DMX ft. Swizz Beatz - "It's Over, the Dog is Back"

DMX' performance at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards officially solidified his return to the game. He and Swizz Beatz performed two of his early hits. Now, the two go to Funkmaster Flex with a new freestyle from X, "It's Over, the Dog is Back."

Listen to "It's Over, the Dog is Back" by DMX ft. Swizz Beatz below:
DMX featuring Swizz Beatz – It’s Over, The Dog Is Back by Hypetrak

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DMX and Swizz Beatz on "106 & Park" [VIDEO]

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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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Lil Wayne recruits Nas, Shyne, and Jadakiss for Posse Cut

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

With Tha Carter IV coming out in a little over a month, Lil Wayne is putting the finishing touches on his album. After doing an experimental album, an album with Young Money, and an album of leftover tracks, Lil Wayne is releasing the album he wanted out years ago. Tha Carter IV intends to pick up where his previous Carter, III, left off.

Already on the album, Lil Wayne has enlisted Busta Rhymes, Cee Lo, Tech N9ne, Bun B, John Legend, and Will.i.am. Now, several of New York's finest have been added to the track listing. Lil Wayne will be teaming up with some of the greatest rappers of all-time for a posse cut for Tha Carter IV. Teaming up with Nas, Shyne, and Jadakiss, Lil Wayne is working on a classic track.

Apologizing to the fans for delaying the album for so long, Wayne put together his Sorry 4 The Wait mixtape. The official release of the mixtape will be this Wednesday. The album will feature production from Boi-1da, Polow da Don, Swizz Beatz, and Bangladesh. Tha Carter IV will see its official release date on August 29, 2011.

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Lil Wayne - "Dear Anne (Stan Pt. 2)"

The much-discussed and long-awaited song, "Dear Anne (Stan Pt. 2)" has finally been released. With Tha Carter IV being delayed until August, Lil Wayne's songs are leaking around the original June release date.

Taking a page out of Eminem's playbook, Lil Wayne addresses a fan through a letter. However, Lil Wayne is doing his version over a Swizz Beatz track, but he draws parallels between Eminem's 2000 song.

Listen to "Dear Anne (Stan Pt. 2)" by Lil Wayne below:

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Jay-Z praises Swizz Beatz' work

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

While critics and fans debate about whether Watch the Throne is coming or not, Swizz Beatz has been the unofficial spokesman for the album. He said the album will be one of the classic albums. Swizz has provided updates for the media several times.

Only days after the release of Kanye West's last album, it was announced that he and Jay-Z would be teaming up for a joint album. But, for the most part, the duo has been mum about the album. Early on, they provided updates, but they have been silent since then.

Jay-Z broke this silence the last time he spoke with the media. Referring to the production work of Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z said he is out of this world. His work is always put together well, but his skills have dramatically increased. Jay-Z said a lot of the credit for the album should go to Swizzy.

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Swizz Beatz says Jay-Z sounds "hungry" on "Watch the Throne"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Swizz Beatz is proof Watch the Throne, the collaboration album between Jay-Z and Kanye West, is more than a myth. Due to their hectic schedules, the two rappers have taken several breaks from their album. But, with the public demand increasingly growing, the two have moved into an hotel to record.

One of the primary producers on this album has been frequent collaborator, Swizz Beatz. He has been working very closely with the duo as they record. Each time the media questions the album, it is Swizz Beatz providing the response. Many times, he has said this album will be a classic.

While some are ready to say Kanye West is becoming a better emcee than Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz has provided insight. The Ruff Ryder said Jay-Z is sounding very hungry while recording this album. Having been away from the game for a while, Jay-Z is back into the swing of things and is enjoying the recording process.

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Swizz Beatz - "Everyday Coolin'" trailer

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Diddy names his Starting Five rappers

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The head of Bad Boy Records, Diddy has been around many different rappers. Through his Bad Boy label, Diddy introduced the world to the likes of Biggie and Mase. Because of his high-profile job, he has had a front-row seat to the hip hop game.

Fellow producer, Swizz Beatz, recently discussed a few of his favorite rappers. Known for doing things big, Diddy recently named his top five rappers in a lineup. Using the basketball format, Diddy named his five rappers.

In an interview with DJ Absolut, Diddy said his top five rappers would be Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Fabolous, and Drake. The list was similar to Swizzy's, as he also named Ross and Drake. Diddy has worked with all of these rappers at one time.

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Pusha T readies "Fear of God" mixtape

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last summer, Pusha T signed to G.O.O.D. Music and began his solo career. For eight years prior, Pusha had been one half of the group, The Clipse, with his brother, Malice. They had a great start during the summer of 2002, signed to Star Trak Entertainment.

But, following their 2002 debut, The Clipse have been on a consistent popularity decline. Four years stood in between album release dates. The magic they had in 2002 did not translate into positive results in 2006.

In 2009, a third album, When the Casket Drops, was released and the downslide continued. Following this album, Pusha T began to focus more on his solo career. Malice also began looking into doing some solo projects.

Having been associated with Kanye West for years, Pusha T signed to his label. While he has seen plenty of exposure being on the G.O.O.D. Music team, Pusha T has also landed in some hot water. Consequence, a former G.O.O.D. artist, has accused Pusha T of stealing his lyrics. The two rappers have engaged in a back and forth over the past few months.

With all of the drama behind him, Pusha T is putting the finishing touches on his first solo project. The mixtape will be his first released through G.O.O.D. Music. Despite only being a mixtape, Pusha T has gone all out for the new project. He plans to release the Fear of God mixtape sometime in the middle of this month, and it features work from Kanye West and Swizz Beatz.

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Swizz Beatz impressed by Jay-Z and Kanye West

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

After the first release off Watch the Throne, Jay-Z and Kanye West have a guaranteed sale for the album. The first single, "H.A.M.," has caught the attention of the entire rap world. Rumor has it, the song contains a diss to Birdman in Jay-Z's verse. The hip hop community is waiting for a reply.

Earlier today, Swizz Beatz replied to the record. He has worked closely with Jay-Z and Kanye West for years. Their most recent work was "So Appalled" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Now that Jay-Z and Kanye West are recording a new album, Swizz Beatz is confident it will be met with success.

Having worked with both rappers, Swizz Beatz said each of them will go down as one of the greatest ever. But, with both of them on one album, he thinks they will change rap forever. Unlike many superstars who come together, Jay-Z and Kanye West feed off each other. Most power duos take away from each other, but Jay-Z promised there would be no issues with Kanye West.

Their album will be released this March.

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Jay-Z ft. Swizz Beatz - "On to the Next One"

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Album Review: Kanye West - "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Mr. West is back by unpopular demand with his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It has been two years since the last Kanye West album and the rapper has a story to tell. Following his incident with Taylor Swift, the media crucified Kanye West and some thought his career was over.

Kanye West took some time off, then he came back in the heart of the summer. His single, "Power," reintroduced him to the people. The song gained a bit of airplay and got the fans ready for the rest of what the creative Kanye West had on the table. The album was expected to be a classic.

In an effort to avoid the media scrutiny, Kanye West decided to get away from it all. Ever since he decided to become a rapper, Kanye West did not take any time off. His schedule was always packed and if he was not rapping, he was producing. In 2007, the Chicago entertainer lost his mother and barely took time off to properly grieve. Some feel this is what led to his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. But, this led to him finally taking time off to gather his thoughts and what came next would be the greatest creation from Kanye West yet.

Many assumed Kanye West would return to rap and also return to his college-themed albums, so many thought the album would be titled A Good Ass Job. But, Kanye West is a grown man and he has changed since the days of his college-themed albums. With this album, Kanye looked deep into himself and put together some of the best material he has ever had. Kanye West has successfully merged his singing with his rapping on this album and he is opening himself up in ways not even seen on 2008's 808s & Heartbreak. It has been a tough stint for Kanye West, but he is turning it into triumph by making it into an album.

For this album, Kanye West has decided to be more of an artist. While he had major input on each track on the album, he was not the primary producer. Kanye West worked with big names and small names, alike, in order to put this album together. Outside of his rapping, Kanye West also expanded the roster of his fledgling record label, G.O.O.D. Music, so he did what he could to include his artists. Unlike other artists who try to fit their artists on their label, Kanye West found the perfect tracks to compliment both him and the guest on the track, which was great for Pusha T and Kid Cudi.

Despite being a major star, Kanye West has never featured many on his albums before. Instead, he usually has one big name guest and it is usually Jay-Z. But, on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, West featured other big names, such as Raekwon, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, RZA, Bon Iver, and Swizz Beatz. Most importantly, West invited these guests on and outshined them where most rappers find themselves upstaged when they combine with other big names. Even with the guests and helping out his own acts, Kanye West kept the album creative and he kept the album dark and fun.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is easily the best album of 2010 and easily the best album ever created by Kanye West.

Hip Hop Vibe's Rating: 10/10

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Swizz Beatz talks DMX legal problems and dismisses Jay-Z feud

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, Swizz Beatz opened up to the public about the ongoing problems of DMX. Ever since X first made it big in the game, Swizz Beatz has been right by his side. For the past few years, things have been rough for the Yonkers rapper, but he has always been able to count on Swizz Beatz.

Swizz Beatz said he has known DMX for a long time and his lifestyle is not new. Long before he ever made it big, DMX did the things he does now. But, because he is a celebrity, his lifestyle is put in the headlines. Swizz Beatz said legal problems for DMX is nothing new.

More than anything, Swizz Beatz feels as if DMX has been asking for help. Swizz has done everything he can to help his friend and will continue to. He hopes someone else will hear his pleas and do something to help the troubled rapper. But, until that time, Swizz Beatz will continue to defend him and help him bounce back.

For the past four years, DMX has been going back and forth with Jay-Z. On numerous occasions, DMX admitted he does not like Jay-Z. Despite what X has said, Swizz Beatz says there is no feud between the former partners in rhyme. The most-recent diss was the product of a misunderstanding and Swizzy promises the beef will be handled in a silent manner and they will be back to making music in no time. He said 2010 is here and it is time to put childish beef away now.

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Lloyd Banks talks Kanye collabo

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, Lloyd Banks has been all over the place, after a few years of falling off. His plan has worked out perfectly and now he is the biggest name on G-Unit Records. With his album set to come out next month, Banks is back on his game. He feels his third album, The Hunger For More 2 will be 2010's best album.

The latest leak off the album has been "Start It Up." The song features collaborations from Kanye West, Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, and Ryan Leslie. It has been heating up the internet for some time now and Banks is loving it. Now, his confidence in his music is higher than ever.

Fresh off the success of his new song, Lloyd Banks has decided to explain how it all came to be. Kanye West was invited to be on the song after he stated that Lloyd Banks was one of the most underrated rappers in the game. After receiving such a boost from Kanye West, Banks felt obligated to give him a chance to be on his already-stacked song, "Start It Up."

With Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, and Ryan Leslie already on the song, adding Kanye West would guarantee the song to be a tremendous hit. Banks will release The Hunger For More 2 on November 23 and it will be the first release from G-Unit Records since 50 Cent moved them from Interscope Records to EMI.

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Kanye West aligns the stars for "Lord Lord Lord"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Back by unpopular demand, Kanye West has been hitting the people with new music each day. Recently, West teamed up with Swizz Beatz yet again for a track. Due to the relationship between Swizzy and Jay-Z, the two artists have maintained a good relationship.

Even when he had hit his low following the VMA controversy, the people within hip hop still had love for Kanye. As a result, when he came back out, people still reached out for collaborations. Having been on quite a few songs and heating up radio with a few of his own, Kanye has position.

Re-teaming with Swizz Beatz has led to Kanye's latest free release, "Lord Lord Lord." Not the type to bring in multiple stars on his records, Kanye West has changed things up. For this new record, Kanye West reached out to such renowned lyricists as Raekwon and Mos Def. Early in his career, West received comparisons to Mos Def, now the two have collaborated for the first time.

It is unclear if this record will end up on Kanye West's upcoming album, Dark Twisted Fantasy, which will be coming out sometime in November on GOOD Music and Def Jam.

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