Props: FSD

Photos: Ernest Estime/ Matt Fastow

MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

• Hip-Hop Wired Presents: A Tribute To Radio Rants

• Nike Air Yeezy 2 Wolf Grey/Pure Platinum Detailed Pics [PHOTOS]

• Behind The Scenes Of Drake's Club Paradise Tour [PHOTOS]

• Get Off The Boo Boo, Too: 5 More Things Rapper Make Look Cool (That Really Are Not)

• Lil Wayne's Mansion Cited For High Grass, Not What You Think [PHOTOS]

• Finally Famous : 10 Rappers With Pasts They Wish We Would Forget About

• Hip-Hop Wired Presents: A Tribute To BET Uncut

• Bangin' Candy: Tyga's Girlfriend Blac Chyna [PHOTOS]

• Get Off The Boo Boo: 7 Things Rappers Make Look Cool (That Really Are Not)

In his new gig, the industry vet will take over the post once held by Kevin Liles and Jay-Z. "Running Def Jam is the greatest challenge of my career," said Manda in a statement to MTV News. Manda began his label career at Asylum Records in 2004, moving his way up the ladder to an executive position before heading over to Warner. He is responsible for bringing rappers like Common to Warner, championed a deal between the label and Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, and has worked with the likes of Mike Jones, Gucci Mane, and Joe Budden, among others.

While Manda is used to being part of a winning team, his new label home finds him leading an impressive line-up of artists, including Kanye West, Rihanna  and 2 Chainz. Said Manda,  "The Def Jam artist roster has always been synonymous with the greatest in hip-hop, and I intend to carry that tradition into the future."

MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

• Drake Covers GQ Magazine, Says Climaxing Is Real [PHOTOS]

• Behind The Scenes Of "Take Care" With Drake And Rihanna [PHOTOS]

• Bangin' Candy: Tyga's Girlfriend Blac Chyna [PHOTOS]

• Jay-Z & Kanye West's “Otis” Maybach Sold For $60K [PHOTOS]

• Get A J.R. Smith's-Eye View Of Tahiry From The Bedroom [PHOTOS]

• Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy 2 Release Date [PHOTOS]

• Get Off The Boo Boo: 7 Things Rappers Make Look Cool (That Really Are Not)

• 10 Rappers To Help Rihanna Get Over Chris Brown

--

Photo: Joie Manda

MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

• Behind The Scenes Of "Take Care" With Drake And Rihanna [PHOTOS]

• Bangin' Candy: Tyga's Girlfriend Blac Chyna [PHOTOS]

• Jay-Z & Kanye West's “Otis” Maybach Sold For $60K [PHOTOS]

• Get A J.R. Smith's-Eye View Of Tahiry From The Bedroom [PHOTOS]

• Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy 2 Release Date [PHOTOS]

• Get Off The Boo Boo: 7 Things Rappers Make Look Cool (That Really Are Not)

• 10 Rappers To Help Rihanna Get Over Chris Brown

• Bangin' Candy: Drake's Ex-Flame & Twitter Buddy Maliah Michel [PHOTOS]

--

Photo: BET

Manda spearheaded the effort to bring Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group over to the Warner Music Group, who roster currently includes Wale, Meek Mill and Stalley. Manda has also worked with Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Jill Scott, Joe Budden,  Lil' Boosie, Common, Bun B, Waka Flocka, Gucci Mane and more. He started out as a party promoter in N.Y. before being hired by Funkmaster Flex to A&R his  1999 compilation album, The Tunnel, through Def Jam Records.

MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

• Behind The Scenes Of "Take Care" With Drake And Rihanna [PHOTOS]

• Bangin' Candy: Tyga's Girlfriend Blac Chyna [PHOTOS]

• Jay-Z & Kanye West's “Otis” Maybach Sold For $60K [PHOTOS]

• Get A J.R. Smith's-Eye View Of Tahiry From The Bedroom [PHOTOS]

• Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy 2 Release Date [PHOTOS]

• Get Off The Boo Boo: 7 Things Rappers Make Look Cool (That Really Are Not)

• 10 Rappers To Help Rihanna Get Over Chris Brown

• Bangin' Candy: Drake's Ex-Flame & Twitter Buddy Maliah Michel [PHOTOS]

--

Photo:  Joie Manda

Def Jam celebrated their 25th anniversary Friday night with a star studded event featuring some the label's most recognizable faces.

Included in that lineup was former Def Jam head Jay-Z, founders Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons and former execs Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

The Hip-Hop cohorts converged on "The Spotted Pig" where they held a private dinner and invited out Young Jeezy, Terrence J and a number of others.

Check out Def Jam's 25th anniversary courtesy of StupidDope.com below.

Long time hip hop producer No ID has been named Executive Vice President of Def Jam Records, according to reports.

“I'm (now) executive VP of Def Jam,” No ID recently told Billboard. I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing and take it to another level. Def Jam is a cultural staple. It's not just a label, it's part of the culture that I came up in and that I've been involved with for 20 years. It's very important that the next generation of executives grab it by the horns and keep it on track as it grows.”

 

No ID, born Earnest Wilson, is a staple in the Chicago Hip-Hop scene and known for helping launch the careers of Common and Kanye West.

Production wise, he has produced such tracks as Jay-Z's “D.O.A.” and “Run This Town” as well as Common's classic cut, “I Used To Love H.E.R.”

He recently held the position of President at Kanye's G.O.O.D Music label.

As reported by Homes  Of  The  Rich, the home originally went on the market for $24-million and then dropping down to $20-million.

The home has approximately 35,000 square feet which includes a 50-seat home movie theatre and indoor pool.

The home sold on February 15th to an anonymous buyer.

Simmons previously lived at the home with his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and their two daughters.

The mansion was also featured on episode of "MTV Cribs."

MORE  HIP-HOP WIRED NEWS AND VIDEO

Fefe Dobson Talks New Album ‘Joy', Friendship With Drake, And Work With Pusha T [Video]

Attorney Offers Juelz Santana Free Advice: "Keep Your Mouth Shut & Stay Off The Radio Discussing Your Case" [Video]

Willow Smith Hosts Exclusive Skating Party For Fans [Picts]

Lil Kim "Carbon Copy" Nicki Minaj Diss [Video]

Kelly Rowland Talks Love For Gucci Mane And Waka Flocka, Plans To Work With Kanye [Video]

Russell Simmons has acquired an abundance of wealth throughout his years pioneering everything from hip-hop music to hip-hop fashion and now the mogul is relaying his knowledge in his new book, Super Rich: A Guide To Having It All.

As a part of the promotion tour, Simmons is stopping by bookstores across the nation to spread the word. He recently made an appearance at the Books & Books in Miami, FL to interact with fans and give away some of the information in his book about how to become, Super Rich.

“Its about making people focused and free and not fearful,” says the Buddhist rap mogul. So they can get up and give in the morning. Instead of waking up and thinking what you're gonna get, wake up and thing what your're gonna give. That's a different mindset. That's the mindset the we have to be in to not only be successful but to be happy.”

Check out the video below as Uncle Russ drops more jewels about living a prosperous life:

MORE  HIP-HOP WIRED NEWS AND VIDEO

The Chi-Town MC and super-producer Tweeted on Sunday,

"Yoooo they banned my album cover!!!!! Ima tweet it in a few...,"

"Banned in the USA!!! They don't want me chilling on the couch with my phoenix! http://twitpic.com/2ykxjk"

"In the 70s album covers had actual nudity... It's so funny that people forget that... Everything has been so commercialized now."

"I know that cover just blew yall minds ... I wish yall could see how hard I'm smiling right now!!!"

"In all honesty ... I really don't be thinking about Wal-Mart when I make my music or album covers #Kanyeshrug!"

"I wanna sell albums but not at the expense of my true creativity."

Artistic expression people...let it be.

What do you all think?  Should Def Jam had let Ye ride with his new album artwork.  Let us know!!!

My Beauitiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is set to be released on November 22nd. 

Despite all his successes, however, Simmons is not immune from the criticism of his politics. Our sister site  The Atlanta Post recently questioned Simmons' stance on the diamond industry in light of Naomi Campbell's current entanglement with the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Chuck Taylor.

Peep the interview after the jump!!! [More]