Jay Sean is betting big on his next record. The Cash Money crooner could barely contain his excitement while speaking about his Pitbull-assisted single “I’m All Yours,” set to drop in the next month.
“It’s gonna be a smash and I’m saying it right now because the video is insane,” he told Rap-Up TV at Cash Money’s pre-Grammy party in Hollywood. “We shot it in Miami—yachts, helicopters, speed boats, all of that good stuff.”
The song will appear on his upcoming fourth album, which he likened to his 2011 mixtape The Mistress.
“Half of the album is R&B. It’s slow jams,” he explained. “It’s the kind of stuff I’ve been dying to do, but never had the chance. But the way I looked at it, I’ve been 10 years in the game now, it’s about time that I can get a little sexy on this album.”
Fans of his dance floor-ready hits like “Down” won’t be disappointed though. “Of course I’m not gonna not give them the other side of me, which is the fun side of me—the party guy, the guy who just likes to enjoy himself.”
“I’m back!” said Mystikal, while surrounded by his YMCMB family at Cash Money’s pre-Grammy bash in Hollywood. The New Orleans rapper, who was incarcerated for six years, thanked his fans for their support and revealed some of the collaborators on his Cash Money debut including Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, and Rick Ross.
“To leave them with their hands in the air like that and come back and their hands still up after six years, that’s flattering, humbling, and everything,” a grateful Mystikal told Rap-Up TV.
His first album since 2001’s Tarantula is due later this year. “This album’s gonna be well, well worth the wait. Trust me.”
T.I. served the streets with his mixtape F*ck Da City Up and now he’s ready to take over radio once again. Rico Love reveals that he has produced a new single for T.I.’s upcoming album Trouble Man.
“I did a new song for T.I. and Usher,” he tells Rap-Up TV. “It’s just a dope, dope collabo. Usher and Tip, two Atlanta natives. This time I finally feel like they got a record that’s gonna be a humongous hit.”
He is so confident, he’s even willing to bet on it. “I’d bet the bank on this record. I’m excited about it.”
Love has recorded three to four other songs for Trouble Man including a collaboration with Trey Songz.
Everything Tyga touches turns to gold these days, including his car. The “Rack City” rapper showed off his brand new set of wheels to go with his new album Careless World: Rise of the Last King, available Tuesday.
“It’s a gold [Audi] R8,” Tyga told Rap-Up TV, with his girlfriend Blac Chyna riding shotgun. “I’ve been doing the gold thing for a minute and I don’t copy nobody. I just do what I do. This is one of one, so when you see two of two, you know who did it first.”
Young Money’s golden child spoke about his collaborations with Nicki Minaj on “Mothafucka Up” (“It’s like a ‘A Milli’”) and Nas and Wale on “King & Queens,” which he plans to shoot a video for soon.
In addition, he shared his awkward encounter with Mike Tyson at the boxer’s daughter’s birthday party and memories of Whitney Houston. Big Sean even surprised him with a phone call during the interview.
Brandy and Monica are reuniting and it feels so good. The ladies linked up at Thursday’s rehearsals for Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton, where they performed their 1998 classic “The Boy Is Mine” and new collaboration “It All Belongs to Me.” Even Whitney Houston showed up to lend her support ahead of Saturday’s big event honoring Sir Richard Branson.
Afterwards, they sat down with legendary music executive Clive Davis to discuss reuniting after 14 years, their new Rico Love-produced song, and upcoming albums.
Brandy’s as-yet-untitled RCA/Chameleon Records debut is due in May, featuring production from Frank Ocean, Sean Garrett, and Love. “It’s just gonna be a different album, but of course expressing the love that I feel now and the struggles and the different situations that I’ve gone through in the past,” said the R&B singer, who also plans to record a song from Drake.
Monica shared details about her seventh album New Life, due April 10. “New Life is just a representation of me accepting that the things of my past just set me up to be able to embrace what’s for my future,” she told Rap-Up TV. “I’m happy with where I am and I have to embrace my new life to remain that way.”
One collaboration you can expect is with Wale. “Wale is a dear friend of mine, so we’re like brother and sister and he came in and did a record with myself and Rico Love,” revealed Mo. “So I was able to do something different and reach into a different place, singing my falsettos.”
Remember the name Rita Ora. The 21-year-old Albanian singer, who Rap-Up.com named one of 10 Artists to Watch, scored a deal with Roc Nation and is prepping her debut for release this summer with heavy-hitters including Drake, The-Dream, and Stargate.
During her recent trip to Los Angeles, Rap-Up TV caught up with the blonde bombshell for one of her first stateside interviews. She chatted about pursuing her dream at the age of six, growing up in the small town of Prishtina, Kosovo, signing to Roc Nation, and getting guidance from her label boss Jay-Z.
“He’s very honest and he’s very genuine and helpful,” said Rita of Mr. Carter. “It’s a great voice to listen to. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
The London resident, who co-starred in the video for Drake’s “Over,” also shared her dreams of collaborating with Gwen Stefani (“Do you know how much I love that woman?”) and getting feedback from another one of her superstar idols, Beyoncé.
“She’s helped me out a lot. I try to play things and get her opinion,” said Rita, who appears on DJ Fresh’s single “Hot Right Now.” “To have one of the inspirations in your face while you’re doing your first album is just like what.”
Tank caught up with Rap-Up TV on set of the Mike Ho-directed video for his first single “Next Breath.” “It’s a record that digs deep into the male ego,” explained the singer-songwriter. “It goes beyond apologizing. It shows women the things that we go through that they never get to see.”
The R&B heartthrob’s fifth album Savior, due in May, features contributions from Danja, Jerry Wonda, Mario Winans, Troy Taylor, Kevin McCall, Eric Hudson, and more. “Savior reintroduces that man,” he said. “That man may not be perfect, but is going to try with all his heart to be whatever that woman needs. We’ve lost sight of that. It’s become the player and pimp age, and now we want to reintroduce the grown man age.”
Standing on set of the downtown L.A. shoot, Tank broke down the concept for the visuals. “It’s after the breakup, maybe two months down the line when I’m feeling like I really need this woman,” he said. “We go behind the scenes into the bedroom, into the house, where this man is basically going through it. He won’t eat, he won’t sleep. He comes up with this idea to honor her he’s going to build a shrine for her. A little bit psychotic, but sometimes we get that way.”
When it comes to R&B these days, Tank believes the genre is headed in the right direction. “I think R&B is in a good place right now,” he shared. “I’m always a fan of Chris [Brown], I’m always a fan of Trey [Songz]. Loving Jazmine Sullivan. She’s kicking butt and taking names right now.”
Nicki Minaj’s friends and frequent producing partners Pop & Oak—comprised of Andrew “Pop” Wansel and Warren “Oak” Felder—helped her score a No. 1 hit with her debut single “Your Love.” Now the hitmakers, who have worked with Big Sean (“Marvin & Chardonnay”) and Trey Songz (“Unusual”), are reuniting with rap’s reigning diva for her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. While careful not to reveal too much, the dynamic duo did offer Rap-Up TV a hint of what to expect come April 3.
“There’s more surprises this time,” said Pop. “I think she’s proven, like, ‘Yo, I can rap. I’m probably the best girl to really do this shit ever.’ Now she’s more comfortable and she’s having a little more fun.”
Whether you prefer the more grimy Nicki who rhymes on “Stupid Hoe” or the vulnerable Nicki who sings on “Save Me,” the album will have something for everyone. “She’s smart enough and she’s gonna figure out how to give a balance,” added Pop. “She’s so diverse and that’s a gift and a curse for her. This time she focused more on giving every side.”
Pop also assured her Barbz that they wouldn’t be disappointed. “There’s a lot of surprises for them on this album. They’ll be really happy.”
In addition to Pop & Oak, Nicki has been in the studio with Hit-Boy, Dr. Luke, and Ester Dean (“Super Bass”), crafting the follow-up to her 2010 debut Pink Friday.
In the final part of his interview with Rap-Up TV, T-Pain opens up about his friendship with Chris Brown and Ke$ha.
“I think my relationship with Chris is better than anybody else,” shares the “5 O’Clock” singer. “I don’t think I chill or bond with any other artist like that.”
T-Pain collaborated twice with Chris on his new album rEVOLVEr. “He’s winning more than anybody right now,” says a supportive Pain. “I don’t bother him, I don’t even call him, I just wait till he calls me.”
While they may seem like an odd pair, he and Ke$ha bonded because they’re both “rock stars.” But the “TiK ToK” singer is holding out on a collaboration. “She’s disappeared off the face of the Earth,” jokes Pain. “She has a song for me, but she don’t want to give it to me ’cause she think I’ma put it out.”
