Trae Tha Truth drops off another treat for the streets, this time his DJ Scream-hosted mixtape. Featuring a star-studded line-up with guests like Young Jeezy, T.I., R. Kelly, DJ Khaled and more, download the project here and check out the tracklisting below.

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DJ Khaled and the term star-studded affair have been going hand-in-hand for several years now. Today (August 21), Khaled released his new album, Kiss the Ring, a project featuring the rapper likes of Lil Wayne, T.I., Kanye West, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Scarface, Nas, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, French Montana, Jadakiss, Tyga and more. The album packs punch with counted hits such as “Take It to the Head,” “I Wish You Would,” “Hip Hop” and “They Ready.” But what kind of damage will the album do on the charts?

Here, XXLMag.com asks fans to cast their votes on Khaled’s projected first-week sales numbers for his Kiss the Ring album.

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B.o.B’s sophomore album, Strange Clouds, hasn’t even been out for half a year, but the Atlanta rapper is already back to work.

“The Man & The Martian will be completed once T.I. puts out his album, Trouble Man,” the former XXL Freshman told Montreality. “Me and Tip got a song on Trouble Man which I think is quite timeless, if I say so myself.” The Grand Hustle labelmates have collaborated a number of times up to this point, including on song “Boom Bap” and “Bet I.”

In addition to his work with T.I., Bobby Ray is focusing on his new solo project, as well.

“I’m actually working on my upcoming album right now,” he continued. “I’m in a zone right now. It’s coming very soon. Sooner than you think. I wanna get in the lab with Skrillex.”

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Iggy Azalea’s buzz outweighs her catalogue. This fact is of no fault of her own. She just hasn’t had much time, really, from making rap a serious pursuit since seeing her name pop up on major sites across the web and out of the mouths of major stars across the game—including T.I., who signed her to his Grand Hustle Records. The Australian MC’s love for the culture and the craft is genuine, but she’s still growing into herself as an artist, something she continues to do with her new Glory EP.

Iggy is still navigating her way to be comfortable enough on a track to fully make it her own, which is why the strongest cuts on the six-track project find her bringing along a partner in rhyme to add a twist. Things kick off with the B.o.B-assisted “Millionaire Misfits,” where an electronic/dance backdrop guide a slew of boasts, like getting “100 racks for a show.” After her single “Murda Bizness,” with T.I., the 2012 XXL Freshman teams with Pusha T and slows things down on “Runaway.” Here, two things stand out: first, is the promise of Iggy’s music when she decides to tell her unique story, opening up on a track rather than just talking shit or flaunting her sexuality (“Flash,” featuring Mike Posner); second, though, is that she’s still finding her voice. Her flow occasionally sounds forced, as if she’s creating a voice just for her records—which is fine, if it can be done as fluidly as with someone like Rick Ross or Nicki Minaj.

There’s a reason that T.I. brought Iggy Azalea to Grand Hustle, and it’s not just her long legs and blonde hair (though those attributes certainly don’t hurt her marketability). The up and comer has a personal history and set of experiences not typically told in hip-hop, and potential as an MC if she continues to hone her skills and learn from those around her. With the Glory EP, she heads in that direction. —Adam Fleischer (@AdamXXL)

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Fans are going to have to wait just a bit longer to hear the story of the Trouble Man.

In a recent interview with MTV, T.I. alluded that September 4—the release date that had initially been tied to his upcoming solo album—no longer applied. “I’m not trying to paint myself into a corner with a date,” he added. “I’m trying to make sure that the project is the absolute best it could be, and I’m trying to get it down by the end of the year.”

When reached for comment, a source with Atlantic only said the LP would be released “this fall.”

The delay on Tip’s eighth solo effort hasn’t been for a lack of recording, though. “Me being the perfectionist that I am, I’m still tweaking and fine-tuning, trying to perfect all parts of this project,” the Grand Hustle general revealed. “I did, like, 124 songs, and I’ve narrowed it down to 86 now, so now I have to continue to narrow down and continue to make it better.”

As a follow up to his single “Love This Life,” T.I. delivered his latest single, “Go Get It,” in mid-July. The track is produced by T-Minus, and beginning to climb the Billboard charts. After entering the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart three weeks ago at No. 93, it held steady at No. 92 last week before jumping to No. 69 this week. Tip is also featured on his label-mate Trey Songz’s “2 Reasons” single, which settled in at No. 8 on the same chart this week. —Adam Fleischer (@AdamXXL)

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During an interview with MSNBC, Sir Elton John praised Jay-Z for voicing his full support of President Obama’s same-sex marriage stance.

The openly gay singer said that he was “incredibly moved” by Hov’s endorsement for the legalization of gay marriage back in May. John, who considers Jay-Z as “probably the most respected African-American artist,” described the move as “pivotal” because he feels that Blacks were “a little apprehensive” when it came to accepting and acknowledging the prejudice towards homosexuals.

“When I next see him I’m going give him the biggest hug,” John said.

The music icon continued by adding that he admires, appreciates and respects Jigga for his representation as a role model.

Hov made his initial statement co-signing the Commander-in-Chief’s stance of same sex marriage during a sitdown interview with CNN on May 14 after announcing that he’ll be the curator and headliner of the Budweiser Made In America music festival during Labor Day Weekend in Philadelphia.

“I mean, I always thought of it as something that’s still holding the country back,” said Hov about certain states still not allowing gay marriage. “What people do in their own homes is their business. You choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against Blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.”

Other prominent rappers, most notably 50 Cent and T.I., have joined Hov in supporting Obama’s stance on same-sex marriage.—Christian Bonoan

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If anybody was wondering if Nicki Minaj and Waka Flocka Flame are still cool, ponder no more.

“Waka Flocka is my brother,” Nicki recently told MTV after her Pink Friday Tour Atlanta show, one that included Waka, T.I., Lil Scrappy and 2 Chainz amongst the Young Money princess’s special guests. “People know that I go way back with him and whatever he needs me to do, it gets done. He called me, he sent me a song, I said, ‘It’s nothing.’ I was finishing up my album and I said, ‘You know? I got you, it’s nothing.’”

With that high praise, Nicki was directly tackling naysayers who were claiming that the two had a falling out.

“Still cool? Why wouldn’t we be still cool, babe?” Nicki said, looking up to Waka, who stood beside her.

“One thing about a blog person, they’re critics,” Waka retorted. “Critics get paid to criticize a person’s life they don’t know nothing about. To a person that don’t know what’s going on, they’ll confuse [my life]. So I could tell you anything you don’t know, and you’ll believe it, right? But when you get the truth, it’s gonna sound like a lie.”

Waka shed further light on his longstanding friendship with Nicki Minaj in the June 2012 issue of XXL, one that he also covered. In it, he talked about their friendship, which dates back several years, including a time that had him, his Brick Squad boss Gucci Mane and Nicki all living under the same roof in an Atlanta house.

“I was with Nicki every fuckin’ day for almost three months straight,” he said. “I got locked up. She took flight. That shit crazy. Nicki, she’s us. That [2009 Nicki mixtape] Beam Me Up Scotty shit’s our Brick Squad girl at heart.”—Jakinder Singh

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Yesterday (July 23), Iggy Azalea premiered “Flash,” featuring Mike Posner.

The record, another selection off her upcoming Glory EP, has the Grand Hustle rapstress getting ultra-explicit. She talked about turning up the raunchiness in a recent interview with Fuse.

“It’s like sexy ratchet,” Iggy said. “I define sexy ratchet. The beat is so R&B and just smooth, and you know Mike with his voice. It’s smooth, but the lyrics are ratchet—way worse than ‘Pu$$y’—way worse. It makes ‘Pu$$y’ look very PG.”
The latter is certainly very true, as the Australian femcee offers up lines like:

“It’s ready for you, you could come get the pussy/You want it?/Fresh out the shower in a towel, ready to/I-O-U like a vowel, for hours/We both getting money, I’m just tryna feel the power/Winter, spring, summer till we fall like autumn.”

Later on the same track, she coos: “How long before you hit my exit on the freeway?/We gon’ freak and let Pandora DJ,”

In addition to the racy record, it’s been a busy week for Azalea and it’s only Tuesday (July 24).

Over the weekend, the rhyme slinger and current XXL Freshman dropped the video for “Murda Bizness,” featuring her Grand Hustle boss T.I. The treatment for the clip is a play off the notorious hit reality television series, Toddlers & Tiaras and features and young Iggy mini-me.—Jakinder Singh

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Rankings are always hot topics in hip-hop. Who are the top five MCs, dead or alive? Who had the best verse on a particular posse cut? What is Jay-Z’s best album? Fans and critics love to argue, and artists love to vie for the top spot. This week, Billboard got in on the fun, releasing their inaugural Urban Power List 2012, with Cash Money CEOs Brian “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams gracing the cover.

Though the two industry vets are the face of this year’s list, Billboard revealed that there is no order within the 25 selections. “The unranked tally targets executives whose concentration is urban, not executives who have oversight of urban music but also substantial responsibilities with other genres,” the magazine’s site explained of the selection process. The list sought to capture “the men and women who define the game, direct its flow and determine its outcome.”

In addition to the Williams brothers, the following movers and shakers earned a spot on the list: Cortez Bryant and Gee Roberson, Co-CEOs, Blueprint Group; Sean “Diddy” Combs, Founder/CEO, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, and brand manager, Ciroc; Dr. Dre, Co-Founder/Beats By Dr. Dre, Founder, Aftermath Entertainment; Shawn Gee, President of Music and Entertainment, SEFG; Benjy Grinberg, President, Rostrum Records; Ethiopia Habtemariam, Sr. VP of Motown, Exec. VP/Head of Urban, UMPG; Jay-Z, Jay Brown, John Meneilly, Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, Roc Nation; Magic Johnson, Owner, Magic Johnson Enterprises; Michael Kyser, President, Black Music, Atlantic; Bryan Leach CEO, Polo Grounds Music; Debra Lee & Stephen Hill, Chairman/CEO, BET Networks, President of Music Programming & Specials, BET Networks; Cara Lewis, Senior Agent, CAA; Joie Manda, President, Def Jam Recordings; Larry Mestel, Chris Lighty & Michael “Blue” Williams, Chairman/CEO Primary Violator, COO, Primary Violator; President, Primary Violator; Mark Pitts, President, RCA Urban Music, CEO, Bystorm Entertainment; Paul Rosenberg, Co-Founder, Shady Records, CEO, Goliath Artist Management; Rick Ross, Founder, Maybach Music Group; Reggie Rouse, VP of Urban Programming, CBS Radio PD, WVEE Atlanta; Jay Stevens, SVP Programming, Radio One; Steve Stoute, CEO/Founder, Translation; Tech N9ne, Founder, Strange Music; Clifford “T.I.” Harris & Jason Geter, Grand Hustle; Chang Weisberg, Principal, Guerilla Union; Ronald “Slim” Williams & Bryan “Birdman” Williams, Co-founders/Co-CEOs, Cash Money Records Group; Doc Wynter, Brand Manager for Urban/Urban AC, Clear Channel; and Hall of Fame inductee Clarence Avant, President, Avant Garde and Interior Music.

Billboard‘s Urban Power Players List 2012 issue is out this week. —Adam Fleischer (@AdamXXL)

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NEWS HEADLINES THAT MATTER TO THE HIP-HOP COMMUNITY

T.I.: Lands Recurring Role Next To Kelsey Grammer on Starz’ Series Boss

Tip will star next to the veteran actor, adding to his burgeoning acting portfolio, which already includes, ATL, Takers, and American Gangster. [Starz]

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Mac Miller Talks Favorite Verse

Mac takes fans through a journey through the pages of his rhyme book, remembering his favorite bars. [SoulCulture]

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Rhymefest Criticizes Interscope Over Chief Keef Signing

As a guest blogger, ‘Fest writes, “Chief Keef is a ‘bomb,’ he represents the senseless savagery that white people see when the news speaks of Chicago violence.” [Analog Girl]

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Two featured guests on Prodigy’s upcoming H.N.I.C. 3 album may throw some of his more hardened fans for a loop—T.I. and Wiz Khalifa.

Prodigy recently told XXLMag.com how the collaboration with Tip came about and why people shouldn’t be surprised to hear him and Wiz work together.

“When we were locked up, we were in contact with each other, so when we both came home, we had reached out and was like, ‘Let’s get this work done,’” P started explaining about the T.I. collaboration, ‘What’s Happening,’ on which the King is featured on and produced. “I think I told him, ‘Give me your email, I’m going to send you some joints’ and he was like, ‘Yo, check this out, I make beats.’

“He said, ‘You might want to listen to some of my joints, you might like something,’” P added. “I was like, ‘Hell yeah, send that.’ So, the first joint he sent over was just incredible. He had put a chorus on it already and the beat was crazy. It don’t even sound like a South beat or New York beat. You can’t pinpoint where this beat came from. It was just good music, so I was like, ‘Yeah, this is dope right here.’”

As for Wiz, who collaborated with Prodigy on “Co-Pilot,” one-half of Mobb Deep wants fans to know that Khalifa is as thorough as he is.

“To me Wiz is a street artist,” P shared. “He’s from the hood. Some people might not agree with that. A lot of them tend to hate on the young artists. I don’t agree with that. I’m trying to show love, spread my wings and fly, man. Word!”

H.N.I.C. 3 is slated for a July 3^rd release.—Mark Lelinwalla with additional reporting by Carl Chery

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Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group only took 13 months and three days after they dropped their Self Made, Vol. 1 to release Self Made, Vol. 2.

In a recent interview on MTV’s RapFixLive, Rozay attempted to explain the main difference between each project—the time spent working on them.

“Of course, the difference first and foremost is the sound, the music,” the Bawse explained. “When we released Self Made, Vol. 1, we had just really closed our deal. We pretty much did it in two weeks, just sitting around in the studio, just having fun, and we recorded it.

“This project here, everybody was pretty much in a different position,” he added. “It’s been a big difference status-wise from the first year [’til] now. Everybody was basically on tour when we first started this process. We stayed in communication a little more and I think the music itself, it sounds straight up organic, like it was meant to be, from the choruses, the concepts, the titles to the sequencing.”

Vol. 1 included hit singles like “Tupac Back,” “Pacman,” “By Any Means,” “Ima Boss” and “600 Benz,” while featuring guests like Jadakiss, J. Cole and Curren$y. The more focused Vol. 2 features even more guests in the form of Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Nipsey Hussle, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, T-Pain, Ace Hood, Bun B, T.I. and French Montana, who appears on three different cuts.

Yesterday (June 27), MMG released the video for “Power Circle,” a lengthy track at 8:36 that has Rozay, Wale, Meek Mill, Stalley, Gunplay and Kendrick Lamar all spitting.—Jakinder Singh

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Tip and Iggy get ready for a ‘murder bizness’ as CivilTV gets an exclusive look behind the scenes of the Hustle Gang duo’s upcoming video.

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Standout: “Been About Bread”

Also Check Out: “Roll Call”

And: “Fat Boy”

Name: Big Boss E

Age: 29

Reppin’: Mo City, TX

My style and/or skills have been compared to: Pimp C, Young Jeezy, T.I. I connect with the woman and money like Pimp, do my music for the streets like Jeezy, smooth flow like T.I.

My standout records and/or moments have been: Standout record, “Been About Bread” f/Slim Thug & Bun B. The first time I saw myself on MTV and the first time I opened for a known artist, Young Jeezy.

I’m gonna change the game by: Changing the game with the Grape Jelly movement. I’m original with customized swag for the ladies along with the “Fat Boy” movement.

I’d Like to Work With: EVERYONE. I want to work with people that have already perfected their craft and artists that are still striving to do so.

My goal in hip-hop is: To leave a legacy, not only in Hip Hop but in all areas of music as a whole. I also want to give all my people a way to get out the hood.

I’m gonna be the next: Trendsetter and to put Mo City on my back.

To check out more of my music go to: (Twitter/@BigBossEMusic, Facebook/Big Boss E, Instagram/Big_Boss_E.

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