DeAndre Way sat down with Lee Hawkins of Wall Street Journal to document his rise to fame as apart of their “WSJ Weekend Conversations.” Soulja details how important embracing social media was for him and how he continues to make sure it plays an integral part in his career.

The two also spoke about his future career moves, who he turns to for advice and working with G.O.O.D. Music’s Kanye West and KiD CuDi. At the conclusion of the interview, Soulja performed his new single “Speakers Going Hammer.”

Seen: Rap-Up

Nicki Minaj returned home this weekend – as in Trinidad. The YM superstar had her very first show there  and while in the country, she sat down with Trinidad And Tobago’s Newsday for an in-depth interview. One of the more peculiar topics she touched on was her “Minaj” moniker.

“I was always called Nicki at home so I was known as Nicki Maraj but my first producer [Fendi] did not like Maraj and thought Minaj sounded better. I still hate the name and I was going to go back to Maraj on the album but people told me no because my fans like it.”

Fans “liking” that name is an understatement. After the jump, take a glance at the tracklist for Pink Friday.

Credit: Flex (Keep reading…)

The wait is officially period and the anticipation can finally be fed. Teaming up with DJ Drama, this  Gangsta Grillz has been one of the more hyped and marketed in awhile. The L.E.P. Bogus Boys invite you to celebrate Halloween with them by listening to Don’t Feed Da Killaz Vol. 3.

DL: L.E.P. Bogus – “Don’t Feed Da Killaz Vol. 3″ (Special Gangsta Grillz Edition)

And as a bonus, hit the jump for a feature presentation of L.E.P./Bogus Boys – Don’t Feed The Killaz (Directed by Will Gates) Produced by Maestro.

(Keep reading…)

Seeing as how my Dallas Cowboys season effectively ended with Tony Romo’s collarbone last Monday, you have to forgive me if I walk into this Sunday with not the highest of hopes. Yet, the L.E.P. Bogus Boys are dropping their much, much, much anticipated Don’t Feed Da Killaz Vol. 3 alongside DJ Drama that same day, so not all is lost.

The wait is almost over, but above is footage of the Chi-Town ensemble performing “Lust For Life” at the show Karen attended last week. Head over to RR to see pics from the listening session.

If the name of song and artist look familiar, it should. Sean Garrett’s “Feel Love” leaked awhile back with a Drake reference, but supposedly this is the final version and boasts a feature from none other than J. Cole. Between this and Miguel’s “All I Got Is You,” Cole is proving, for those who suspected otherwise, he has more crossover appeal than expected. He does his thing on this. A smooth record, and a good look for both artists.

I think I might wife it now
But life is foul, and you don’t get a free throw
And so my next move gon’ have to be my best move
Beside every king is a bad ass queen
So girl let’s make this chess move

DL: Sean Garrett feat. J. Cole – “Feel Love”

Come November 16, all most of the questions you have ever had surrounding Jay-Z’s verses will answered with the long awaited release of his autobiography if you will, Decoded. Consider this a collector’s item for me. Sometimes the story behind the music is even more captivating than the lyrics themselves.

Seen: Roc4Life

Mediatakeout received not your everyday photos of Kanye West. And if you’re at work, be careful when you click the jump.

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Well, damn. This is quite embarrassing. While at a video shoot for Lil’ Chuckee last night, the repo man came looking for Crime Mobb’s former member Diamond. Actually, they came after her 2010 Yellow Camaro. Of course, this came as a surprise to Diamond who took to Twitter speak about the action.

She’d later tweet a photo of the receipt for the vehicle. Still though, this has to be the equivalent of tripping in public for a rapper.

Progress has always been a slow process. Just ask J. Cole. 2010 has seen Fayetteville’s own damn near double the interest and buzz around his name from a slew of guest appearances to even his own tracks leaking. Still, he’s not where he wants to be in terms of presenting a debut project to the masses. The last time Cole caught up with the folks at Good*Fella Radio, he had dreams of being the first rapper to ever lace up sneakers in the NBDL. How quickly a few months can change a perspective.

Thanks to his non-stop touring and marathon recording sessions regiment, that dream is put on halt while he focuses on achieving another. In this clip, Cole gives insight on a few topics. For one, the album is coming – we just don’t know when yet. The mixtape, however, will be arriving shortly. The “Rising Icon” explains how he just recently selected the tracks for the tape and judging by the hand gesture, (Keep reading…)

I had the chance to kick it with Terry Kennedy while he was out here on the East Coast.  During a promotional run for his album Pilot Talk in July, Curren$y spoke with XXL on a wide variety of issues including his falling out with Kennedy. According to Spitta, the fallout happened due to TK copyrighting the name Fly Society without his knowing. Due to Curren$y’s influence on the Internet being one of the highest of of any rapper, many took his side in he and Kennedy’s disagreement.

That same Internet backlash resulted after his public break up with Angela Simmons. TK spoke with me on how that negative portrayal in both situations affected him and and was able to explain his side of the events.  The conversation concluded with his show and how important it has been to him. With all the stories and rumors floating around, Being Terry Kennedy (which airs Tuesdays at 10) allows him to do just that – showcase the “real” him.