photo: Asma Knowles Bey’s been on her music break for a minute now, but she’s slowly making her return.  S1, the producer responsible for Kanye’s “Power” was in the lab with the singer last week and their session went longer than expected. Below, he shares what went down via his Twitter page. Me, Beyonce, and Caleb was in the studio last night killing it! Excited about session part 2 today! 2011 Let’s Go!  Got session part 2 with Beyonce today! Excited to see […]

Yup, that’s Nicki behind the mask as she busts her way on the front of V Magazine’s Spring 2011 Discovery issue. Before it hits newsstands this week, peep the rest of the photos after the jump. ru

Lupe stopped by the morning show on Hot 93.7 in Hartford Connecticut yesterday and over The Notorious one’s “10 Crack Commandments” parted with a freebie. Look ma, no adlibs! lupeend

On my way 2 Haiti ran into Praz, what should I do make peace or go sit somewhere Else! I Made peace 4 Haiti! Hard to believe, but today marks a year since Haiti was rocked by the devastating earthquake. From Ground Zero, Wyclef Jean called Power 105.1 this morning and spoke on the aftermath. Break 1: Break 2:

[vodpod id=Video.5315794&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26] Although Maino’s The Art Of War dropped last year, he’s still ready to throw the gloves on and put up a fight with his latest flick. Bob and weave or get knocked the fuck out. ifwt Previously: Maino “Make It Rain (Freestyle)”

F.A.B. is back with another leak off his forthcoming mixtape. Judging by this and the previous track, we’re in for a treat. So soulful. So good. I Found My Backpack drops January 18th. tss via ingrooves

As promised, here is the title track from Raekwon’s upcoming album, Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang, which will be hitting stores on March 8, 2011. We can all agree this comes out victorious. flex UPDATE: Dirty Version via 2DB.

After hearing the preview six months ago, Mike Bigga combusts back on to the radar with the full Sweatbox-produced cut. Sounds hot. Hopefully, we will see PL3DGE in March. dgb

From the streets to the studio, Free and Statik recorded 7 tracks in 7 hours last night for their EP, StatikFree. Featuring Mac Miller, The Jacka, Jakk Frost, Tek of Smif-N-Wessun and Reek Da Villian, the EP drops on iTunes at midnight, but here’s one of the end results from their busy night. Blaow! nr

Leading up to the release of Snoop Dogg’s new album, the Doggumentary, the Doggfather’s introducing his new music series. #puffpuffpasstuesdays. And with the NBA All Star Game getting underway next month, he kicks things off with this track dedicated to the the city of angels produced by Scoop Deville.