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.

Scot’s all by himself on the cover of Complex’s August/September issue. Speaking with scribe Joe La Puma, Cudi speaks on getting wrapped up in fame, groupies, working with Kanye, and Drake wanting to do Day N’ Night remix officially. Here are a few nuggets courtesy of Complex.

Has the girl situation really been that crazy?
Kid Cudi: Man, I was always the ugly duckling; I never got attention from girls like that. So now that it’s happening, I’m kind of hip to it. I know half of these bitches wouldn’t be talking to me if I wasn’t Kid Cudi, and I’m not no fool, you know what I’m saying? I wasn’t born yesterday.

What about people who look at you as Kanye’s little man?
Kid Cudi: [Laughs.] The album will shut a lot of people up. I actually have my own voice and people will see that with the album. ’Ye just lets me be a man and shit. You don’t necessarily want a motherfucker to be holding your hand the whole time. There was a time when nobody listened to my shit and nobody would give me the time of day. Now I’ve got like four fan-made mixtapes—I’ve only got one mixtape out, the rest of them are from fans. Fans make these Kid Cudi wallpapers and draw pictures of me and all this and that. That shit is real; that means that kids connect with that shit. Not just because I’m Kanye’s artist. Those kids fuck with my music and that’s the realest shit ever. That lets me know that I’m important, and nothing is better than knowing you’re important.

Has he reached out to work with you?
Kid Cudi: Drake had been wanting to do an official “Day ’N’ Nite” remix early on. He was one of my earliest supporters; that’s why I fuck with Drake on another level than just being a new artist. His homeboy Oliver used to hit me up when I’d go to Toronto, like, “Yo, you gotta fuck with Drake.” Imagine if I would’ve let Drake remix “Day ’N’ Nite” when he wanted to back in ’07. That shit would’ve fizzled out; no one would’ve cared. Luckily we let it live and it worked out. We’re changing things on accident. That’s how I know this is my destiny.

After the jump, check out a behind the scenes look at the cover shoot.

Here’s some new material from the pride of Adamsville, GA. And just for the record, Mikes verse > Yung Ralphs. And it’s not even close, it’s by a long shot.

{mp3}02 oh yeah{/mp3} 

Props: MG

Yesterday afternoon, Joe leaked photos of his new sneaker, The Blackout [No Red & Meth] via his Twitter account. The kicks are manufactured by Protege and will be sold exclusively at Sears and K-Mart chains. Personally, I think the sneaker looks like a hybrid of Kanye’s space boots and Nike’s Air Force Commands. Props to Joe for diversifying his portfolio, but I don’t think I’d want to walk in his shoes. 

Spotted: Woooha via NR

Here’s one helluva co-sign. Yesterday, Pill was featured in the music section of The New York Times. Over the weekend, I listened to his mixtape 4180: The Prescription (4180 is named after one of his addresses) and was enthralled by its wit and authenticity. I previously said on Twitter that his video, “Trap Goin’ Ham” is the best visual I’ve seen this year. His next clip, “Glass” from his follow up tape, 4075: The Refill is scheduled to drop in a few weeks. Get wit’ it or get lost. OK, then! 

[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=P5lX6E3GprE] 

The Rosenthal’s get silly à la Broken Equipment, with Tim Duncan Drake and his AMW comrades. Who invited Rawse?!

[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