“He’s kinda more concerned about getting as much music as he possibly can, so that when he’s in there, people are still satisfied musically with Lil Wayne product. That’s just the mind of a true businessman. I’ll just do what I can to keep the whole Young Money/ Cash Money team going. I just want to play my part as a team member and keep the brand strong until the boss gets home.”

Rapper Drake, speaking to RapUp.com about Lil Wayne’s impending stay in jail. • Read full story

At the Atlanta Civic Center, Young Jeezy — who often has high-profile guests to join him onstage — pulled off a huge move during the BET Hip-Hop Awards, kicking off the show by bringing out surprise guest Jay-Z. Hov and Young opened the show with “As Real As It Gets,” with the two hip-hop heavyweights going back and forth on verses. With the audience on their feet by song’s end, Jeezy said, “Welcome to Atlanta.”

Jay later took home the MVP of the Year award, beating out such popular peers as Lil Wayne and Drake. Hov dedicated his win to Mr. Magic, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. “Brooklyn, we did it again,” he said at the conclusion of his brief speech.

Other big winners announced during the show were Drake for Rookie of the Year and DJ AM for DJ of the Year. • Read full story

DJ Khaled f. Usher, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy & Drake – Fed Up (download?)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio: Drake – Beautiful Music (download?)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Audio: Drake – Beautiful Music (download?)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

After a 2-year hiatus, the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards are back! Hosted by Academy Award-nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the CENTRIC special will also feature performances by Toni Braxton, Erykah Badu, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke, Fantasia and many more. With that said, our homeboy Drizzy Drake is up for 3 nominations! Check them out below:

BEST NEW ARTIST
Drake
Jazmine Sullivan
Keri Hilson
Ryan Leslie
Solange

RECORD OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER AWARD)
Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)”
Drake – “Best I ever had”
Jamie Foxx Ft/T-Pain – “Blame it”
Keri Hilson – “Knock You Down”
Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”

BEST COLLABORATION
Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock you Down”
Keyshia Cole featuring Monica – “Trust”
Mario featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett – “Break up”
Mary Mary featuring Kierra (KiKi) Sheard – “God In Me”
Trey Songz featuring Drake – “Successful”

Let’s hope he brings something home. The 2009 Soul Train Music Awards will premiere on Sunday, November 29 at 9PM on BET. Make sure you tune in!

Source: PR Newswire

Timbaland f. Drake – Say Something (download?)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Drake said, unequivocally, he isn’t dissing Tupac Shakur on “Fear.” He’s just pointing out that he was too young to fully feel the impact of the music icon at the time of his passing.

“I never cried when ‘Pac died,” Drake raps on the song from his So Far Gone EP. “But I probably will when Hov does/ And if my tears hold value, then I would drop one for every single thing he showed us/ And I’ll be standing in a puddle.”

Recently calling in from Toronto, Drake explained his lines. • Read full story

Richie Wess ft. Drake & Yung Dred – Play Ball (download?)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

This would be amazing. Drake and Trey Songz make amazing music together. Thoughts?

Aside from embarking on his first headlining tour, Trey Songz is already contemplating a new project with the help of longtime friend Drake. Songz recently spoke about their friendship and the possibility of releasing a joint album with the rapper.

Songz, who was friends with Drake before his recent success, had nothing but kind words for the rapper in a recent interview with Rap-Up.com.

“We enjoy making music, and we sit back and laugh about a lot of things — life,” Songz said. “Look forward to seeing more music from us. I think we’ll make music together as long as we’re both making music.” • Read full story

“At the end of the day, one of the biggest things I’ve been toying with on Thank Me Later is that it’s kind of hard for me to come out and be like, ‘I’m still the underdog,’ ” Drake told Mixtape Daily. “I can’t rap about the same things [as I did] on So Far Gone, so it’s just really trying to tell the greatest story that’s never been told, which is the story of a rapper’s come-up, and tell it without being corny or over bragging or sounding like, ‘Feel sorry for me.’ It’s going to be a very interesting record because I’m really going to have to dig deep and tell stories that people can relate to. But it’s kind of hard, because my life is at a very different place now.

• Read full story