Photo: MTV News

• Polow Da Don
• Jay-Z
• Busta Rhymes
• Soulja Boy Tell'em
• DJ Khaled

Dow Jones, Mistah F.A.B. and Busta Rhymes
Photo: MTV News

Celebrity Favorites
Busta Rhymes was doling out props on the BET Hip-Hop Awards red carpet earlier this month when he ran into the West Coast alliance of Mistah F.A.B. and Tha Bizness producer Dow Jones.

"I personally wanna big-up my homie Fab and my homie Mr. Dow Jones," Bus said.

"One of the craziest things — he ain't new, first of all," Bus added, talking about Fab and then pointing to Dow. "He ain't new either, but the world ain't familiar with the grind and the bid they put in prior to the success. I been watching [F.A.B.] bust his a-- for at least 10 years now. It ain't no mystery why they starting to pop off the way they supposed to. They done put their boot-camp training in the way they supposed to — now they're ready to bust their arsenal off in the battlefield. Now they're hitting their targets. Tha Bizness, you can't stop hearing the spins — 20,000 spins per song!"

Tha Bizness, who have recently produced records like Young Jeezy's "President" and Young Money's "Every Girl," have been in the lab with Busta working on his new LP.

"We came together with several things. I'm rocking with them on their album," Rhymes affirmed. "Congratulations to my man Mistah F.A.B. — now he's really starting to feel what that disrespectful tax bracket is feeling like. Everything is looking like we gonna roll the dice in a very successful way at the gambling table."

Mistah F.A.B. has a new mixtape about to hit and an album due at the top of 2010.

"The album be out in February. I got the Gangsta Grillz I just finished up with [DJ Drama]," F.A.B. added. "It's called Reality Rap. It's my grown-up side, me showing my ability to be diverse and cover more topics than I may be known for. I wanna show the rest of the world that I'm really worthy of the accolades I've been attaining and I plan to gain. I'm really worth those things. Who better to co-sign you than DJ Drama?"

Tha Bizness are currently working on Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily: Polow Da Don, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, More

• Busta Rhymes
• Lil Wayne

Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes, "New Mexico Takeover 4" concert, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 08.30.2009
Photo: Nigel Degraff

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — The summer concert season closed out with a bang at the Journal Pavilion on Sunday night, as Florida kings Rick Ross, Pitbull, and Flo Rida filled out a roster that included Bun B, Warren G, Twista and headliner Busta Rhymes at the "New Mexico Takeover 4."

Bun B was one of the first big names to hit the stage, tantalizing the crowd with way-back UGK hits such as Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'," then forwarding to current classics like "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)."

Backstage, Warren G and Rick Ross plotted future collaborations. "I need some of them beats," Ross, surrounded by the Carol City Cartel and Masspike Miles, said to Warren in his dressing room with a grin. Meanwhile Warren, who had performed some of his classics like "Regulate" and "This DJ," talked about working with Michael Jackson. The West Coast producer said he has three songs in the can from years back with MJ, however, Jackson controlled the music and Warren has never gotten his hands on the finished songs.

Later Ross took the stage with his swagger-filled brand of gangsta music.

"I need silence for one second," the Boss said early in his set. "I gotta talk a little business." All of a sudden, as if on command, it started raining. "I heard it ain't nothing but hustlas out here."

This led, of course, to "Hustlin'." Later came "We Takin' Over" and "Push It."

"I love it! The weather is beautiful," Ross said during "Yacht Club."

The show stayed Miami, with Flo Rida getting loud love from the spectators with his hits such as "Low" and "Sugar." Flo's finale was "Right Round" where he rode on a bodyguard's shoulders through the crowd while he rapped.

However, Pitbull — whose new LP, Rebelution, drops this week — was probably the star of the night. The largely Hispanic crowd sang and danced along with songs such as "Bojangles," "Toma" and "Pull Up."

"I know you want me, you know I want ya!" they sang along heavily on "I Know You Want Me." "Hotel Room" was his closer.

Pitbull was a tough act to follow, but the mighty Busta Rhymes kept fans on their feet with his set, which featured hits like "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," "Fire It Up," "Break Ya Neck," "Arab Money" and many others. Each record was performed with so much energy that you would have sworn it was Busta's last-ever concert.

"Pass the Courvoisier" ended the show, with Bus giving a champagne bath to the front row while Spliff Star showered people on the side of the stage.

• Busta Rhymes, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Play N Skillz And More At The "New Mexico Takeover 4" Concert, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 08.30.2009

• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• Pitbull
• Flo Rida
• Warren G
• Twista

Cam'ron
Photo: Asylum

Celebrity Favorites

Cam'ron is getting to the money and apparently has no time for holding grudges. When Killa is cruising, he's not having flashbacks of old beefs. Despite past musical feuds with Nas and Jay-Z, the Harlem Diplomat says that he keeps their music in rotation. A classic is a classic.

"To be honest, I've been listening to a variety of stuff," Cam told us a few weeks ago, when asked whose music he enjoys these days. "The last album I bought was Plies' album. I like Plies a lot. Basically, being in Florida, you feel him even more when you're in that atmosphere. [Lil] Wayne is my man. I got stuff like Jay-Z's first album, Reasonable Doubt, [Nas'] infamous Illmatic, stuff that makes me think. [A lot of] new albums are like, 'Eh, whatever.' But I got a lot of '97, '98 stuff in my car, '96. Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. ... I always listen to DeBarge. DeBarge is always in the loop. John Legend. Beyoncé's new CD is in there. I do a lot of mixtape R&B stuff. I even got the Force M.D.s."

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground

From the South to the North and everywhere in between, OJ Da Juiceman is getting love from his fellow hip-hop dignitaries. Jadakiss has him featured on "Who's Real," R. Kelly has him on the underground record "Superman High," and there are plenty more collaborations in the works.

"I did a song with Saigon; it's called 'What Would You Do for Pu---," he said. "I'mma have this record with Cassidy. I got in the 'Hustler's Anthem' remix with Busta Rhymes and T-Pain. I got in touch with Grafh — he said he wants to do something. [Tony] Yayo got on the remix to 'Make the Trap Say Aye'; it's a bunch of people. I'm working with everybody that extended their hand out. Me and Ron Browz about to do something. I did song with D-Block that's a real record."

And in addition to all that, Da Juice is currently working on a follow-up to the project he released earlier this year The Otha Side of the Trap.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

• Mixtape Daily Video: Jay-Z, Cam'ron, Drake, Jadakiss & More

• Mixtape Daily: Other Notables, Eminem, Jadakiss, Kanye West And More

• Cam'ron
• Jay-Z
• OJ Da Juiceman
• Jadakiss
• Saigon

Busta Rhymes
Photo: MTV News

Busta Rhymes: hip-hop superhero? "I feel like the Mighty Thor," he said recently in his dressing room at Manhattan's Santos Party House. Rhymes just finished annihilating the stage with classics such as "Break Ya Neck" and the remix to "Ante Up" (M.O.P. came out for the latter), as well as his new smash, "Respect My Conglomerate," featuring special guest Jadakiss.

After the concert, Busta talked about his first LP in three years, Back on My B.S., and how it felt to perform the brand-new material onstage.

"I just feel phenomenal right now," he said after his show, shortly after midnight on Tuesday (May 19). "I'm excited. It's 24 hours before my birthday, it's the day of my release date. It's Malcolm X's birthday. It's one of the greatest days in hip-hop. As far as retail, this the biggest day of the year as far as album releases — Lionel Richie, Ruben Studdard, Eminem, Redman and Method Man, DJ Drama, me.

"We're kinda reminding people that music is one of the most important elements in the entire world of entertainment," he added. "It's still the face of entertainment."

Plenty of faces had smiles as Rhymes went through the endless batch of hits. Bus enjoyed how his B.O.M.B. material was received.

" 'Give Em What They Askin' For,' that's a joint that was produced by Ron Browz — and again, I'm trying to implement the boom-bap," he explained. "Because it's time for the records to feel like when you in the club ... they're knocking your block off, and they still got lyrics to 'em and they still making you feel good with the catchy choruses."

Browz also produced "Arab Money" and was a special guest on the show.

"Two records ... that were both produced by DJ Scratch, 'Wheel of Fortune' [and] 'I'm a Go and Get My ...,' those songs consist of that boom-bap as well. 'I'm a Go and Get My ...' is more of a concept record. 'Wheel of Fortune' is more of that traditional club banger, a spaz-in-the-club, wild-out-in-the-club type of joint. Then we got a joint produced by Pharrell, 'Kill Dem.' It's a big-up to the West Indian community, which is me freaking it the Jamaican patois. Then I had to do one of the biggest and most personal records to me, called 'Decision,' which [features] Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, John Legend and Common.

"I'm back on my B.S. for real, B!" Rhymes smiled.

• Busta Rhymes

Cam'ron
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Jadakiss sat with all of hip-hop's big bosses, including Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, in the new video for "Respect My Conglomerate." Now, the Yonkers, New York, lyrical champ is going to share a stage with another boss: Cam'ron. The two Big Apple stars are going on tour this summer, on the heels of their new duet, "Let's Talk About It."

"Shout-out to Jada, the whole D-Block," Cam'ron said Tuesday night after his show at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom.

Cam was a guest of Jada's at a concert at the Apollo Theatre earlier this year. In exchange, 'Kiss jumped on a track for Killa's Crime Pays LP.

"I did the show for Jada; he said he was gonna return the favor," Cam said. "And he kept it real, kept it 100. We just finished [the song] the day we put it out. We just finished it. Make sure you check that out too. Shout-out to everybody in the whole D-Block. We going on tour too. It's called 'The Bosses.' "

Cam just dropped a split video for "Cookies and Apple Juice" and "Silky."

"Video is crazy. We shot it in Miami," he said. "Lot of girls, lot of thongs, bikinis — lot of stuff I can't tell you on MTV, but it was just a lot. Excessive. Shout-out to everybody in Miami for coming through to the video."

Cam's Crime Pays comes out Tuesday. Another track he says to look out for is "Got It for Cheap."

"That's one of the oldest songs on the Internet," he said. "I did that about a year ago. Somebody did the hook. So I did it over, did the hook. It got a great buzz. It got, like, 8 million hits on the Internet. I felt the beat was real hard, I just went in on it."

• Busta Rhymes
• Lil Wayne
• Jadakiss
• Cam'ron

Busta Rhymes
Photo: Universal

It's official, people. Mixtape Daily is here. That's right, daily. Mixtape Monday had a phenomenal run. For over six years, the weekly segment became an institution. Every week, it was your one-stop shop for everything related to the streets. But we promised you bigger and better things in 2009, and we're men of our word. We're going to keep bringing you all the exclusives and insight you've come to expect. We're just expanding and refocusing.

Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables

Mixtape: I Bullsh-- You Not

Starring: Busta Rhymes and DJ Scratch

Key Collaborations: "Foreign Currency" (featuring Maino), "Death Wish" (featuring Raekwon) and "Director's Cut" (featuring Uncle Murda)

Essential Info: Busta Rhymes is on a European promo tour pushing his May 19 release B.O.M.B. In the meantime, the mixtape I Bullsh-- You Not is available for free download online.

"This is happening in its own organic, natural way — the way I'm used to it happening for me," Busta said of the love he's getting from the streets and the charts. "The music is sparking something in the people that they completely open their arms and embrace willingly. It ain't nothing you gotta force-feed or beat people in the head. They rocking with it because it's genuine hot sh--."

Mixtape: Jacques Jams, Vol. 1: Endurance

Starring: Chester French and DJ Clinton Sparks

Key Collaborations: "Cîroc Star" (featuring Diddy and Jadakiss), "Campus Kingpin" (featuring Pusha T) and "I'm So Tall" (featuring Talib Kweli and Mickey Factz)

Essential Info: "We're just trying to create a movement around endurance and eventually stamina as well," French's D.A. Wallach said of their mixtape's crazy name. "We want people to get their game up. We're not talking about music. We're nerds. We live in the studio and live on a bus and do shows. ... When we say 'game,' we're talking about basketball, soccer, backgammon. We're talking about things that involve physical endurance. ... I do know how to play spades. Yes."

The group — signed to the Neptunes' Star Trak label — just put out their Interscope debut, Love the Future, with a host of your favorites, including Skateboard P. and N.O.R.E. the two worked on beats for a couple of weeks and let Mr. Sparks act as their liaison with all these big-name artists. The tape bridged the gap between their core rock/pop fans and all their hip-hop supporters.

Listening to the project, though, the duo, who both graduated from Harvard, put together the project to play like a audio movie and tell the abbreviated story of their lives (being "athletes" at college to getting signed, moving to L.A. and getting caught up in that scene).

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• Mixtape Daily Video: Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lady GaGa, More

• Busta Rhymes
• Chester French

Jadakiss, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
Photo: MTV News

There are too many guest stars to label it a "music video." Busta Rhymes says the clip he just released for "Respect My Conglomerate" should be called a movie.

"It is my pleasure and honor directing this film for Busta Rhymes, longtime brethren of mine," lens master Chris Robinson said, standing between Bus and the star of the new box-office hit "Obsessed." "I'm here with an amazing actor, who is my dream to work with, actor Idris Elba."

"These two brothers, they're the kings in the entertainment world," Elba said. "I'm privileged to be here amongst them. Kings amongst kings."

"Likewise, Godfather," Rhymes returned the compliment. "I've been tremendously blessed. The most amazing people came out and helped me support my movement and my campaign. My situation is like the [Obama] administration. There's nothing I can say or ask for greater than this beautiful day today besides the birth of my beautiful kids and my incredible family. This is definitely one of the most phenomenal days for me. Mr. Idris Elba, Christopher Robinson, Tyrese, Adam Rodriguez (of "CSI: Miami"), Xzibit, Raekwon the Chef, Wayne, Jadakiss, Bishop Lamont. ... Big up to Debbie Coda, the beautiful young lady who blasted off on the chorus. The Flipmode! I don't know what else to say other than God is good."

The song features Busta with guests Jadakiss and Lil Wayne, who replaces the original version's Young Jeezy. Other stars make cameos as part of Busta's circle of bosses.

"The concept of the video is basically about how we had a get together and gathering of the most prestigious diplomats, consiglieres, boss of bosses, and we met at a roundtable and negotiated. Everybody has a type of partnership or investment made in a microchip I possessed, which was going to determine the wealth of individual people overall once caste society is done."

All the bosses obviously have a significant amount of money and stature — and they clearly don't have any regard for the authorities.

"We took the power we had and said, 'F--- the law,' " Busta added.

In the video, the feds and police get involved and come try to put all of Busta's crew behind bars.

"This is probably one of the best joints," Jadakiss boasted. "[My videos] 'Can't Stop Me,' 'Letter to Big' and this one right here are probably the best three videos I ever shot in my life. It's a lot of love on the set. Chris knows what to capture. Bus got a lot of energy; Weezy got a lot of energy. Kiss got a lot of personality. I'm just one of the bosses that's got my own conglomerate. Young Money is Weezy's conglomerate. And Flipmode is Busta's conglomerate. We just bringing that to the table. The strength is in the numbers. You heard?"

"Respect My Conglomerate" is the current single from Busta's Back on My B.S. LP, which drops May 19.

• Busta Rhymes

Jadakiss performs at New York's Highline Ballroom
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Jason "Jadakiss" Phillips couldn't have picked a better venue to show his skills on Wednesday night than the Highline Ballroom. Though it's in a trendy Meatpacking District hotel, it's also next to a large housing project.

Undoubtedly, the people in the PJs have been some of the Yonkers rapper's main supporters during his almost 15-year career. That 'hood love is what keeps him afloat. Heck, he's given away way more songs on the mixtape circuit than he's sold with two group albums and three solo LPs (including The Last Kiss, which dropped on Tuesday). Jada gets some mainstream recognition here and there, and the respect he has from his peers is reserved for a select mic-elite few. He's rocked with the best of them: Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Snoop Dogg, DMX, all the way to Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. Jada's charisma is such that even people with whom he's had bitter feuds — 50 Cent, Beanie Sigel, Diddy, DJ Green Lantern — have turned the other cheek and reconciled any differences.

And then there's his lyrical talent. At Wednesday's show, one young woman was reciting Kiss' words so vehemently, you could envision empty Dutch Masters boxes lying at her feet, the smell of chicken patties in the air and the sounds of car engines as they drive by. "Just something about my sh--, you'll never figure out./ It's hot, it's burning my mouth, that's why I spit it out."

You couldn't tell this fan she wasn't standing in front of a corner store in a rap cipher but rather crammed into a ballroom for a show put on by MySpace.

Jada started with a very blunt fan favorite "F--- You," one of the highlights from the LOX's We Are the Streets LP. LL Cool Kiss excited the fans, who put their fingers in the air for the bullying chorus, "Only my man's blood is sacred, c---sucker, f--- you."

Like many of Kiss' most popular records, this one didn't exactly become a radio darling. But that's not where you listen to him. You buy the CD, or cop the mixtape, and you play it in the car. You listen to every acidic line on your headphones while riding the bus or taking that walk across campus. Because trust, you will be replaying songs to make sure you hear every line correctly. You can't do that while listening to the radio.

Jadakiss continued with "Put Ya Hands Up," and the spectators raised the roof. The gunpowder-fueled "Show Discipline" and a Jada verse from the "Made You Look" remix followed.

"Money, Power, and Respect," "All for the Love" and "Wild Out" came next. Kiss has verses. He could do it all night.

Shortly after "Knock Yourself Out," Jada brought out Ryan Leslie for the singer's brokenhearted love jam "How It Was Supposed to Be," on which the "Black Babe Ruth" guest-stars. Sheek Louch came out for self-explanatory banger "Kiss Your Ass Goodbye" and their crew anthem "Mighty D-Block (2 Gunz Up)."

Ruff Ryder family member Swizz Beatz made a short appearance while Kiss took a break. The producer performed a medley of his own records, such as "It's Me Bitches" before Jada returned for his new Swizz song "Who's Real."

The last surprise was Busta Rhymes, who was accompanied by Spliff Star. All three guys performed "Conglomerate," the next single from Busta's B.O.M.B. LP.

"It's my pleasure to say that Jadakiss is not just one of my favorite MCs," Bus boasted. "But we're officially giving Jadakiss a new nickname for tonight. He's the new 'Hitman' for New York."

Jada enforced his rep, going with no beat to end The Last Kiss' "Pain and Torture." "Get my insight from an OG with a good job and all that/ But he loves sniffin'/ Sh-- talker, playboy British Walker/ Rappers be home like, 'God, please get him off us.' "

Other records Kiss played from his new album were "Things I've Been Through," which samples Luther Vandross, and "What If." The latter features Nas, but Mr. Esco was back in California.

Jada's show ended with the Grammy-nominated "Why."

• Jadakiss
• Busta Rhymes
• Ryan Leslie
• Swizz Beatz
• Sheek Louch

ESPN's Andy Katz and President Barack Obama
Photo: Whitehouse.gov

President Obama's taste in sports teams mirrors that of some of your favorite hip-hop artists. This morning, ESPN ran Barack Obama's picks for the upcoming NCAA tournament.

Obama filled out a full bracket from the field of 64 teams and chose a winner for each game. The Prez's picks for the coveted Final Four spots were the Louisville Cardinals, Memphis Tigers, North Carolina Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers. So who does the commander in chief expect to be greeting at the White House in several weeks as NCAA champions? Michael Jordan's alma mater, UNC.

Obama's choices echo those of hit-making producer Ron Browz. Browz, the beatmaker behind "Pop Champagne," "Rotate" and the classic dis record "Ether," also chose North Carolina, Memphis, Louisville and Pittsburgh as his Final Four teams with the Tar Heels reigning victorious. Busta Rhymes, on the other hand, said it's too early to choose a champion, but he did give his choices for the Final Four: Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Louisville and the Connecticut Huskies.

Fabolous didn't have a full roster of who he thinks will make it to the Final Four yet -- however, he agrees the Tar Heels are unbeatable.

"I'm gonna go with North Carolina," the Brooklyn MC said. "I like their players, and they're a hard team to beat when they get going."

"I think N.C. is gonna win," Capone of Capone-N-Noreaga concurred.

The NCAA tournament kicks off Thursday (March 19), launching what is known to college basketball fans as March Madness.

• Busta Rhymes
• Fabolous

Busta Rhymes, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Play N Skillz And More At The "New Mexico Takeover 4" Concert, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 08.30.2009

• Busta Rhymes
• Twista
• Pitbull
• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)

MTV.com Exclusive: Busta Rhymes

• Busta Rhymes

On The Set Of Young Jeezy's "Who Dat" And "Crazy World" Video Shoots

• Young Jeezy
• Ice Cube
• Busta Rhymes
• Young Buck

Stars Descend On The VH1 Hip Hop Honors Red Carpet

• Busta Rhymes
• Kid Rock
• Cypress Hill
• De La Soul
• Eve

Stars Collide At The 2008 VMA Weekend Parties

• Colby O'Donis
• Korn
• Game
• Calle 13
• Paris Hilton

The Week In Pictures For January 5, 2007

• Beyoncé
• Omarion
• My Chemical Romance
• Busta Rhymes
• Kevin Federline

Nas' Album Release Party In New York

• Nas
• Jay-Z
• Kelis
• Busta Rhymes
• Omarion

2006: The Best of Studio Photos

• Lil Jon
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Kelis
• Beck
• Nelly Furtado

Best of 2006: Backstage & Party Moments

• Fall Out Boy
• P!nk
• Kanye West
• Busta Rhymes
• Hype Williams

Mixtape Monday, 11.20.2006

• Cam'ron
• Nas
• Busta Rhymes
• Game