[This is a article on Lil Wayne's live show in New York, long read]

Lil Wayne has been a part of multiplatinum albums, made a ton of c.r.e.a.m. and helped sell out big venues (much bigger than the dressing-room-less Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, mind you). But a large portion of his success has come from working with the Cash Money Millionaires in the late ’90s and early 2Ks.

On Sunday night in New York, however, he was the one. Weezy’s show sold out quickly, despite having been promoted for only a few weeks, and some tickets were going over the $100 mark (that’s New Edition, Jay-Z or Bon Jovi prices!). Given the excitement level, the gig definitely deserved to be called "a money show." Sunday night was a wear-your-best-sneakers-and-don’t-care-if-they-get-scuffed atmosphere.

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Eve: No Longer A Pitbull In A Skirt - By RealTalkNY - Published on June 24h, ‘07

Eve, the last female MC to drop a successful album, makes her return to the Hip Hop Scene. She address rumors from her dating a white man to no longer being part of Interscope. We talked about the music industry and people feeling she sold out due to changing her style. I left the interview feeling Eve keeps it real and doesn’t sugar coat things to please others.

RTNY: What first sparked your interest in music?

Eve: Hmm, attention probably. I was one of those kids that always wanted to get attention. So I started singing first, I was in choirs and all that stuff. At 12 years old I had a little group with a fake manager. At the time ABC was out, and he was like yall should start rapping like them, so I just stuck with it.

RTNY: When did you start taking music serious?

Eve: When I was like 15, when I got to high school. I started battling people in the lunchroom and I was like you know what, I can do this for real, I like this feeling. Once I graduated high school I was like this is it.

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Streets is Talking: 50 Cent - By AHH - Published on June 8th, ‘07

You know the story. Nine shots couldn’t stop him; he took them and smiled. He flipped his real life trauma into multi-platinum plaques and took over the game in one fell swoop. Four years later, after his monster debut Get Rich Or Die Trying, Curtis Jackson is in a true position of power.

Considering he holds so much weight in the game, you would expect 50 Cent to wear his ego on his sleeve. On the contrary, Fif is very reserved. He talks and walks like an old boss now; always thinking before speaking and moving only when he wants to move. His infamous willingness to throw his adversaries under the bus without a hint of conscience is not removed though; the code of cobras is still very much in effect.

Now with rap sales drying up, crew members getting their official discharge, and challenges from Cam’ron, 50 knows it’s all eyes on him going into the release of his new album Curtis. AllHipHop.com’s Streets is Talking interview series finally gets the facts straight on 50 – before one of us self-destructs.

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Twista: Staring At My Rearview - By AHH - Published on May 31Xth, ‘07

A decade ago, it was arguably Twista who first became the cliché “favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.” With his Guinness Book of World Records lightning fast delivery, the Chicago star was a well-kept secret, from the now-defunct Big Beat Records, an Atlantic company. His 1997 album Adrenaline Rush remains a cult classic, that spawned styles in both coasts.

With one of the longest tenures in the company, Twista has always been affiliated with Atlantic Records. In 2004, by way of his Kanye-assisted “Slow Jamz,” Twista got the platinum plaque that he rightfully deserved, and subsequently became a “Joint Chief” in Atlantic’s rebuilding process.

Since 2004, not much has changed. The Day After was as uneventful to the mainstream as its title would suggest, and many wondered if the veteran artist was not only a fluke to the charts, but a radio-hungry compromise to the fans that touted him.

Like a true vessel for his listeners, Twista has returned with Adrenaline Rush 2007. While skeptics might compare similar recreation albums from Method Man, AMG and Pastor Troy, others value the integrity of a Stillmatic. As this summer release may likely define the tongue-twisting MC’s stay on a major, Twista explains his motives, and speaks about the automobiles he’d like to see himself in – as a result of more success. At a pivotal red light, Twista is staring at his career through the rearview.

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40 Cal.: Dipset City - By XXL Mag - Published on May 24th, ‘07

Calvin “40 Cal.” Byrd is the ideal diplomat; he’s calm, cool and careful with his words. Raised in Harlem on 140th St. and Lenox Ave., Cal. used his slick punch lines and witty metaphors to defeat countless competitors throughout his Uptown stomping grounds and by 2003 he signed to childhood friend Cam’ron’s Diplomat Records. From there, 40 appeared on various Dipset-affiliated releases, including Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 2, DukeDaGod’s More Than Music, Vol. 1 and 2 and Cam’s Killa Season.

Along the way Cal. also became a mainstay on MTV2’s popular Fight Klub series, where he earned the title of “Mr. Rewind That” for his notable bars. Last year, 40 independently released his debut mixtape, Broken Safety, through Diplomat Records. Earlier this week, Babygrande Records put out his follow-up effort, Broken Safety 2. While the Harlem native is trying to further his career, Hot 97’s gossip queen, Miss Info, recently reported an internal rivalry brewing between Dipset head honchos Cam’ron and Jim Jones. Capo allegedly wanted to kick Cam out of Dipset, but since the initial reports earlier this month, both sides have been mum. XXLMag.com caught up with 40 Cal. to find out about his new album, battle career and what’s really going on between Killa and Capo.

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Curren$y: Money in the Bank - By XXL Mag - Published on May 23th, ‘07

Having the co-sign of the self-proclaimed best rapper alive should be more than enough to propel any artist’s career, but if only it were that easy. Curren$y, the first act signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment label through Cash Money Records, understands the challenges that await him. Hailing from the suburbs of New Orleans, Da Hot Spitta is a brash young lyricist following in the footsteps of his brother and former 504 Boyz member, Mr. Marcelo. Through Marcelo’s affiliation with No Limit Records, Curren$y befriended C-Murder and eventually signed to his TRU Records imprint.

But due to C’s constant run-ins with the law, which culminated in a 25-to-life prison sentence for murder, Curren$y gave up on hip-hop, shifting his focus to skateboarding and fashion design. A chance meeting with Lil Wayne at a New Orleans Hornets basketball game in 2005 would steer him back to rap. The two actually attended elementary school together and Wayne was shocked to hear his former classmate had quit rappin’. Familiar with Curren$y’s work with No Limit, Birdman Jr. suggested he reconsider retirement. It wasn’t long before the N’awlins natives were in the studio together recording music and Wayne offered Curren$y a deal. Since then, he’s built a modest buzz through appearances on Wayne’s mixtapes, including Dedication 2, which spawned the regional hit, “Where Da Cash At.” His industry stock rose even further after his guest spot on “Grown Man” off Wayne’s critically acclaimed Tha Carter II. Currently embarking on the Street Dreams Tour with Wayne, Young Jeezy, Jim Jones and Rich Boy, Curren$y is busy preparing for the summer release of his debut album, Music To Fly To. XXLMag.com caught up with Curren$y during a tour break to discuss his budding career, debut disc and his Fly Society movement.

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Ca$his: Mouths To Feed - By AllHipHop - Published on May 15th, ‘07

Five years ago, every artist carrying a Shady Records contract was a star. After the Anger Management Tour, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, and D12 all achieved platinum status, not to mention their invincible leader Eminem. After 2004 however, despite adding acclaimed producer Alchemist to the mix, neither critics nor consumers have gravitated towards the upstart dynasty to the likes of its initial magnitude.

In the midst of developing Stat Quo and Bobby Creekwater, 2006 signee Ca$his has not only grabbed the label’s spotlight, but he’s willing to accept the pressures of success versus failure in today’s cutthroat climate in rap. Chicago born and Orange County, California representing, Ca$his is one of the newest additions to an arguably stagnant era of gangsta rap. Despite current criticism from pivotal Black leaders, Ca$his does not budge in his bandana-wrapped-gun brandishing attack on senseless party rap. That was presented late last year in The Re-Up’s “You Don’t Know” single, and it’s painfully clear in the EP County Hound, dropping May 22.

A father to 10 children at the ripe age of 26, Ca$his’ home life may be as pressuring as his career. As the artist has crafted a unique plan to get his name buzzing, he’s also determined to create a future for his children. Unknown a year ago, Ca$his tells AllHipHop about his close friendship with Eminem, his defense of gangster rap, and the little people that keep him faithfully on his grind, and more careful in the streets. If you didn’t know, maybe now you ought to.

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Lil Flip: Flip the Script - By AllHipHop - Published on May 17th, ‘07

Lil’ Flip has come a long way since his days as a teen freestyle wiz in Houston. With a solid decade of recording experience under his belt, he’s also been subject to some of the worst nightmares any artist could have. From being shot in 2002, to being sued over the Pac Man sample in “Game Over,” to serious label woes when his album got leaked in his last deal at Sony, Flip could easily be a wary soldier on a dirty battlefield.

Rather than let past decisions and troubles jade him, Flip morphed into a stronger, wiser businessman. Now with a new independent situation with Asylum, a successful alcohol brand, a book and a television series on the way, he is ready to enjoy a fresh start. We sat down recently with Lil’ Flip for some quality time - leaving the Lucky Nites alone, of course.

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Billy Danze (of M.O.P.): Push ‘Em Back - By XXL Mag - Published on May 14th, ‘07

Jubilant isn’t a characterization expected when describing Billy Danze, but today, the muscular half of M.O.P. is walking around in flip-flops, happily shaking hands and playing the role of host. Surprisingly upbeat, Danze’s laughing, smoking and drinking during a press day at Eagle’s Nest Studio in Manhattan for his new rap-rock group, Hevi Medal, and their self-titled debut album. Comprised of Billy, Ikkabod, Fox and Mounia Tajou, the group will release their LP at the end of the year on Hevi Medal Music/Geffen.

It’s another M.O.P. side project—much like 2004’s Mash Out Posse and 2005’s St. Marxmen—but once again, it’s not the album fans have patiently been waiting for since the Brooklyn duo released their last official album, Warriorz, seven years ago on Loud Records. After Loud folded in 2002, Danze and partner Lil’ Fame signed with Roc-A-Fella Records the following year and announced their fifth album, Ghetto Warfare. Little did they know that the Roc dynasty was slowly crumbling, leaving M.O.P. in purgatory and their album shelved indefinitely. Finally freeing themselves from that situation, the Mash Out Posse found a new home at 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records in 2005. But in the two years since then, the Brownsville, Brooklyn natives have yet to release any material from their newly titled album, Yearly Physical. With fans growing impatient and critics still skeptical if G-Unit is the right fit for M.O.P, XXLMag tracked down the elusive Billy Danze to get the official word on their relationship with 50 Cent and his new rock album.

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The Fixxers: Way Too Fonky - By AllHipHop - Published on May 10th, ‘07

In Hip-Hop, reinvention can be harder than getting recognized in the first place. While Zev Love X was able to later mask himself as underground superstar MF Doom and the Genius scratched the surface of what would become GZA, both examples are well over a decade old.

DJ Quik arguably needs no reintroduction. Few could contest that outside of N.W.A. and Snoop, he’s been the biggest other star of the West Coast since the early ’90s. Beyond just an artist, Quik has produced classic records for 2Pac, Truth Hurts and more recently, Jay-Z’s “Justify My Thug.” One longtime collaborator has been AMG, an artist who since his 1992 club hit “B***h Betta Have My Money,” has been reduced to a cult following and feature work.

While skeptics might have forecasted a collaborative resurgence of the two veterans on a certain imprint crudely called a “graveyard,” the duo, now known as The Fixxers, got their chance on Interscope Records – a label not recognized for signing 36 and 37 year olds.

Approaching 40, The Fixxers have the glow of youth in their hit “Can U Werk Wit Dat” from The Midnite Life album. The track is high energy, low drama, and fun. After years of turmoil, including a brief stint of words for one another, so is DJ Quik and AMG. As one cracks the jokes, the other admits that gangster rap is passé. The attitude may have changed, but the perm hasn’t, and neither has the fact that this music is “way too fonky.”

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MIms: Am I Still Hot? - By HHDX - Published on May 9th, ‘07

Whether you like it or not “This Is Why I’m Hot” was one of the hottest singles to drop in the game lately. Many hip-hop fans that think southern hip-hop is about nothing were very shocked to find the kid behind this song was from New York City. The vibe of the song did seem southern hip-hopish and I’m not saying this is a bad thing. As he claims music is his savior New York rapper Mims is ready to show the game why he’s hot. Representing Manhattan, NY Mims is from a family of Jamaican descent and many don’t know that it was dreams of being a producer that led him into hip-hop. As time went on with producing it was only a matter of time before Mims would find out if he could rhyme.

One thing about Mims though is that he experienced hardships like many emcees who pursue their dreams in hip-hop to better their lives. Losing his mother and father at very young age definitely had to be a blow to this kid’s life but through his love for hip-hop, Mims kept at ease to continue his dream. Who says hip-hop doesn’t save lives. Being from New York you know Mims has to have an opinion on the current state of hip-hop in the east coast and he answers to how he felt when many thought he was from down south. With the new album out, Music is My Savior, Mims explains why you should give it a listen before criticizing his music and why at the end of the day he wants to be happy.

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Young Buck: Street is talking - By AllHipHop - Published on May 7th, ‘07

Whether sales are through the roof or below average, one thing that remains constant at all times with G-Unit is drama. Minus the infamous awards show melee, Young Buck usually plays it cool, staying below the gossip radar.

Now with recent allegations of members of the crew assaulting a minor, unsanctioned truces with enemies, and spicy hotel shootouts, the Cashville wildcard sits a top the rap headlines right where his boss, 50 Cent proudly held for so long. AllHipHop’s Streets is Talking interview series gets the story behind the story, beginning with one of 2007’s stars.

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Fabolous: Ain’t Going Nowhere - By HipHopDX - Published on May 7th, ‘07

Fabolous is… well, fabulous. His rise from underground street legend to a mainstay on the pop charts was something out of an urban fairy tale. After dropping mixtape, the Brooklyn MC got the call to hit up the big leagues. His career stats are somewhat impressive: Two Platinum plaques and a Gold one.

Now, the man who’s had street dreams is getting ready to tell the world how he went From Nothin’ To Somethin’. After getting pushed back, the album is set to drop on June 12th. F-a-b-o talks with HHDX about Def Jam’s promotion, rap music coming under fire and why he doesn’t respect Oprah Winfrey.

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Eve: Don’t Need ya - By XXL - Published on May 7th, ‘07

Damn. Eve is drop-dead gorgeous. Standing in the lights in front of photographer Marc Baptiste’s camera, wearing a deep-cut gold lamé top (effectively more like a fancy pair of suspenders than a blouse), the former first lady of the Ruff Ryders rap dynasty looks more like a supermodel than a supa MC. Glistening with a sheen of olive oil sprayed on by J.J., her trusty makeup artist of seven years, the woman who used to be known as a “pit bull in a skirt” stares straight into the camera’s lens and gives it a million dollar snarl.

“Set it off, girl!” Baptiste shouts, trying to loosen her up. Eve twists her body this way and that as the camera’s shutter clicks. The images pop up instantly on a high-powered digital monitor mounted high enough for the roomful of hired staff to assess each passing shot. A stylist is summoned to make some adjustments. When he steps away, the plunging garment is in an even more revealing position.

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T-Pain: Open Bars - By AllHipHop - Published on May 4th, ‘07

After a recent arrest and rumors of recording and label troubles, controversy seems to be the name of the game for T-Pain these days - but it doesn’t make his success any less sweet. The self proclaimed “rappa-ternt-sanga” has enjoyed multi-platinum ringtone sales for his own songs and his cameos, and is writing songs for everyone from Usher to Britney Spears.

We sat down with the Tallahassee native prior to the past couple weeks of drama to get an update on the highs and lows of his whirlwind career. What exactly does it feel like to be on top of the music world when you’re just preparing to release your sophomore album? Rich, of course.

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Young Jeezy: Good Things - By XXL - Published on May 4th, ‘07

It’s never seemed like he was having much fun. Since summer 2005, when his Def Jam debut, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, introduced the world at large to what began as a mixtape phenomenon on the Atlanta streets, Young Jeezy has brought joy to millions with his music—the massive hooks, the ad-libs, the swagger. Despite his great success, though, his public persona has remained that of a man on a serious grind—guarded, weary, resigned.

The epitome of the hustler turned rapper with a plan (it was Jeezy, as much as anybody else, who popularized the term “movement”), he came to Def Jam equipped with a company, Corporate Thugz Entertainment, and a group, USDA (United Streets D-boys of America), composed of himself and two of his artists, Blood Raw and Slick Pulla. At the same time, he’s stayed steadfast in his commitment to the streets—a commitment that has had its consequences. USDA’s debut was to have been the follow-up to Let’s Get It, but Blood was arrested, and Slick was shot, so the project was pushed and Jeezy’s second solo album, The Inspiration, dropped in December 2006. Now, four months later, Blood’s been acquitted, and Slick’s back on his feet. So with The Inspiration surpassing a million in sales (and still on the charts—No. 64 on the Billboard 200 as XXL went to press), USDA’s Cold Summer is ready for a May 22 release.

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