The Kang gets suited for a two-cover edition of UPSCALE magazine. An excerpt from the story on the state of his profession below. Cover two after the jump. “I know I still have the ability to do it, but I don’t know if I have as much passion to do it as I once did… I might find that I’m more effective in another capacity, but I won’t know if I don’t ever try. I have other talents and abilities […]

Rihanna’s ready for war. Well, not really. Ri Ri threw on the fatigues and is currently in the 50th state, shooting her first film, Battleship. The flick based off the popular board game and hits the big screen in 2012. More after the jump. rd

Mac is back. While out in NYC, Mac Miller gives the folks over at YRB a quick interview before dropping off a few bars. Sounds like it’s straight from the dome. Listen up.

Maino chucks the deuce over Breezy and Tyga’s collabo. That’s peace. The Art Of War mixtape coming soon.

John Legend and The Roots let the cameras roll in the studio as they perform a Bill Withers cover for their latest video. Wake Up in stores September 21.

This leaked an hour earlier than Wiz planned, but here’s his new banger dedicated to Rap Radar’s favorite hues. It’s produced by Stargate and is his first single since signing to Atlantic Records.

[vodpod id=Video.4350414&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Did%253D1637089%2526vid%253D557156%2526uri%253Dmgid%253Auma%253Avideo%253Amtv.com%253A557156] A round of applause indeed. During NYC’s Rock The Bells stop this past weekend, Busta mets Yelawolf  and pitches him to hop on his Just Blaze-produced track with Twista. Can you keep up? mtv

Hey Gucci, we see you again. Waka recently held an album listening session for his album, Flockaveli and Hood Affairs was there to give us a preview of what was played. Beats sound hard. Maybe because Lex Luger produced over a dozen tracks. kingz

Talking with Grind Music Radio, Nasir’s go-to producer Salaam Remi breaks down how Esco’s “Made You Look” was created. Hey Nas, may not have done what Salaam initially wanted to with the beat, but it sure turned out well nonethelss. They shootin’!

Check that out! Ha! Once again YMHD comes through with another Limelight Exclusive premiere. This time, Nicki enlists the assistance of Black Eyed Peas frontman, will.i.am. That sample sounds awfully familiar. Can anyone name that tune? hhnm Sidebar: A Guide To Nick Minaj’s Best Back Shots Sample: Thanks Da Streets. First record played on MTV! UPDATE: Some clarity four days later. This is actually Will’s song. Now with no tags. splash