Oh shit, Ci-Ci’s stylist blows up her spot. Much ado about nothing. There was no haircut. It’s a wig, y’all.

Ciara’s known for having amazingly long, voluminous hair. This is a big change for her.
Yeah, of course it’s partially extensions, but her hair is long anyway. She’s in LA for the Summer and wanted something lighter, something different.

Her new style is a hair piece, right?
Yes, it’s a hair piece. She still has really long hair—this look is just for the Summer.

How did you come up with it?
Ciara has such a little, petite, cute face, and she told me that she wanted to go short. She wanted to do the Halle Berry, but I thought “We need a little sexy, we need a little swagger in front, so let’s just give it a little bit of lift.” But I didn’t want it to look like Rihanna’s cut, either.

Wow at least those other chicks actually shaved at least some parts of their head. You can’t trust anyone nowadays. Smh.

Props: New York Mag via Bella Sugar

Previously: Ciara’s Bad Haircut

And it don’t stop. Another tribute to the King of it all. But this time, he shares the stage with fellow American icon Farrah Fawcett, who passed away on the same day. I can dig it. Stay classy, Mr. Carter.

Props: Fish Bowl NY via Memo Pad

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHKaVQeaHQ] 

Pop Quiz: Can you name all the members of Weezy’s crew? Don’t fret. Only a few can. But no worries, YN is here to provide a service. Y’all ain’t ready for all this and for a taste of Minaj at the end, you need to click on that lower left link. Drake’s down. The soldiers must march on.

Bonus: KC backstage with her peoples. 

Wow, this is what it’s come to. Mariah Carey’s upcoming Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel will feature a 34-page mini-mag inside the CD booklet. It’s being produced by Elle magazine and will feature ads from a few upscale brands. Big boss, Antonio “L.A.” Reid explains the thought behind the process:

“The idea was really simple thinking: ‘We sell millions of records, so you should advertise with us,’ ” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, IDJ’s chairman. “My artists have substantial circulation — when you sell 2 million, 5 million, 8 million, that’s a lot of eyeballs. Most magazines aren’t as successful as those records.” Reid said Carey was “very open” to the idea when he showed her a mock-up of the magazine with brands that fit her jet-setter lifestyle. “I wouldn’t want to do Mariah Carey and Comet abrasive cleaner,” Reid said. “I wanted things that really reflected her taste.” 

If all goes well, similar deals could be cut for other IDJ acts like Rihanna and Kanye West.

Reminds me of custom publishing, back in my XXL days. Definitely feel like many will follow suit to MC’s move.

Props: MTV via Brandweek

This just leaked on the Internets. Looks official to me. Hov finally puts an album out without his face on it. It’s something he always wanted to do. Original Black album concept, anyone? Don’t love it but don’t hate it, either. We’ll see if it sticks.

Props: DontHateBeHated via JayZFans

Sidebar: There’s also a tracklist floating around that we’re not gonna print here. Think people! It’s Aug 3rd. The album’s release date is Sept. 11. There’s still plenty of time for a “PSA” move. Anything, including the cover image above can still change.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GEKqEF_1cU] 

“Matter of fact, I ain’t even got a wife, B.”

Here’s the incredible visual to Ghost’s interview with Angela Yee last week. This is better than anything you’ll find on your idiot box. Tune in!

Props: Team Yee

Previously: Co-Host Ghost Drops Jewels On Shade 45

Look who’s still publishing. Hey, I still haven’t listened to this chart-topping crooner’s new shit, but guess you can say he deserves a cover somewhere. That being said, I don’t think I’m gonna cop this from my local newsstand man. YN still supports all magazines tho. Belee Dat!

Props: Singersroom Celebs

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h77HDLNzEtU] 

For those who haven’t seen the America’s Most Wanted tour live yet, Lil Wayne ends each concert with a tribute to MJ. Last night in VA as “Billie Jean” played, hometown fuck boy Chris Brown joined the fun and proved he’s still got all the right moves. Have we fully forgiven this guy yet? I missed the announcement.

Props: Rap-Up

[vodpod id=ExternalVideo.886031&w=425&h=350&fv=] 

The 1515 Boys delve deep into the record deal we’ve been hearing about for months. Diddy breaks down how he got a big piece of the Red Cafe pie and plugs the Welcome To Bad Boy mixtape.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reY4ykSzjt0] 

Hey, Jay-Z wasn’t the only MC who tore down APW Friday night. Kamaal did his thing on another stage a few minutes before the big headliner. Here during his MJ Tribute (every artist must have one!), the Abstract shows off his “Dancing Machine” moves before divin’ into his Dilla-produced banger from The Renaissance.

Props: Mo Is Dead Serious

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5zsyGu_aVs] 

By the time I walked into the arena last night, Soulja Boy was finishin’ up his set with “Turn My Swag On.” I looked around and was like, “This is some strange shit, a rap show right near the beach—the fuckin’ sun is still out for Chrissakes”. It especially got weirder for me when Da Snowman came out and did his entire set before it even turned dark. Guess YN don’t like outdoor hip-hop shows. Jenkins deserves better!

Sidebar: Again like I said on Twitter, Jeezy’s junkyard band lost. What hurt Diddy-like audition did he find these fools at? 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkvWHYD2n4Y] 

You know Mr. Carter’s “father” had to represent during the night’s festivities. Here Cash Money’s one-two punch run through a few of their finest musical moments together. Like I said on Twitter, “Always Strapped” is quietly one of the best joints of the year. 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vULUQ_sCKg] 

Last night at the America’s Most Wanted show in Jones Beach, Weezy F spoke on his protege Drake’s recent re-injury and says that a lil Sunday surgery was on the sked. Why do I not believe him? He then goes into “3 Peat.”

Pardon that muffled bass and the white bright spotlight.

Sidebar: Somebody inked the Black Barbie up?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUJOi7XSUQU] 

One mo’ before I head to Jones Beach to see Weezy. Here’s SC schoolin’ the White youth on an RD classic. Who knew you could rock out the classic Isaac Hayes break? Good shit!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le0i8HA_-R8] 

Love the band’s breakdown as Jay reminds us of the time when he murdered Kanye on his own shit. After that, well the “Roc Boys” are in the house. What else? Word to Cafe. It’s a celebration, bitches.

Oh yeah I forgot, ask Hov where he got the chain remains line from. It wasn’t Treach. Ha!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfe7apWxusc] 

“Hey I appreciate y’all stayin’ out in the rain or whatever, fuckin’ up your new sneakers and all that shit.”

Jigga teases us that he’s gonna kick a new verse from BP3 this time, but then goes into his “I’m not talkin’ about Game” bars. Except Jay did tweak a few lines this time if you listen closely. Like a couple of the new flourishes but not the reggae ting at the end mon.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYLJ2iobZBk] 

In a stirring opener on par with his Oasis shocker at Glastonbury, Hov paid tribute to MCA and the Beastie Boys (who he replaced on this show) with a remake of a classic from Licensed to Ill. It was a cover performance Hip Hop Honors wish they could have. Ha! Good job, Hov. Hey Village Voice, he was listening.

I’ll put my footage up against anybody’s. No shots.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyHJsWq3Kyo] 

No Kanye. No Ri-Ri. No problem? Still not a big fan of this joint but cool to see Jay perform a new song for the first time.

When it comes to this rap website shit, who run it?

A developing story, but apparently Drake injured himself at a Young Money concert show last night. Miss Info has some details. More in the morning.

Props to Divine Davy for the TwitPic and THExKM1 for sending it to me.

Update: From the man himself.