B.o.B. announces New Album's Title, "Strange Clouds"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following his success, last year, B.o.B. took some time off. B.o.B. continued to assure his fans he would be back with a new album in 2011. But, for most of the year, nothing came from B.o.B.

Signed to Grand Hustle, the label was focused more on their embattled CEO, T.I., coming out of prison. But, the man who kept the label in the spotlight was B.o.B. It was something that did not go unnoticed by T.I.

During the summer, T.I. announced he would release a new single. The single was titled "We Don't Get Down Like Y'all." On the song, T.I. recruited B.o.B. for contributions.

Late in the summer, B.o.B. updated fans on his work. B.o.B. announced he would release new music in the early fall of 2011. Last week, B.o.B. returned with his recent single, "Strange Clouds." The song features rap's current boss, Lil Wayne. Already, the song has become another chart-topping single for B.o.B., as all of his singles have topped the charts.

With another hit for the radio, B.o.B. has decided to name his album Strange Clouds.

For more information about B.o.B., watch the video below:

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B.o.B. close to completing New Album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In an otherwise forgettable 2010, for Grand Hustle, B.o.B. was the shining bright light, holding things together. B.o.B. While T.I. was serving time in prison, B.o.B. was topping the charts. B.o.B. has topped the charts on each of his single releases.

During his time off, B.o.B. found himself, one of his singles, and collaborators, dissed by Tyler, the Creator. Earlier this year, B.o.B. replied to the diss, entering a full-fledged feud with Tyler. At the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Tyler, the Creator admitted he hated their music, which led to the disses.

B.o.B. is working on a new album and he said the new album will sound like a cross between a mixtape and an album. Speaking on the new album, B.o.B. said the album is 90% complete. Describing the album as more mature, B.o.B. said he cannot wait for the fans to hear it.

The new album is said to be a happy medium between The Adventures of Bobby Ray and his mixtapes.

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T.I.'s Reality Show landed him back in Prison

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

August 2011 closed in an odd manner for T.I., who had been released from prison. An announcement was made, saying Tip would be released. The announcement was written off by T.I.'s lawyer, who said no one knows the date until minutes prior to the release.

However, T.I. was released from prison, as announced, and ready to get himself back in the game. T.I.'s freedom lasted for a few hours before he was carted back off to prison. The Grand Hustle CEO was sent back to prison because he rode a tour bus to the halfway house.

In the time since this story leaked, Tiny, T.I.'s wife, has spoken out against the police. She said the law enforcement had no problem with the tour bus. Several officers even took pictures beside the bus, sparking much outrage.

Once again, the law enforcement is back with another reason T.I. is in prison for another month. The reason the tour bus is suddenly a problem is because of T.I.'s upcoming VH1 reality show. The law enforcement said it was likely filming began right then, which is conducting business. Because of the law, T.I. cannot conduct business until he is completely free.

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B.o.B.'s manager, Brian "B" Rich downplays Wale beef rumors

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last week, B.o.B. was performing in Washington, DC. During his performance, Maybach Music artist, Wale, a native of DC, entered the room. When B.o.B. discovered Wale was in the building, he reportedly said he would not continue performing until Wale left.

B.o.B.'s manager, Brian "B" Rich, spoke with XXL.com and clarified some things. Rich said he did not want B.o.B. to go on stage to perform. Wale had performed before him and was in his hometown, the momentum would be with him.

B. Rich insisted there was no beef between B.o.B. and Wale. The two are good friends and their labels, Grand Hustle and Maybach Music, work closely together. The only issue was that B.o.B. would not have had the momentum during his performance.

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Killer Mike talks Pill signing to Maybach Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, Killer Mike signed with Grand Hustle Records, the label owned by T.I. But, he has also been the head of his own label for a few years. Named Grind Time Records, the Atlanta-based record label was the initial home for Pill.

Pill recently signed with Rick Ross' Maybach Music label. Unlike most CEOs in this situation, Killer Mike is actually very happy for his former artist. Mike said he had never been in the position to hold a career in his hands and not be able to pull through.

Killer Mike is happy Pill was able to link up with Rick Ross and able to land a secure deal. The happiness for Killer Mike will come when his former artist makes it big. When an artist makes it big, fans look back over the entire career.

The excitement for Killer Mike will come when people begin researching and discover Pill was originally an artist signed to Maybach Music.

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Lupe Fiasco was suicidal over B.o.B.'s "Nothin' on You"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

As previously mentioned, 2010 was intended to be the year when the official Lupe Fiasco comeback was supposted to take place. The label announced they were going to begin promoting him. Quickly, Lupe Fiasco landed a deal to record the "Nothin' on You" single. But, his label, Atlantic Records, decided to give the song to B.o.B.

Both artists are signed to Atlantic Records and B.o.B. already had buzz because of his Grand Hustle affiliation. This, paired with the fact that his version was more popular led to Atlantic Records giving the single to B.o.B. Eventually, "Nothin' on You" became a summer hit and topped the Billboard Hot 100.

This hurt Lupe Fiasco on many levels, as he was obviously played by his own team. Forced to hear the song over and over, knowing it should have been his, worked Lupe Fiasco over. Soon, the pain drove the Chicago rapper crazy and he wanted to end things. Because of B.o.B.'s success with his single became too much and Lupe Fiasco contemplated suicide.

Lupe Fiasco said the Atlantic Records executives told him his version of the song was wack and they passed it off to B.o.B. and he turned it into a smash.

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Big Kuntry King says T.I. comes home in September

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Unlike when T.I. last faced prison time, Grand Hustle has continued to be operational. The other artists signed to the label have not been hindered because of T.I. going back to prison. Actually, things are still going according to the plan.

The other artists signed to the label, B.o.B., Killer Mike, Young Dro, and Big Kuntry King are all working on new projects. Big Kuntry announced they would be releasing new music. He went on to say he was T.I.'s right hand man and to look out for he and Young Dro.

As the conversation went on, Big Kuntry King spoke about the head of the operation. King said he and T.I. have not talked much since he went to prison. He said he would soon be visiting him, but it would not be long until T.I. was released.

When asked, Big Kuntry King announced T.I. will be released from prison in September.

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T.I. facing more Legal Trouble over Dead Body

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Still in prison, completing an eleven month sentence over a drug charge and T.I. has landed in more hot water. This time, however, it is not for anything he has done lately. But, in 2009, he exposed a dead body on his MTV series, "Road to Redemption."

The family of the Joseph Williams, Sr., the body used on the show, is suing the Grand Hustle CEO. After seeing their loved one's body on national television, they suffered mental and emotional distress. The family also feels disrespected because of the body being exposed.

T.I. showed the body to expose the downside of the criminal lifestyle. His series, "Road to Redemption," was all about keeping the children looking up to him from following in his footsteps. Before becoming a big-time rapper, T.I. was a big-time criminal.

The decisions T.I. made over the past few years have had a very negative impact on his life and the lives of his children.

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B.o.B. performs "Airplanes" on Flight

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Early in his mainstream career, B.o.B. is probably best-known for his single, "Airplanes." The song was a major crossover hit for the rapper and helped to build his name. B.o.B. was the main artist representing the Grand Hustle movement while T.I. was in prison.

With T.I. headed back to prison almost immediately following his release, B.o.B. will have to continue carrying the load. Recently, the rapper found himself in an ironic situation. On a flight to Los Angeles, he performed his hit single.

The performance was not planned, as B.o.B. used the flight attendant's mic to perform the single. Since he was the "Airplanes" rapper and he was on an airplane, the fans could not resist asking him to perform the song. Happy to perform, B.o.B. obliged.

B.o.B. will be formally performing his hit single in Los Angeles at the Grammys.

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T.I. gives Young Dro a Chance to Shine as the Face of Grand Hustle

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, T.I. was forced to go to prison right as he hit the peak of his career. He and his Grand Hustle team have been suffering to rebound ever since. When Lil Wayne realized he was going to prison, a few months later, he began promoting his crew.

The early favorite was Drake, so Lil Wayne put out his We Are Young Money album late in 2009 and Rebirth early in 2010. It was after this that Drake released "Over" and promised Wayne he would keep Young Money afloat. This is something T.I. had not thought of during his prison stint.

But, since he is back in prison, T.I. has made arrangements to keep his team afloat. In 2006, his popularity was high so he introduced Young Dro to the game. During the summer of 2006, his song, "Shoulder Lean," dominated radio waves. Following the success of the song and the album, Dro was a star.

There were plans to release Young Dro's sophomore album in 2007, but those plans were nixed when T.I. decided to release another album in 2007. Then, by 2008, T.I. was gearing up to release yet another album, which would become the biggest release of his career. But, following this success, T.I.'s 2007 weapons charge caught up to him and landed him in prison. With nothing set in place, Grand Hustle had no choice but to shut down until T.I. came back and reopened business.

After watching the show Young Money put on while Lil Wayne was in prison, T.I. has decided to go back to what worked a few years ago with his own team. This time around, Grand Hustle plans to continue cranking out hits while T.I. serves time. The long-delayed fourth album from Young Dro will be coming out in the near future. T.I. is trusting Young Dro to anchor the ship while he is away. Some time ago, Young Dro delivered a top ten hit, now it is his job to do this on a regular basis.

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