NEWS: J. Cole's "Power Trip" Goes Platinum [@JColeNC]

2013 has been a good year for J. Cole. After outselling Kanye West's Yeezus with his sophomore album, Born Sinner, Cole receives another honorable mention from the RIAA. His R&B influenced single, "Power Trip," is certified platinum. Shouts out to Cole and the whole Dreamville crew. 

NEWS: Chance the Rapper Covers Dazed & Confused [@ChanceTheRapper]

Chance the Rapper covers Dazed & Confused for their tribute to 1993. Pick up this copy of Dazed & Confused tomorrow. Salute!

NEWS: Magna Carta Holy Grail [Artwork] - Jay-Z [@S_C_]

Life+Times unveils Jay-Z's album artwork for his upcoming album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, which drops tonight at midnight. Hit the jump to peep the rest of the presentation.

NEWS: Jay-Z's "Magna Carta Holy Grail" Influences RIAA to Change 30 Day Rule [@S_C_]

Jay-Z is already establishing #newrules with his upcoming album, "Magna Carta Holy Grail." According to several sources, Jay might be able to earn a platinum plaque before Magna Carta even drops. Hit the jump to read more.

NEWS: Judge Orders Meek Mill to Take Etiquette Classes [@MeekMill]

Haha! Oh man, this just made my day. I don't even know what he did because I've been laughing for the past five minutes. Hit the jump to read more about Meek Mill's latest order from the judge and why it was given to him. Goodness gracious.

NEWS: "Born Sinner" Expected to Out Sale "Yeezus" Second Week Sales [@JColeNC @KanyeWest]

After Yeezus sold 328,000 units and Born Sinner sold 297,922 units in their first week, it looks like Cole is about to surpass Kanye for second week sales. According to Billboard, Yeezus is expected to sell 70-75k and Born Sinner 90-95k. Cole is quickly creeping in on Kanye's total sales for Yeezus and could surpass him next week. Congrats to Cole and the team. I guess all that hype toned down real quick. Grab both Yeezus and Born Sinner today. Salute!

NEWS: Magna Carta Holy Grail [Track List] - Jay-Z [@S_C_]

On July 4th, Jay-Z will release his Samsung exclusive Magna Carta Holy Grail. The album features no other rap artists but features production from Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Pharrell, and more. Hit the jump to peep the entire 13-track album. Salute!

NEWS: Jay-Z Now Licensed to Work as NBA Agent [@S_C_]

According to ESPN, Jay-Z is now licensed to work as an NBA agent. There have already been rumors of Kevin Durant signing to Jay's recently launched sports agency and now it's time to see if Durant will join the roster. Will this man ever stop winning? Hit the jump to read more about Jay's sports agency.

NEWS: Asher Roth Announces Release Date for "Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2" [@asherroth]

Asher Roth took it to twitter yesterday to reveal that his upcoming mixtape, Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2, will drop on June 25th. I would say I am excited but that'd be an understatement. Download Asher Roth's upcoming tape on first HipHopHype on June 25th. Salute!

NEWS: Wale Releases "The Gifted" Full Album Stream [@Wale]

On the same day J. Cole, Kanye West, Mac Miller, and Statik Selektah drop their albums, Wale releases a full album stream for his. The Gifted, which is slated to drop a week from today (on June 25th) is now available for stream on iTunes. And there you have it. Five albums at your disposal. Stream Wale's The Gifted here and enjoy all the new music!

NEWS: ESGN [Album Artwork + Track List] - Freddie Gibbs [@FreddieGibbs]

Freddie Gibbs releases the official artwork and track list for his upcoming album, ESGN, which drops on July 9th. Peep the album artwork above and the track list after the jump.

NEWS: Blk to release "Chivalry Vol. 1 [EP]" On June 20th [@blkpplmusic]

Electronic and hip-hop artist, Blk, recently announced his upcoming EP Chivalry Vol. 1 available for free download on June 20th. It's been a while since we've heard from the Baltimore native but that doesn't make us any less excited about his upcoming project. The project will feature eight original tracks including one bonus track. Hit the jump to peep the entire track list and download Chivalry Vol. 1 on June 20th. Salute!

NEWS: Kanye West & Kim Kardashian's Baby Has Arrived! [@KanyeWest @KimKardashian]

According to several sources, Kimye's new baby girl has officially arrived just in time for the release of Kanye West's upcoming album Yeezus. Congrats to Kim and Kanye and I hope Yeezus's leak didn't ruin the excitement from his new born. Read more about Kanye and Kim's newest member of the family after the jump.

NEWS: Wale Channels Malcolm X for Cover of Urban Ink Magazine [@Wale]

Wale covers Urban Ink Magazine while declaring "a revolution in ink." Hit the jump for the rest of the pictures during his photo shoot and the cover story behind Malcolm... I mean Wale's feature in Urban Ink. 

NEWS: Gucci Mane On His Relationship with Waka, Upcoming Brick Squad LP, and More... [@gucci1017]

In a recent interview with The Fader, Brick Squad's frontman spoke on his relationship with Waka, his upcoming Brick Squad LP, his run-ins with the law, and more. Hit the jump to read the entire interview. BRICK SQQQQUUAAAAAADDDD!!!

NEWS: Andre 3000's Mother, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo, Passes

According to Billboard, Andre 3000's mother, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo, has passed away. Although the cause of death is unconfirmed, a representative from 3000's team confirmed the Hip-Hop icon's mother passed away this past Monday on 3000's 38th birthday. My condolences are sent to the Benjamin family and I hope that they have a speedy recovery. Hit the jump for more on the story.

NEWS: Miguel Says "Black People Are the Most Judgmental People in the World" [@MiguelUnlimited]

Haha seems like some Black people really pissed Miguel off recently. In a rant on twitter, Miguel claims "Black people are the most judgmental people in the world" before defending his statement. Something tells me this has to do with the response Miguel received after kicking a fan in the head during the Billboard awards. Anyway, hit the jump to read the entire rant. It's definitely worth a few moments of your time.

NEWS: Trinidad James Explains His Ignorance in Rap [@TrinidadJamesGG]

In a recent interview with XXL, Trinidad James explained why he raps about "hoes and drugs." Apparently, to no ones surprise, he claimed he does it in order to sell. Hit the jump to read the entire excerpt and hit the comments section for your opinion on the matter. No wonder why James doesn't sound as ignorant as he raps in his interviews. 

NEWS: Singer TQ Reveals Lil Wayne & Birdman Kissed "Constantly" But "Wasn't Homosexual" [@LilTunechi @BIRDMAN5STAR]

This is hardly news. However, it's probably the funniest thing I've read all day. According to Singer TQ, Lil Wayne and Birdman kissed all the time. Yet, it wasn't seen as homosexual. This story has resurfaced several times since the picture in the bottom right corner was taken but this is by far the most fulfilling of them all. Hit the jump to read TQ's official statement regarding Tunechi and Birdman's kisses. That even sounds weird.

NEWS: Yeezus [Album Artwork] - Kanye West [@KanyeWest]

Kanye West's official artwork for his upcoming album, Yeezus, which drops June 18th. It's Yeezy season!