SNEAK PREVIEW: THE VANS ‘VAN DOREN’ ERA & AUTHENTIC SPRING 2013

Vans have become uber popular in the past few years. Known best for a trendy but simple silhouette, the brand continues their reign with the Van Doren collection for Spring 2013.

A series of leopard, aloha and stars & stripes patterns are highlights on the Authentic, while mixed solid and pattern Eras round out the drop. All of them give off a classic feel that requires little effort to perfect any outfit.

Your thoughts?

JUST LIKE YOU: 6 CELEBRITY SUPER FANS

As we heard in “Enough Said”, Drake is disturbingly obsessed with Aaliyah but he isn’t the only celebrity super fan and we have a list of examples to prove it!

You might be thinking that only us common folk can be fanatics of pop culture icons but many of music’s biggest stars proudly boast about their obsessions with the people who inspire them. Indeed, from Lil Kim’s adoration of Diana Ross to Mariah Carey love of Minnie Riperton, many stars are just like you!

Check out our list of celebrity super fans below:

6. Alicia Keys & Sade

Alicia Keys has followed in the footsteps of Sade Adu since launching her own career in and modelled several of her songs in the fashion of the legendary singer. Yes, Keys loves Prince but if you listen to her The Element of Freedom album, it’s impossible to deny that Sade is dominant influence on Keys.

Watch Keys perform “Love is Stronger than Pride” at the 2010 Black Ball below:



5. Lil Kim & Diana Ross

Lil Kim was one of the most prominent fashion risk-takers of the 1990s but it was the original diva, Diana Ross, who laid the foundation for the rapper to crossover. Just imagine Kim’s excitement when Ross, the woman who she wants to play her mother in a movie, played with her boob at the 1999 MTV Awards.

4. Mariah Carey & Minnie Riperton

Long before Mariah Carey shocked the world with her flurry of high notes, Minnie Riperton was the leading master of the whistle register. In fact, Riperton was the main inspiration for Carey to experiment with her vocal range and the latter often hid under her bed as a child while imitating her favourite singer.

Listen to Carey channel Riperton in “Bliss” from her Rainbow album below:



3. Brandy & Whitney Houston

Brandy loved Whitney Houston so much that she titled her “Two Eleven” album in honor of the diva’s passing. The duo shared the screen in a remake of Cinderella but the most touching moment was when Brandy met Houston for the first time at the Teen Choice Awards and literally ran away in shock.

Ludaversal Blog 2: Ludacris in Korea

It's one thing when your hometown city or country loves you, but it's a whole different situation when the entire world digs you! Luda shares some behind the scenes footage and insight on the international life. From overseas dining to backstage access, check out Ludacris in Korea, as he prepares to drop his 8th studio album Ludaversal this year.

New Video: JBar – Im Gone

SODMG's JBar drops a new visual to his “Im Gone” track. Check it out today!

In Studio : Rick Ross & Pharrell Recording “Presidential”

The Untouchable Maybach Empire presents a behind the music look at Rick Ross and Pharrell Williams working on “Presidential” off God Forgives, I Don’t.

Directed by DRE Films.

Aug 2012 Studio Recording: SLAUGHTERHOUSE Announce “On The House” Mixtape + Studio Session with Joe Budden & Joell Ortiz.

Here is a promotional video for Slaughterhouse’s upcoming record “I See Dead People“. They also revealed that their upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape will be called On The House.

New Video : Bun B ft Aaron LaCrate - Turn It Up

Bun B and Aaron LaCrate team up to shoot a video for their collaboration on “Turn It Up“. This track appears on the upcoming Milkcrate Athletics + Aaron LaCrate project coming soon.

New Freestyle : Kid Ink 'Bootleg Kev' Freestyle

Bootleg Kev gets Kid Ink to drop a few bars over Chief Keef’s “I Dont Like” instrumental.

New Music : Drake - Enough Said ft. Aaliyah

Drake days of stalking the ghost of Aaliyah have finally paid off, as the emotional rapper has released a new song entitled “Enough Said,” which features his late idol’s voice. “Enough Said” was produced by Noah “40″ Shebib as the lead single from Aaliyah’s first posthumous album, which is being helmed by Drake himself. Timbaland is reportedly not happy about the fact that he and Missy Elliott have not been invited to participate in this Aaliyah project but, guess what? Drake is the president of her fan club and he has the GAP posters to prove it. Listen to the haunting “Enough Said” below, and see if you can spot the similarities between the song and Drake’s “Marvin’s Room”:

Mixtape Of The Week : Wiz Khalifa & Currensy – Live In Concert

On the 9th August 2012, Wiz Khalifa and Currensy will be celebrating a 3 year anniversary of their “How Fly“ mixtape by dropping a new project. Here is the artwork. Wiz Khalifa & Currensy – Live In Concert

Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y come together for an amazing mixtape entitled, How Fly. Check out the tracklist. Traklist: 01. Car Service 02. All Over 03. The Checkpoint 04. The Planes 05. Fly Niggas Do Fly Things 06. S.D.L. 07. In The Middle 08. The Layover 09. Drunk Dialing 10. How Fly 11. Friendly 12. The Life 13. Surface To Air 14. Over The Building 15. Rolling Up

New Video : Chris Brown - Mixtape Sh*t

This weekend Chris Brown took to his WhoSay account to release a new video. This one called “Mixtape Sh*t” and it features Chris spitting some new bars.

New Video: Soulja Boy – Fast Car

This weekend SODMG's Soulja Boy released a visual for his new track produced by Young Chop , called “Fast Car“. Check it out below.

ARTIST TO WATCH: AMIR (JAZZY JEFF’S SON)

Holy moly, can this kid rap or what? Amir Townes (you can call him AMIRacle) is the son of legendary producer/turntablist DJ Jazzy Jeff. Poppa must be proud because Amir’s flow is butter. Skills and charisma in one package. Brilliant. This kid will go places. Hear him reminisce about the Golden Era on “Think Back” below.

MARIAH CAREY STRIKES BACK “TRIUMPHANT”

Mariah Carey is back in action with a new single, “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)”, which features Rick Ross and Meek Mill, and she even has a remix for the song already! “Triumphant” was produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox for Carey upcoming studio album, which will hit stores in fall 2012. However, in true diva fashion, Carey has released the song in three forms! In addition to the Urban version and the adult edition, Carey has put forward the Vintage Throwback cut of “Triumphant”. Trust us, the songs are are amazing in different ways! Listen to the Urban versions of “Triumphant” below:

MAC MILLER SUED FOR $10 MILLION

WHATS THE WORD : MAC MILLER SUED FOR $10 MILLION Another day, another Mac Miller lawsuit. This time, Miller is staring at a $10 million suit for using sampling another artist’s work. According to HipHopDX, an artist who goes by Warm Speakers filed a suit against Miller and his label, Rostrum Records for copyrights violation. The complaint was reportedly filed Wednesday in New York, and it charges Miller for stealing “The World Around You,” which Speakers supposedly wrote in June 2010. The suit goes on to state that Miller swiped the song “without his permission or knowledge” and reworked it as “Fuck ‘Em All,” which later appeared on one of his mixtapes. From the suit: “Miller uses other people’s music because it’s easier, cheaper, and faster than creating his own,” reads the complaint. “Miller seeks to capitalize on the common misconception in Copyright Law that people whose music he takes have no remedy if he gives their music away for free.” The funny thing is that Miller already acknowledged using the song, shouting out the original artist on Twitter: “Shout out @warmspeakers for the song we sampled on Fuck Em All,” he tweeted. Miller can’t catch a break these days. Lord Finesse also filed a $10 million lawsuit against Miller last month for using the “Hip 2 da Game” instrumental on a mixtape song. It should be interesting to see how this one plays out.

WILLOW SMITH GOES BLONDE

She is quite possibly the most stylish 11 year-old in the business! After just recently debuting her chopped off locks, the young fashion plate and Roc Nation signee Willow Smith has now gone blonde!

She tweeted out these photos to her fans recently.

How could you not love her?

Rock on, Willow! — Rae Holliday

New Video : SB.TV - Mz Bratt - Rocket Launcher

New Video UK : Mz Bratt - Rocket Launcher

Mz Bratt releases the video to 'Rocket Launcher', her latest Donae'o produced, dance floor smash. Filmed at this years LoveBox Festival & Charlie Sloth's Fire On The Beach in Ayia Napa.

Due for release on iTunes on 06/08/12, the track has already gained support from Annie Mac, Toddla T, MistaJam and Trevor Nelson at Radio 1 as well as widespread support across BBC 1xtra and Choice FM. Make sure to watch out for the remix featuring D Double E!!!

Directed & Edited by Morgan Keyz (@MorganKeyz)

G.O.O.D. Music – Cruel Summer Release Date & Artwork Unveiled

Kanye West has unveiled the official artwork for the highly-anticipated G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer. The musical accompaniment to the group’s film by the same name, the album cover features beautiful statue-esque artwork reminiscent of the backdrop that has accompanied West’s solo stage show at various points – including last year’s celebrated performance at Coachella. Cruel Summer is due out on September 4, 2012.

New Video: Big K.R.I.T. Ft Ludacris – What U Mean

Big K.R.I.T. teams up with Ludacris to give us the video for their “What U Mean” track. Directed by Decatur Dan. K.R.I.T.’s album Live From The Underground in stores now or available on iTunes here.

Jay-Z Executive Producing NBA 2K13 (Trailer)

Jay-Z Executive Producing NBA 2K13 (Trailer)

Below is a new trailer for the upcoming NBA 2K13 video game, which reveals that Jay-Z will serve as the executive producer. The game drops on October 2nd, so check it out!

Interview : Waka Flocka Talks About The Time He Pissed In His Shoes.

Waka Flocka recently chopped it up with VICE to tell them about the time he got so drunk he pissed in his shoe and wore it all the way home from his local skating rink.

Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg) – Reincarnated Documentary Trailer

Evolution as an artist is often times what separates legends from the more mundane. After being heavily influenced by his experience in Jamaica – and his subsequent name change from Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion – the LBC showman prepares his latest reggae-infused album Reincarnated. As part of the process, VICE followed Snoop to the island nation as he recorded various songs with backing from Diplo, Ariel Reichtshaid and Dre Skull of Major Lazer. Having grown tired of what rap provided him, the documentary reveals the rebirth and inspiration for his latest project.

Behind The Scenes: 2 Chainz Ft Nicki Minaj – I Luv Dem Strippers

2 Chainz takes us behind the scenes for the set of his latest music video featuring YMCMB’s Nicki Minaj for “I Luv Dem Strippers“. The two hit up Diamonds of Atlanta to shoot the video.

The visual is directed by Benny Boom and Young Jeezy, Stuey Rock and more make cameos

Behind The Scenes: Bow Wow – We In Da Club

Bow Wow has been hard at work for his latest visual “We In Da Club” produced by DJ Mustard. Derick G comes through with the footage.

Rick Ross "God Forgives, I Don't" Album Signing at Best Buy (Pembroke Pi...

The Untouchable Maybach Empire Rick Ross hits up Best Buy in Pembroke Pines, Fl.

Join the BO$$ @RickyRozay as he signs autographs of his new album for his fans and also as he speaks on his first ever upcoming Rolling Stone magazine cover!!!

Directed by Jon J (@JonJ_305)

TEYANA TAYLOR PAYS HOMAGE TO JANET JACKSON

G.O.O.D music artist Teyana Taylor has recreated Janet Jackson’s iconic September 1993 Rolling Stone cover.

Shot by actor-turned-photographer Lance Gross, Teyana struck a pose identical to Janet’s iconic cover for her self-titled 1993 album, Janet. And she looked pretty amazing doing it.

Of course Janet’s photo is iconic, but it’s always a good idea to pay homage. This was a flattering attempt. I love it.

Your thoughts?

Machine Gun Kelly - Freestyle - FILTER Magazine Alley Sessions

Filter Magazine recently caught up with MGK and here’s what went down!

Kendrick Lamar & Dr. Dre On The Cover Of XXL Magazine

XXL’s 15 Year Anniversary cover has been revealed. Gracing the front page are Hip Hop’s next big star Kendrick Lamar and West Coast legend Dr. Dre. The issue hits newsstands on August 14th.

New Video : Keyshia Cole - Enough Of No Love ft. Lil Wayne

New Video Keyshia Cole - Enough Of No Love ft. Lil Wayne

Keyshia Cole unveils the official video for “Enough Of No Love” featuring Lil Wayne, Off her upcoming album Woman 2 Woman coming soon.

Video Directed by Benny Boom.

New Video : Rick Ross feat. Dr. Dre and JAY Z - 3 Kings (A Maybach Films Visual Piece)

Rick Ross honors today’s arrival of his latest album God Forgives, I Don’t with the official music video for his star-studded new single “3 Kings,” featuring Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. While the album boasts guest contributions from the likes of Andre 3000, Usher, Drake and more, the Bawse decided to clique with two of the most powerful individuals in the industry and offers a collage of the triumvirate’s biggest moments and music videos.

Directed by Dre Films. God Forgives, I Don’t is out now. Enjoy!

Jay-Z Featured In Rocawear’s Marcy To Barclays Commercial (Extended)

The first ever Rocawear commercial is a retrospective of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s journey as a kid growing up in the humble projects of Brooklyn aspiring to make music and eventually making history. On that journey, the first business beyond music was the birth of Rocawear. Carter’s Rocawear brand represents his prowess as a business man who continues to challenge himself to be more than merely a musician.

Nicki Minaj & Big Sean Featured In Adidas Originals Commercial

Nicki Minaj & Big Sean Featured In Adidas Originals Commercial

Adidas has released their latest commercial for their Originals line, featuring Nicki Minaj, Jeremy Scott, Big Sean, 2NE1, Kids These Days and Derrick Rose. Here’s the commercial.

New Video: E40 "Turn It Up"

E-40 drops a new visual to his “Turn It Up” track. His album The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil is in stores now and on iTunes here!

Interview : Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C. Pushed To Sept. 18th

Interview : Wiz Khalifa Interview

Fuse recently caught up with Wiz Khalifa at the Under The Influence tour to talk about his upcoming album O.N.I.F.C., producers he worked with, his upcoming “Live In Concert” mixtape with Currensy and much more. Wiz also reveals that his album has been pushed back from August 28th to September 18th and that the Taylor Gang album might be dropping in October. Stay tuned!

New Video: Cashflow ft. Juelz Santana OFFICIAL "Supermodel"

Cash Flow and Juelz Santana come together for his latest music video for “Supermodel” off his forthcoming mixtape The Enterprise.

SB.TV - Averix - Warm Up Sessions

The cameras are back on the roads & this time they caught up with Averix from the Midlands. Filmed and edited by @JamalEdwards Beat: CRT - Boom (Instrumental)