Rapper Nelly has found a positive way to put his money from becoming a star entertainer to good use, by giving back to the community that launched his career to stardom.

According to reports, Nelly is teaming with Vatterott College to open a new recording school in the rapper's hometown.

"We're not just building the most advance recording studio St. Louis has ever seen, but we're helping students learn recording and production the old fashion way, hands on," said Nelly in a promotional video.

The school is scheduled to open in October and the program has already been approved by Missouri's Department of Education.

Watch the full news report above, and congrats to Nelly for making the news for something positive...unlike most of these other rappers.

New York rapper Fabolous plans to release a new album in September.

In a recent interview with Hot 106.3's Rise & Grind show, Fab talked about plans to release his next album, Loso's Way 2: The Rise To Power.

"The next album is coming in September," he said of Loso's Way 2. "[I'm] working on that, trying to finish that up."

"That's coming in September. We're looking to do that around September 13th, because September 11th was when my first album dropped ten years ago. That was also the tragic day of 9/11, so my album dropped that same day. We kind of want to do a ten year anniversary kind of feel."

Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power will be the rapper's sixth album.

Watch Fab's interview with Hot 106.3's Rise & Grind show here:

The tracklisting for Big Sean's long-awaited debut album, Finally Famous, was released today.

The album, which is scheduled to be released on June 28th, is set to feature Kanye West, Chris Brown, Roscoe Dash, John Legend, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, The Dream, Dwele and Rick Ross.

Chicago producer No I.D. handles the bulk of the production for the album, which also features production by The Neptunes, Boi-1da, Xaphoon Jones and Exile.
Scroll down for a look at the album's artwork and tracklist.

1. “Intro” Produced by: Kevin Randolph, Key Wane
2. “I Do It” Produced by: No I.D., The Legendary Traxster
3. “My Last” f/ Chris Brown Produced by: No I.D.
4. “Don't Tell Me You Love Me” Produced by: No I.D.
5. “Wait For Me” f/ Lupe Fiasco Produced by: No I.D., Exile
6. “Marvin & Chardonnay” f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash Produced by: Pop Wansel, Mike Dean
7. “Dance (A$$)” Produced by: Da Internz
8. “Get It (DT) f/ Pharrell” Produced by: The Neptunes
9. “Memories (Part II)” f/ John Legend Produced by: No I.D.
10. “High” f/ Wiz Khalifa & Chiddy Bang Produced by: Xaphoon Jones
11. “Live This Life” f/ The Dream Produced by: No I.D.
12. “So Much More” Produced by: No I.D.
13. “What Goes Around” (Bonus Track) Produced by: No I.D.
14. “Celebrity” f/ Dwele (Bonus Track) Produced by: Filthy Rockwell, No I.D.
15. “My House” (Bonus Track) Produced by: Boi-1da
16. “100 Keys” f/ Rick Ross & Pusha T (Bonus Track) Produced by: Hilton and Brian Wright (WrighTrax Productions)

Also, a Big Sean album listening event was held in New York last night, take a look at video footage and pictures from the event here.

In a recent interview with MTV News, G.O.O.D. Music artist Kid Cudi took a minute to reflect on his latest single, "Perfect Is The Word," which hit the internet last week.

"I'm very proud of it; it's something that a year ago I wouldn't have ever imagined that I'd be able to do. It's different, I get that," Cudi told MTV News. "Some people are going to get it, some people aren't. That's cool. I just don't really give a f--- who does and who doesn't. I mean, I care about the people that do, because that means, alright cool, there some people who have an open mind, who are smart and who get art."

"Perfect Is the Word" is the first release off Cudi's upcoming album, Wizard, and goes in a new musical direction from the Cleveland rapper's early catalog, but that is something the 27-year-old artist is taking pride in.

"It's just some people who are very one-track minded. The world that I am coming from, hip-hop, is so regurgitated and repetitive that some people are used to that and they don't want change, they don't like change," Cudi said.

"And I get that, that's cool. Luckily for me, I'm confident in myself as an artist where I can do what I want, and as long as I'm cool with it, I'm cool with it."

In addition to a new sound in his music, Kid Cudi also made a recent announcement that he quit smoking marijuana. Fans can expect a sober Cudder from here on out, which is a complete change for the artist who's breakthrough single "Day N Night" was based on being a "stoner."

"There were a lot of write-ups where people were just Shyteting on it and there were a lot of people who were like, 'We liked you better when you were on drugs,'" he said. "It's kinda like, 'Man, OK, well you weren't a fan to begin with so Fawk you,' and I like myself better off drugs. So it's about me and it's about evolving and it's about change. It's about becoming a man; it's about becoming mature."

"Ten years from now I'm going look at my discography and I'm gonna be proud of it," he said of his decision to change the style of his music. "I don't want to be 10 years from now looking at my discography, like, 'Man, I was a Fawking knucklehead when I made that.'"

Take a listen to Kid Cudi's "Perfect Is The Word" here.

Canadian rapper J Star and DJ Whoo Kid are gearing up to release J Star's The Plane Is My Home: What Did You Expect? mixtape.

The mixtape features appearances by Rocko, Vado, Trae Tha Truth and others, as well as production from Boi-1da, Johnny Juliano, Kajmir Royale and Face Beats.

Take a look at the mixtape's artwork, tracklisting and a video sneak peek to the Boi-1da produced "1 Into 2" posted below. The mixtape is coming soon.

1. Wishing They Could Fly Ft. D. Smitty (Prod. By Johnny Juliano)
2. 1 Into 2 (Produced by Boi1Da)
3. Changing What is Cool
4. Hate Interlude
5. Hate Fo-A-WHole (Prod. By Face Beats)
6. Disrespectful
7. Clap Clap Clap Feat. Vado (Prod by Boi1Da)
8. I'm a Star (Prod by Johnny Juliano)
9. Photoshoot Feat. Dusty Delcozzo (Prod by Boi1Da)
10. Life of the Party (Prod. by Face Beats)
11. Make It Look Eazy ft. D. Smitty (Prod by Boi1da)
12. So I Grind ft. Rocko (Produced by Kajmir Royale)
13. Play N Burn ft. Trae Tha Trth (Prod by Curtis Monumental)
14. Good Morning Ft. J Diggz (Prod. by J Diggz)

If anyone thought otherwise, things are all good in the life of Nasir Jones.

In a recent interview with MTV's Sucker Free, the God MC revealed the title of his forthcoming album, Life Is Good.

"Life is also good; the moment you think it ain't good, it's over," Nas began.

"Look at the life we're in, look at the world we're in — I just think people need to realize the blessings. Let's stop worrying about the dark side," he continued. "The end result is life is good, and it's crazy how a phrase like that can change somebody's mentality."

Nas also announced that the first single off the album will be called "Nasty," and talked in more detail about the upcoming LP.

"This album is just a piece of my blood, flesh and bones. This album right here is like — this is the one. They all are the ones, I love all my joints, but this one right here is, 'Life is good.' I'm letting a lot go on this. I'm happy that I'm here, man.

I'm just a survivor and I look at a lot of us as survivors," he said. "Everything is addressed; it's all life. No matter what, at the end of the day, everything is a blessing. I'm a learner, I learn from my experiences."

Life Is Good will be Nas' first solo album since Untitled in 2008.

Nas and reggae artist Damian Marley released a joint album, Distant Relatives, in 2010.

Take a look at Nas' interview with MTV here:

A court ruling awarded legendary hip hop producer Dr. Dre the rights to 100% of all digital royalties from his critically acclaimed solo LP, The Chronic.

Judge Christina Snyder, who rendered the verdict ruled that when WIDEawake purchased Death Row's assets in 2009 they were restricted to selling Death Row's catalog in the original format in which they appeared.

Meaning they have no right make profits off digital sales.

“For years, Death Row Records forgot about Dre when they continued to distribute his music digitally and combined his hits with weaker Death Row tracks in an attempt to elevate the stature of their other artists,” Dr. Dre's attorney Howard King wrote in a prepared statement.

“We are gratified that the federal court has unambiguously declared that Death Row has no right to engage in such tactics, and must hold all proceeds from these illicit distributions in trust for our client.”

As previously reported, Dre filed the suit with Death Row (now owned by WIDEawake Entertainment) last February, shortly after the label released a re-release of the The Chronic, The Chronic: Relit and a greatest hits album without his permission.

Dre was seeking $75,000 for breach of contract, false advertising and trademark infringement.

Darius ‘Deezle' Harrison Talks Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Lil Wayne, Time As In-House Producer For Cash Money [Exclusive/Video]

Drake And Nicki Minaj Interview Each Other, Talk New Projects [Video]

New Video: YC Feat. Future "Racks"

Meagan Good Talks New Rap Career, Wants To Work With Ludacris, Lil Wayne [Video]

Kendrick Lamar Speaks On New Album, Working With J.Cole, & Why He's Down With Lil B [Video]

This time Fif is making Diddy his new prime target as the two have been having a war of words as of late.

As previously reported, Fif was quoted at a recent performance saying “Fawk Diddy” prompting Puff to subliminally respond to him after the BET awards saying,

“If you're hating, you're a sucka and your breath stinks… you know who I'm talking to you hatin' a** crab!”

Well in his latest jab, Fif fired more shots at Puff during a concert in Brazil this weekend and had a little fun over Diddy's "Hello Good Morning" before he spit his verse off the "Itchbay (Remix).

Peep The Video After The Break!!! [More]

Fif stated,

"Hello, good morning, you like that s*it," Fif asked the concertgoers.  Well the next time you see Puffy, tell him I said 'N*gga don't act like a Beyotch.."

I guess this what millionaires do in their free time.  Argue over nothing... SMH

Previous Coverage of The Kings Of New York Bickering

50 Cent Boycotting Diddy SIGN UP!!!

50 Cent Disses Diddy, Calls Him A “Beyotch” [Audio]

Shots Fired: 50 Cent Says “Fawk Diddy” And Diddy Responds!!! [Video]

As previously reported the Barbie has the first single by a female emcee to top the Billboard Rap Songs category in over seven years with her hit “Your Love.”

With the success of the single pushing her names further into headlines, Minaj has announced that her album will hit stores November 23.

The album still remains untitled but Minaj made a brief announcement about the date on Twitter saying,

Nicki recently shot the video for “Your Love” and is said to be working with Kanye on his new album.

As previously reported she graced the cover of Hype Hair magazine and talked to the publication about her colorful wig obsession.

Hailing from Massachusetts, a new face and name to some, but a producer that has been around for some time, is J. Cardim.  Working with big names such as Red Cafe, L.O.X. and most recently Joe Budden, the Beatsmith is etching his name in history as one of the elite producers of this era.

HipHopWired: Everybody usually knows about the artists but not a lot of people know about the producer or the dj, so you could just give us an introduction to exactly who J. Cardim is.  You've been in the game for awhile, but a lot of people might not know who you are exactly.

Cardim: I started out working with Jean Grae about 5 years ago, that was my first placement on her album, I did her Intro and Outro.  With Jean Grae I worked with Kweli and a whole bunch of other artists.  For the first 2-3 years I was really underground with Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Saigon, AZ and it was probably '07 or '08 when I tried to adjust more to the mainstream.  I've been in the studio with Juelz lately, Red Café- I got some joints with him, L.O.X. and Cassidy.  Even as far as southern artists, we got the “Holla at a Playa” remix with Lil Wayne and Jae Millz.  I had this record on my album last year called “Born and Raised” with Paul Wall and Shawty Lo and this cat from Miami called Ghostwridah.  I'm trying to do my thing in the south as well.

French Montana feat. Cassidy - "Straight Cash"

Red Cafe - "What It B Like"

HipHopWired: Can you just tell a little more about your beginnings?  How did you start producing, what made you want to become a producer?

Cardim: I'm sure like a lot of producers probably feel this way, like Kanye West and a lot of producers who actually rap, I used to be a rapper.  So, if you're from Boston, you probably know that.  I even dropped a couple records out there that I produced.  My main thing as a rapper, when I was a rapper, was I didn't want to use industry beats.  Everybody else, especially when I was in high school and mixtapes were huge and rapping over other people's beats was the main thing that everybody was doing, so my thing was to do something different and make my own beats and original music, my Isht was all original.  People around my neighborhood in Cambridge, Mass started listening to my Isht and was like “Yo your beats are hot, where do you get your beats?” I told them I made them, they're like “That's good, let me get some”.  I didn't even think of charging them, I just gave it to them and they would give me something like a $50 bag of weed or a couple hundred dollars for a beat CD with like 20 beats on it, you know it would just be whatever but this is what they gave me, I didn't even ask for nothing.  I started realizing that the money was in the beats and not in the rapping, because I had been rapping before that for about 5 years and I didn't make a cent off one verse and all the sudden people are throwing me money for my beats and that's when I became a producer full time.

HipHopWired: You were talking about working with Red Café and many others and there was a time a few months ago where you and Joe Budden were going heavy, are you guys trying to work on a project together or did you just keep linking up over and over again?

Cardim: Joe Budden, basically my manager met him before I did in the summer of 2009, they were in the studio together and he played him a couple of my beats and he ended up using them for the Escape Route mixtape, it was 2 joints- “Clothes on a Mannequin” and “No Comment”.  My manager, who's a very persistent guy, he kept in touch with Joe Budden after that and was like “Yo I got more joints, I got more joints” , my manager went to a session with him and they knocked out like 4 or 5 of my joints and I wasn't even there.  So I started coming through and we started building a vibe, building a sound together and that's basically what happened, we kind of clicked off and started knocking off tracks like it was nothing.  At first I was just going to do a couple joints for his album, but now we're talking probably going to a majority if not the whole album The Great Escape.

Joe Budden - "Something To Ride 2"

Joe Budden - "Downfall"

HipHopWired: Any other rappers that you've been working closely with?

Cardim: Red Café was one that I always worked closely with as well.  When he dropped The Co-Op I did 3 joints on there with him and DJ Envy.  He's another artist that we work closely with, anything I need he always hooks me up with, like he's always on my projects and he's got a crazy solo record on my album coming out next month.  Styles P and Sheek too, shout out to them, they hold me down all the time.

HipHopWired: Since you transitioned to it, can you speak on your next album that you're going to be working on?

Cardim: My next project, the one I dropped last year Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Producer, basically I'm doing another one.  It's J. Cardim Presents: Dice Music The IN Crowd.  We got a couple of the artists from Dice Music and we want to focus on them this time.  My last joint was just really focusing on me as a producer and putting all the big names that I worked with from '08 to '09.  So this album is really just to present my artists.  We got a lot of big names on it as well.  We got Juelz, Gunplay, Brisco, Paul Wall, Red Café again, the whole L.O.X.- Jada, Styles, Sheek, Bun B, French Montana, we still getting more records done.  Pretty much that's what we're doing, trying to break my artists and show what we got, you know build a wave and then start throwing tracks from my artists after that.

Joe Budden, Emilio Rojas, Chief C - "Unstoppable"

Termanology, Sha Stimuli, G-Eyez - "G Like Me"

Ludacris - "OG's Theme"

HipHopWIred: Going back to the production side, as a northern producer, how do you stay afloat in a time where southern beats are basically what everybody is looking for?

Cardim: You got to move with the times first off, I think as a producer or rapper or artist you got to move with the times.  Some rappers up north embrace the south and got unity with them.  Some people just stay with the true New York sound, there's nothing wrong with that.  I think as a producer, this isn't just a hobby or a job, you're trying to stay relevant.  You just got to go where it's at, I'm basically where the money's at.  If the money's at the South, then I'm going to be making some southern beats if that's what they want, but it's always got the J. Cardim touch to it, but it depends on who I'm working with.  If I'm working with Joe Budden I'm not going to bring down some hard 808 and southern beats because I know that's not his lane, but if I'm in Miami and I'm in a studio session with who knows Down South, it's all 808s and whatever.  I throw in a couple organic and non-sensian boom bap beats in there just to show them, because sometimes you never know, but it just depends where you're at.  I got all types of sounds.

HipHopWired: Is there any way people can get in touch with you?

Cardim: Yeah, just get at me through Twitter, @jcardim.