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“It's just more of a rags-to-riches type of story that chronicles struggle, hardship, all of the hurdles that we've all jumped and some of the things that all of us have extreme gratitude for, if you listen to the lyrics of the songs.

Unless you have the most wildest and most vividest of imaginations you probably won't be able to get it, but he's doin' a lot of editing in post, he's doin' a lot of camera tricks. He's gonna make it all come together, he's gonna make it all real Hot and we're excited to work with him.”

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"I don't ever want to jump into anything with anybody," Raekwon told Hip-Hop Wired. "We always said that if nothing don't come out of it, we still have our relationship as peers. That meant a lot but I didn't really sign to anything because I wanted to be with a family that I felt really, really cared.  It had to be more than just the paper. It had to be the belief…that big brother support. Whether it was a political perspective or whether it's you and me in the studio. I felt like, Yo, I earned that. It just didn't tag out like that and that's when I started to say, You know what, I want to create a new way to do what I like to do."

Instead, Rae dropped OB4C2, which was a critical success, via his own Ice H20 Records in late 2009. Now the Wu-Tang rap icon keeps a spot in Atlanta, has an office in Canada, has recruited artists like JD Era into the Ice H2O fold and keeps dropping heat (i.e last year's Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang and the recent Unexpected Victory mixtape). Keeping Wu-Tang money all up in the family has its benefits.

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Photo: Hip-Hop Wired

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“This is something I always prepped for," Kendrick told Carson. "When you have a vision to come out and have the world know your music, you have to see that first, before you get in the studio and do anything. Since the day I stepped in the studio, I always envisioned this first album and what it would be like and what I wanted to feel subconsciously. So it's really no pressure for me, it's just me going in and doing what I love and executing. All these years of preparation and dedicating to my craft, I feel like it's time now where I know I'm going to execute, I know I'll give the people what they need and what they expect from me. And what I expect from myself, at the end of the day.”

True. Watch the full video, courtesy of Yardie, which includes Kendrick remembering going to a Dr. Dre and Tupac video shoot, below.

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Photo: YouTube

Watch the Matt Alonzo directed clip below. 

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Photo: SKEE TV

According to TDE founder  Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Kendrick's as yet untitled major label debut will be released on TDE/Interscope/Aftermath, while solo album's from the rest of the TDE roster will be released jointly with Interscope. With added major label muscle, Kendrick Lamar will surely find spots in all those best of lists he didn't happen to make in 2011 by the time 2012 is a wrap. 

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Photo: The Fader

The late 80's spawned the birth of Dre's seminal group N.W.A, with MC Ren joining Eazy E and Ice Cube along with Yella assuming DJ duties. Their debut, Straight Outta Compton, exploded onto the scene and became a success despite a lack of commercial and radio support. With Eazy-E's Ruthless Records becoming a powerhouse in the industry by way of N.W.A's high sales, Dre went on to produce for other acts on the label such as the D.O.C. and Above The Law.

1992 saw the reemergence of Dr. Dre after left Ruthless to join Suge Knight's Death Row Records. His debut solo album, The Chronic, still remains as one of the most influential releases of all time. It also marked the beginning of the relationship between Dre and Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg (their first song was "Deep Cover" from the Deep Cover soundtrack). The West Coast G-Funk sound was mimicked by many afterwards, cementing Dre's place amongst the greatest producers ever. During his time on Death Row, Dre also helmed the production of Snoop Dogg's debut Doggystyleas well.

Leaving Death Row in 1995, Dre formed his own label Aftermath, releasing the compilation Dr. Dre Presents The Aftermath in 1996. In 1998, Interscope head Jimmy Iovine suggested to Dre that he sign a rising white rapper out of Michigan. Eminem's debut, The Slim Shady LP, was Aftermath's biggest smash to date and once again affirmed Dr. Dre as part of the cultural landscape.

Dre's second solo album, The Chronic 2001 (actually released in 1999) was one of the most anticipated records of the time. With Snoop returning along with rappers Xzibit, Devin The Dude and Tha Dogg Pound featured heavily on the album, 2001 was another hit and went on to sell over six million copies.

Dre's focus on production led him to work with a bevy of artist such as Mary J. Blige, Eve, Gwen Stefani and he continued to work with Eminem as well. 2003 ushered in a new level of success for Aftermath after a joint collaboration between Dre's label, Em's Shady Records and Interscope helped propel the release of 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin'which catapulted the Queens rapper to stardom. Dre produced the album's lead single “In Da Club” as well other songs on the debut.

Although fans have been waiting on Dre's final opus Detox for well over a decade, Dre has since taken a well-deserved leave from music. He has shifted his focus on his successful Beats By Dre audio line and enjoyed the trappings of his fame with his family. While the details behind the delay didn't satisfy salivating for Detox, Dr. Dre should be saluted for not only his influence, but also his longevity. Dre's contributions to music are invaluable and if he never returns to making tunes, he has left behind an impressive body of work.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Dre!

Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records protege Slim The Mobster is here with his new mixtape War Music.

The project, hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, features 11 tracks, with appears by Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Yummy Bingham and more.

Scroll down for a download link and check out the newest West Coast emcee to step foot in the game.

Download Mixtape Here

1. Dreaming Ft. Nikkie Grier
2. What Goes Up Ft. Snoop Dogg
3. Fawk You Ft. Yummy Bingham
4. Falling Star Ft.. Nikki Grier and Sly
5. Back Against the Wall Ft. Dr. Dre & Sly
6. Martyr Ft. Prodigy
7. South Central Blues Ft. D Brown
8. Whose House Ft. Kendrick Lamar
9. See It
10. Gun Play
11. Take It Easy