Looks like the King of the South, T.I. has a new label home with Roc Nation, at least for the distribution of his next album, The Dime Trap!

According to Billboard,  yesterday, February 22, right before his Tidal show in Atlanta, T.I. announced that he has not only signed a distribution deal for his next album but is now a co-owner of Tidal as well!

Tip joins a top list of A-list co-owners of Tidal that also includes Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Usher and Lil' Wayne. T.I. also released his new single "Money Talk" as well exclusively through the growing streaming service.

As a fan of T.I., I'm excited about this business move for him and look forward to the new music. Stay tuned to The Spotlight for more info about his album as it becomes available. For now, check out T.I's new single "Money Talk" below!

12:45:00 PM

Looks like Hova's house, Roc Nation has another artist looking to branch out because of differences. After Maybach Music Group rapper, Wale left their Management department last year, their British star Rita Ora has "filed a lawsuit that addresses the current state of Roc Nation and tests California's famous "seven-year rule" on personal service contracts" according to The Hollywood Reporter.


After becoming more known for its athletes that are signed to the label more than its artists, Rita says she has felt like an orphan and doesn't feel the involvement in her career like she felt when first signed at the age of 18 in 2008. Her attorney, Howard King said, "Rita's relationship with Roc Nation is irrevocably damaged."

Let's hope whatever comes of this issue that it ends soon because we need some new Rita Ora music!

9:52:00 AM

Last night was the 56th Annual Grammy Awards! I couldn't do a review, because I unashamedly flipped back and forth between the show and Bravo for most of the night. I was bored with most of it, minus a few performances including Beyoncé and Jay-Z's performance of "Drunk In Love," and Kendrick Lamar's collab with Imagine Dragons. 

Big winners of the night included Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Daft Punk, and Lorde. There were some definite snubs, but that's every year. Check out the full list of winners below!  

Album of the Year: “Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk

Record of the Year: “Get Lucky,” Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams

Song of the Year: “Royals,” Joel Little, Ella Yelich O’Connor (Lorde)

Best Country Album: “Same Trailer, Different Park,” Kacey Musgraves

Best Pop Vocal Album: “Unorthodox Jukebox,” Bruno Mars

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Holy Grail,” Jay Z and Justin Timberlake

Best Pop Solo Performance: Lorde

Best Rock Song: “Cut Me Some Slack,” Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Get Lucky,” Daft Punk

Best New Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Pre-Telecast Winners:

Best Pop Instrumental Album: Stepping Out, Herb Albert

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: To Be Loved, Michael Buble

Best Reggae Album: Ziggy Marley In Concert, Ziggy Marley

Best Spoken Word Album: America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t,Stephen Colbert

Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: Summertime Sadness, Cedric Gervais, Remixer (Lana Del Rey)

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance: “Break Every Chain [Live]“, Tasha Cobbs

Best Gospel Song: “If He Did It Before… Same God [Live]“, Tye Tribbett

Best Gospel Album: Greater Than [Live], Tye Tribbet,

Best Latin Pop Album: Vida, Draco Rosa,

Best Song Written For Visual Media:  “Skyfall,” Thomas Newman

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: Brady Wells and Roomful of Teeth, “Roomful of Teeth”

Best New Age Album: Love’s River, Laura Sullivan

Best Jazz Vocal Album:  Liquid Spirit, Gregory Porter,

Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue, Terri Lyne Carrington

Best Latin Jazz Album: Song For Maura, Paquito D’Rivera And Trio Corrente

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album: Sound City: Real To Reel, Butch Vig (Compilation Producer)

Best Musical Theater Album: Kinky Boots, Cyndi Lauper

Best Song Written For Visual Media: “Skyfall”, Adele

Best Americana Album: Old Yellow Moon, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell

Best Folk Album: My Favorite Picuture of You, Guy Clark

Best Dance Recording: “Clarity,” Zedd ft. Foxes

Best Dance/Electronica Album: Random Access Memories, Daft Punk

Best Comedy Album: Calm Down Gurrl, Kathy Griffin

Best Rap Performance: “Thift Shop,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Rap Song: “Thift Shop,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best Rap Album: “The Heist,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Best R&B Performance:  “Something,” Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway

Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Please Come Home,” Gary Clark Jr.

Best R&B Song: “Pusher Love Girl,” Justin Timberlake

Best Urban Contemporary Album: Unapologetic, Rihanna

Best R&B Albu: Girl on Fire, Alicia Keys

Best Blues Album: Get Up!, Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite

Best Music Film: Live Kisses, Paul McCartney

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “From This Valley,” The Civil Wars

Best Country Solo Performance: “Wagon Wheel,” Darius Rucker

Best Country Song: “Merry Go Round,” Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne

Best Rock Performance: “Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons

Best Alternative Music Album: Modern Vampires of the City, Vampire Weekend

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Pharrell Williams

Best Metal Performance: “God Is Dead,” Black Sabbath

Best Rock Album: Celebration Day, Led Zeppelin

What were your favorite moments of the night, and did your favorite artist take home a Grammy?

6:19:00 AM

Yes, it's her! Yes, they're real! Beyoncé just posted pics of Baby Blue on her official website! She's soooo precious! #Spazzin!





See more at HelloBlueIvyCarter.Tumblr.com!!!!
Congrats again to Bey and Jay! Blue is absolutely beautiful!

3:35:00 PM

Jay and 'Ye dropped their video for "Ni**as in Paris" today. The video features them at one of the concerts for Watch The Throne! Features a lot of sound effects, flashing lights, and a crazy live audience! Not the video I expected, but I love this song! The performance was hot! Check out the video below!

What do you think of the video?

9:57:00 AM

"You're my child of a child from Destiny's Child..."

Jay-Z just released a song in honor of the newest addition to the Knowles/Carter clan, Blue Ivy Carter (and yes, that's her name...he shouts her out on the track). He then proceeds to talk about how amazing it is to have her here.

He even goes deeper, revealed that Blue was conceived in Paris, right before Beyoncé started recording for 4! He also let the world know that the couple suffered a miscarriage a while back, so they were worried about this child a bit ("Last time the miscarriage was so tragic/We was afraid you'd disappear/But nah baby you magic."). Definitely a beautiful song, and it's great that Jay decided to share his and Bey's story. Music is a powerful art.

And yes, you can hear Blue on the song! Two days old, and she's featured on a track! Granted, it's only her crying, but she's breaking records already and she's just out the womb! Go Blue!

Listen to the song below!

 

11:20:00 AM

Yes, finally! And finally from news sources I trust! Contrary to a certain psychic, Beyoncé has indeed given birth to a healthy baby girl, her hometown paper tonight (Jan. 7), The Houston Chronicle, reports! E! Online went on to report the baby's name: Blue Ivy Carter (No Brooklyn, Jaylin, or anything!)

Though Bey and Jay have yet to confirm, other stars have already congratulated them (of course, through tweets!). Russell Simmons tweeted the new parents: "congrats to my good friends Beyonce and Jay-Z." Rihanna welcomed Princess Blue, tweeting: "Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih." Little Ivy has already made records (pretty sure she's the first celeb baby to be the #1 TT on Twitter...well, maybe not, but unless yall think of any, I'm claiming it).

As a fan, I'm so excited for them!!! I know that they will make great parents (Bey and Jay love sister Solange's son Julez to death!). Gotta admit though, as a blogger, I'm excited that it's over. No more baby watch!!!! Congrats to Beyoncé and Jay-Z and their families!


 

11:15:00 PM

Yes, for real this time!!!!! It was announced tonight to MTV behind the scenes at the VMAs and someone snapped this pic! Congrats to Beyoncé and Jay-Z!!!!!!

6:07:00 PM

MTV just released the world premiere of the official video for "Otis" by Jay Z and Kanye West. Fresh off Watch the Throne...Still have yet to get it (yeah, what am I waiting for right?) Heard mixed reviews on it, but I'm gonna order it right after this post. Love this song...the lyrics are hot and they featured Otis Redding! #Classic Check the video below!

JAY Z and Kanye West - Music - More Music Videos

6:14:00 PM

One word. Crazy. Can I say that I love this song to DEATH?! I've heard that this isn't the final version but it's good enough for me. Check the video below (before it disappears, which it probably will soon!)



PEACE.

12:55:00 AM

Good morning yall! TGIF right?! I just finished my first week of classes which wasn't so bad actually. Hope everybody else's week went well.

Exciting news! According to SingersRoom, Jay-Z has officially signed Miss Willow Smith, daughter of the legendary power couple Will and Jada Smith. Jay made the announcement Thursday morning on Ryan Seacrest's show.

"We at Roc Nation are excited to work with Willow," Jay-Z said in a statement. "She has an energy and enthusiasm about her music that is truly infectious. It's rare to find an artist with such innate talent and creativity at such a young age. Willow is about to embark on an incredible journey and we look forward to joining her as she grows in all aspects of her career."

Will and Jada are definitely supportive of Willow's career, and are excited about her being signed to Roc Nation. "After meeting with several record companies, it was clear that Jay-Z, Ty Ty, Jay Brown and the Roc Nation staff was the unquestionable choice," they said in a statement. "Their passion for Willow combined with their boundless vision and artistic integrity made Roc Nation the perfect home for our little girl."

The girl's only nine years old, but to me, is already showing that she's a star from her unique style to her musical ability. And she's under Jay too?! I know that she will take off. She has great potential, so I'm looking forward to her official debut! Listen to her song "Whip My Hair" below!



PEACE.

8:05:00 AM

Afternoon lovelies, hope all is well. Ok, so today, I am introducing my first writer on the Spotlight team. Needed some help to give yall better posts. (Anybody else interested, email Brittany Shawnté at inthespotlight1@live.com.) And now....welcome Tia!

"No one man should have all that POWER"

Kanye West officially drops his remix to Power. The remix features his “big brother” Jay-Z, and producer Swizz Beatz. Vocals also include G.O.O.D. Music R&B artist, John Legend. This can really be the remix of the summer!! Download here.



~TIA.

Thanks Tia! Glad to see Kanye back for real. Definitely one of the top rappers we have! What do you guys think of the mix?

PEACE.

10:20:00 AM

Jay-Z is having a benefit concert in New York City on September 11 of this year

The charity concert, named "Answer the Call," will benefit families of New York City police and firefighters killed on 9/11. It will be held at Madison Square Garden. All proceeds from ticket and concert merchandise sales will go to the fund.

I think that it's really cool that Jay-Z is doing this. I'm telling you, celebrities doing charity work really says something about their character. I know that people say that they just do it for publicity and there are definitely some that do, but for the most part, celebrities work with charities out of the kindness of their hearts, because they want to make the world better. And that's a great way to use your money and your influence! All right Jay I see you!

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

2:41:00 PM

Well, here it is...The official music video for Jay-Z's new single "Run This Town" featuring Rihanna and Kanye West. LOVE THIS SONG!!!! Jay-Z, you did your thing on this one! Kanye, always good to see you sir. And Miss Rihanna, you did good. Glad to see you back doing what you love!

I'm laughing hard at MTV though. They claimed to be showing the world premiere of this video on MTV Jams earlier at 8 PM Eastern Time (It's about 8:30 on the East Coast right about now). They were so excited about it, had all this advertising for it. They were even playing Jay-Z videos and other videos with artists that he did a collaboration with on MTV Jams to lead up to the premiere. But ultimate FAIL since several online sites had the video up and running last night. LOL so much for that world premiere MTV!

The video is definitely hot though! The R-O-C is still in the building!!!

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

5:25:00 PM