NICKI MINAJ, DJ KHALED, RICK ROSS TO HEADLINE HOT 97 SUMMER JAM 2012

Additional performers include J. Cole, Big Sean, Wale, Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Maino, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Mavado and more.

The lineup for Hot 97's Summer Jam 2012 has been announced.

The event, taking place at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, June 3rd, is set to feature headlining sets from DJ Khaled and French Montana, as well as Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross. Additional performers include Waka Flocka Flame, French Montana, Maino, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Mavado, Young Jeezy, J. Cole, Trey Songz, Wale, Big Sean and Meek Mill. Tickets are currently available on Ticketmaster.com.

Hot 97 previously announced that its Festival Village will feature performances from A$AP Rocky, Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Big K.R.I.T. from 2-6 p.m.

Last year's show included performances from Dipset, Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown and more.

PRODUCER LIFTED TALKS THE MAKING OF G.O.O.D. MUSIC'S "MERCY"

The man behind "Mercy" Lifted recalls the production and recording process behind G.O.O.D. Music's first single. Earlier this month, Kanye West and company unleashed the single "Mercy" from their highly anticipated G.O.O.D. Music compilation album. Now, in a recent interview with KarmaloopTV, producer Lifted spoke on what went into the making of the smash hit featuring Pusha T, Big Sean and 2 Chainz.

Lifted explained that 'Ye first heard the original beat through his manager, and that the G.O.O.D. Music crew immediately set out to record the song. He also added that he didn't actually include the vocal sample of reggae artist Fuzzy Jones in the initial version, saying that it was one of Yeezy's frequent collaborators Hudson Mohawk or Mike Dean who threw it into the mix afterwards.

"My manager ended up playing [the 'Mercy' beat] for some people at G.O.O.D. Music - that led to the joint," he said. "But as far as recording it, that was crazy. In January, I had the opportunity to go to London with G.O.O.D. Music. Big Sean and Pusha T recorded their verses out there, Kanye just laid his verse in New York. It's hard to even explain what it felt like, it's crazy even being in the studio with these guys, getting positive reactions for my music...there's so many creative minds in the camp, everyone just puts in their ideas and come out with the best product."

He added, "The [Fuzzy Jones sample], I actually didn't add that, I need to find out who added, that. There were a couple of people who also put in on the track. I think Hudson Mohawk worked on it, Mike Dean worked on it - if I'm missing anyone, my bad. The screwed vocal is one of my young artists, YP from Phoenix…I used to engineer out in Phoenix, so I have a library of artists on my hard drive. One night, I just took his vocals, pieced it all together, screwed it and made 'Mercy.'"

2CHAINZ BRINGS OUT KANYE WEST & BIG SEAN AT SXSW

2 Chainz marked his set with guest appearances from Kanye West and Big Sean.

Last night, 2 Chainz brought out Kanye West and Big Sean during his performance at SOB's 30th Anniversary party at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

During the set, the G.O.O.D. Music brethren appeared to perform Sean's single "Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay," while 'Ye ran through his hit "Can't Tell Me Nothin'."

MTV CROWNS RICK ROSS AS THE HOTTEST MC

MTV releases its list of the hottest emcees in the game, including Drake, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and more.

MTV has announced Rick Ross as the number one emcee on its Hottest MCs list.

Ricky Rozay, whose 2011 consisted of the release of his Maybach Music Group compilation Self Made Vol. 1, edged out Drake, who landed at No. 2. Kanye West came in at third, while Nicki Minaj and her Young Money boss Lil Wayne grabbed fourth and fifth place, respectively.

"I just got the news that I was voted the game's Hottest MC, and man, it really means a lot to me, of course, but it's an honor," Ross told MTV. "It's something I've been watching, something I've been a fan of forever. Of course, MTV, they run the game. MMG, we're here. Shout-out to the whole team."

Check the full list below, as well as a clip from the MTV special where the network's Brain Trust explains why Ross deserved the top spot.

1. Rick Ross
2. Drake
3. Kanye West
4. Nicki Minaj
5. Lil Wayne
6. Jay-Z
7. Meek Mill
8. Big Sean
9. Wiz Khalifa
10. Wale

G.O.O.D. MUSIC COMPILATION'S FIRST SINGLE TO BE "LAMBORGHINI, MURCI"

Details emerge regarding the first single from the long-awaited compilation.

In October, Kanye West hinted that his G.O.O.D. Music label would be releasing an album in Spring 2012.

According to fakeshoredrive.com, a source close to Def Jam has provided that the tentative first single from the compilation is to be titled "Lamborghini, Murci."

The track was produced by Phoenix-based producer Lifted, and is set to feature Kanye West, Pusha T and Big Sean.

Over time, members of the G.O.O.D. Music family provided details on the album. Pusha T revealed that the album would feature production from West and No I.D., while Big Sean explained that the project would feature him, Kid Cudi and Kanye on a track together.

Currently, there is no release date for the compilation.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: D'BANJ AND BIG SEAN

GAME TALKS BEEF, "DETOX," LA SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TWITTER CONTROVERSY

Chuck Taylor dismisses his beefs, "Detox's" latest push-back, and discusses his Twitter gaffe from months ago. In a recent interview with Tim Westwood, Game began by dismissing all of his beefs, as he is inclined to do on occasion.

"The Jay-Z shit? Who cares. 50? Who cares. I don't care about that. All I care about is my fans, my kids, my family, and my friends," he proclaimed.

When asked whether he had beef with Big Sean, Game simply replied, "Big Sean is a cool kid. I ain't got beef with nobody. Plus, nobody want no fucking beef with me anyway."

In light of the news that Dr. Dre would be taking a break from recording, Game also spoke on Detox. "I don't know. You have to ask Dr. Dre when he comes to the U.K.," said Game. "It is what it is."

Game also gave his take on his highly-publicized spat with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department caused by tweets sent via his Twitter account. "That was a fucked up situation," admitted Game. "That shit had me all over BBC News and CNN and shit. It is what it is. Twitter's dangerous. Twitter can get people killed. Twitter's doin' all kinds of shit. Gotta be careful with your tweet."

"That shit is stupid. None of you kids should be out there trying to die over a website. It don't make no sense. Live your life and have fun."

Ludacris Fires Shots At Drake & Big Sean On "Badaboom"

Luda takes aim at the rappers for stealing what he says is a flow that he pioneered. On his freshly released mixtape 1.21 Gigawatts , Ludacris assumedly takes aim at Drake and Big Sean on the track “Badaboom.” The DTP leader, who has previously spoken out on rappers stealing his “Supa Dupa” flow (denoted by one-word punch lines at the end of sentences), fires subliminal shots at the rappers on the cut for claiming they invented the style.

“Counterfeit rappers say I’m stealing they flows / But I can’t steal what you never made up, bitch! / Y’all some duplicate rap cloning niggas / I manufacture you hoes put on your makeup, bitch!” he raps. “Let me explain, nothing’s been new since Big Daddy Kane / Flows been recycled passed around to different names.

“Eleven years and still counting / And y’all get a couple of hit records, make some noise and have the nerve to start shouting?” he continues. “You lyin’ to yaself, just admit it / May not like the way I used it, but you know you ain’t invent it, boy / Do your research before you make a claim so bogus that’s disrespecting pioneers in the game.” Big Sean previously took credit for inventing what he deemed the “Supa Dupa” flow, which Drake later popularized in his rhymes

Wale Preps "Ambition," Speaks On Rick Ross' Health

With his new album Ambition dropping on November 1st, Wale offered the world a preview of his sophomore set, releasing a YouTube clip featuring snippets of every track on the album. For fans, he also gave away his new track “Slight Work,” featuring Big Sean and produced by Diplo.

Additionally, the Maybach Music Group signee spoke on his boss Rick Ross’ health, stating that he’s on the mend but that he “just needs to get some rest.”

US Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 10/24/2011

1. Drake featuring Lil Wayne - The Real Her

2. Wale featuring Big Sean - Slight Work

3. Kid CuDi - Bigger Than You

4. Wiz Khalifa - Rich People

5. Joe Budden - Why Would I

6. Pusha T - What Dreams Are Made Of

7. Ludacris featuring Big K.R.I.T. - I'm On Fire

8. Mary J. Blige featuring Drake - Mr. Wrong

9. Wiz Khalifa - Dessert Bait Freestyle

10. Drake featuring Nicki Minaj - Make Me Proud