Jay-Z & 50 Cent Both Launch Facebook Gaming Applications

by Danielle Harling

                                        

50 Cent creates a virtual casino with "50 Cent's Blackjack" while Jay-Z aims to help you create your own "Empire" with his Facebook game.

As rappers, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent have battled it out on the charts but now the two Hip Hop moguls turned businessmen have found a new platform to compete with one another on and that is the Facebook gaming platform.

For his Facebook game titled 50 Cent’s Blackjack, 50 Cent linked up with Game Show Network (GSN) digital to create a virtual casino where Facebook users can challenge their friends or play the games dealer.

"I am excited to partner with GSN Digital on this venture to create an unparalleled social gaming experience for my fans," 50 Cent explained to Hip-Hop Wired. "50 Cent's Blackjack is filled with fun twists and innovative features that is sure to provide hours of entertainment."

Unlike 50 Cent’s Blackjack, Jay-Z’s Empire will take more of a Sims-like approach where Facebook users can quite literally create their own empire as they work their way from “hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul.”

While 50 Cent’s Blackjack is up and running on Facebook, according to Complex Jay-Z’s Empire is currently in its beta testing stage.

RELATED: EA Sports Gifts Madden NFL 12 Package To 50 Cent, Game & More, Holds Contest

As rappers, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent have battled it out on the charts but now the two Hip Hop moguls turned businessmen have found a new platform to compete with one another on and that is the Facebook gaming platform.
For his Facebook game titled 50 Cent’s Blackjack, 50 Cent linked up with Game Show Network (GSN) Digital to create a virtual casino where Facebook users can challenge their friends or play the games dealer.
"I am excited to partner with GSN Digital on this venture to create an unparalleled social gaming experience for my fans," 50 Cent explained to Hip-Hop Wired. "50 Cent's Blackjack is filled with fun twists and innovative features that is sure to provide hours of entertainment."
Unlike 50 Cent’s Blackjack, Jay-Z’s Empire will take more of a Sims-like approach where Facebook users can quite literally create their own empires as they work their way from “hustler, to entrepreneur, to business mogul.”
While 50 Cent’s Blackjack is up and running on Facebook, according to Complex Jay-Z’s Empire is currently in its beta testing stage.

Nas' Baby Mother Carmen Bryan Slams "Daughters"

By Steven J. Horowitz

                                   

Carmen Bryan had choice words to share with Nas about his new single "Daughters."

Following yesterday's release of Nas' "Daughters," his baby's mother Carmen Bryan wasn't very pleased with the way he depicted their daughter Destiny.
Taking to Twitter to fume, Bryan claims that Esco "had nothing positive to say about our daughter and his depiction of her is false." She later faced a barrage of negative comments on Twitter, and responded to some by stating that Destiny did not appreciate the way her father spoke about her.
Bryan asserted that Destiny is "extremely talented, caring and has a huge heart, none of those things were mentioned. I'm proud of her."
"Daughters" is slated to be included on Nas' upcoming album Life is Good, releasing July 17th.

@CarmenBryan
Carmen Bryan Just heard "Daughters" by Nas. What a disappointment! He had nothing positive to say about our daughter and his depiction of her is false!
Apr 26 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

CarmenBryan Carmen Bryan

@TravDave U sound childless.

Apr 27 Favorite Retweet Reply

TravDave Trav

@CarmenBryan What was exactly wrong with the verses? He didn't lie, or front! He said nothing bad bout her! Smh

Apr 27 Favorite Retweet Reply

in reply to @TravDave↑

@CarmenBryan
Carmen Bryan @TravDave Ques? do u really think Destiny appreciated that song? Seriously.
Apr 27 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

DJSeanJuan DJ Sean Juan

@CarmenBryan other than growing pains of having a teenage daughter. but that's just my opinion.

Apr 27 Favorite Retweet Reply

in reply to @DJSeanJuan↑

@CarmenBryan
Carmen Bryan @DJSeanJuan Destiny is extremely talented, caring and has a huge heart, none of those things were mentioned. I'm proud of her.
Apr 27 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

CarmenBryan Carmen Bryan

@DJSeanJuan I appreciate that and glad that you pointed out the fact that she is still a child.? Did u hear anything positive abt her?

Apr 27 Favorite Retweet Reply

DJSeanJuan DJ Sean Juan

@CarmenBryan anything negative about her, just normal kid stuff, and his reactions to it...the emotions fathers go thru re: daughters

Apr 27 Favorite Retweet Reply

in reply to @DJSeanJuan↑

@CarmenBryan
Carmen Bryan @DJSeanJuan Maybe he just doesn't know her like I do. My song would have been totally different!
Apr 27 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

RELATED: Nas Explains Inspiration For Single "Daughters"

Waka Flocka Flame Lambasts Tupac Shakur Hologram

by Sean Ryon

Waka Flocka Flame weighs in on the Tupac hologram at Coachella and says "that shit wack." While everyone from Nas to Raekwon praised Dr. Dre's decision to bring a hologram of Tupac Shakur onstage to perform live at Coachella, the move has left some artists with a bad taste in their mouths. Now, in a recent interview with Vibe, Brick Squad representative Waka Flocka Flame explains why he didn't like the virtual performance. Flocka said that he felt the hologram was a kitschy cash-grab that exploited the death of a legendary artist. He added that it still doesn't sit well with him despite the fact that Dre made a donation to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and received the blessings of Afeni Shakur prior to following through with the plan. "I hated it, I don't think that shit needs to be done," he said. "That shit wack. I don't think they should be doing that. 'Cause they getting paid off a dead man's body...that shit still ain't cool [that the charity got paid]. You don't know what a dead man be wanting to do...you gotta let that man rest in peace. He's a great."

Check out the full interview below.

Mase Explains Genesis Of Wale's "Slight Work" Remix, Relationship With Diddy

by STEVEN J. HOROWITZ

Mase says that French Montana orchestrated the remix and that he has no problems with Diddy.

Wale surprised listeners yesterday with the remix to his hit “Slight Work,”  which featured Mase alongsideDiddy, French Montana and Meek Mill. Calling in to Hot 97 to speak with Funkmaster Flex, Mase explained that French Montana was the one who orchestrated his involvement in the remix and how they worked together in an Atlanta, Georgia studio.

“I think it was French, man. A lot of love goes out to French. I don’t know why he was repping me so strong, but he was showing me Harlem love. He ain’t even from Harlem, it’s crazy. It was really French,” he said. “I was on the ‘New York Minute’  record with him and Kiss, and then after that, we was in the studio. We totally opposite, but he just showed me wild love. I rock with who rock with me.”

He said that French called Wale and they invited Mase out to the studio, but it wasn’t simple to lay down the cut. “He called Wale one time and Wale was like, come to the studio. I was in Atlanta and then I just came through and they was just blowing so hard in the studio, smoking all loud, I couldn’t even get my verse out, they kept laughing at me. I came back the next day and was like, ‘I’m ready now.’ He was like, you ready now? They threw me in the booth. Diddy got on it, everyone else got on it.”

As for his relationship with Diddy, who appears on the remix with Mase, he says that he they “surprised each other” in contributing to the cut and that they have no problem with one another. “Nah, we surprised each other. Diddy, it is Diddy. To this day, I tell people I don’t have no issues with him. I think a lot of times we get put on the other side of each other, just because of history. He’s one of the biggest contributors who ever gave to the church. We’re probably cooler than I thought.”

Mac Dre’s Thizz Ent. Implicated In Nationwide Ecstasy Ring; 25 Arrested

by Grandmaster Grouchy Greg Watkins 

 Police concluded a four-year investigation into Mac Dre’s Thizz Entertainment record label, after 25 people were arrested and accused of being involved in a massive, nationwide ecstasy ring.

A number of rappers associated with Thizz Entertainment were arrested yesterday (April 24) and charged in a conspiracy to distribute ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and codeine cough syrup around the country.

According to police, members of Thizz sold drugs to finance the record label.

“This is another example of partnership that exists between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Vallejo Police Department to improve the safety of our community and reduce the level of violence associated with drug dealing,” Vallejo Police Chief Robert Nichelini told AllHipHop.com in a statement released yesterday (April 24) evening.

“We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California in coordinating the investigation and prosecuting the persons involved in such a complex and dangerous criminal enterprise,” Chief Nichelini said.

According to the DEA, over 45,000 ecstasy pills were seized in yesterday’s raid, along with 4 pounds of crack, a half pound of heroin and $200,000 in suspected drug money.

Police said that Thizz also operated two defunct marijuana dispensaries and seized over 230 acres in property valued at $1 million, that was used to cultivate marijuana in Yuba County.

Mac Dre, who started Thizz Entertainment, was shot and killed in 2004, in Kansas City, Missouri, allegedly by a rival rapper named Anthony “Fat Tone” Watkins.

Fat Tone and an associate were later gunned down in a construction lot near The Palms in Las Vegas.

In 2008, Bay Area rapper Mac Minister, born Andre Dow, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering Fat Tone, his associate and a women who witnessed the killings.

Police hope that the bust is the final chapter in Mac Dre and Thizz Entertainment’s history in Vallejo.

According to police, Mac Dre was a member of the infamous Romper Room gang, that operated in the Bay Area in the late 80s and 1990s.

The gang committed a series of robberies of Pizza Parlors in the area, that were eventually the subject of an episode of BET’s “American Gangster” series.

Police say nine members of Thizz Entertainment are still on the run, while those arrested will make their first court appearances on May 4.

Below is a list of people the DEA charged in the nationwide drug dealing ring:

Michael Lott, performs under the name “Miami the Most”

*Major Norton, performs under the name “Dubee”

*Lawrence Kennedy Nelson

Gaylord Franklin, performs under the name “Geezy”

Clifford Bullock

*Narco McFarland Sr.,

Latroy Cunningham

*Eric Robinson

Dante Barbarin

*Eileen Knight

Beshiba Cook

Bruce Thurmon, performs under the name “Little Bruce”

Damian Peterson

Mikel Brown

**Nicholas Ramirez

*Ung Duong

*Phat Nguyen

*Marcus Davis

**Tiffany Brown

Andre Cawthorne

*Michael Smiley

*Anthony Young

*Anthony Payton

Smoke DZA Announces New Album "Rugby Thompson," Produced Entirely By Harry Fraud

by STEVEN J. HOROWITZ

Smoke DZA links with Harry Fraud for his upcoming LP, to be released through High Times Records.

Smoke DZA has announced his upcoming album Rugby Thompson, set to be released through High Times Records and Cinematic Music Group on June 19th.

The LP, which will be produced entirely by Harry Fraud, is one of the first releases of High Times Records, which is the record label arm of High Times magazine. The album will feature guest appearances from Action Bronson,Curren$y, Domo Genesis and more.

"I've been a fan of High Times Magazine since I smoked my first joint. It's an honor to be partnering with them on Rugby Thompson. Rrrright," said DZA in a press release.

DZA most recently released an EP titled SweetBabyKushedGod, while Harry Fraud is teaming with Action Bronson for a collaborative record.