She mentioned it a few weeks ago, now it’s official. With today’s announcement, Nicki Minaj has become ‘The First Lady’ of Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money imprint. Arguably the only female with a substantial buzz, Minaj’s rise to fame has come through her mixtape line. After the releases of “Playtime Is Over” and “Sucker Free“, it was her latest tape, “Beam Me Up Scotty“, which catapulted her into the national scene.  The signing now gives Young Money two of the more coveted after free agents in Drake and “Nicki Lewinsky.”

“To say I’m excited would be an understatement. It’s validation. It’s proof. It’s empowerment. I represent every little girl in a hood near you. To everyone that supported me two years ago when I was on underground mix-tapes and DVDs and to the people that only caught on two weeks ago, I say thank you. Be proud of yourself. You’ve given girls all around the world the permission to change the face of female rap.”

Nicki’s deal didn’t come without its own fine tuning. She was able to retain and own all of her 360 rights, including merchandising, sponsorships, endorsements, touring and publishing.

Her currently untitled debut album is set to release towards the top of 2010. First, however, Minaj will continue to work and promote the release of Young Money’s compilation album due out this winter. The First Lady is still appearing with Lil Wayne at sold-out arenas throughout the country on the America’s Most Wanted tour, which also features Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy and more. Nicki continues to be managed by Mizay Enertainment’s Debra Antney who also represents Gucci Mane.

First, it was Young Chris. Then, Mike Posner. Now we have Trill Entertainment/Louisiana’s own, Lil’ Boosie. I recently caught up with the understudy of the late Pimp C where we chopped it up about:

*His new album, Superbad
*Working with Young Jeezy
*Who and what we can expect to see on the new album

Afterward, Boosie answered several questions from the audience at his listening session.

With the VMA’s around the corner, the list of performers are becoming more and more clear by the day. The entire weekend has unofficially been centered around that of Roc Nation. That Friday, September 11, Jay-Z will release his highly anticipated LP, Blueprint 3. On Sunday, the 13th, the actual awards show will air including a performance from Jay.

On Saturday, the 12th, Roc Nation’s first signee, J. Cole, will be performing live at New York University’s Kimmel Center in the 4th floor E&L Auditorium. The event, which is being thrown by NYU’s Gentlemen of Quality, will be hosting the event. Here is the need-to-know info:

*Doors open at 8:15 pm for press/VIP and 8:30 for general public.
*Tickets are $7 for NYU students and $10 for non-students. These can be purchased online for students (NYUHOME) or at NYU’s Ticket Central on the 2nd floor of the Kimmel Center.
*Tickets MUST be purchased prior to the event.

The intimate atmosphere will also allow for audience members to ask questions directed at J. Cole. As an added bonus, new material will also be played here for the first time. Half of the proceeds from this event will go towards GQ’s Martin Jackson Scholarship Fund. Jackson was a high school student GQ mentored who lost his life in the spring of 2008 due to gun violence.

Nyle, a NYU alum whose video adaption of Lil’ Wayne’s “Let The Beat Build” has been a YouTube sensation, is slated to be one of the opening acts.

The summer of 2009 may soon be over, but it will forever be known as one of the most notorious celebrity-death ridden seasons ever. Add DJ AM, real name Adam Goldstein, to the list.

DJ AM was found dead this morning in an apartment on Lafayette Street in Manhattan.

Sources said drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment.

Travis Barker’s ex-wife, Playmate Shanna Moakler, responded to news of DJ AM’s death on Twitter, writing, “My deepest condolences for DJ AM, you were a great artist and will be severely missed. My thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends.”

DJ AM’s last post on Twitter, dated Tuesday, was a line from a Grandmaster Flash song: New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain’t always what it seems.”

The news comes nearly a year after AM survived a plane crash along with Travis Barker. The two were the only ones to walk away alive in a tragedy that took the lives of four others. In an eerie twist of fate, AM had just recently completed filming an MTV show which saw him attempting to help those suffering the same problem he once had, drug addiction.

“I struggled for years as a drug addict and was fortunate to get help when I asked for it. I have managed to live a clean and sober life, something that takes work and something that I pride myself on. Gone Too Far’ is my platform to help people, like I was helped by giving back in a way. … We wanted to show how real it gets and what can happen if you don’t get help.”

Promoting the show in Los Angeles earlier this summer, Adam Goldstein told TV critics, “I’ve been a recovering addict for 11 years, and the only way I view sobriety: The only way I can keep it is if I give it away.” He also said that surviving the plane crash, which killed other passengers, is “something that I struggle with every day, you know, kind of wondering. But I’ve just realized I’m never really going to know. I’m alive, and I’m here, and I have another chance. So I have to do something better with my life this time.”

“Gone Too Far” will air on MTV on Oct. 5. Goldstein was 36.

Mary finally releases the visual for her first single featuring Drake, “The One.” Word is this will be featured on the “More Than A Game” soundtrack as well.

Spotted: OnSmash

Bonus: KC just dropped this off on her Twitter. “Miss A-merie and Mr. A-Milli.” –(c) Wayne

DL: Amerie feat. Lil Wayne–Heard ‘Em All (remix)

Lil Wayne is lending his support to GetSchooled.com, an initiative co-developed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom that creates a platform for corporate and community stakeholders to address the challenges facing America’s public schools. On Sept. 8 at 8 p.m., all of Viacom’s television properties (including BET, MTV, VH1) will join together to simultaneously air “Get Schooled: You Have the Right“, a 30-minute special that highlights education challenges and breakthroughs experienced by three leading figures from the world of entertainment, sports and politics; along with the stories of three of their most trusted professional colleagues.

Other celebs showing support to Get Schooled include Solange, Wyclef, Angela Bassett, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Salt-n-Pepa, DMC, Vivica A. Fox.

 While Wayne is undoubtedly the face of the Cash Money movement, it is Bryan “Birdman” Williams who is one of the main reasons the label has risen to the prominence it’s at now. Backstage at KS1075’s Back 2 School Jam, Birdman found some time to speak on a variety of subjects including:

*The evolution of Cash Money Records
*His new album ‘Priceless‘
*Drake’s injury
*Other projects he is currently working on
*The talent on Cash Money

Follow Birdman on Twitter, @Birdman5Star.

Well look, here’s what you do.

1) Download this.
2) Burn it to a CD.
3) Go take a ride in your car.

Then and only then will you embrace the quality of this release. Freddie Gibbs, the Midwest’s next big star? I’m co-signing it. Shout out to DJ Skee and The Smoking Section.

DL: DJ Skee & The Smoking Section Present Freddie Gibbs–Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik

Flashback: Gary, Indiana’s Own: Freddie Gibbs

Tuesday night I had the wonderful opportunity to see the incredibly talented Melanie Fiona grace the stage at SOB’s in New York City. This young lady, who has even been co-signed by the likes of Jay-Z, performed several records off her debut album, The Bridge, including the hit, “Give It To Me Right.”

The Toronto native also made sure her island roots were embedded in her show, from her voice even down to her movements. With that said, her best quality is her humble and appreciative nature for every opportunity she is receiving. To somewhat quote the late Tupac Shakur, she was actually “more in awe of the fans of her…than they were of her.”  It’s reactions like that which honestly makes you want to support her music even more. She truly is one of the good people in the industry and a hidden gem in today’s musical landscape.

Follow Melanie on Twitter, @MelanieFiona. Read rest of story…

No commentary needed. Just listen.

DL: Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne & Eminem–Forever

Flashback: Eminem x Drake x Kanye West x Lil Wayne Record ‘Sounds Better Than Ever’