Light Up: Will Rita Ora Take Over Roc Nation?

What’s a Jay-Z blueprint without girls, girls, girls? With the exception of Amil, a lady under Jigga’s wing has as much potential, if not more than the Roc Boys (sorry Bleek). Which brings us to
Rita Sahatçiu Ora, the Albanian-born singer, raised in the UK, now a jewel on his Roc Nation label. We know what you’re thinking: Jay-Z’s executive decisions suck a million. Try looking at Rihanna who evolved from a bubbly teenie-bopper sensation into the edgy rated R pop star. So Ri Ri isn’t the last girl on Earth after all because Ri-ta, her European a-alike is already running London town leaving behind her cute glow in music and movies. After the jump see how her aura is spreading. Lights, please.
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Stream: Usher f. Jay-Z and Ester Dean, “Hot Toddy” MP3

Many giggles were shared this morning in the Suite when we saw the name of this song. Apparently Usher has been chilling with some grandmothers from Eastern Europe. It would be kinda ill though if you could order a hot toddy at the bodega but we’re pretty sure thats not poppin’ in ATL or Marcy. It doesn’t even matter though because we can almost guarantee this will bump in the clubs. Jay’s verse on this is beast for lack of better words. Hot toddy, her papi like cognac/Her mama like herb tea, we burnt a couple of sacks/and as the tea steeped I creeped all in her teepee/we did it indian style had the girl speaking. We’re gonna stop here before we go full STAN. Jay just throws away amazing verses on other people’s jams. Can we just make a compilation of his best features? Sadly, most people will take his Illuminati reference seriously but we over here are taking his FIVE PERCENTER reference seriously. Peace to the god.
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Video: Rihanna Covers “Wonderwall” by Oasis (After Jay-Z)

If Rihanna was the last girl on earth (like for real), would Oasis want her stinking up singing “Wonderwall”? It’s really not one of those songs that when it’s covered you’d expect a standing ovation, and maybe even a tear.

Doing “Wonderwall” is so easy a caveman could do it. Two years ago Jay-Z made it relevant for non-Oasis fans when he went left field with his version at Glastonbury. As much applause Rihanna deserves for something refreshing, she’s riding with Hov (and his coattails) for his jab at Noel Gallagher. From the look of the short clip, she didn’t seem like she went all the way.
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Dedication: Diddy Feeling Himself At An All-Time Outrageous

Diddy done did it again. The most shameless of self promoters has somehow managed to out-prop his previous proppings by giving himself an unofficial “deserving of the most props lifetime award.” Our friends across the pond, Soul Culture UK, report that in an upcoming Playboy magazine interview, King Combs declares himself the most inspirational of inspirations.“If I’m not inspiring you at this point, you’re a lost hope,” said Diddy. To that we offer an extra special album cut tucked deep into the second disc of Jay-Z’s Blueprint 2, when the Jiggaman was still friends with Young Chris, and had wise words for those who didn’t stop to think about their own.

Jay-Z, “Nigga Please” at YouTube

Freeway, “Love Is A Battlefield”

Divorce can be rough on kids. Grown men, not so much. Jay-Z abandoning his Rocafella “family,” and specifically his right hand Beanie Sigel, wasn’t so much a divorce as someone breaking the pact of a much ballyhooed friendship. Freeway claims he doesn’t really care though because you can’t change history and also because he can still rap good. Life does indeed go on, but its okay to hurt. Even if you have a beard like an ancient hood wizard.

Download: Freeway, “Love Is A Battlefield”

CYRIOUSLY: Alicia Keys & Beyonce are Back Like That

Remember back in the days? (c) Biggie Smalls…

Honestly, I had no idea how to play the PG-13 role with the above title. Thoughts slurred through my domepiece amongst the likes of “A** Like That” (Eminem), “Shake Ya A**” (Mystikal) and/or good ol’ “Donk(s)!” (Soulja Boy Tell Em)…well, why oh why would I be talking about backsides? Three words.

Alicia-Keys-Beyonce

The aim of this post? Funk a supergroup like Fabolous meets Ryan Leslie meets Ne-Yo, the gang needs to pony up and give the fans a one-two punch, throwback “Knock Out Kings” style with the two biggest names in R&B right now. Ciara ain’t selling? Funk her. Lloyd no longer on Murder Inc.? Funk him. Cherish who? Funk ‘em!

As advertisers continue to make it rain on rapper endorsement deals and try to toss shame at soon-to-be “has-beens” like Chris Brown, it brings the kid an uncontrollable urge to make a plea for the record labels to put their minds together and see my vision (via Suite903.com…owww….)

One, if not “the” biggest selling albums of 2008? Beyonce’s I Am…Sasha Fierce. Go back a year, 2007? Alicia Keys’ As I Am murks Larry Johnny and his grandmama’s hopes of seeing some teen sensation take over the R&B game. Point at hand? GET THOSE TWO A JOINT ALBUM TOGETHER!

We’ve already seen their chemistry with Jay-Z. Beyonce is wifed up with Hovi while Alicia Keys and Jay take over the entire radio game with their “Empire State of Mind” track, right? Shucks, even Beyonce had that “Deja Vu” record with the Greatest Rapper Alive, right? To make things even more interesting, think about it. Both of ‘em on an entire LP together? You’re guaranteed at least two guest features by Mr. Carter along with (take a wild guess) crazy production from a little guy called “Swwwizzzzy, man” (Swizz Beatz)…and with all the trials and tribulations they’ve gone through since their last albums dropped (Solange going Erykah Badu with the head, Kanye West VMA incident, Mashonda airing out ol’ girl)….the buzz around the project would be ridiculous…

Look, the sad truth is R&B is not what it used to be. Rihanna made a crazy comeback after the whole Chris Breezy incident and look, she comes in at number four with around 180,000 copies in its first week when Susan Boyle murders the top 20….no, the ENTIRE 2009 releases by pushing 700,000 her first week in the United States. So, if I may ever so kindly turn into a throwback George W. Bush right about now…

“Americans, R&B is at war right now. This is a state of emergency and the time to act is NOW. We have waited and seen our fellow R&B singers fall victim to label drops (Omarion), career-damaging rumors (Pleasure P) and just downright leaked XXX photos (Cassie). We will no longer tolerate this. May God bless us all.”

Alicia. Beyonce. America needs you two right now. If not for me, then at least for our country. No “Best of Both Worlds” or even an “Aliconce Kewles.” Just something along the likes of a 12-track compilation, even if you simply named it, “Best Of Us” or something you could use a Sharpie and write it on a CD-R demo disc. The time to act is now, please. R&B heads, let’s make this happen!

Holla if you hear me. -@CyrusKLanghorne

Dedication: All We Want for Jay’s Bday is Squashed Beef

We know Hov has beef with Kellz, what with the crazy breakdown on the Best of Both Worlds tour a few years back, but you know, this song is just so gleeful and expresses our sentiments so well, we had to throw it out there. Here’s to the best of ALL decades Jay-Z, hope today you get something you don’t already have and you squash beef with Kellz like Jeezy and Gucci did. Should we dial up DJ Drama?

Alicia Keys Reps The Roc

“In New Yaaawwwwk,” might just be me, but the way Alicia Keys delivers that “York” part in her “Empire State of Mind” Jay-Z collaboration track, she may have gotten some assistance from (former Roc-A-Fella artist) Uncle Murda. Well, it wasn’t long before Jay-Z and Alicia were granted another opportunity to keep Lil Mama barred from their sets and reschedule another duet performance which will be the case at the 37th Annual American Music Awards.

Word on the online streets (Access Hollywood) is both Swizz Beatz’ “Best I’ve Ever Had” wifey and Beyonce’s hubby are going to go at it for another attempt at “Empire State of Mind” with a scribbled in time slot during the annual awards showcase next month. The show’s producer, Larry Klein, has even upped the anticipation by confirming the set.

“We are thrilled to have Jay-Z and Alicia Keys on stage together for the 2009 American Music Awards,” Klein expressed to Access Hollywood. “Both are such talented artists, it is sure to be a memorable performance.”

“Memorable performance?” Sounds like he might be trying to sneak in Lil Mama –> Lil Bow Wow or someone of the same (rap buzz) to get things on and poppin’ that night. Regardless, come Novmeber 22nd, both Grammy-winning artists will be putting up the Roc as additional performers including Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez and The Black Eyed Peas are struggling to find out ways to get the (liberal dressed, conservative acting) crowd to at least stand up at their seats when the cameras flash on ‘em.

Unlike MTV, however, the show will be aired via ABC which should ensure no mishaps or stage-stealing moments unless it’s performance-based…as in, Hov brings out Memphis Bleek to spray the crowd with Super Soakers…or Alicia brings out the entire Ruff Ryders’ camp…eh, it’s an Empire State of Mind thang, chea? -Cyrus Kyle Langhorne

Jay-Z on Oprah

Forget Jay-Z and Kellz—this is really the best of both worlds. Oprah brought Jay-Z on her show as follow up to her feature for O magazine. You know the one where they sit on his grandma’s stoop in Marcy (BROOKLYN STAND UP!) and drink “quata watas.” Anyway, along with the part where Oprah’s audience of suburban soccer moms turn into googly-eyed tween, the interview is quite entertaining. Of course, Mama Oprah gets an exclusive tour of Jay’s office at Rocawear with all its tasteful black and white photography, and what would the show be without Oprah doing a freestyle (or rather watching Jay-Z freestyle). So if you want to learn just how he does it, go for it. Warning, though: results may vary. —Judnik Mayard