Lloyd aligns the stars for "King of Hearts" album

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

In 2009, Lloyd revealed he left Murder Inc. Records, something denied by Irv Gotti, the head of the struggling label. After the release of Ja Rule's R.U.L.E., Lloyd found himself basically carrying the label. His 2008 album, Lessons in Love, was a flop, but the highest-selling Murder Inc. album of 2008.

Following a bitter dispute with Irv Gotti, Lloyd resurfaced and signed with Zone 4/Interscope Records with Polow da Don. Due to the change in labels, Lloyd found himself working with more high-profile artists. For years, Lloyd was restricted because of the feuds his label were involved in.

But, with his new label, he was free to work with any artist he felt like. Immediately, Lloyd began working with artists from G-Unit, the primary rivals of Murder Inc. While Lloyd has no issues with former Murder Inc. frontman, Ja Rule, Rule did call him out over "working with the enemy." Still, the two have worked together in the time since.

Lloyd's fourth album, King of Hearts, has been held up for nearly a year, but is slated for a July 5 release date. The lineup for the new release is filled with stars. Lloyd has called upon Game, Lil Wayne (who has been featured on all of Lloyd's albums), Andre 3000, Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, Trey Songz, and many more artists.

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T-Pain explains ditching Auto-tune

By The Music Scoop
JR Staff Writer

In 2005, T-Pain ushered in a new era in hip hop. At the time, hip hop needed something new. Jay-Z was retired and no rapper had truly stepped up. There were several new artists, but none really stood out among the rest.

But, late in the summer of 2005, T-Pain debuted his single, "I'm Sprung." The song quickly became a hit, thanks to his use of the auto-tune. It was not long before T-Pain was using the auto-tune on his hooks with other artists.

By 2007, T-Pain had risen the ranks and was recording with R. Kelly. On their collaborations, Kelly also used the auto-tune. On the mixtape level, Lil Wayne had taken over the rap game. In 2008, he released his comeback album, Tha Carter III, which featured Wayne's first chart-topper, "Lollipop," which only used the auto-tune.

Soon, everyone from Kanye West to Young Jeezy was using auto-tune. The machine had invaded every rap song on the radio. Throughout 2008, there were rumors of Jay-Z coming out with a new album, which he would name The Blueprint 3. When the album did not come, fans assumed the album was nothing more than a rumor. However, when the album came, it was led by Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-tune)" single. The song was released as T-Pain prepared to release his new album.

Out of frustration, T-Pain dissed Jay-Z, but soon apologized. With his popularity drained, T-Pain decided to take time off. T-Pain came out of his hiatus for the DJ Khaled single, "All I Do is Win." However, T-Pain did not begin his more formal comeback until he performed the hook on DJ Khaled's 2011 single, "Welcome to my Hood." Now, T-Pain is preparing to release his fourth studio album and he announced the album would not feature auto-tune.

Now a six-year veteran in the game, T-Pain wants to do something different. Him ditching the auto-tune is not out of fear of a 2008 repeat. Instead, T-Pain is hoping to prove he can sing without the help of the machine and he is trying to evolve his sound. Each day, T-Pain is in the studio trying to make this happen.

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Keyshia Cole and Daniel Gibson cover "Urban Ink" magazine

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

In her time in the public eye, Keyshia Cole has had several men who wanted her affections. Keyshia Cole's most public relationships was with Young Jeezy. Their relationship was confirmed when she appeared on his single, "Dreaming." But, their relationship did not last because she wanted marriage.

Keyshia Cole rose to the top of the game in 2008. She had received comparisons to Mary J. Blige for years. But, Cole had become a star in her own right by 2008. Finally reaching the peak, she decided to take some time off. During this time, Keyshia Cole began dating Daniel Gibson, of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When the news first went public, not many people took their relationship seriously. But, when Keyshia Cole confirmed they were dating, no one thought it would last. In order to protect what she was building with Gibson, Keyshia Cole decided to hold off on her 2009 album. Instead, she took a hiatus and even had her first child, Daniel Gibson, Jr.

Upon returning to the spotlight, Keyshia Cole returned with her fiancee` and her son. Towards the end of 2010, she began working on her Calling All Hearts album. The album has not done as good as Cole wanted, but it helped her get her name back into the public eye. Recently, she and Gibson covered the magazine, Urban Ink. Together, the couple showed off their multiple tattoos and they talked about their family life.

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Young Jeezy was almost cast for HBO's "Entourage"

By TV Maverick
JR Staff Writer

HBO has always held a special place in the heart of the black community. While not being a network marketed as a "black network," it often featured many black programs. HBO has changed with the times, too. When hip hop became the focal point of the black community, HBO made the shift.

One program in particular, "Entourage," has become a favorite with viewers. The show works closely with the hip hop community. New York rapper, Saigon, landed a starring role on the series as himself. The rapper was having a hard time trying to release his debut album and the show kept him afloat.

Saigon's role on the show helped him gain his cult following. He partially owes the show for his hype. Saigon is definitely glad he appeared on the show with his album finally coming. While Sai is counting his blessings, the show's producer told a major secret. Saigon's lucrative deal almost did not happen because they were interested in another rapper.

Before proposing to Saigon, HBO first reached out to Young Jeezy. Because he was a relatively new rapper, Jeezy was highly interested. Had he not became a rapper, Young Jeezy would have become an actor in some capacity. He had always loved the cameras, but it was not meant to be. Def Jam heard about Jeezy being cast and they told HBO, Young Jeezy may not be the right guy. Due to his schedule, he might not have been able to be on set each time they needed him.

In a round-about way, Saigon owes a bit of his success to Def Jam. After not landing Young Jeezy, HBO heard a song with Saigon and Jay-Z and cast him to be in "Entourage."

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Keyshia Cole shows off Engagement Ring and Talks Love with Daniel Gibson

By Mr. Hollywood
JR Staff Writer

When she first came into the game, Keyshia Cole was famous for being the singer looking for love. But, over time, her tone changed and she became the focal point of female R&B. Some had hailed Cole as the second-coming of Mary J. Blige. In the middle of her success, Cole took a break from music.

Before she decided to take some time off, Keyshia Cole had been spending time with Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers. She continued seeing him while taking a break from music. Soon, rumors spread about Cole being pregnant. Late last year, Keyshia Cole confirmed these rumors.

Earlier this year, Keyshia Cole returned to the limelight and she showed off her son. Recently, there were rumors of Daniel Gibson proposing to her. Those rumors are also true as she has accepted and she recently showed off the $80,000 ring. Keyshia Cole was in Atlanta talking about her album when she opened up about her personal life.

For the first time in her life, Keyshia Cole has everything she has ever wanted. She feels as if she has finally found love with Daniel Gibson. In the past, she has dated the likes of Young Jeezy and other rappers, but those relationships never worked out. Aside from being in love, Keyshia Cole is also a mother and she will give her son what her mother never gave to her. On top of everything else, Keyshia Cole is rich and set for the rest of her life.

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