Imperial. "If you lived in Brooklyn for more than five years, put one hand in the air for B.I.G.," Cee told the crowd. Memphis Grizzlies players Darius Miles, Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick were also in attendance.

Diddy arrived near 1 in the morning in his Maybach and quickly entered the venue past “ hip-hop cop” Derrick Parker, who was working security for the club. Butler and his entourage immediately followed.

Butler grew up in Brooklyn with biggie, and in the B.I.G. biopic “Notorious,” his character is shown taking the fall for his friend on a gun charge in order for Big to try his hand at a professional music career. The Junior M.A.F.I.A. member was later released before being imprisoned again years later following the Manhattan shootout with C-N-N.

Butler had a hand in the production of the popular DVD "Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A.," but he hasn't spoken out much since his release or in support of "Notorious."

Lil Wayne's Rock LP, Rebirth, Due April 7

Can he do another Milli the first week? We'll know in a couple of months!

Lil Wayne announced the official release date and title of his next album: Rebirth is due April 7 — and his publicist has confirmed to MTV News that it will be a rock album. Of course, Wayne has been rocking with a guitar for some time now.

The first single is called "Prom Queen" and will debut on the Internet right after a live stream of his concert in San Diego on January 27. The show will be available for stream on MySpace.com.

Wayne — who will perform at the Grammy Awards on February 8 — hinted at a change in direction for his next LP in October during the BET Hip-Hop Awards.

"I don't know if we're gonna release Tha Cater IV now," he told MTV News on his tour bus. "I think we're gonna release Tha Carter III — a new Carter III with none of the same songs, though. None of them. Not one! We don't wanna call the [next album] we got coming out Tha Carter IV. That was the dilemma we were in. We want Carter IV to be what everybody wants it to be.

"This is something brand new, so we don't want it to be some experimental thing, 'cause some people are not gonna like this. I don't want them to not like Tha Carter IV. But I do have an album coming soon, very soon, and it's gonna be called ... Tha Carter III: The Rebirth. The birth of a new beginning."

Those plans have been changed a bit. Wayne's rep told MTV News that the April 7 release has absolutely nothing to do with Tha Carter III or any of his previous hip-hop efforts.

Demi Lovato Says Playing For Obama Girls Was 'Surreal'

Demi Lavato may be a star to teenage girls all across America, but performing at the”Kids’ Inaugural; We Are the Future” show on Monday gave the 16-year-old a chance to meet some of her own favorite celebrities, including the new first family.

"Honestly, it was a blur, because it was like, I'm standing in the presence of the first lady, but then you kind of forgot about it because she's so normal," she told MTV News after the show. "And she's like way down to earth. She gave me a hug, and her daughters were so sweet, and you could tell they are not fazed by anything.

"The president was not there," she added, joking, "One day, we will hopefully play golf or something."

In addition to meeting the Obama ladies, she got the chance to meet one of her idols, Usher, who was one of the celebrity guests at the show. "I met a lot of really cool people, but Usher was really cool because I got to meet him," she shared.

"For my birthday, when I was like 10, I went to his concert, so it was like surreal to be on the same stage with him and hanging out backstage just being like, 'A few years ago, I was at your concert for my birthday and freaked out when you looked my way.' "

Lovato said that getting the chance to sing for such a prestigious crowd didn't make her too nervous, because she performs a lot, but instead it gave her a different kind of emotion.

"I think it was more moving than nerve-wracking — just knowing that you are performing in front of the troops' families," she said. "It was just an honor that I could make them smile when their parents are fighting in another country. And especially looking down in the first row and seeing the Obamas there, it was awesome. And to see them dancing, singing, clapping, it was so surreal."

The concert, which Lovato described as "one of the coolest nights of my life," also gave her the chance to catch up with her "Camp Rock" co-stars and friends, the Jonas Brothers, as well as fellow teen queen Miley Cyrus "We always say 'hi' before, and I got to say 'hi' to them afterwards," she said. "At the end of the show, we all got onstage together, and I was standing next to Miley and the boys."

Lovato said being involved in the "Kids' Inaugural" emphasized what she already believed during last year's election: The youth of America are more political than ever.

"I think even teenagers or tweens are getting involved, and it used to only be the people that are old enough to vote," she said. "But that's the great part about the 'Kids' Inaugural' that we just performed at. I got to be involved in something that was history-making, so it's just an honor. And I think everyone's inspired."

 

Beastie Boys Fight For Their Right To Party ... For Barack Obama

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Ad-Rock, Mike D and MCA performed their civic duty Monday night at a sold-out Rock the Vote concert. Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope joined the guys onstage for the show at the 9:30 Club, the proceeds of which are all to go to the charity.

Along with millions of other Americans, the Boys schlepped here to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama.

"Being here and seeing the huge amount of people and seeing how meaningful it is to them — that was kind of amazing to see," Mike D told MTV News. To him, it was "surreal." The guys planned to brave the crowds for Brarack Obama.

It's been a long time coming. They teamed up with Sheryl Crow on the campaign trail, touring battleground states to help raise voter awareness. "We're going to have a president who's this really super-smart person — who's really present, awake and alive. It's exciting," said Ad-Rock.

The Beastie Boys continue to give props to the new commander in chief.

"Congratulations are in order," said Mike D. And while the boxes aren't even unpacked at the White House yet, he added, "And when can we come over to the Oval Office and hang out?"

 

Michelle Obama’s Outfit: What Was She Wearing At The Inauguration?

While most people were talking about Barack Obama’s historic Inauguration, every fashionista was asking just what the first lady, Michelle Obama, was wearing at the inauguration.

According to New York Magazine’s Blog, Michelle chose a yellow dress with silver overlay, some embellishment on the neckline and matching jacket. The designer is Isabel Toledo. The dress, a throwback to the retro fashion that made women clamor to look like Jackie Kennedy, was paired with Glacier pumps by Jimmy Choo and matching yellow scarf.

Toledo told the New York Times that the coat and dress were made of Swiss wool lace, backed with netting for warmth and lined in French silk. “I wanted to pick a very optimistic color, that had sunshine,” she said. “I wanted her to feel charmed, and in that way would charm everybody.”The look was simple, sophisticated and appropriate for such a momentous occasion. With her hair down and just a pair of earrings to go with the outfit, Michelle’s look did not overpower this important day for her husband, who wore a simple black suit and a red tie.

Of course, people are still wondering whose gown Michelle will wear for tonight’s celebrations, including the Youth Ball. Everyone from Michael Kors to Diane Von Furstenberg have sketched possible options for the First Lady.

Aretha Franklin's Performance At Barack Obama's Inauguration: A Milestone In A Historic Career

Aretha Franklin’s rousing performance of Samuel F. Smith's "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. — celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States — was an extraordinary moment (and she certainly was wearing an extraordinary hat). But it was also one of many, many milestones in her long and illustrious career.

Franklin, 66, is universally recognized as the greatest female soul singer in history. She has won 21 Grammys and has had a long string of hits stretching back to the mid-1960s, including such classics as "Respect," "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," "Chain of Fools," "Rock Steady" and many others. In 1987 she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1993 she performed at the inaugural gala for President Bill Clinton. But today marked the first performance at an actual inauguration.

She grew up in Detroit, singing in the church of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin (a close friend and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King's), and was signed to Columbia Records in the early '60s by famed record producer John Hammond, who called her "the greatest voice since Billie Holiday." Yet her Columbia career was commercially unsuccessful, as the label attempted to craft her into a mainstream entertainer.

Franklin didn't become a star until she was snatched up by Atlantic Records in 1967 and scored her first hit with "I Never Loved a Man." Over much of the next decade, Franklin was a staple of the Atlantic Records roster and played a pivotal role in incorporating gospel vocal styles into pop music, paving the way for countless future superstars, including Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

In the '80s, Franklin recorded hit duets with James Brown, Whitney Houston, Keith Richards and George Michael, whose "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a #1 single. She has also worked with Carole King and Diddy and in 1998 scored a hit with the Lauryn Hill -helmed "A Rose Is Still a Rose."

In addition to being a consummate singer and gifted performer, Franklin was also a vocal civil-rights activist in the '60s. She performed in support of Martin Luther King Jr., and later sang at his funeral.

On Monday night in Washington, D.C., Franklin performed at a free concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Songs she sang at the event included "Old Landmark," "Precious Memories," "Chain of Fools" and an encore of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Singing alongside her was the Let Freedom Ring Choir, which was composed of Georgetown University students, faculty and staff.

On Monday night in Washington, D.C., Franklin performed at a free concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Songs she sang at the event included "Old Landmark," "Precious Memories," "Chain of Fools" and an encore of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Singing alongside her was the Let Freedom Ring Choir, which was composed of Georgetown University students, faculty and staff.

Jay-Z, Diddy Comment On Barack Obama's 'Beautiful' Inauguration Jay says, 'We have to absolutely have [Obama's] back.'

Jay-Z is arguably the greatest rapper of all time but it turns out Hov is not so bad at another profession: reporting.

Jay called in to New York radio station Hot 97 on Tuesday (January 20) as "D.C. correspondent Jay-Z."

"Hold one moment," he jokingly told DJ Angie Martinez. "We have Puff Daddy here on this historic event."

Diddy then jumped on the line to talk about the amount of security on hand throughout President Barack Obama’s Swearing in ceremony earlier in the day.

"Hundreds of Army cats," he said. The Bad Boy impresario then said he was going to cry before handing it back over to Jay. "It's a beautiful day”, he finished.

Jay-Z has been on hand for a number of festivities during the inauguration proceedings. He told Martinez he's been in Washington, D.C., for four days now and plans to stay for two more days "to soak it all in." The rapper is scheduled to perform at the "Neighborhood Ball" Tuesday night. He has already appeared at Love nightclub this past Sunday and his own show at Warner Theater Sunday night.

Hov said the vibe of the events has had an "incredible energy”, and he hopes the good will from Tuesday will extend for President Obama throughout his first term.

"We have to help him," Jay urged. "We have to absolutely have his back. We have to do all we can. We have to do whatever community service or whatever to help him. This is not an easy job. You do not clap your hands and this thing goes away. He took on a hard job. The worst job in the world — the best job and the worst job in the world, because he has so much to do. In addition, people really have to understand that. There are gonna be some days where you don't agree with what he does and you don't think he kept his word, or different things like that. However, we have to be there to support him for these next four years or, if they do it right, the next eight years. And we absolutely want eight years."