• Drake Tour & Afterparty Pics With French Montana, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz & More [PHOTOS]

• 10 Rappers In The 40 & Over Club That Still Got The Glow

• Bout to Blow: 7 Hip-Hop Labels Accused Of Being Fronts For Illegal Drug Operations

• Jay-Z, Kanye West (& Kim Kardashian) Kick Off European Leg Of Watch The Throne Tour [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

• 6 Rappers Who Lied About Retiring From The Game

• Mercy: 10 Hip-Hop Artists Who Chose To Die Another Day

• 10 Dope Rap Acts Who Could Not Top Their Freshman Albums

• The Awkward Moments Between Jay-Z And Freeway At The Made In America Press Conference [PHOTOS]

Void of a title because it "has to just come naturally," and no official release date, Bangladesh plans to unleash his first full-length body of work sometime this year. In putting the project together, the Grammy winner tapped his extensive rolodex. No, he has not decided to test the uncharted waters of rhyming, but instead put his beats on a pedestal by marrying them with some of the biggest artists in the game.

Over the years the Iowa native has never craved the spotlight, opting to let the music speak for itself. But after a few publicized financial issues with Lil Wayne and the Cash Money crew, he started making headlines for all the wrong reasons. For what it's worth, he and Wayne have managed to put together some monstrous tracks. "A Milli" remains the ferocious beat that introduced the masses to Corey Gunz's flow and set Weezy up to take over the summer of 2008. Three years later they rebottled that same magic for "6' 7”," Wayne's introductory post-prison single that hlped propelled his Tha Carter IV to a No. 1 debut. With the non-payment debacle behind him, Bangladesh spoke with Hip-Hop Wired about his new album, working with 2 Chainz, and why he decided to give Wayne another shot.

--

Me and 2 Chainz, we all were around when Ludacris became Ludacris, so we have history.

HipHopWired.com: Tell me about your solo album?

Bangladesh: It's basically a production album, a lot of features on it. Rick Ross, Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Game, 2 Chainz...Ke$ha. When I produce for these artists, I kind of do what they want me to do. It's not really what I want to do all the time. [This album is] bringing them into my world. For example, if I was to have Justin Bieber on the album, I'd have him rapping—different things like that. Dope production, dope song concepts. It's a body of work. People can just listen to every track, really.

I been collecting [tracks] because the thing is I gotta swap out with these artists. It's like the barter system. If I work with them, if it's somebody I want on my album, I'ma just get a favor from them. I knew it was going to be a work in progress, so I started early, I just collected songs. It's never gonna' be outdated, it's so ahead of the game, no matter when it comes out. I think I'm on the next level. I always try to do different things, try to give more than what was from the last time. It's my sound, that's what people f**k with, so that's what it is.

HipHopWired.com: You mentioned working with 2 Chainz, what can you tell me about that record?

Bangladesh: Me and 2 Chainz we're from the same camp. We came in together in a sense. We all were around when Ludacris became Ludacris, so we have history. It's really fun working with him because we could really never work together because the situation; it's deeper than rap. Sometimes it's unfortunate that people that really f**k with each other can't work together because of certain contracts and s**t. He was signed to DTP, I wasn't really on the radar. It [was] hard to work with 2 Chainz when he was in Playaz Circle, now it's fun because now [when] we do something together, it's gonna get cleared by the label.

"Justin Bieber he's a cool... It's cool to see this little white dude forming into more than just this gimmick pop singer."

 

HipHopWired.com: Is working together a full circle moment for the both of you, being that you came up together?

Bangladesh:Yeah man. It's just hard work, respect, amongst each other. It's just really good to see young black people doing something, working hard, making the best out of their situations. A lot of people have a lot of situations or opportunities that they can tackle but don't really do it. Instead of complaining about it, he just got up and beat the odds. I beat the odds. S**t's dope!

HipHopWired.com: Are you producing on his album?

Bangladesh:Definitely. We're going to do several joints. We've done a few sessions already. I think he's trying to release sometime this year too. I've been waiting for this day where it'll be easy to work, sometimes people make it hard.

HipHopWired: Can you tell me about the projects you're working on for Brandy and Justin Bieber?

Bangladesh: Brandy's stuff, it's a body of work, it's not just one Bangladesh joint, it's a couple of Bangladesh songs that really structured the album. She reached out to me a couple weeks ago and wanted me to produce the album. It was love because I didn't even know Brandy even knew about me! She said that she liked me and how much she f****ed with the sound. I f**k with people that f**k with me, if it's love I'ma show love back.

Justin Bieber he's a cool talented young dude, he's just good at everything. He's producing, he's writing, he's dancing, he sings great. It's cool to see this little white dude forming into more than just this gimmick Pop singer. He's artistic. I think people don't really know that, as he grows the more that's gonna come out. The labels gotta play it safe with him, so coming up with the music for him you gotta really do a certain things. The words gotta be perfectly fit for him, the subject matter gotta be on point. That's a work in progress. He's cut a couple records that I gave him but at the end of the day you never know how safe they wanna be. Bangladesh might be too hard for him, they might not wanna come out like that right now. I know they're gonna be scared of it, everybody else be scared of it, but if you leave it up to him, I'd be all over his album. I got what he likes to do, he loves it but he knows he can't really go there for real. It's a blessing to even be in the room with him, and be able to create songs.

HipHopWired.com: Justin has gotten a lot of co-signs from the Hip-Hop world, jumping on track with Kanye and Raekwon, and Ludacris. What is it about him that makes people embrace him?Bangladesh: He's just a rebelious kid. He's like the cool muthaf***a. He gives his opinion. If it's cookie-cutter, he don't like it. He's just a young rebellious kid that wants to be cool, be around normal people. Being in his circumstances, he's so big he don't really know who to trust. He can't be cool with everybody, all he wants to do is be a kid. The music he likes, it's Hip-Hop, he likes to rap, he raps on the beat, it's just fun.

HipHopWired.com: What can you tell me about your label Bangladesh Records?

Bangladesh: Breaking artists is a work in progress, it's about finding the right person. It's a lot of people man, you work with them, you get to a certain point when things happen you don't really get to the finish line. I been signing producers and writers, building the whole foundation. I'm about to sign Shawnna. I don't know if you remeber Shawnna from DTP. She's one of the best lyracists that hasn't really had nobody to pay attention to her, to give her production, and the energy that she needs. She's gonna be the first official artist off the label.

HipHopWired.com: Why is it that Shawnna hasn't been paid the attention that she deserves at DTP, is Ludacris to blame?

Bangladesh: People do what they wanna do. No telling what the whole entire situation is. Females have their flaws. A female artist is hard to work with sometimes, no telling what she was going through. I don't think DTP was really making the right moves for her. I think she needs a producer to produce her and give her beats and hooks where she can just rap. Lyrically, she's killing anybody, and she's writing. She's not ghost writing, she's writing this. She's spitting this, she's swaggin' it, she's killing it man!I was the only one campaigning about my bread, so it made me look like a G.

HipHopWired.com: Since you have had issues with Cash Money in the past, are you collaborating with them on your album?

Bangladesh: Oh yeah, Baby is on my album. He's on a song with me and 2 Chainz, it's called "Phantom of the Opera."

HipHopWired.com: So just to clear things up, there are no issues with Cash Money?

Bangladesh: It ain't no issues.The issue was when the issue was raised. The issues got dealt [with]. You gotta get the attention raised, people be on the go too much they might not follow up with what they need to deal with. I was the only one campaigning about my bread, so it made me look like a G. I got everybody else paid, ni**as was scared to talk about it. I got them paid. I see them and they thank me for getting them paid and being the one to speak up. I don't regret anything that I did. I read a lot of blogs, people from the outside looking in, they don't really know what the real is about how people get paid.There's several ways that producers get paid. We get upfront fees for selling a beat, when the album sells we get royalties, the single [sells] we get publishing. People were saying, "Why would you work with them again? You know you wasn't gon' get paid!" Well when we fixed the first situation—the royalties situation--that's why I did "6' 7”." When I did the "6' 7'" I didn't get paid for my production, I didn't get paid for my beat. So, it's two different things going on. That first situation was already dealt with, that's why I did that. Then I didn't get paid for that, my thing is it wasn't even about the money.

Producers get paid for selling beats but producers also give beats to artists that are established.Wayne is an established artist so I wouldn't even charge Wayne for the beat. It's not about the beat, it's about the relationship. If we can't get a relationship, if I can't call you to do something for me, then I need my money. It's either or. Me and Cash Money are doing other business. They offered me a 10-song deal, you know? They offered me some money, I'ma take the money, I'ma give them [their] 10 songs, and we working. That turned nothing into something.--Photo: Urban Daily

Since appearing on the Nappy Boy All Stars Vol. 1 Mixtape, which is due to be released on March 7^th, the Chi-town bred MC has been accused of “jacking” the rhyme style of Young money princess, Nicki Minaj.

T-Pain, who is heavily criticized for his use of auto-tune, addressed the controversy in an interview stating,

“Shawnna's flow has not changed; she has been rapping like this for the past 8 years.”

Although the female MC has without a doubt had the sped up type of style made famous by her male counter-part Twista, it's the more feminine pitch and animated style that seems to throw fans for a loop.

Speaking of T-Pain, the Konvict artist and Nappy Boy CEO is not only signing artists and singing on hooks, the Floridian has also teamed up with Cartoon Network to pay homage to the biggest African American Spring Break tradition in history, Freak Nik.

The animated cartoon, entitled “Freak Nik,”  will be a one-hour special  that features voiceovers by heavyweights Big Boi, Snoop Dogg, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Bootsy Collins, and Cee-Lo.

Also supplying their voices for the animated party are Charlie Murphy, Christopher "Kid" Reid, DJ Drama, DJ Pooh, George Clinton, Kelis, Lil Wayne, Lil Jon, Poo Poo Man, Rick Ross, Sophia Fresh, William "Clip" Payne and Young Cash.

"Back in the '90s, Freaknik was Atlanta's version of the ultimate block party," T-Pain said in a statement. "It was Mardi Gras meets spring break at your crazy cousin's bachelor party and anything could happen.  A decade later, I'm bringing it back for people like me, who didn't get to experience it the first time around. We've recreated Freaknik's vibe and energy with amazing animation, new music and an all-star cast of characters."

“Freak Nik” is scheduled to air on Cartoon Network on March 7^th.

Peep the video below.

Teddy Pain's joined on the album with his Nappy Boy affiliates; One Chance, Young Cash, Sophia Fresh, Tay Dizm Travis McCoy of the Gym Class Heroes and Luda's old DTP counterpart, Shawnna.

The mixtape also features production from T-Pain, All Star, M. Geezy, Bishop Jones, Infamous, Gorilla Tek, KO and the Trump Boyz.

In addition to the download T Pain's including a special offer; and allowing fans who email the mixtape to ten of their friends a link to download all three music videos from the mixtape; “Forever (NB Remix)”, “Turnt Up (NB Remix)” and “I Support Single Mothers.”

Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for new music videos for Tay Dizm feat. Shawnna "Point Em Out" and Travis McCoy featuring T-Pain & Young Cash"The Manual.”

Download T Pain's Nappy Boyz All Stars Vol 1 below.

As previously reported, the original concept to make an album of battling between Luda and DTP rapper Shawnna was scrapped reportedly due to Shawnna's new Nappy Boy records affiliation.

Now with a collaboration album in place Luda is set to battle some of female rap's top contenders including Lil Kim, Eve, Trina and Nicki Minaj while he's recruited Neyo, Plies and Flo Rida to come to his aid.

As Battle of The Sexes prepares to be released a week earlier than anticipated on March 9, Luda is continuing his promotional campaign and has released the cover art and tracklisting for the album.

While Luda says that the tracklisting is subject to change with additional tracks to be added, both are available below.

1.Hey Ho" featuring Lil Kim

2. "Tell Me a Secret" featuring Ne-Yo

3. "My Chick Bad" featuring Nicki Minaj

4. "Got a Man" featuring Flo Rida

5. "Can't Live With You, Can't Live Without You" featuring Monica

6. "How Low" (Remix) featuring Ciara, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Twista

7. "Sex Room" featuring Trey Songz

In addition to the tour, Luda will be celebrating his 10th year in the game with the release of his seventh album on March 9th, “The Battle Of The Sexes.” The album will include the hit single “How Low.”

Originally scheduled as a duo album with his former Disturbing Tha Peace artist Shawnna (whose now rolling with T-Pain), the revamped project will find Ludacris spitting verses alongside a host of female MCs including Nicki Minaj, Ciara, Lil' Kim, Eve, and Trina.

Ne-Yo, Flo Rida, and Plies will also help Chris Lova Lova do battle with his female counterparts. In addition, Bangladesh, Swizz Beatz and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League have provided some of the heated production.

Peep the video to “How Low” and check out the remix with Twista and Rick Ross.

Ludacris feat. Rick Ross & Twista - "How Low (Remix)

Click here [More] for The E.N.D. Tour Dates.

The E.N.D. Tour

DATE LOCATION VENUE

February 4, 2010 Atlanta, Georgia Philips Arena
February 6, 2010 Miami, Florida American Airlines Arena
February 9, 2010 Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
February 10, 2010 Tampa, Florida Saint Pete Times Forum
February 12, 2010 Nashville, Tennessee Sommet Center
February 13, 2010 Birmingham, Alabama BJCC Arena
February 16, 2010 Columbus, Ohio Value City Arena at Jerome Schottenstein Center
February 17, 2010 Lexington, Kentucky Rupp Arena
February 19, 2010 Raleigh, North Carolina RBC Center
February 20, 2010 Charlotte, North Carolina Time Warner Cable Arena
February 22, 2010 Hampton, Virginia Hampton Coliseum
February 23, 2010 Washington, DC Verizon Center
February 24, 2010 New York, New York Madison Square Garden
February 26, 2010 Boston, Massachusetts TD Banknorth Garden
February 27, 2010 Uncasville, Connecticut Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino - Sun Arena
March 1, 2010 Uniondale, New York Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
March 3, 2010 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Wachovia Center
March 4, 2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mellon Arena
March 9, 2010 Detroit, Michigan Palace of Auburn Hills
March 11, 2010 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bradley Center
March 13, 2010 Chicago, Illinois United Center
March 19, 2010 Dallas, Texas American Airlines Center
March 20, 2010 Tulsa, Oklahoma BOK Center
March 22, 2010 Saint Paul, Minnesota Xcel Energy Center
March 24, 2010 Kansas City, Missouri Sprint Center
March 25, 2010 Des Moines, Iowa Iowa Events Center - Wells Fargo Arena
March 27, 2010 Denver, Colorado Pepsi Center
March 29, 2010 Los Angeles, California Staples Center
March 31, 2010 Glendale, Arizona Jobing.com Arena
April 2, 2010 San Jose, California HP Pavilion at San Jose
April 7, 2010 Sacramento, California ARCO Arena
April 10, 2010 Tacoma, Washington Tacoma Dome

Originally planned to be Luda vs. Shawna, her move to Nappy Boy, reportedly, negated her presence on the project and provided a window of opportunity for other female rappers to flex their muscle and represent for this gender.  Lil Kim, Eve, Trina and Nicki Minaj are some of the contenders that have decided to go against the rapper/actor.

Male rappers have stood up to come to the aid of Ludacris with artists such as Ne-Yo, Flo Rida and Plies being named as being part of the project, which will be released on March 16.

After recently dropping the visual for “How Low”, things are still undergoing the process before hitting the finish line as production is said to come from the likes of Swizz Beatz, Pharrell, Bangladesh and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League.

For the male contenders out there, here's a reminder to some things you might be up against.  Study, study hard, and let the battle begin.  To the victor goes the riches.

Damn...Not too much lyrics can do to contest with that. Best of luck.

“In the studio with Pharrell my good people. And my n*gga has a mustache!! Ha!”

Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges is staying busy in the studio and still working on his Battle of The Sexes album.

As previously reported, Luda is still scheduled to drop a mixtape paying homage to his Conjure cognac line before his “Battle of the Sexes” album with Shawnna hits stores in March.

Now while putting the finishing touches on the project, Luda is bringing in Skateboard P to lend his talent to the final nproduct.

Ludacris made the announcement that Pharrell would be working on the project via his @LudaJuice Twitter page.

He tweeted to nearly 300,000 followers saying,

“In the studio with Pharrell my good people. And my n*gga has a mustache!! Ha!..”

He also posted a picture of P in the studio with a caption that read,

“Pharrell and his mustache working on Battle of the Sexes Album. Coming March 2010!”

Luda's current single “How Low” is currently burning up the charts.

It debuted on Billboard's “Hot 100” at number 13.