This is the artwork that’ll represent John Legend and The Roots’ joint project, Wake Up! on September 21st. You can view the track titles here. Don’t sleep! rap-up

[vodpod id=Video.4031131&w=425&h=350&fv=] It’s always interesting to see an artist’s expression upon hearing a track for the first time. Here’s footage of Ross previewing “Tears Of Joy” for Cee-Lo Green. Teflon Don drops next Tuesday. Bonus: Rick Ross x Raekwon “Audio Meth” X

[vodpod id=Video.4030462&w=425&h=350&fv=configParams%3Dvid%253D538005%2526uri%253Dmgid%253Auma%253Avideo%253Amtv.com%253A538005] YN pointed out a couple of weeks ago that “Fancy” originally featured Mary J. Blige. The track’s producer Swizz Beatz, explains to 1515 how the record landed on Drake’s Thank Me Later. “It started off as a Swizz record. Then I got Mary [J. Blige] on it. It was supposed to be on her [Stronger With Each Tear], but we missed the deadline. Then I pulled it back for my [upcoming] record. Then five o’clock one morning, on […]

According to Karen Civil, this is off the mixtape, No More Thank You’s which came out today. Sounds like this was left on Thank Me Later‘s cutting room floor. Update: The song of the day is a Diddy reference track. Damn, you leak scavengers. Ha! And now a word from the producer.

Joey liked Kanye’s version so much, he decided to take a Crack at it. “I just feel like he’s super talented and that joint was, I’m sure he’s got even better than that I like [‘Power’] a lot, but I’m sure he’s even better than that. Kanye West’s my favorite rapper and at the end of the day, I’m a huge Kanye West fan.”—Fat Joe 57ave

N.O.R.E. told the crowd at S.O.B.’s on Tuesday that long time collaborator Tragedy Khadafi was home after serving four years in prison on drug charges. Well, here’s footage of the Intelligent Hoodlum in the lab listening to some new instrumentals. He told HHDX last month that he plans on releasing a new book and music. Good luck. X

Big Boi’s taking flight on the cover of this edition of Rolling Out. The cover feature is available to read here. Peep an excerpt below. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty out now, damn it! “The difference [with making this album] was the writing load,” Big Boi reveals. “When it’s me and Dre, I’d write maybe two verses and somebody would take care of the hook, and we would do the beat together. But when it’s just […]

Hussle’s in the house and now, he’s on your feet too. Pony collaborated with Nipsey to release his own signature shoe. Neat! No word as to when they’ll be available, but check out more flicks below. Get cha walk on. tsg

Photographer Michael Melendy gives us a sneak peak at Puff’s leading ladies in the upcoming spread of Black Men magazine. Pose for the camera now, click.

[sparkart-clique site=”rap_radar” video=”flo_rida”] LeBron James and Chris Bosh have only been in Miami for a week now, but Flo Rida and his crew have already recorded the unofficial theme song for the Heat called, “We Already Won”. A lil’ premature ain’t it? Anyway, NBC Niteside goes inside Poe Boy’s studio and talks to Flo about the record.