Looks like Justin Timberlake will keep the 20/20 Experience going with the upcoming release of the second part. Part 2 drops September 30th. Great marketing Justin if I do say so myself.

You know it is good whenever we can hear the god Rakim Allah speak to us. A jewel is bound to drop.

Hip hop’s golden age began in 1986, the day Rakim stepped to a microphone to record “Eric B Is President.” Only 18 years old (though he sounded considerably more worldly), Rakim (real name William Griffin) had a smooth, effortless flow that brought a cool melodicism and high intelligence to the MC game—he gave both fire and ice, set within the wiry frame of his serious features. Even those who didn’t get the Five Percenter reference wouldn’t have bridled at his nickname, God. His partnership with his DJ, Eric B, yielded four great albums and numerous classic singles before Rakim split for a solo career. Despite initial success with 1997’s The 18th Letter, he endured several frustratingly fruitless years signed to Dr Dre’s Aftermath, working on an album that never came. Now Rakim back in his native New York, the city where his immense influence is most clearly audible, notably in other NYC wordsmiths such as Nas. As recently as 2012, The Source named him the greatest MC of all time.

Naked ladies in a video, and a spot on this winter’s hottest comedy goes a long way for Robin Thicke. He took his pre-album tour to The Breakfast Club to discuss his new album, Kevin Hart and The Real House Husbands of Hollywood, and his beautiful wife Paula Patton.

The game is messed up, you don’t know who to trust. So many playhating Vodkas trying to taste like us!!

Diddy takes a moment to remind us all not to buy fake Ciroc from someone’s trunk. Don’t do it Moguls!!

LL Cool J is back ladies and gentlemen and this time around it is “Authentic”. The veteran speaks on his new album and why he went the route he went this time around. He talks about how he has grown, his upcoming tour, and his 14th album.

Authentic in stores April 30th.

Scarface wonders the same thing that I have been asking for years….. who stole Hip Hop’s soul?

Selena Gomez is featured in Adidas Neo ads.

Michelle Rodriguez shows the ladies how to look sexy for the summer in the latest issue of Cosmopolitan.

Beyonce gives us a sneak peek at her new album with the release of her H&M ad. The 90 second clip looks more like a video with the Queen B rolling around in the sand. It’s Beyonce y’all.

Pharrell Williams stopped by to see Angie Martinez at Hot 97.

Harrison Ford stops by Jimmy Kimmel to promote the movie 42. And of course the subject Star Wars came up. Mr. Ford couldn’t address the topic but he did get a chance to come face to face with his past.

Will and Jaden Smith team up for the first time since 2006′s The Pursuit of Happyness, with After Earth. The story is about a general and his son as they try to survive on Earth 1000 years after humanity was wiped out. The movie drops June 6th.

Jay-Z is one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Jay-Z embodies so much of what makes New York New York. A kid from a tough neighborhood who grows up in public housing, overcomes lots of bad influences on the street, never lets go of his dream, makes it to the top — and then keeps going, pursuing new outlets for his creativity and ambition. When no one would sign him to a record contract, he created his own label and built a music empire — before going on to design clothing lines, open sports bars and, most recently, represent professional athletes. He’s an artist-entrepreneur who stands at the center of culture and commerce in 21st century America, and his influence stretches across races, religions and regions. He’s never forgotten his roots — “Empire State of Mind” was a love song to our city — and as a co-owner of the NBA Nets, he helped bring a major league sports team back to Brooklyn, not far from his old neighborhood. In nearly everything he’s tried, he’s found success. (He even put a ring on Beyoncé.) And in doing so, he’s proved that the American Dream is alive and well.

- By Michael Bloomberg

 

Jay-Z also announced what some of us knew was coming for a while, that he relinquished his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets. In a letter released on his Life & Times site he thanks the Nets for his opportunity.

Being a member of the Nets organization surpassed some of my greatest ambitions. It was never about an investment; it was about the NETS and Brooklyn. My job as an owner is over but as a fan it has just begun. I’m a Brooklyn Net forever. It’s been an honor to work with Mikhail Prokhorov, Dmitry Razumov, Christophe Charlier, ONEXIM Sports and Entertainment, Brett Yormark and all the wonderful people involved in making the Nets first class. My sincerest thanks goes to Bruce Ratner, who first introduced the idea of moving the Nets to Brooklyn. A thank you and deepest appreciation goes to the fans. You are the lifeblood of any team.

The Nets have made their mark on the NBA and as they enter a new era, Roc Nation does as well; as we embark on Roc Nation Sports. Our newest endeavor is committed to building the brands of professionalathletes as we have done for some of today’s top music artists. For Roc Nation Sports to function at its full potential, NBA rules stipulate that I relinquish my ownership in the Brooklyn Nets. It was a tough decision but as I stated earlier, it’s not about ownership. Congratulations to The Nets on a great season and making the playoffs! I will always be a Brooklyn Net.

Does he still own the building? Can we trade in our receipts?

With the REAL NBA season starting this Saturday now is the time to look back at what LeBron James did. Sometimes he looks like a god among boys out there.

Who you rolling with Moguls?

Elephant is a quarterly magazine on contemporary art and visual culture. Featuring up-to-the-minute visual material, fresh faces and original voices, the magazine covers and uncovers new trends and talent in contemporary visual culture.

Spring 2013