Well this is timely. For the first single off his upcoming DJ Skee mixtape, Brake Lights, Game references Miami’s Big 3, guns, his Blood affiliation and adds a couple of name drops to boot. Too bad Chuck sounds like he’s got a cold.

XXL put together an excellent tribute to the memory of Trouble T-Roy on the 20th year of his passing. The Heavy D & The Boyz dancer died in a tragic freak accident while out on tour. After the jump, CL Smooth who wrote a classic hip-hop record in his honor (“They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”) talks in great detail about one of the song’s lyrics. Still wishing Troy Dixon a peaceful journey.

X says this is off DJ Haze mixape USA Today. Don’t get your hopes up though, it’s only a verse. Love That stinks.

Sak pasé. Clef spoke to CNN the other day regarding the relief efforts in Haiti. And today, he released a tribute song that will appear on his upcoming album, The Haitian Experience. pic: os

With Polow Da Don on the beat, Rich Boy directs everyone to the floor with the assistance of Drizzy and Young Goldie. It’s also the first single off Rich Boy’s new album. mr. x UPDATE: Tagless yaf

Too $hort found himself on the other side of the whistle this morning, when he and an associate were arrested on assault charges at the Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho. According to police reports, security guards say they were assaulted after Short Dog was told he couldn’t bring underage girls backstage. He was released from Ada County Jail and is due back in court August 4th. If found guilty, he faces six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. yk2 via ism

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.