TOP 5 RICHEST HIP HOP ARTISTS

#5 50 Cent

$110 million

#4 Brian “Baby” “Birdman” “Stunna” Williams

$125 million

#3 Dr.Dre

$270 million

#2 Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter

$460 million

#1 Diddy

$550 million

Jay-z's Rocawear Partners Up With New York Yankees

Jay-Z regularly shouts out his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees, by sporting their signature fitted hats. On April 4 the rapper’s company Rocawear announced he’ll show his support more formally through a new partnership with the 27-time World Series Champions.

According to a press release, Rocawear will have branded signage in Yankee stadium, in addition to integrated promotion through the 2012 season.

“Jay-Z has been a long-time fan of the Yankees, regularly attends games and has even included his favorite team in song lyrics, so this was a natural partnership,” said Jameel Spencer, EVP Marketing, men’s division, Iconix Brand Group, Inc. “Rocawear, along with Jay-Z are very excited to be working with the Yankees for the 2012 season. We feel another championship in ‘12!”

Jay-Z and The Yankees previously teamed up in 2010 to produce a limited edition “Blueprint 3/Yankees” clothing line that featured hats, shirts and jerseys that carried the rapper's stage name, real name and "Blueprint 3" logo.

DMX Goes In On Drake, Rick Ross, & Jay-Z

DMX never holds back, and during an interview on New York's Power 105, the Dog spoke his mind freely. X, who is performing a homecoming concert Thursday night in New York, spoke with the Breakfast Club personalities, Angela Yee, DJ Envy and Charlamagne, opening up about his career and giving his take on some of rap's newest stars.

The Dog let loose his collaboration with MTV's 2011 Hottest Breakthrough MC Machine Gun Kelly on "I Don't Dance." While Dark Man X praised MGK, saying that he was better than 80 percent of the rappers today, he wasn't as impressed with Drake. When asked if he liked Drake, X responded, "No," without any hesitation. "I don't like anything about Drake," he stated freely. "I don't like his fucking voice; I don't like the shit he talks about; I don't like his face; I don't like the way he walks. Nothing. I don't like his haircut."

It didn't seem that DMX had a personal problem with the Young Money standout, but Drake clearly isn't his cup of tea. Neither is Rick Ross. "I'm just not impressed, man," he said when asked about his opinion on Rick's lyrical prowess.

X also went on to reveal that he turned down a deal with Ross' Maybach Music Group. He received interest from the label while he was in prison last year, but he didn't think MMG was a good fit. "I appreciated the offer, but I really couldn't see it happening like that," he said.

DMX is getting ready to release his next LP, "Undisputed", sometime this year, though he wouldn't commit to the rumored March date. In his new record deal, all X says he's looking for is the proper promotion and creative control. It's a push that he didn't feel he got during his last few years on Def Jam when his former Murda Inc. rhyming partner Jay-Z was the company's president. "When he first got the job he gave me a call like, 'Yo Dog the inmates are running the building, we good,' " he said of a conversation that took place between him and Jay some years ago as DMX was prepping his sixth album for the label.

In DMX's mind, his former collaborator felt threatened by the onetime rap superstar. "How do you listen to a whole album, pick a single, shoot a video, then don't know," X questioned about Jay's presidential motives at the time. "OK, I see what's really good; you're trying to eliminate the competition."

Lil Wayne Disses Jay-Z, Kanye West In New Freestyle

Hours before Lil Wayne and Jay-z & Kanye West face off in the Grammy battle for Best Rap Album, Wayne threw shots during YMCMB's pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles.

After receiving some new sales plaques for his wall, announcing that he had signed R&B singer Christina Milian and paying homage to the late Whitney Houston, Wayne dropped an acappella freestyle directed at Jay-Z and Kanye West. "I met a bad red bone, I took the bitch home/ I asked her what she want to watch, she said, 'Surely not the Throne,' " Weezy spit before he dropped the mic and moseyed offstage, according to Rap Radar.

Jay returned fire at the top of 2011. On the Throne's "H.A.M.," Jigga made it clear that not only was Birdman, a.k.a. Baby, and Wayne not holding any Hov-caliber bucks, but that financially they couldn't even compare to his wife, Beyoncé. "I'm like, 'Really, half-a-billi?' Nigga, really, you got Baby money/ Keep it real with niggas, niggas ain't got my lady money," Jay rhymed.

Not to be outdone, Weezy waited a few months, but responded in August of last year on "It's Good," a track from his Tha Carter IV LP, which also featured Jadakiss and Drake. "Talkin' 'bout Baby money? I got your Baby money/ Kidnap yo' bitch, get that how much you love your lady money," Wayne rapped in direct response to Jay's "H.A.M." line.

So let's see who wins, and what is said during the acceptance speech

First Pics of Blue Ivy Carter

New Music Video: Jay-Z & Kanye West "Niggas In Paris"

Kanye West and Jay-Z finally release a visual for their hit single, “Niggas In Paris” from their joint album, "Watch the Throne". The video features footage from their tour in Los Angeles, where it’s said that they performed the track 10 times in a row.

Blue Ivy Now Has A Strain Of Marijuana Named After Her

Beyonce and Jay-Z's baby Blue Ivy isn't just the youngest person to appear on the Billboard charts she's also the youngest person to have her own strain of marijuana named after her.

Now weed dispensaries in Hollywood are cashing in on hip hop's baby princess by selling a new strain of marijuana called "OG Blue Ivy."

So far, none of the dispensaries have received any sort of legal notice from the couple.

Beyonce Suffered Miscarriage Before Blue Ivy

Jay-Z just revealed that Beyonce suffered a miscarriage before conceiving their daughter Blue Ivy.

The rapper dropped the bombshell in his newest song "Glory" which he released today in honor of Blue Ivy's birth this weekend rapping, "Last time the miscarriage was so tragic/We was afraid you'd disappear/But nah baby you magic."

The song was produced by Pharrell and even includes an audio sample of Blue Ivy crying just moments after she was born.

Among the proud fatherly lyrics "The most amazing feeling I feel, words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue, my greatest creation was you."

Pics Of Beyonce & Jay-z's Daughter Ivy Blue

Beyonce gave birth to a baby girl named Ivy Blue Carter in New York City on Saturday

Proud dad Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, was at the hospital where Beyonce reportedly birthed Ivy by c-section.
Rihanna tweeted, "Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih"

News: Jay-z Sued For $18,000

Jay-Z has a new lawsuit filed against the rapper by the Workers Compensation Board of New York.

Jay-Z failed to pay workers' compensation insurance for three months in 2009, the insurance was supposed to cover domestic employees in Jay-Z's house cooks, maids, drivers etc.

The government agency sued the rapper to collect $18,000 in fines for the transgression and a court has since ordered Jay to pay up.

Jay-Z claims the rapper never lapsed in his workers' comp payments saying the $18,000 bill is the result of a clerical error which is currently being sorted out.

"Money ain't a thang" to Jay-z right?

News: Jay-Z & Kanye West "Watch The Throne Part 2"

According to Jay, both himself and Kanye West have solo projects and  another collaborative album in the works.

Depending on the conclusion of the already highly successful Watch the Throne tour, Jigga told MTV.com that fans might expect a lot more from the pair.

One of the more popular singles  "Niggas In Paris," recently broke into the Top 10. The high-powered single marks Jay-Z's 18th Top 10 hit, putting him past Lil Wayne and Ludacris as the rapper with the most Top 10 songs in chart history."Niggas in Paris" has been one of the most-talked-about moments of Jay's and Kanye's ongoing Watch the Throne tour, where the duo have been known to perform the track up to eight times back to back. It was also performed during the November 29 telecast of the Victoria's Secret Fashion show.
Jay-Z and Kanye West ride into Las Vegas tonight for the tour, which ends on Dec. 18 in Vancouver, B.C. and then they will be returning into the studio.

News: Jay-z Headlines Carnegie Hall For Charity

Jay-z will become the first solo hip-hop artist to headline Carnegie Hall on Feb. 6 and 7, playing a pair of charity concerts benefitting the United Way of New York City and Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. He made the announcement at Carnegie Hall Thursday alongside key execs like Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, Gordon Campbell, president-CEO of United Way of New York City and Dania Diaz, executive director of the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

Tickets for the shows will begin with a private sale geared toward corporations and high net-worth individuals, ranging in price from $500 to $2,500 apiece. A public sale will tentatively kick off on Jan. 30 to minimize ticket scalping, with prices more in the range of a typical Jay-Z concert. "We're gonna have some legendary nights, some loud music and it's gonna be a fun, beautiful experience," Jay-Z said.

News: Georgetown University Offers A Jay-Z Class

On a lyrical level, fans and foes have studied Jay-Z. He even picked apart his rhymes himself with his book Decoded.

Jay-z has now became the subject of a college course. Thanks to author and professor Michael Eric Dyson, students at Georgetown University can now pine over the lyrics and life of Sean Corey Carter.

Beginning this semester, Dyson offered a course called the "Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z." The class focuses on any and all social issues, including sexuality, capitalism, racial and gender identity and economic inequality.

The professor tells Fox News, the Brooklyn rapper is an appropriate subject because “I think he's an icon of American excellence." In the class, Dyson covers topics like Hova's Grammy wins, his marriage to Beyoncé and his musical collaborations with Kanye West.

What a nice Birthday present also, he just turned 42 and Beyonce is about to deliver his first child.

News: Beyonce Addresses Fake Pregnancy Rumors

Beyonce realized she's living in a Rihanna world, after disappointing album sales for her album "4", what better way to keep her name in the press, then carry a child.

It's been rumored that she hired a surrogate mother, so she can protect her shape but according to Beyonce herself, it's just a rumor. She's really pregnant and due at the end of December.

There's a reason why Beyonce is keeping mum about her exact due date, which she explained to Katie Couric on "20/20" Friday night.

"The truth is, it's safety," the 30-year-old mother to be says. "I just want to make sure I can have a peaceful day. And I want to make sure my child is protected."

She also brushes off reports that she's had bizarre pregnancy cravings, including putting ketchup on everything and chili sauce on ice cream.

"I was on a plane and the flight attendant came and was like, 'I have your hot sauce and pickles and bananas.' And I'm like, 'That is absolutely disgusting, what are you doing?' He's like, 'I read it on the internet,'" Beyonce laughed.

When asked how excited about the baby Jay-Z was, Knowles said, "You can only imagine, and multiply that. It's very exciting for both of us and our families ... Everyone is so anxious. It's like the time just can't come fast enough."

News: Jay-Z Is GQ's Man Of The Year

GQ Magazine named Jay-Z Man Of The Year. Here are a few snippets from the interview:

Jay-Z on Kanye’s obsessing over micro details during the recording of the album:

“I think he just can’t help himself,” Jay says. “He puts so much into everything, and he’s like, ‘You have to treat it like I treat it.’ It drives you crazy sometimes—like when you’ve put seventy-five versions of a snare on one song and he’s like, ‘No!’ and you’re like, ‘Come on, man.’ ”

On his father leaving and how that affected him:

“If your dad died before you were born, yeah, it hurts—but it’s not like you had a connection with something that was real,” Jay says. “Not to say it’s any better—but to have that connection and then have it ripped away was, like, the worst. My dad was such a good dad that when he left, he left a huge scar. He was my superhero.”I talked about what it did to me, what it meant, asked him why. There was no real answer. There was nothing he could say, because there’s no excuse for that. There really isn’t. So there was nothing he could say to satisfy me, except to hear me out. And it was up to me to forgive and let it go.”

On their decision to announce their baby at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards:

“It was actually Bey who wanted to announce it,” Jay says. “You want to be in control of your life.”

News: Jay-Z Throws A Carnival For College Kids

On Thursday night, Jay-Z hosted a carnival at the Hudson River Park pier for his Shawn Carter Foundation. But it wasn't all Ferris wheels and funnel cakes  unfortunately Momofuku doesn't make those. The event was called "Making Ordinary Extraordinary", and it sought to raise funds for college scholarships.

MTV caught up with Mr. Carter at the event, where he said the evening was about having fun while raising money for a good cause. Jay-z said two of the worst things in life are a waste of talent and a person who applies him or herself but is unable to advance due to financial hardship. He hoped this foundation would help ease such burdens and assist people in recognizing their potential.

"Just providing opportunity and seeing what people do with that opportunity. If you want to go further and you want to further your education, just giving someone that extra little push so that maybe you'll turn out to be someone special," Jay-z said.

Jay-z and his mother, Gloria Carter, started the foundation in 2002 to help those facing socioeconomic difficulties further their education at institutions of higher learning. The foundation started with one student earning a full ride through college and grew to offer 50 scholarships to students in 50 different states annually from 2003 to 2005. More than 750 students have been awarded scholarships totaling in excess of $1.1 million, and nearly 500 kids have taken part in the foundation's college tours  some even rode the bus with Jay-z's mom.

"My mom has been running this for a number of years," said Jay. "My mom gets on the bus and takes the kids and takes them to their orientations and she's been riding around the college. It's a real grassroots thing that she's been doing on her own, and I'm just really trying to help her expand it so we can help more people. It started out as a Brooklyn thing, and then it started as a New York thing, and now hopefully we can take it to a worldwide thing."

News: Jay-Z And Kanye West To Auction Off Maybach

Kanye West and Jay-Z, want folks to know they do more than strip down Maybach’s for the “Otis” video.

AllHipHop.com reports reps for the two chart toppers confirm they are planning to auction the sleek black vehicle, stripped in their first "Watch the Throne" single, to help people struggling through the drought disaster currently taking place in the Horn of Africa.

The car is said to worth an estimated $280,000. Other celebrities signed up to help out the region through the Save The Children's “I'm Gonna Be Your Friend” campaign are Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Rihanna.

Back in 2006, Jay-Z participated in a "Water for Life" campaign with UNICEF, which was documented on MTV.

New Music Video: Jay-z & Kanye West "Otis"

Check out the first video from Jay-z and Kanye West off their joint album titled "Otis"

News: Jay-Z Shuts Down Kanye West Rumors

Watch the Throne is still a week away from being released on iTunes, and there are already reports of infighting between Jay-Z and Kanye West.

On Monday morning (August 1), the New York Post's Page Six reported that Hov and Yeezy are "barely speaking to each other," feuding over the particulars of their upcoming tour. Unnamed sources told the Post that Kanye wanted to spend upward of $400,000 per show on a flashy set during the duo's upcoming Watch the Throne jaunt and the more frugal Jay-Z was against it.

Well, Hov swung through New York City's Hot 97 later Monday and told radio host Angie Martinez that things weren't as they seemed.

"I kinda want to spend a gazillion dollars. They got it backwards, but it's all good," Hov said with his trademark laugh during the interview. "I know that we're doing something right now. When I woke up to all that, I was like, 'Oh yeah, we must be really hot right now.' "

Jay made it clear that Kanye is his "brother," and that relationship does come with some brotherly tension.

"Yes, we get on each other's nerves, but that's part of pushing each other. We push each other. The people who have a problem with Kanye or myself are the people that are complacent in life," he said. "People don't like to be pushed. It's, like, annoying. It's a thing when people are pushing you to be greater, and we push each other to be greater. So of course there are times when we're in the studio, we're yelling, but that's about it."

Aside from the occasional argument, Jay dispelled any notion of things getting physical — and if they did, he said the world would never know.

"I would never disrespect that man. I have so much respect for him. Put my hands on him?" Jay questioned rhetorically. "And if I did, it would be like the backyard, like brothers, and you would never hear about it."

News: Jay-z, Kanye West "The Throne" TOUR DATES

It has finally been confirmed that on August 8 Jay-Z and Kanye West will release their highly anticipated joint album, "Watch the Throne"

The duo has officially named their group "The Throne".

To support the album there going on a tour as well. So make sure to check them out. Rihanna will be making guest appearances through out the tour as well.

September 22 - Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
September 24 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
September 25 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
September 27 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
September 28 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
September 29 - Washington DC @ Verizon Center
October 4 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
October 6 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
October 7 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
October 8 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
October 10 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
October 13 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
October 14 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
October 16 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
October 17 - Sacramento, CA @ Power Balance Pavilion
October 19 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
October 20 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
October 21 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
October 25 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
October 26 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
October 29 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
October 30 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
November 1 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
November 3 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden