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Ryan Leslie has been brought up on Day 4 of Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sex trafficking trial.

Cassie, 38, answered questions about the relationship she was in prior to starting a romance with the 55-year-old music mogul, who was arrested in 2024 for alleged sex trafficking, prostitution, racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as transportation to engage in prostitution. (Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges.)

Ryan, 46, is an acclaimed musician and producer who released six solo albums, and has worked with everyone from Beyoncé to Britney Spears to Kanye West, among many others.

He’s also credited with discovering Cassie in 2004, who signed to his NextSelection record label in a joint-venture with Diddy‘s Bad Boy Records two years later, and he wrote and produced her debut single “Me & U.”

Keep reading to find out more…

During Day 4 of the trial, Cassie testified she was dating Ryan when she met Diddy.

When it comes to famous couples in the music industry, only a few have sparked as much curiosity and controversy as the one between Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura. Their on-again, off-again romance spanned more than a decade and was something that continued to captivate fans and media alike.

What began as a professional connection, given that Venture was signed to his label, Bad Boy Records, slowly turned into one of hip hop’s most talked-about love stories. But everything was not well between the couple despite what they showcased on the outside.

From Ventura’s breakout success with Me & U, to the pair’s red-carpet appearances, their journey together was anything but ordinary. And while they ultimately went their separate ways, their relationship continued to be a part of online discussions. This is especially highlighted because of Diddy’s recent controversy and criminal charges.

While the entire music...

Ryan Leslie probably didn’t think that his name would resurface in the media when one of his former artists became single again. But this week, the news broke that Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs were breaking up, going their separate ways after almost 11 years together. The two were linked romantically for years before they finally went public with their romance in 2012. Diddy, 48, and Cassie, 32, met through her former producer and were first linked in 2007. That former producer was Ryan Leslie, who was the one who discovered her back in 2004. Leslie also worked with […]

The post Ryan Leslie after Diddy and Cassie breakup: The internet celebrates ‘karma’ appeared first on Monsters and Critics.

[[tmz:video id="0_lhb9d3ok"]] Here's John Wall once again proving he's the most well-rounded PG in the NBA ... he scores, he defends, he passes ... And He Milly Rocks Effortlessly. Wall proved this in Paris, celebrating Ludacris' 40th bday with huge stars like Jeezy, Ryan Leslie, and Kenny Burns ... but the Washington Wizards star still stood out with his dance floor moves. Btw, there wasn't just Milly rocking going on -- there was some kinda weird jumping in-a-circle dance as well.

The third installment of Fabolous’ mixtape is out! In 2011 he released the first ‘Soul Tape,’ followed by 2012′s ‘Soul Tape II.’ On Christmas day, he dropped the third installment — and it features some of the biggest names in hip hop!

Fabolous has done it again! While we already know and love the first song on his mixtape, “Everything was the Same,” we’re already obsessed with the rest of his newly released Soul Tape 3.

Fabolous Releases ‘Soul Tape 3′

Fab’s mix tape came out officially on Dec. 25 and is already a huge hit with the fans — unfortunately, this is the last of the series.

In a recent interview, Fab told Real Talk NY that this would actually be the last of his soul tapes.

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“I think it’s a different text of music for even me,” he said of the series. “When I started doing it at first,...

Among the big name collaborators on Jay-z's "Magna Carta Holy Grail" is a 16-year-old woman from Brampton, On named Ebony Oshunrinde, who makes beats as WondaGurl and produced Jay-z's cocky album track, "Crown."

When the record soft-launched to Samsung Galaxy users on July 4, WondaGurl's life changed forever.

"It was crazy," she says the next day.

"Just people calling me, texting me and tweeting me all the time. My phone was just blowing up."

A budding beatmaker since she was nine, WondaGurl caught the attention of superstar producer and Drake associate, Boi 1da, who took her under his wing and helped her win the 2012 Battle of the Beatmakers competition. Since then, she has worked on tracks for SonReal & Rich Kidd, Ryan Leslie, and got a big placement on a Travi$ Scott track called "Uptown."

It was her work on "Uptown" that caught Hov's ear and he snapped up the hazy, loping...

From Taylor Swift's major-category shutout to the army of collaborators on Kanye's 'All of the Lights,' we take a closer look at this year's nods.

By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West

Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

The big headline out of Wednesday night's "Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!" event was that Kanye West came away with the night's gaudiest number at seven nods. He bested heavily tipped Grammy bait Adele, who scored six, tying her with veteran rockers Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars, with Lil Wayne and party-starting DJ Skrillex just behind at five.

Yes, there were some surprises, such as Justin Vernon's sedate folkie solo project Bon Iver snagging four nominations and British tweed revivalists Mumford & Sons rolling up an equal amount. But it's some of the other facts and figures we were more interested in.

So enjoy the 2011 Grammy nominations, by the numbers:

0: Number of major nominations scored...

Eriq Gardner

Before any celebrity takes to Twitter and announces a big-ticket reward for solving the mystery of lost keys or for providing information leading to the arrest of a certain college football coach, they might wish to consider two recent lawsuits. In one dispute, a man seeks to collect on a $1 million reward offered on YouTube by musician Ryan Leslie for finding his missing laptop. In another dispute, an anonymous person looks to collect on a $125,000 reward offered by Palm Springs Film Festival head Harold Matzner and publicist Michael Levine for information leading to the identification of fellow publicist Ronni Chasen's killer. The two recent cases show that it's

read more...

German man who returned Leslie's stolen laptop says he wasn't paid as promised.

By Rob Markman

Ryan Leslie

Photo: Getty Images

While $1 million might sound a bit steep for a laptop, that's how much Ryan Leslie said he would pay to whomever returned his MacBook, which was stolen last year.

Armin Augstein said he returned the computer to the "Diamond Girl" singer but claims he has yet to receive the reward, so now the 52-year old German man has filed a suit in U.S. District Court in New York, the Daily News has reported.

"It's unfortunate that my client has to go to such lengths to recover the reward," Michael Fischman, Augstein's U.S.-based lawyer, told the paper.

MTV News reached out to Leslie's rep for comment, but haven't heard back as of press time.

Leslie appeared on "RapFix Live" via Skype last November, shortly after he lost...

Compilation album due in the spring may include such G.O.O.D. artists as Big Sean, Mos Def and Pusha T.

By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West

Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

Kanye West spent much of summer 2010 seeding the Internet with new music via his "G.O.O.D. Friday" track releases, previewing a number of the songs from his own My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

And on Wednesday, West announced that he's packaging up some of those goods for a proper release. "Goodmusic. The album. Spring 2012," he tweeted, providing just a tease of what's to come.

'Ye's label, Def Jam, confirmed the release as well in a tweet, hyping upcoming albums from Rick Ross, the Roots, Young Jeezy and Rihanna, though a spokesperson could not be reached at press time for further details on the disc.

The G.O.O.D. Music bench is deep, so it's possible...

Compilation album due in the spring may include such G.O.O.D. artists as Big Sean, Pusha T.

By Gil Kaufman

Kanye West

Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

Kanye West spent much of summer 2010 seeding the Internet with new music via his "G.O.O.D. Friday" track releases, previewing a number of the songs from his own My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album.

And on Wednesday, West announced that he's packaging up some of those goods for a proper release. "Goodmusic. The album. Spring 2012," he tweeted, providing just a tease of what's to come.

'Ye's label, Def Jam, confirmed the release as well in a tweet, hyping upcoming albums from Rick Ross, the Roots, Young Jeezy and Rihanna, though a spokesperson could not be reached at press time for further details on the disc.

The G.O.O.D. Music bench is deep, so it's possible the disc could contain tracks from Big Sean,...

'Fly Together' Mc tells 'RapFix Live' that Bad Boy label is supportive.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Red Cafe

Photo: MTV News

It's been a long road, but Red Café insists his debut album, Shakedown, will be out at the top of 2012. The Brooklyn Mc has been grinding since the early 2000s, and since 2005, has consistently landed notable singles on New York radio.

First, there was "Bling Blaow," then "Paper Touchin' " in 2008. A year later, Red broke out with "Da Hottest in Da Hood," and in 2010, he dropped "I'm Ill" with Fabolous and "Money, Money, Money" with Diddy.

On Wednesday's (October 19) edition of "RapFix Live," Red assured his fans that thanks to his current deal with Bad Boy Records, the album is on its way.

"I'm working on the album now with the Bad Boy team. [Bad Boy President] Harve [Pierre] and Puff, they in there with me, giving that support...

'Fly Together' artist will appear on 'RapFix Live' Wednesday at 4 p.m. Et.

By Rob Markman

Red Cafe

Photo: Scott Wintrow/ Getty Images

Bad Boy Records has a rich tradition. Since its inception in the early 1990s, label CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs has introduced some of hip-hop's most influential artists. Of course, there was the Notorious B.I.G., the Lox, Ma$e and Black Rob. Now, Diddy is looking to launch the next generation of Bad Boy spitters like Mgk and Wednesday's "RapFix Live" guest, Red Café.

The Brooklyn spitter began his career as a part of the group Da Franchise but later branched off with his solo career. Making his mark on New York's mixtape market, Red earned quite a few record deals but was never able to release his proper debut album, despite churning out a ton of notable singles like 2005's "Bling Blaow," 2008's "Paper Touchin' " and 2010's "I'm Ill.

'I wanted to tag it with that big holiday and just give something that the people could give as a gift,' he tells MTV News.

By Rob Markman, with reporting by Matt Elias

Red Café

Photo: MTV News

It's been a long time coming, but on February 14, Red Café hopes to finally present to the world his labor of love.

It was 2005 when the Brooklyn Mc first started buzzing with his street single "Bling Blaow," and two years later, he collaborated with DJ Envy from MTV2's "Sucker Free" to release their collaborative Co-Op street album. Now, Red looks forward to finally dropping his proper solo debut, Shakedown, on Bad Boy/ Konvict Muzik.

"February 14, Valentine's Day," Red told MTV News of his album release date, while on the video set for his current single "Fly Together" with Rick Ross and Ryan Leslie. "I wanted to tag it with that...

Rick Ross and Ryan Leslie join Rc on post-apocalyptic video set.

By Matt Elias

Red Café on the set of "Fly Together"

Photo: MTV News

Los Angeles — Setting foot on the set of Red Café's music video for "Fly Together" on Tuesday night, you might have thought you were in the middle of a Hollywood blockbuster. The Colin Tilley-directed clip was set in what looked like an industrial wasteland meets an apocalyptic auto graveyard.

Red Café was joined on set by his "Fly Together" collaborators, Rick Ross and Ryan Leslie. The trio towered above the set on steel cargo containers as smoke billowed in the background and a demolished car dangled in the air.

"Oh, man, this set is crazy," Red told MTV News. "Shout-out to Colin Tilley. He's amazing as well, and his vision just came to life here on this set. [He] got me up here like I'm...

'We're looking to do that around September 13," Fab says of his forthcoming album.

By Rob Markman

Fabolous (file)

Photo: Jonathan Leibson/ WireImage

Time flies when you're making hits. On September 11, 2001, Brooklyn rapper Fabolous graduated from a slick-tongued mixtape Mc to a bona fide platinum rap star with the release of his debut album, Ghetto Fabolous. To celebrate his 10-year run, Fab plans to release his sixth studio album, Loso's Way 2: The Rise to Power, on September 13. Mr. F-a-b-o revealed his plans to morning show radio jock Vezzy Parmesan of Rhode Island's Hot 106.3.

"That's coming in September, we're looking to do that around September 13 actually," Fab said of Loso's Way 2 from backstage at Hot 106's all-star Hot Night concert. "September 11 was when my first album dropped, 10 years ago. That was also the tragic day of 9/11. So my album dropped that same day and we kinda want to do like a 10-year-anniversary sort of feel.

Whether you’re staying home with your girls or jetting off for a quick getaway keep these recipes handy for the ultimate soiree!

Memorial Day is upon us! What better way to kick off the summer than with a drink in hand?! HollywoodLife.com searched far and wide for fun and flirty cocktail recipes perfect for the holiday. If you’re sipping on these drinks while on the beach, by the pool or just at a BBQ with your besties, these drinks will definitely add that delicious touch!

Dragon Cosmo

Celebrity Fans: Olivia Munn, Selita Ebanks

2 oz Skyy Infusions Dragon Fruit 1 oz Cranberry Juice ½ oz Lime Juice ½ oz Triple Sec

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and pour into a martini glass. Hosting a Memorial Day BBQ? Make it easy and save yourself time by opting for X-Rated Fusion Liqueur’s X-Rated Party Punch. X-Rated Party Punch

Celebrity Fans: Guiliana Rancic,...

Lloyd Banks has just debuted a music video in support of his latest single "So Forgetful". In this clip, he shares screen with R&B crooner Ryan Leslie who lends his vocals on the song. It follows the two buddies as they hit the studio for a recording session.

"The way we put the record together was kind of how the video is playing out," he once said. "I stopped by the studio, [Leslie] was working on a few sounds, and he plays everything, from the drums to the keys. So, he basically started, and I just started writing the verses, and it came to life."

The single is taken from Lloyd Banks' 2010 star-studded studio album "H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2)". Beside Ryan Leslie, the likes of 50 Cent, Kanye West, Akon, Jeremih and Juelz Santana are also lined for featured guests in the CD.

Lloyd Banks' "So...

Forget those rumors you’ve heard about Ne-Yo’s fifth studio album being called “Love & Passion.” He set the record straight for us when we ran into him recently. “It doesn’t have a name yet. But be looking for it in September,” he says. “I’m putting it together as we speak.” Ne-Yo is collaborating with a number of fellow musicians, producers and songwriters on the set, including Tricky, Ryan Leslie and Stargate. As far as guest artists, it’s still unclear. “I don’t know what I’m doing for features yet, but talking with a bunch of people. We’ll see what happens in the...

R. Les tells MTV News 'supergroup' partners Fabolous, Ne-Yo bless remix, 'Look at Her,' with peek at what's to come.

By Rebecca Thomas

Ryan Leslie

Photo: MTV News

New York — For any girl who takes her style seriously — like, blow the rent on a striped concoction from Prada's spring/summer 2011 collection serious — 2010 was a good year for primpin'-ain't-easy rap. Big, tag-flaunting singles like Drake's "Fancy" and Rick Ross' "Super High" expressed shock, awe and appreciation for girls and their fashion. And, for coining the word "shoe-icide" alone, the Ryan Leslie-produced Fabolous single "You Be Killin' 'Em" earned monster status on that playlist.

Now, Leslie is aiming to follow up the radio smash with another heater. We ventured downtown last week and caught up with R.Les just before he headed out for his Coachella festival debut. He gave us a preview of Les Is More, his first post-Universal,...

Plus: Wednesday's 'RapFix Live' guest Waka Flocka Flame drops new tape featuring Gucci Mane, in Mixtape Daily.

By Alvin Blanco, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes

Fabolous

Photo: Jonathan Leibson/ WireImage

Don't Sleep: Other Notables

Mixtape: The S.O.U.L. Tape

Starring: Fabolous

Essential Info: Fabolous has always had a knack for boosting R&B songs with his slick verses. Check the discography: Jamie Foxx's "She Got Her Own," Lil Mo's "Superwoman, Part II," Trey Songz's "Say Aah" — the list goes on. So the Bed-Stuy rapper new mixtape inspired by soul music — The S.O.U.L. Tape — is long overdue.

Fab revealed the mixtape's title and cover art on Monday. According to one of his Twitter posts, The S.O.U.L. Tape will be out April 21,

Fabolous' last mixtape was 2010's There Is No Competition 2, which spawned his Ryan Leslie-produced hit "You Be Killin' Em.

Ryan Leslie says G-Unit rapper's song is based on 'personal experience.'

By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Ade Mangum

Lloyd Banks

Photo: MTV News

G-Unit rapper Lloyd Banks wants to bring listeners into the world of a rap star with his new video for "So Forgetful." MTV News caught up with the Queens Mc on the set of the visual for the Ryan Leslie-produced track from his third album, H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2), which was released late last year on G-Unit Records.

"The way we put the record together was kind of how the video is playing out," Banks said about the song's inception. "I stopped by the studio, [Leslie] was working on a few sounds, and he plays everything, from the drums to the keys. So, he basically started, and I just started writing the verses, and it came to life."

Leslie, a multitalented R&B artist,...

'That record is based on a personal experience,' R.Les tells MTV News of his betrayal ballad.

By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Ade Mangum

Ryan Leslie

Photo: MTV News

Ryan Leslie may be best known as a ladies' man (and a child prodigy; he graduated Harvard at 19!), but the singer and producer doesn't always get the girl.

In fact, on his latest track, "Joan of Arc," the Harlem-based crooner waxes poetically about one he had to let get away.

"I wake up to detect messages in my email/ This what I get for messing with pretty females," he sings over stuttered production. "It's a crazy life, yeah it's a mad world/ Where good dudes will betray you over a bad girl/ And bad girls'll take advantage of good dudes."

The song ends with an actual voicemail message Ryan Leslie received from police asking him to come in for questioning.

After months of the highly pumped up and much hyped promise of the short film of Kanye West’s relationship with a fallen angel/phoenix that was really a bit of a letdown, comes out of nowhere a music video clip for All of the Lights. Runaway (the short film) had a trailer that sucked you in and left begging for more as even I followed the status of the updates of premieres, screenings and the release upon this site to an exhaustive state.

This track appeared to be so underused or rather misused in the clip as I felt it was the most off-putting visual accompaniment of Runaway as it looked a bit rushed as it smudged all over the place. Thus Hype Williams who wrote the script for the entirety of that work has returned to fix the mistake by giving us an incredible take on the song.

I will be live-tweeting the 2011 Grammy's tonight. Check out the full list of nominees below:

Follow me on Twitter @NapiersNews now to stay up to date.

Song of the Year

'Beg, Steal or Borrow' -- Ray Lamontagne

'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo

'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert

'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year

'The Suburbs' -- Arcade Fire

'Recovery' -- Eminem

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga

'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

Best New Artist

Justin Bieber

Drake

Florence and the Machine

Mumford and Sons

Esperanza Spalding

Record of the Year

'Nothing on You' -- B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars

'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna

'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo

'Empire State of Mind -- Jay-z Feat. Alicia Keys

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum...

Ne-Yo, Sara Bareilles, Chaka Khan were among the many notable artists who took the stage on Saturday at the hip-hop collective's annual bash.

By Kelly Marino

Jimmy Fallon with the Roots at their Pre-Grammy Jam Session in Hollywood on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images

Hollywood, California — On Saturday night, the eve of the 53rd Grammy Awards, the Roots were unstoppable, unpredictable and unprecedented as they took the stage to perform their seventh annual Pre-Grammy Jam Session. But to call the event just a jam session would be quite the understatement. Similar to the years prior, the Roots played for hours on end, covering every genre of music from the blues to hip-hop to funk and rock and roll while inviting fellow musician friends — both old school and new — onstage.

"Every Jam Session you expect the unexpected," explained drummer ?uestlove when MTV News caught up with him just before his band took the stage.

As we continue our countdown to the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards, we’re predicting a category a day. Today we look at Best Contemporary R&B album. We cannot tell you the difference between this category and the Best R&B album category and we defy you to find anyone who can with a description that makes sense. For example, R. Kelly is considered contemporary R&B, but John Legend is just regular old R&B The two categories would be much stronger if they were combined.... discuss. Best Contemporary R&B Album “Grafitti,” Chris Brown “Untitled,” R Kelly “Transition,” Ryan Leslie “The Archandroid,” Janelle Monae “Raymond...

R&B singer/producer Ryan Leslie has been accused of breaking his promise to hand over a $1 million reward for the safe return of a stolen laptop after it was found and handed into police by a man in Germany. The star was on tour in the European country when a thief swiped the computer from his car last October.

Leslie was so desperate to get the Apple MacBook full of new, unreleased music back, he increased his initial reward offer of $20,000 to $1 million in a video posted on YouTube.com. The laptop was retrieved by a man known as as Bernd P., who claims he found it in a bag while walking through a forest. He handed in the lost property to local authorities, who reportedly reunited Leslie with his gadget.

Bernd P. attempted to reach out to Leslie via email and Twitter.com to alert him to the...

'I chose to really exist above that noise,' he tells MTV News of rumors surrounding his 'You Be Killin' Em' video's leading lady.

By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Matt Elias

Fabolous

Photo: MTV News

Can't a rap star make a quality music video without any commotion?

That seems to be Fabolous' take on his new clip, "You Be Killin' Em," which co-stars Kanye West ex Amber Rose. If you follow the gossip fodder, the chatter is that the two are more than friends, a claim Loso denies.

"We got a lot of great response and recognition from the 'You Be Killin' Em' video," he told MTV News. "The little spice of hate and speculation, I choose to really exist above that noise. That stuff, you can't do nothing about [it], and it's always gonna be there. I tried to bring a great visual to the video world, not just bring the same scenario.

Fabolous' "You Be Killin Em" music video has just arrived, featuring Amber Rose as the leading lady. The ex-girlfriend of Kanye West plays an assassin in disguise and never tells him who she really is until cops raid his home to arrest her.

"You Be Killin Em" is one of the songs appearing in Fabolous' "There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music Mixtape [Ep]" which has been released since August this year. The track features production by Ryan Leslie.

The mini album was released as a pre-cursor to his next studio installment "Loso's Way 2: Rise to Power" which is due sometime in 2011. Explaining the title, he once said in an interview, "The subtitle is gonna be 'Rise To Power.' I think that's appropriate coming off the year I had, and the fact that I'm taking that next step." Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz and Juelz Santana are reportedly lined up as featured guests.

'Kanye's creative process is ever-changing,' Drizzy tells Shade 45.

By Alvin Blanco

Drake

Photo: MTV News

Even if Drake and Kanye West aren't best friends, Drizzy still counts the Chicago rapper/producer as one of his musical idols.

Drake dropped into Shade 45's morning show Thursday (December 9) and chatted it up with host Elliott Wilson on a variety of topics, including being removed from the final version of Yeezy's "All of the Lights."

An early version of the song, whose crowded guest list includes Elton John, La Roux's Elly Jackson, Charlie Wilson and Ryan Leslie, had previously leaked that included Drake, but the Toronto rapper is nowhere to be found on the version that appears on West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

"Kanye's creative process is ever-changing," Drake said, adding that he doesn't know why he was removed. "We make music differently. I make what comes to me and I hate changing it,...

Bruno Mars, Jay-z, Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga trail Em's 10 nods.

By MTV News staff

Eminem

Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

At this point, perhaps we can officially declare Eminem's comeback to be complete. He's already got the year's best-selling album (and a pair of the biggest singles), and now, well, he's the most-nominated artist of the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

On Wednesday night (December 1), Em picked up a staggering 10 Grammy nods, including Song and Record of the Year (for "Love the Way You Lie") and Album of the Year (for Recovery, which is also up for Rap Album of the Year). He also scored noms for Best Rap Solo Performance (for "Not Afraid"), Pop Collaboration With Vocals (for his turn on B.o.B's "Airplanes Part II") and Best Rap Song (for "Lie").

Following (not so) closely behind him is Bruno Mars, who landed seven nominations, followed by Jay-z,...

It’s that time of the year already! The 53rd annual Grammy nominations (for 2011) were announced last night and it’s safe to say that Eminem made a clean sweep popping up in 10 categories. Love the Way you Lie is up for Song and Record of the Tear while Recovery has received nominations for Album and Rap Album of the Year. Just for a quick memory jog, remember who was a big winner at last year’s Grammys? Beyonce! Other big nominees this year include Bruno Mars with seven nominations, and Jay-z, Lady Gaga and Lady Antebellum with six each. John Legend and B.o.B follow closely with five. Katy Perry, who’s performing for VH1 Divas Salute the Troops (Sunday, Dec. 5, at 9/8c), scored four nominations, including one for Album of the Year for Teenage Dream. What’s your take on the nominees this year? Did anyone get left out?...

Hunger for More 2 Mc tells MTV News he's going to 'keep supplying the street,' but tracks 'might not drop on Friday.'

Lloyd Banks

Photo: MTV News

Lloyd Banks just dropped his The Hunger for More 2 album on Monday, but the Queens Mc says he has no plans to quit releasing free music.

MTV News spoke to G-Unit's Boy Wonder about the fate of his weekly Blue Fridays series, and he told us he has to keep feeding the streets.

"As far as the Blue Fridays go, I'm gonna keep going up until the last Friday," Banks said. "So maybe Black Friday, I'll stop there, but that's just that phase. I'll go into a whole new series — I don't want to name anything yet — I'm definitely going to keep putting out content, it just might not drop on Friday."

Banks kicked off Blue Fridays in October to help build...

Elly Jackson praises Yeezy for 'using all the best people you have at your fingertips' on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy posse track.

By Jocelyn Vena

La Roux's Elly Jackson

Photo: MTV News

Kanye West's massive, well-received new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, dropped Monday (November 22), and on it, Yeezy shares the limelight with a number of artists, from fellow MCs Jay-z, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross to singers from a variety of genres, including Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and John Legend. And this is most apparent on his track "All of the Lights."

West's decision to share the spotlight on the song speaks volumes about the rapper, according to La Roux's leading lady, Elly Jackson. Rihanna, Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John (on piano), Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson and Tony Williams all appear on "All of the Lights."

"What I really liked...

'It's not the kind of thing where you can pick it out ... but apparently it's there!' Elly Jackson laughs to MTV News.

By Jocelyn Vena

La Roux's Elly Jackson

Photo: MTV News

If you listen closely, you just might hear La Roux's leading lady, Elly Jackson, on Kanye West's massive My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy track "All of the Lights." And if you do hear her voice on there, you might want to give her a call because, frankly, she can't hear it herself.

"I came to New York, and I did a couple of days in the studio with him," she told MTV News. "He got me to layer up all these vocals with other people, and he just basically wanted to use his favorite vocalists from around the world to create this really unique vocal texture on his record, but it's not the kind of thing...

Singer/producer also gives details on Less Is More during Lloyd Banks' 'RapFix Live' interview.

By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Ryan Leslie

Photo: Andy Sheppard/ Getty Images

Even though Ryan Leslie's computer, which housed many of his creative projects, was recently swiped, the producer/singer remains undaunted as he records his upcoming album.

The "Diamond Girl" crooner Skyped into Lloyd Banks' "RapFix Live" sit-down Thursday (November 11) live from Munich and caught up with MTV News' Sway and the G-Unit soldier, whom he worked with on Banks' Hunger for More 2 cut "So Forgetful." He also chopped it up about the hefty reward he's ready to dole out to whoever can recover his laptop.

"I lost my computer out here in Germany. I actually had my whole new album on there, which I had been working on in secret, and it got stolen. So right...

When Rihanna heard an early version of the album, the posse cut was 'one of my favorite songs.'

By James Montgomery

Rihanna

Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Madrid — For months now, Kanye West has been giving fans a taste of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy through his G.O.O.D. Friday initiative, but for Rihanna, he rolled out his entire album — a move that had just as much to do with their friendship as it did with convincing her to jump on a track.

"[Kanye] actually played his album to me, like, three months ago, and 'All of the Lights,' that was one of my favorite songs," Rihanna told MTV News at the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday. "So when he asked me to come up to the studio at 2 o'clock in the morning, I had to, because I loved it, I knew it was that song.

Song from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy features Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Elton John and others.

By Kyle Anderson

Kanye West and John Legend

Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images

Kanye West's much-anticipated My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy isn't scheduled to arrive in stores until November 22, but another track from the album has made its way onto the Internet. And this one is big.

"All of the Lights," which was first heard in partial form during the marching band scene in West's short film "Runaway," has leaked, and it's one of the most impressive new West songs — not only does it have a bombastic, unapologetically catchy beat, it has a slew of cameo appearances.

Rihanna handles the main hook, but the track also features drop-ins from Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Fergie, Kid Cudi, Elton John (on piano), Ryan Leslie, Charlie Wilson, Tony Williams and La Roux singer Elly Jackson. Even with all those people present,...

'I wanna make a song called 'Futuristic Gs,' ' featuring Nas, the Chicago Mc reveals of what's in the pipeline.

By Jayson Rodriguez, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway and Rahman Dukes

Kanye West

Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables

Series: G.O.O.D. Fridays

Headliner: Kanye West

Key Cameos: Big Sean, Charlie Wilson, CyHi the Prynce, Lloyd Banks, Mos Def, Ryan Leslie and more.

Essential Info:

Will the G.O.O.D. Fridays music series eventually become a mixtape? Who knows? We thought tracks like "Devil in a New Dress" and "Monster" were just gems Yeezy was giving his fans for free. Then he went and put both on the forthcoming My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy LP.

So Kanye doesn't seem to know entirely what to make of the weekly deliveries he's been posting on his blog since August. According to the producer, the tracks...

G.O.O.D. Friday series and epic TV performances thrust 'Ye back into the spotlight.

By Paul Cantor

Kanye West

Photo: Getty Images

Some artists are so hot, they can make up for almost a full year out of the spotlight in just a few short months. Well, at least Kanye West can.

Even though he was featured on popular songs like "Forever," with Drake, Eminem and Lil Wayne, and Jay-z's "Run This Town," 'Ye essentially went into hiding after his infamous run-in with Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs, traveling to Europe to intern at Fendi and, later, Hawaii to begin recording his forthcoming LP, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, due November 22. While he resurfaced with the anthemic single "Power" in late May and its accompanying "Portrait of Power" art installation in early August, it was really the oddest of things — his joining of Twitter — that signified Kanye...

Plus Jason Bateman in drag and chewing gum, Ryan Leslie's 15 minutes are mercifully almost over, and Chad Allen vs. TV's top serial killer.

Happy Birthday to Antony Cotton, who turns 35 today

George Michael will release a special remastered version of his classic 1987 album Faith on September 17. Personally, I'm patiently waiting for the remastered version of Andrew Ridgeley's solo album Son of Albert. BBC3 will air the pilot of The Inn Mates next Monday, and if it garners good ratings, it may go to series. The show is about a gay former sperm donor "who is shocked when one of his offspring tracks him down and tries to blackmail him into being a proper father." It stars a lot of people I'm unfamiliar with, so could any of our UK readers give us a heads up? Does it look promising, or is there cause for concern? Target has apologized...

Melanie Fiona, Estelle, J. Cole, Jeremiah, B.o.B. and Laura Izibor have been selected for the second season of Bet's "Rising Icons." The launch event was held at a NYC hotspot last night, with Fiona performing. The show, a peek into the lives of these ascending stars, runs along with a twelve-city tour. Last year's Icons were Keri Hilson, Wale, The-Dream, and Ryan Leslie.

Plus the Teen Choice Awards just got hunkier, Kylie Minogue is Logo's Ask the Expert, and Russell T. Davies talks the new Torchwood.

John Amaechi: "Proof I do still get off the ground (just about!)"

Retired NBA basketball legend John Amaechi shoots the first basket in the new Olympic basketball arena in London today as part of the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games. How cool is it an out player get's to christen the arena? Big Glee news: the replacement for Idina Menzel as coach of Vocal Adrenaline is none other than Cheyenne Jackson! It's a recurring role, but there can never be enough Cheyenne in my life. Glee is also replacing Tenaka (Patrick Gallagher) as the football coach. The new coach will be named Shannon Beiste, played by actress Dot Jones. That should provide some female rivalry for Sue Sylvester, and mayhem in the lockerroom for shy Finn.

Plus Matthew Mitcham is precious, Sir Ian McKellen wows South Africa, and Adam Lambert says the process of touring is anything but glam.

I’ve got so much information, I don’t know where to start. Comic-Con dominated the news in the entertainment world this weekend. We have a growing gallery of pictures on our Facebook page. News related to fantasy projects – swords, kings, magic, ghosts, vampires, gods, werewolves, etc. is best summarized over with our friends at TheTorchOnline.com. We’ll mix it up from there.

Over the weekend, GLAAD issued a call-to-action about homophobic and violent tweets from MTV’s Real World:New Orleans housemate Ryan Leslie. He had responded to a call that his behavior on the show was homophobic with “@xxxxx I would love to see you in person, and smash your gay f*cking face in.” GLAAD wants you to respond to Ryan, and they include MTV in the sample response,...

We've yet to see what happens with the already infamous toothbrush-peeing incident on The Real World New Orleans 2, but the cast member at the center of it, Preston Roberson-Charles, has offered an odd justification for his actions even while saying he "will be vindicated." "I think when it comes to the conflict with Ryan Leslie and I, it was his basic lack of interest in social issues and maturity. I wanted to help him...

Ryan Maloney creates an animated music video for Asher Roth's song titled "Toni Braxton". In this clip, the rapper narrates his meteoric journey to stardom which then led him to share a spotlight with such big stars as Toni Braxton.

It seems that the music video is inspired by Body English event where Asher Roth and Toni Braxton both attended at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas earlier this year. Joining them in the star-studded bash at that time were Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Stephanie Pratt and Tyrese Gibson.

"Seared Foie Gras with Quince & Cranberry" is the new mixtape where "Toni Braxton" appears. Musicians involved in the making of this street album are B.o.B, Kanye West, Ryan Leslie and many others.

As of late, Asher is occupied with recording sessions for his sophomore set. Pharrell Williams is tagged to help him finish the upcoming effort. "We linked up in Miami,...

The Real World used to cast a bunch of slightly mismatched young adults with obvious ideological and cultural differences, but for the past seven years (give or take), they've chosen six archetypes and one totally toxic center. We had Ayiiia in Cancun, Paula in Key West, and now in Back to New Orleans we have Ryan Leslie, a Tempe, Arizona hairstylist who flits, fumes, and remarks about a female castmate's miniskirt, "You're just asking to get raped." Yep, a charmer on all fronts. And there's 25 more bullets where that came from -- just from last night's premiere! Can you name them? Ready? Go!

Jazmine Sullivan is gearing up to follow up her first studio album "Fearless" with a sophomore set. The first offering from the new effort is "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" which is co-produced by Missy Elliott.

The brand new single is out now, available for request on radio stations. Soon after the track makes its way out, Sullivan wrote on Twitter, "Thanks everyone for the love. request 'holding u down' on ur radio stations." Elliott also does the same thing on her own page.

Jazmine Sullivan's upcoming release is yet to have working title and release date. In addition to Missy Elliot, those rumored to be involved in the making of the album included Ne-Yo, Stargate, Ryan Leslie, Lamb and Salaam Remi.

Beside focusing on her next studio installment, Sullivan also records a soundtrack for 2010 FIFA World Cup. She sings a song called "Ke Nako" with J Pre,...

It is official, Ryan Leslie has parted ways with Universal Motown since last month. Although he didn't make formal announcement about the departure, the singer took a subtle jab at the label during a recent concert at New York City's Bowery Ballroom.

Before singing "Guardian Angel", one of the songs in his second album "Transition", at the June 23 gig, Ryan told the crowd, "I've always wanted to play these songs but I couldn't before." He added, "I always felt like this song should be a single."

Now that he is no longer in Universal, Ryan wants to release his next studio album "Less Is More" independently. "I saw that as a window to potentially branch off and try something that was going to be new and dynamic," he told Billboard.

In addition to focusing on his own record, Ryan Leslie admitted that he has also been in studio, producing songs...