Black Rob - 'Ventilation' (video)

Music video from Black Rob's upcoming album, Game Tested, Street Approved. Ventilation is directed by Mazi O., produced by Puerto Roc and managed by Jemal from Off The Block Entertainment.

Red Cafe Signs With Bad Boy Interscope Officially Announced Preps 'Red October' New Album

via the press release

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 5 -- BAD BOY/INTERSCOPE RECORDS announced today the signing of rapper Red Cafe to their new label partnership which was cemented late last year. Red Cafe is preparing for the release of his debut album, Red October. His current single, "I'm Ill" features Fabolous and is produced by hot newcomer Boi-1da (Drake's "Best I Ever Had," "Forever" and "Over," and Eminem's new single "Not Afraid"). The video, directed by Edwin Decena, has jumped to the #9 spot today on BET's 106th & Park.

Red October will be co-executive produced by Diddy and Akon. "I'm so excited. I've got the best of both worlds," stated Red Cafe. "Diddy representing the streets and Akon bringing a worldly perspective to the project."

"Today, I can officially announce the signing of Red Cafe to the Bad Boy/Interscope family. Red's lyrical skill and passion is unique," says Sean "Diddy" Combs. "Red's raw talent brings a new sound and fresh perspective from the streets. I look forward to him sharing his talent with the world."

Notorious B.I.G. The Official Bad Boy Tribute To Biggie Smalls In Brooklyn, NY

via MTV

Early Wednesday morning, Busta Rhymes was absolutely basking in an afterglow at 2:10 a.m. in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Busta had just performed with Rick Ross, Fabolous, Red Café and Puff Daddy at the Lab nightclub — the collective, wearing T-shirts that read "Invisible Bully," took to the stage to honor the 13th anniversary of the death of Notorious B.I.G.

"Brooklyn is so thorough," Busta yelled in the parking lot. "We seeing U-Haul trucks, we smelling jerk chicken — Brooklyn's reppin', homie."

Busta brought the ruckus with his chorus on "Victory." There was no way Rhymes would have missed saluting his close friend, Biggie.

"God bless Ms. Wallace and thank you so much Ms. Wallace for giving us such greatness. As far as existence is concerned ... Big was greatness as far as existence was concerned," he said. "When I'm sitting in the venue, we sippin' on all type of things and we watching and really being able to appreciate how every single song ... you know how people got their favorites. It's one thing for people to sing their favorites, but it's another when everybody sings the entire catalog. Special homie!"

Buss said the night was just about perfect — however, one person was missing.

"The one thing I definitely feel a little funny about is that the homie Lil Wayne had to go in and the timing was so close to a moment. Not only did he tear it down at Madison Square Garden, I wish he had a couple of more days to be able to come and tear it down for us honoring the legacy of the late great B.I. I'm sure Weezy would have came through and repped with everybody that came through tonight. With that being said, I hope the homie holds his head, do his little stint, 85 percent of his stint, and comes home safe in one piece. Because you really can't cage genius. During 14th anniversary, we wanna see Weezy over here showing love to the late great B.I. Big up to the whole Young Money. Shout-out to the whole Cash Money."

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Janelle Monae 'The ArchAndroid' Spin Magazine Sneak Preview NYC Listening Session

Atlanta's R&B star Janelle Monae debuted her May 18 release, The ArchAndroid, with an exclusive listening party in New York Thursday night (March 4), and like her music, the event was loads of tripped-out fun -- Diddy even patched in via webcam from his Paris hotel suite to join the party.

On the strength of a solid '09 -- "Many Moons," the single off her EP Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, landed a Grammy nod for Best Urban Performance -- Monae signed with Diddy's Bad Boy Records, and if anyone knows how to throw a party tailored to every nuance of his 25-year-old singer's oddball taste, it's Diddy.

Actors dressed in black undertaker cloaks and white beaked masks circled an open bar where SNL's Kenan Thompson and members of the Roots drank; attendees were escorted two at a time into a small basement theatre, where popcorn was served; and special programs describing "The ArchAndroid Experience" were distributed, complete with this instruction: "After you've heard The ArchAndroid, please don't tell your friends its shocking secrets."

"Janelle is my most artistic signing yet," Diddy said, his image projected on the theatre's screen. "She's not afraid to dream. I'm known for my hype, but her music speaks for itself." His accolades were then interrupted by a knock at his door. "Oh, sorry. It's room service!" Sigh.

"I want dancing," Monae then instructed. "Get up, act a fool!"

The deep beats of "Suite II Overture" then blasted to a film accompiment -- videos of pyramids, boxing matches, trains, and taxis, plus acid-drenched pics of Monae, the clip's co-director -- and in seconds the place was jumpin'.

Members of Monae's Wondaland Arts Society crew flailed, shook, mash-potatoed, and straight freaked in the aisles. And for good reason: The ArchAndroid is out-of-this-world funky, from the turbocharged R&B single "Tightrope" to the free-floating jazz guitar and psych bass grooves of "Mushrooms and Roses."

Kenan Thompson, standing outside the venue after the event, wearing sunglasses in the dark, was impressed. "I loved it," he said. "It's high energy… it's wild. (source)

Also, read Suite 903 blogsite's rendition of Janelle Monae's listening session:
Suite 903 - Preview: Janelle Monae’s New Album

Sheek Louch Confirms New Lox Album, Upcoming 2010 Release

Red Cafe Performs "Hottest In The Hood" at This Is 50 Fest Governor's Island NYC

This Is 50 Fest Governor's Island NYC Saturday October 3.

(video courtesy of spotcoffee)

Red Cafe at the Harlem Lanes (video)

Red Cafe spotted at Harlem Lanes May 16.
'The Shakedown' coming soon on Bad Boy/Konvict.