DMX talks New Album, "Redemption of the Beast"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

DMX has been in and out jail for the past three years. Before he went to jail, back in 2008, DMX was working on a comeback album. After spending his entire career with Def Jam, DMX left while Jay-Z was president of the label for Columbia Records.

In 2006, DMX released his most recent album, Year of the Dog... Again on Columbia Records. Initially, DMX intended to release his next album in 2007. However, following frequent delays, X left Columbia Records.

Finally free from the jail cells and label contracts, DMX is working with Swizz Beatz on new music. DMX wants to have his album released before the end of 2011. Warning fans of his return, X said most of the rappers out are wack.

Despite being forty years old, DMX says he has the energy he had when he put out his debut album. X said he has been in and out of the studio, working on new music. On this new album, DMX said he is getting his style back on track. DMX said he is bringing lyricism back to the game and he will be putting hip hop back to where it belongs.

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Nas scraps "The Lost Tapes 2"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Nas has been at odds at Def Jam ever since he tried to name his 2008 album Nigger. Three years have passed since he last released a solo album. For 2010, Nas wanted to give his fans some of his work. Nas decided to release a second installment of his The Lost Tapes.

Despite having an album due, Def Jam did little to promote Nas' upcoming album. With the label against him, Nas decided to make his issues with Def Jam public. Lupe Fiasco used a similar tactic with Atlantic Records and they released his album. Nas did not have the same luck.

For nearly a year, Nas has been trying to release The Lost Tapes 2. With no release date in sight, Nas has moved on, without his album. Nas said there is a major difference between his previous label, Columbia Records, and Def Jam. Over there, he was used to getting his way when releasing albums, but it is a different story at Def Jam.

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Jim Jones releasing "Capo" on E1 instead of Sony

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During the Roc-A-Fella days, Jim Jones began rapping, but he did not sign with the Roc. Instead, he established a deal with Koch Records and he released two albums with the label. His third album came in 2006 and made Jones a household name.

In 2006, Jim Jones was feuding with Jay-Z. Tired of the frequent disses, Jay-Z began responding. He boasted about how much money he makes and how many more records he sells. Jay-Z also scoffed at the fact that Jim Jones was on an independent label.

Jim Jones replied that he also had an A&R job with Columbia Records. Soon after the news was made public, Jones signed an artist deal with the label. He planned to release his next album through the imprint.

Ever since last year, Jim Jones has been recording, Capo, his fifth studio album. The album process has taken many wild turns. In a strange turn of events, Jim Jones has decided to release the album on his former label, Koch (E1) as opposed to Sony. Due to the relationship between Sony and Koch Entertainment, they have no issue in allowing Jones to do this.

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