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The Roc Nation rapper says that there’s a balance between “fun” and “emotional” records.

With his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story landing in stores September 27th, J. Cole recently spoke with HipHopCanada about what fans can expect on the LP. According to Cole, the release will be a reflection of his “evolution” and evoke emotions from listeners.

“Just expect evolution. Expect a lot of stuff. It depends on if you heard the leaks. I got this song called ‘Lost Ones,’ it’s an incredible story, a lot of emotion,” he said. “There’s people who listen to that song who might cry when they hear that song, because it’s that intense or whatever. There are other songs like that on the album as well. There’s other songs that are that emotional or that intense, that even me, when I listen to them when they’re done, I’m like, whoa. It feels like I was on a ride.”

Though emotional records populate the album, Cole explains that there are a fair amount of upbeat records to balance out the heavier tunes. “You can expect that, you can expect some fun records like ‘Can’t Get Enough,’ which is with Trey Songz. Couple other things, it’s a good balance. But it’s really strong, production, lyrics, concepts, stories. Really strong.”

The newly liberated rapper will star in a 10-episode series examining his life post-prison.

Released from prison earlier this morning, T.I. will star in a reality show for VH1 that follows his life post-incarceration.

Tip, who was released to a halfway house after 10 months in prison for a probation violation, will star in the untitled 10-episode series, airing on December 5th at 10 p.m.

Each half-hour episode will see him “re-acclimate back into his life as a father, husband, son and friend, as well as a musician, a clothier, a businessman, and an actor.” He will also document the recording of his new album, the follow-up to last year’s No Mercy.

“Viewers have always connected with T.I. and we are definitely thrilled to show the next chapter of this incredible artist’s riveting life with this new series,” said Jeff Olde, EVP, Original Programming and Production VH1. “T.I. is such a multi- talented artist and actor, and though he has had some setbacks, there is no doubt he will use his considerable talents to get back on top of both the music and film business.”

The recently appointed EVP of A&R at Def Jam says that Hov is already working on new material.

Though he just released his collaborative album Watch the Throne with Kanye West, Jay-Z is already recording new music. According to producer No I.D., Hov has “started again” on laying down fresh material, but that he’s unclear if it’s for a new album.

“Jay has started again,” he told Billboard.com’s The Juice. “He played me a couple of things. I gave him some music while we were at the ‘Watch the Throne’ sessions. But with Jay, you never know what he’s really doing, thinking, planning until it’s really done… I’m sure he’ll make a decision one day to make an album very quickly, like he usually does. He’s one of the best, period. I think he’s at a place where he has visions of what he wants to do, and it’s not really dependent on any of us. It’s dependent on his vision and he’s gonna do it, [and] hopefully I’ll be involved.”

No I.D., who was recently appointed EVP of A&R at Def Jam Recordings, also spoke on his upcoming work for Nas’ and Common’s albums, the latter of which he is producing in its entirety. “We’re really trying to revive a certain part of hip-hop that seems to be fading out,” he said. “They’re gonna be full bodies of work that are really dedicated to the fan base. I think [Nas' new single] ‘Nasty’ and ‘Ghetto Dreams’ are just the cusp of what they have on their albums.”

Pusha Ton inks a deal with the legendary label to release future solo projects.

G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha T has officially signed a solo recording deal with Def Jam. According to Karen Civil, the Clipse member chose the imprint as his new home because of “the prestige of the label and their willingness to work with his vision.”

“Solidifying my first solo venture, G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam is my home,” he said. “That machine with my creativity is gonna make for satisfied hip-hop fans.”

As a solo artist, Pusha Ton released his Fear of God mixtape in March 2011. He will next release his Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray EP on September 27th through Decon Records/G.O.O.D. Music/Re-Up Records.

X gave a lively performance with renditions of his hits “Party Up,” “We Right Here” and more.

DMX performed his first post-prison concert last night at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas.

The Dallas Observer described the performance as an “epic, triumphant display,” with Dark Man X playing to a crowd of 500 people. During the gig, the gravel-voiced rapper gave live renditioins of “We Right Here,” “Who We Be,” “Party Up,” “Where Da Hood At” and “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.”

Read the show review here, and watch below to see footage of X performing “Get It on the Floor” and his verse from Busta Rhymes’ “Touch It (Remix).”

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Game is in celebration mode today (August 31st), as it is been announced that his fourth release The R.E.D. Album is the top album in the country, selling 97,528 copies since its release on August 23rd.

The R.E.D. Album, which pushed Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne to the #2 position, was executive produced by Pharrell Williams, Game, and producer Mars.

The R.E.D. Album is also Game’s third #1 album, as his debut The Documentary and the follow up Doctor’s Advocate also topped the charts. His third release LAX landed at #2.

“It feels amazing to be back on top,” exclaims Game. “My fans are incredibly loyal. I was able to step away from music for some much needed personal time with my family. And now that I’ve returned with a new album, they’ve come out strong to support me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my fans. Period.”

The R.E.D. Album features production by Dr. Dre, and DJ Premier while artists like Drake, Young Jeezy, Big Boi, Rick Ross and Nelly Furtado make guest appearances on the release.

Earlier this week, Game also announced he was releasing a new E-Book titled The Making Of Game’s The R.E.D. Album., which is also in stores now via Amazon.com iTunes.com and Lulu.com.

A variety of legendary rappers will make an appearance in Spike Lee’s upcoming Hip-Hop horror film titled “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You.”

Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane and Ed Lover make appearances in “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You,” which stars James McDaniel (NYPD Blue), Michael K. Williams (“The Wire” “Boardwalk Empire”), Michael Mosley (“Law & Order”) and Nashawn Kearse (“The Sopranos” “Entourage.”)

“You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You” adapted the title of a Notorious B.I.G.’s track of the same title from the classic album Life After Death.

The horror film is described as an action-packed genre film of two New York City homicide detectives that end up in the “high-stakes world of the Hip-Hop industry.”

During the movie, murder sex money and music collide, as the homicides detectives track a serial killer murdering some of Hip-Hop’s biggest stars.

Spike Lee is executive producing the film, while his protégé Michael A. Pinckney is directing the horror flick.

“You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You” is slated to premiere at the Williamsburg International Film Festival dubbed “Willifest” in Brooklyn this September.

“Shooting ‘You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You’ and having my mentor Spike Lee come on board as an Executive Producer was a dream come true for me – working with an amazing cast of actors and hip hop luminaries, such as Doug E. Fresh and Big Daddy Kane was an added bonus,” said Michael “Boogie” Pinckney, Managing Director at Black Noise Media, Inc.

“Being that Spike and I are both from Brooklyn, it was only right that we premiere the film at Brooklyn’s very own Willifest, which was rated by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World in 2010.”

“You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You” is being distributed by Locomotion Distribution, and will debut on September 23rd at the Knitting Factory during “WilliFest.”

It turned out that the release date for T.I. was correct, as the rapper has officially been released from prison, one month early.

T.I. was released from prison today (August 31st), after serving 11 months in prison for drug possession while being on probation.

According to reports, T.I. was released from the Forrest city, Arkansas prison around 7:30 AM this morning.

T.I. took to Twitter, where he expressed joy for being reunited with his family.

“Feels great to be back where I belong…Back in the arms of those who need me the most,” T.I. tweeted. “The storm is over & da sun back out. IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!! Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!”

Here is an email conversation between Shaq and Newsweek reporter Allison Samuels, and he let it be known that D. Wade was cheating on his girlfriend Gabrielle Union with another actress, Lauren London.

It appears that Samuels was trying to hook O’Neal up with some ladies all along. Check out the email exchange between the two, originally posted by Miami New Times, and let me knkow what YOU think, is Shaq DRY SNITCHING??

Samuels: Hi.  Sesslielopez at gmail.com. [FYI, the email address bounces back]. Or I can give her your info? She’s not in the country until Wed so maybe then is better because she hasn’t answered me about something else I asked her about. Also she asked about your personal life and I told her_whatever it is_-I’m sure you had it under control. Still waiting on Robinne’s response.

Shaq: Sesslie aintdat fine whts robins last name

Samuels: You are so wrong! Robinne Lee_she’s on Tyler Perry’s show sometimes. Do you know Lauren London_I don’t_but I know James Lassiter knows how to reach her. You ever dealt with her_is she cool? Sharon Leal??

Shaq: Loren is d wade’s girl im not wrong sesslie aint my type u r

Samuels: What about Gabrielle and Dwyane?

Shaq: He gottem all I want u or rihanna

Samuels: Rihanna is too young_19– she is just legal and you know I’m very chatty and you said you didn’t like that!!!!!

Shaq: Yeah but I told u had a crush on me and u wouldnt chat about us i kn o

Samuels: No_I’m chatty in a relationship_not to others. You just decided I had a crush on you huh?? When did you decide that?

That’s all we’ve got, but would you consider Shaq a snitch for his exchange?

The word is that Free could be replacing Mo’Nique as the host of a BET talk show. “The Mo’Nique Show” was canceled earlier this year, and there’s a rumor that Free is in talks with the network to try her hand at hosting a talk show.

Apparently BET and Mo’Nique hit in impasse when the actress demanded that her salary be doubled.