50 Cents Tops Forbes List as 2008’s Top Earner

Front not…still plenty of paper to be got.

1. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson: $150 million

2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter: $82 million

3. Sean “Diddy” Combs: $35 million

4. Kanye West: $30 million

5. Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley: $22 million

6. Pharrell Williams: $20 million

7. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean: $17 million

8. Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus: $16 million

9. André “Dr. Dre” Young: $15 million

10. Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges: $14 million

11. Clifford “T.I.” Harris: $13 million (tie)

11. Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter: $13 million (tie)

12. Marshall “Eminem” Mathers: $12 million (tie)

12. Lonnie “Common” Lynn Jr.: $12 million (tie)

12. Aliaune “Akon” Thiam: $12 million (tie)

13. Jermaine Dupri: $11 million (tie)

13. Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith: $11 million (tie)

14. OutKast: $10 million (tie)

14. Hakeem “Chamillionaire” Seriki: $10 million (tie)

14. Jayceon “The Game” Taylor: $10 million (tie)

Via: ProHipHop

Kanye West to Appear with Barack Obama at Democratic National Convention this August

Details are still a little fuzzy regarding exactly what this is all going to be about but according to sources it looks like Barack might introduce Kanye prior to his performance.  More details can be found here at Hip Hop DX.

Nas Drops Track From Upcoming Untitled LP

According to AllHipHop Nas has decided to drop the “Be a Ni**er Too” joint from the untitled LP due to sample clearance issues.  If you remember, this was the joint that they shot the video for and launched the poster campaign to promote.  I’m sure NY Oil is happy.

Busta Rhymes Dropped From Interscope??

According to Thisis50.com Busta Rhymes has been dropped from Interscope after a heated conversation with Jimmy Lovine (Chairman of the label).  Blessed is set to drop soon so I hope the album is not in jeopardy.  I’m looking forward to Blessed being one of the top albums of the year.  Let’s hope this is just a rumour.

DJ Scratch Leaves EPMD

Scratch was a member of EPMD for over 20 years and they up and began recording an album and touring without him.  Even telling told fans at shows that he missed his plane.  Sounds pretty fowl…

Full story at AllHipHop

Wale Featured in New LRG Ad

Yeah…the new favorite cat on the block is now a part of their new ad campaign.  LRG is on their grind so damn hard and always on that cutting edge.  Wale is set to blow and rep for DC all the way.  And holla at some DC folks and they’ll tell you that they’ve been waiting a minute for a new hero.

Via: Wooohah

Jeezy Named by a Snitch for Receiving BMF Kilos

So the Black Mafia Family heads are on trial right now and one of them is naming names. One of those names was Jay Jenkins AKA Young Jeezy. And it sounds like the snowman was moving keys like the piano man.

Full story here.

R Kelly Acquitted of All Charges

Honestly I thought Kells was about to do some time. After they pulled out the doctored video defense I thought he was done. Behold…Kells is free.

Full story here.

The Hip Hop Chess Set

This is one of the more incredible collector items I’ve seen in recent memory.  This set goes for over 5 grand.  If you’ve watched the Greg Street video where he goes in on J.D. about his dumbass comments about the DJ being dead then you got to see this board up close and personal.  Now if I only I can come up with five G’s…

More pics after the jump.

Via: Wooohah

Jermaine Dupri Claims “The DJ is Dead”

Is JD and Weezy trying to body their careers? Maybe deejays won’t stop playing Lil Wayne quite so easily but I can pretty well guarantee that we have a much easier time not playing any new Jermaine Dupri tracks. Well, matter of fact (scratches head)…I can’t remember the last time I did play one. Maybe he felt he had nothing to lose by this point.

Full Story at Hip Hop DX