NICKI MINAJ ADDRESSES SELLING OUT BY MAKING POP SONGS

Nicki Minaj explains that she's just adding on to her brand and isn't turning her back on her Hip Hop roots.

Nicki Minaj created a stir with the release of her past few records, most recently confusing her Hip Hop fan base with the pop-friendly "Starships. " During an interview with Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex, the Young Money rapstress explained that she hopes people know that she's smart enough to calculate each move.

"I would hope that people know at this point that I'm smart enough to know what I'm doing all the time. But I guess they still kind of waiver. I always intended on putting out something urban after 'Starships,' because I knew 'Starships' was a monster. I didn't feel the pressure. To be honest, I feel really, really good. I feel that Hip Hop cares enough that they have something to say. I remember when I was hoping that someone had something to say about me on the radio, or cared enough."

Nicki, who also premiered her Lil Wayne-assisted cut "Roman Reloaded," said that the pop songs have more reach than her urban songs and that she's not going to apologize for making music for the masses.

"Maybe it would be a problem if I couldn't deliver records like 'Roman Reloaded,' but I can. I write my own lyrics. Once again, I write my own lyrics. So it's never a problem. Whatever I feel, I can write, I can create it. So I'm good. I think people sometimes get blown away by the magnitude of the pop stuff, because the pop stuff, it reaches everywhere and then I feel like my Hip Hop fans or Hip Hop culture starts getting a little bit afraid that I'm going to leave. But this is who I am. I'm not going to change - I'm just adding on to my brand. And if you don't understand that, then it's probably why you don't travel and you don't see the world and I probably can't even have a conversation with you anymore."

GBENGA AEYINKA AND FRIENDS RETURN TO IBADAN ON APRIL 9

Popular stand comedian and show host Gbenga Adeyinka will cause major commotion in the ancient city of Ibadan when he revisits that city in April with his hit show ‘Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends’.

Adeyinka popularly referred to as Comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR) is heading to Ibadan on Easter Monday, April 9, 2012 with an entourage of performers that’ll include Terry G, 9ice, Capital F.E.M.I, Alibaba and Koffi.

Adeyinka, who’s also a TV host and magazine publisher tells us ‘I don’t know why I’m so particular about Ibadan but I guess the love they showed me the first time proved my point that Ibadan remains the home of comedy’, comedian Adeyinka says.

Other performers include KSB, Jahbless, Lord of Ajasa, Skuki, Chuddy K, DJ Tony Blaze, Laff Up, Jedi, Jayru, Rayce, Shiaman, Morac, Lepacious Bose, Gordons, Omobaba, Tony Tetuila and a host of others.

The first edition of the show took place on August 21, 2011. Watch highlights below…

LIL WAYNE CONFIRMS CASH MONEY SIGNED LIMP BIZKIT, ASHANTI MAY BE NEXT

Lil Wayne shares that Limp Bizkit is now signed to Cash Money and says they may be working with Ashanti as well.

Over the years, Cash Money Records has opened its doors as a home to established and new artists alike. Recently, Lil Wayne revealed that Cash Money signed the Rock/Rap group Limp Bizkit. He then shared that Ashanti may become part of the Cash Money collective as well.

"Every other day I hear about somebody new signed to Cash Money," Wayne explained in an interview with Kissing After Dark. "For example, the other day I just found out that Limp Bizkit signed to Cash Money. So they're signing everybody. Every body's getting a chance."

Weezy also went on to fuel rumors of Ashanti signing to the label. While acknowledging that it was not a sure thing, Wayne shared that Ashanti may be the next artist on the Cash Money roster.

"I don't want to step across any boundaries but I think we're working with Ashanti right now."

DMX DOES NOT LIKE DRAKE, IS NOT IMPRESSED BY RICK ROSS

DMX says Jay-Z tried to get rid of him and adds that he doesn't like Drake. He also shares that he is not impressed by Rick Ross.

In a recent interview, DMX was candid about his feelings towards several emcees. The New York rapper shared that he feels Jay-Z tried to "eliminate the competition" during his time as Def Jam President. He also explained that he does not like Drake or "anything about Drake" and that he is not impressed by Rick Ross.

When speaking about Jay-Z, X said that he feels he wasn't treated fairly by Def Jam when Jigga was the head of the label.

"I see what's really good. You trying to eliminate the competition. At first you retire, then get me off the label and now you're back rapping again," he added as a guest on The Breakfast Club. "That was just some bullshit. You know what it is. That was getting rid of the competition."

Later, he was open about his feelings towards Rick Ross. X shared that he is not impressed and added that he feels Ross' subject matter is not diverse.

"I'm just not impressed," he said when a radio personality inquired about Rick Ross' lyrical skills. "He's aight, man. He talks about eating and girlfriends too much. How much can a nigga eat? How much weed can you smoke? Let's talk about something else...I see a whole 'nother side of the coin, son."

He was then asked if he liked Drake, to which he replied with a simple, "No." He then went further by saying he doesn't like anything about the Young Money emcee.

"No," he confirmed. "I don't like anything about Drake. I don't like his fucking voice. I don't like what he talks about. I don't like his face. I don't like the way he walks. Nothing."

An emcee he was complimentary towards was J. Cole, saying "J. Cole is nice." X also confirmed that he's on a new reality show with his ex-wife. He then added that he still drinks and smokes but says that he's not doing "hard" drugs. DMX also shared that he does not know how to use a computer and that he's not a fan of Twitter.

NNEKA APPOINTED ARTS AMBASSADOR

Nigerian-German singer Nneka Egbuna has been appointed Ambassador for the Arts by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in a ceremony held at the AWDF House in Accra, Ghana.

‘I feel good; I feel it is another way to get my message out there. It compliments my music and the consciousness within my music. It is a way to share my music and empower people, empower women and empower the youth. My songs raise awareness about issues that the African Women’s Development Fund also addresses, so it’s a good partnership’ says the singer who’s getting set to take her musical offerings to American fans with live performances of her songs at Gramercy Theatre, New York on March 27, 2012.

Meanwhile, the singer, whose musical career is steadily on the rise, on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, released a new video for her single ‘Shining star’ (featuring Black Thought of The Roots), off her upcoming album, ‘Soul heavy’.

Although she’s yet to get the big break back home and abroad, Miss Egbuna has garnered worldwide accolades and attention, due to the conscious and politically charged themes of her music; and, remarkably, she has worked with a growing number of international acts including Nas, Talib Kweli, and Damien Marley.

ANDRE 3000 DISMISSES OUTKAST REUNION ALBUM RUMOURS, PLOT SOLO LP FOR 2012

Andre 3000 hopes to release his solo album this year, but promises that more new music is on the way.

Fans have been hoping that Andre 3000 and Big Boi would reunite for an Outkast album over the past few years, but they’ll have to wait a bit longer. During an interview with GQ.com, Three Stacks dismissed rumors that an Outkast album is in the works but that fans can expect more music from him in the near future.

“There's been a lot of talk on the Internet about an Outkast album and I have to say that as of now, there are no plans for another Outkast album,” he said. “There's a lot of music on the horizon. I've been living off the excitement of new artists. I've been privileged to have these new artists kind of reach out and grab back and say, ‘Hey, Andre, we want you on this song.’ So I've been taking those calls and for the last two years, I've been doing collaborations. So these new artists have kind of been keeping me alive. I've just really been feeding off of that and this year I think I'm planning to do a solo project. I don't know when it will come out, but hopefully it'll come out this year. As far as Outkast, I really don't know if or when that will happen.”

The dismissal of an Outkast reunion album comes as a surprise, considering that the group was reportedly heading to Epic Records to release a new LP. 3K did confirm that a solo album is on the way, and that it will take his sound back to the lively energy of early ‘Kast music.

“The only thing I can really say is I'm going to get back to having fun because that's what it was all about when I started this in high school—with Outkast—those were like high school dreams. I'm 36 now, so I have grown-man dreams. This album will just be me being myself as normal.”

DMX BRINGS OUT SWIZZ BEATZ DURING SOLD OUT NEW YORK CITY SHOW

DMX reunited with Swizz Beatz during his homecoming show.

Last night, DMX returned to New York City, New York to perform a sold-out show at S.O.B.'s.

During the performance, Dark Man X graced the stage alongside his Ruff Ryders cohort Swizz Beatz to perform "Ruff Ryders Anthem (Remix)" and "Get It On the Floor." Without Swizzy, the energetic rapper performed "We Right Here," "Who We Be" and "One More Road to Cross."

EVA LONGORIA HELD UP IN HOLLYWOOD

"Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria bordered on having a wardrobe malfunction as she left her restaurant Beso in Hollywood last night ... by barely wearing a little black dress with a very deep and interesting plunging neckline.

Despite being smokin' hot, the glowing 36-year-old did her best to contribute to the nip in the air.

RIHANNA: STUDIO SEXY IN LONDON

She’s always up to something, and Rihanna was spotted at a studio in London, England earlier today (February 24).

The “We Found Love” songstress looked playful as she frolicked around in a black cap, white top, and black trousers as the cameras rolled.

And though she’s resolved to work with her abusive ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, Rihanna hasn’t received the blessing from her mentor Jay-Z.

An insider told press, "Jay was absolutely disgusted by what Chris did to Rihanna. Jay doesn't understand how a man could ever lay hands on a woman; it just goes against who he is and about. Chris is absolutely dead to Jay, he wants nothing to do with him ever. Now that Rihanna is hooking up with Chris and recording songs with him, Jay is deeply disappointed in her actions.”

“He can't fathom why Rihanna is doing the things she is doing. He understands the need for forgiveness, but he is adamant that Rihanna shouldn't forget what Chris did to her. Jay wonders what kind of message this is sending to Rihanna's young female fans. Rihanna knows how Jay feels about Chris, but she doesn't care, she is going to do what she wants.

COMMON CONFIRMS HE SQUASHED BEEF WITH DRAKE AT GRAMMY AWARDS

Common also assures that the beef did not stem from Drake dating Serena Williams.

Common previously revealed that the beef with Drake had ended, but the two hadn't bumped into one another until the 2012 Grammy Awards. Though rumors floated around that the rappers engaged in a scuffle backstage at the award show, Com says that they used the face-to-face opportunity to patch up their differences, explaining that he's got nothing but love for the Young Money emcee.

"We had a talk, we had a conversation. It was a face-to-face, man-to-man, a positive thing. It was a good conversation. I’ve learned to respect him even more. I already thought he was a talented guy, but just from the conversation we had, I hold even more respect for him," he said during an interview with Cabbie Richards. "We saw each other and the conversation was initiated. It was just a respectful conversation that needed to be had, so he knew that I’m not at him trying to destroy him as a human being. It was a Hip Hop battle to me. I had to put all of those things into Hip Hop... I gave him a pound, gave him a boom and it was all love."

He also denied that the beef stemmed from Drake dating his ex-girlfriend Serena Williams. Though he admits that many fights begin because of relationship faux pas, the Chicago, Illinois emcee says that it stemmed from Drizzy taking shots at him.

"Nah, it wasn’t about Serena. First of all, that is a past situation. The battle is over, it’s all love. But it was more based on the fact that I felt like Drake was taking a couple of shots at me, and saying a couple of things that I felt like were towards me. Once that was said, I felt a little disrespected and it kept going on and I decided to say what I needed to say at that point. I think first and foremost, he’s a very talented guy and I send much love to him and to continue to do what he’s doing. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. It was a good battle, we got it done, it’s done. It’s over. It’s not over any woman."