Drake's Follow-Up Coming Sooner Than "Later", "The Intro [Is] Done"

News: Drake's Follow-Up Coming Sooner Than "Later", "The Intro [Is] Done"


Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 3:30PM

Written by Rosario Harper
Young Money President Mack Maine has updated fans on the status of Drake's upcoming Thank Me Later follow-up.



According to Maine, Drake already has a jump start on the untitled effort.



"Drake's crazy," Young Money president Mack Maine said in an interview. "He's doing a [R&B] mixtape right now. He called me one night, like 2 in the morning. He has the intro done for the new album. We was discussing dates where he should come back. That'll be soon. And this mixtape, he's gonna put that out quick. His formula is crazy. He works fast. I can't give the secret away to the formula. He's a musical genius. The way he and [producer] 40 put things together is crazy." (MTV)

Earlier this year,Drake said he was contemplating a second album title.



Drake's debut album hasn't even hit stores yet, but he's already thinking of a second album title. Moments is the name he's been tossing around for his sophomore effort, reports the Los Angeles Times. While nothing has been set in stone, he explained the reasoning behind the title. "Hip-hop is all about moments," said the 23-year-old rapper. "You look at people who were hot three or four years ago who are sitting around reminiscing. It's fickle. It's a game of moments. I'm the moment right now." (Rap-Up)

Along with a sophomore album, the rapper is also putting together a free R&B mixtape.



Always a gentleman, Drake smiled for the cameras and chatted briefly about his upcoming R&B mixtape and sophomore album at the BlackBerry Torch launch party in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (Aug. 11). "I'm working on this mixtape, I got an R&B mixtape that I'm working on," Drake said in an interview. "I'm always accustomed to giving out free music, so I'm working on this new project for free and I'm also working on my second album, you know? Collaborations on that, anything is possible.' (Rap-Up TV)

As of now, Drake's Thank Me Later is close to reaching platinum status.



Young Money rapper Drake's Thank Me Later slipped one notch to No. 12 with 23,400. Heading into his 11th week, the emcee's long-awaited debut should reach platinum status next week with 993,500 records already sold. (SOHH Sales Wrap)
 
From SOHH.com
 
http://www.sohh.com/2010/08/drakes_thank_me_later_follow-up_in_works.html

Lil Wayne Owes A Milli In Taxes, $1.3 Mil Debt Records Leak Online

News: Lil Wayne Owes A Milli In Taxes, $1.3 Mil Debt Records Leak Online


Friday, Jul 16, 2010 11:10AM



Written by Biz Jones

Incarcerated rapper Lil Wayne reportedly owes over $1 million in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.



According to reports, a tax iien was filed against Wayne in early June.



Lil Wayne owes some serious cash money to the IRS, which filed a $1.13 million tax lien against the star last month, according to Florida court records. The IRS filed a $1,138,760 lien against Carter on June 3 in Dade County (Fla.) Circuit Court. According to the lien, which you can see here, he owes income taxes from 2004, 2005 and 2007. The address on the lien is the same office occupied by his One Family Foundation charity. (Detroit News)

Producer Bangladesh recently accused Cash Money Records co-owner Baby of withholding money from Wayne.



"This is why Manny Fresh don't f*ck with [Cash Money] because he never got any royalty money," he said in an interview. "That's why Baby can go around flaunting this cash, because that's everyone else's money... It's not even Wayne's fault. Wayne is not getting money. He is given money, he's not getting money. If Baby gets a million dollars he'll buy Wayne a Phantom, but that's in Cash Money's name. That 14-bedroom mansion isn't Wayne sh*t. That's why he have his own company, because he was trying to leave Cash Money and the only thing that would keep him there was [if they] gave him his own thing. But Baby still controls that. All those Young Money artists don't even know that they not getting royalty money." (VIBE)

Currently incarcerated on a gun conviction, Wayne released a letter to fans this week.



"So I've been writing and let me be the first to tell you that the lyrics that I'm writing are... well there's no word that I can think of that properly defines them. Amazing would be too typical and perfect would be unfair. I listen to the radio sometimes, emphasis on sometimes, and I hear the new music. I like some. I applaud my Young Money family for what they're doing. As I'm not surprised. This is what we're supposed to do. Congrats to Drake and Nicki for all their recent success. Those 2 are going to have me retiring early. I love my team. Much love to Tez and Mack. I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That's my day." (Weezy Thanx You)

Despite serving a one-year jail sentence, Wayne could be out as early as November.



Lil Wayne is approximately halfway through his one-year jail sentence, which began March 8 when the superstar MC turned himself into authorities after reaching a plea deal. According to prison records accessed by MTV News, the rapper has a projected release date of November 4. Pending any violations or infractions for behavioral issues, the rapper is expected to see the light of day eight months after entering prison. (MTV)
 
From SOHH.com
 
http://www.sohh.com/2010/07/lil_wayne_owes_a_milli_in_taxes_13_debt.html

Lil Wayne To Be Released From Jail Early

News: Lil Wayne To Be Released From Jail Early


Wednesday, Jul 14, 2010 10:55PM

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne will reportedly shave off four months from his one-year jail sentence as new reports suggest he will depart Rikers Island this fall.



According to reports, Weezy F. Baby is set to come home by early November.



Lil Wayne is approximately halfway through his one-year jail sentence, which began March 8 when the superstar MC turned himself into authorities after reaching a plea deal. According to prison records accessed by MTV News, the rapper has a projected release date of November 4. Pending any violations or infractions for behavioral issues, the rapper is expected to see the light of day eight months after entering prison. (MTV)

This week, Wayne released a letter to fans detailing his daily routine behind bars.



"So I've been writing and let me be the first to tell you that the lyrics that I'm writing are... well there's no word that I can think of that properly defines them. Amazing would be too typical and perfect would be unfair. I listen to the radio sometimes, emphasis on sometimes, and I hear the new music. I like some. I applaud my Young Money family for what they're doing. As I'm not surprised. This is what we're supposed to do. Congrats to Drake and Nicki for all their recent success. Those 2 are going to have me retiring early. I love my team. Much love to Tez and Mack. I know that people are inquisitive of what I do all day, so here goes. I wake up around 11AM. Have some coffee. Call my kids, and my wonderful mother. I then shower up. Read fan mail. Have lunch. Back on the phone. Read a book or write some thoughts down. Have dinner. Phone. Pushups. Then I listen to ESPN on the radio. Read the bible, then sleep. That's my day." (Weezy Thanx You)

Drake recently shared his views about the impact Wayne's time away has had on Young Money.



"His approach with his artists is very trusting, very fearless, and because of that, we have been put out into the world like trying to make people love us for who we are on our own, without Wayne," Drake explained in an interview. "So with Wayne gone, its possible for me and her (Nicki Minaj) to still thrive. I think that's the best approach and I respect Wayne so much, because he urged us to be ourselves maybe in anticipation for the day that he's not here. So we can still be ourselves without him. I don't need Wayne to be Drake. I'm a better Drake when Wayne is here, but I don't need Wayne to be Drake. Nicki doesn't need Wayne to be Nicki. She created Nicki [Minaj]. We're all a better team when he's here, but it's not a necessity. For us, it's a great thing so we can still carry this movement." (All Hip Hop)

According to Wayne's co-manager and Young Money CEO Cortez Bryant, a new EP called I'm Not A Human Being will hit stores in late September.



"I'm putting out a [Wayne] album called I'm Not A Human Being and I'll probably drop it on his birthday, September 27...We not about to roll out no three month set up. I'm not even putting it out in stores. We just gonna put it out virally and maybe package it up for Christmas. Give 'em a hard copy later for fan appreciation." (VIBE)

Lil Wayne was sentenced to a one-year bid behind bars last March on a 2007 gun possession conviction.

From SOHH.com
 
http://www.sohh.com/2010/07/lil_wayne_to_be_released_from_jail_early.html

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/4/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/4/2010

July 07, 2010 09:42:00 AM CDT

by Allen Jacobs

Eminem's Recovery came in for a second strong helping of sales, carrying the Interscope/Aftermath release past the million mark in its second week. This release features appearances by Pop acts such as Rihanna and P!nk, as well as production from Just Blaze, Boi-1da and Mobb Deep's Havoc.



Meanwhile, Drake heads towards his own seven-figure sales mark with Thank Me Later. The Toronto rapper cleared 700,000 units, while his 2009 retail mixtape So Far Gone sits less than 10,000 units away from selling 500,000 overall. That feat is expected to be accomplished later this month, making Drake second to only Lil Wayne in his Universal Motown earning abilities for a post-2007 Rap artist.


Def Jam Records had a promising week on the charts. R&B songwriting sensation The-Dream debuted at #4 with Love-King. The North Carolina singer/writer/producer's third album in his Love series is short on guests, featuring only T.I., but scanned over 50,000 units. The Roots remained Top 20 with their latest, How I Got Over is their third with Def Jam Records. The album shows the group's first "Jimmy Fallon-era" recordings, garnering critical acclaim. The group was home over 4th of July weekend, performing a free concert for their Philadelphia brothers and sisters.



Usher's Raymond v. Raymond remained at #14. The veteran Pop entertainer's "divorce album" is marching its way to a platinum plaque for Mr. Raymond and his longtime backer, LaFace Records.



* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.



Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

1

Eminem

Recovery

313,000

1,058,000



2

Drake Thank Me Later

105,000

709,000



4

The-Dream

Love King

58,000

59,000



14

Usher

Raymond v. Raymond

24,000

898,000



17

The Roots

How I Got Over

21,000

72,000



Detroit singer Dwele struck a Top 30 debut with his E1 Entertainment-released W.ants W.orld W.omen. The man responsible for assisting two monster Kanye West singles ("Power" and "Flashing Lights") has a new album that features Slum Village, David Banner and DJ Quik. Dwele is presently on tour, before reportedly appearing on SV's new album next month.



Two non-traditional Rap acts cracked the charts for a second week. 116 Clique's Trip Lee has released Between Two Worlds, which has scanned just under 8,000 units. The Philadelphia-by-way-of-Dallas native has released his third album through Reach Records. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Romeo, Michigan rapper Blaze Ya Dead Homie achieved chart success with his fourth album Gang Rangs. Released on the Insane Clown Posse's Psychopathic Records, this release features veteran Michigan gangsta rappers The Dayton Family, as well as Kottonmouth Kings.



Z-Ro's Heroin stayed on the charts for a second week. The Rap-A-Lot Records' unsung hero cleared 6,000 units, despite limited promotion and distribution. Meanwhile, sitting at over 499,500 units sold, Young Money's We Are Young Money joins Lil Wayne's Rebirth and Drake's Thank Me Later as the third release from Lil Wayne's label to go gold this year. Although the official announcement will likely be made this week, the release will soon be followed by another gold plaque from So Far Gone, giving the Cash Money umbrella four 2010 gold plaques, and likely one platinum.



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total

28

Dwele

W.ants W.orld W.omen

14,000

14,000



107

Trip Lee

Between Two Worlds

4,400

7,900



134

Young Money

We Are Young Money

3,800

500,000



193

Blaze Ya Dead Homie

Gang Rags

2,600

11,100



198

Z-Ro

Heroin

2,500

6,600

From HipHopDX.com
 
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11648/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-7-4-2010

News: Drake's "Thank Me Later" Cover Art Revealed

News: Drake's "Thank Me Later" Cover Art Revealed
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 10:56PM

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Young Money rapper Drake's Thank Me Later album cover art has reportedly debuted online tonight.

Drizzy is featured on the album cover with a 3-D-like image of himself.

I just spoke to Oliver and yes, this is the one. Wait until you see the whole album's packaging, it'll make sense. Also, the tracklisting will be published very soon. How soon? Don't ask - but I must say that it is looking very promising though. Thank Me Later drops on Tuesday June 15th 2010. (Team Supreme Music)
Rap veteran Nas recently spoke on Drake's decision to delay his highly-anticipated debut through June.

"I think a lot of things that's messed up is if you come out with a record, brand new, and it blows up too big, that could be the worst thing that ever happens to you," Nas explained in an interview. "I think there's a lot of new cats coming out that's not just blowing up but they're taking their time. Like, we're waiting on the Drake first album, Drake's album still hasn't dropped. It should be dropping any day now but that's a great thing that it probably didn't come out last year. He waited, he got into a zone, I think that was smart. So it's a lot going on that I'm happy about." ("The Los Angeles Leakers")
Hitmaker Timbaland, however, questioned whether Drake should have waited nearly a year to drop his debut.

"I don't know, when all the hype was there, [people] were like 'Oh' but now you know how this world is," Tim told radiohost/actor Nick Cannon explained about the changing popularity of artists. "They get it and then pull you down. I don't know [if delaying the album was good]. Time will tell when he drops, when he do drop his album. We don't know right now. I can't tell you." (92.3 Now)
Last month, Drake talked about remaining relevant in hip-hop.

"I think between myself and Lil Wayne, we make timeless music," Drake explained in an interview. "So I know it'll last for a while and when the time is right, I'll definitely go back into acting, it's a passion of mine...I'm still learning, my vulnerability and my music is key. And that's what's gonna keep me humble and keep me grounded and keep me proud to be here, grateful to be here, proud to be Canadian, all those things. I think it's so important to me...I think my music is very personal, I think I say things in my music that mean a lot to me but to a certain audience, it's not what they want to hear." (Vancouver Observer)

From SOHH.com

http://www.sohh.com/2010/05/drakes_thank_me_later_cover_art_revealed.html

Sean Garrett Talks Of Inking Deal With Young Money, Speaks On Nicki Minaj

Sean Garrett Talks Of Inking Deal With Young Money, Speaks On Nicki Minaj
February 27, 2010 12:02:00 PM CST | by Krysten Hughes

Singer slash songwriter Sean Garrett may become the next addition to Lil Wayne's Young Money Millionaire's crew. In an interview with Rap-Up.com, he said “I’m really, really happy about what’s going on with me right now and I’m happy about my team. I’m definitely happy about my new venture.”

One aspect of Garretts's new venture includes teaming up with Lil Wayne's protégé, Nicki Minaj, for his latest single "Get It All" [listen], which was featured on his mixtape, The Pen: Vol 1, and will also appear on his forthcoming untitled LP, which is slated to drop this summer. Lil Wayne also has a spot on the new album, appearing on the second single.

When asked whether or not he will be inking a deal with Wayne's label, he replied “It’s in the sky. You just look up and watch the stars line up," he added, “We’re in negotiations right now. It’s almost done.”

This is not the first time the Atlanta resident alluded to inking a new deal since leaving Interscope Records. Last week in an interview with MTV, he said "You know I had to go through a few political situations to get my album where I wanted it to be, and to get the situation where I wanted it to be," he added, "Finally it's coming together in the right way. I got a lot of my friends that's endorsing me: Lil Wayne, my man Drake, [Nicki] Minaj.”

He also spoke to MTV about working with Young Money's first lady. "I'm really, really excited about Nicki because I think that what Nicki has understood is that she can do whatever she wants to do. She's a dreamer just like myself," he added, "She's taken her image to a whole other level with the whole Barbie thing. And I think she's very imaginative and her music's great and she's not scared of nothing. She's fearless. As long as you're fearless in life you can do anything."

Sean Garrett, who was dubbed "The Pen" by Jay-Z, penned hit singles for artists like Usher, Chris Brown, Beyonce, and Ciara. He has also been featured on singles with Ludacris, Keri Hilson, and Gucci Mane, showing off his vocals. His 2008 debut album, Turbo 919, was only released in Japan, making his latest LP a U.S. debut.

An official announcement is expected to be made within coming weeks on his website iamthepen.com about his new deal.

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10726/title.sean-garrett-talks-of-inking-deal-with-young-money-speaks-on-nicki-minaj

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/14/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/14/2010
February 17, 2010 03:02:00 PM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Sade soldiered through with her Soldier Of Love. The 51 year-old Nigerian singer not only debuted at #1, but she scanned over 500,000 first week domestic units. The Sony release, her first album in a decade shocked the charts this week, as Sade is still getting radio adds and doing limited press. The Soul/Jazz vocalist is said to be appearing on Drake's Thank Me Later later this year, her first Rap album appearance since 2001's "Hard Time Hustlin'" with Krayzie Bone.

Split between bumped Country/Pop act Lady Antebellum, another R&B star debuted at #3. Atlantic Records' Jaheim's Another Round performed strongly, selling over 100,000 copies. The 31 year-old New Jersey native's album features Jadakiss on the "Ain't Leavin' Without You (Remix)" from his fifth album.

Lil Wayne's Rebirth sold under 100,000 second-week units. The Cash Money/Universal Motown artist will remain a free man from a postponed sentencing to Riker's Island Correctional Facility, but Wayne's limited in marketing the Rock-inspired album largely produced by Cool & Dre.

The Black Eyed Peas are officially double platinum. The E.N.D. just introduced a new single, "Imma Be Rocking That Body," as Interscope may find a new one-two punch to go along with Eminem in Rap/Pop sales. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom also officially crossed the platinum mark, which all three of her previous albums have done.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
1
Sade
Soldier Of Love
502,000
503,000

3 Jaheim
Another Round
112,000
112,000

4
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
89,000
265,000

8
Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
67,000
2,066,000

12
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
40,000
1,039,000


Lil Wayne and teammates' We Are Young Money crossed the 300,000 line. The album, along with Rebirth, will likely remain on the charts through to Drake's Thank Me Later, presently due in April or May.

Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 and Eminem's Relapse both remained in the Top 50. Both releases have double-platinum aspirations, particularly Jay-Z's one-album distribution deal with Atlantic Records, who's biggest star, T.I., was unable to release a 2009 album due to his jail sentence.

Two Rap-related releases cracked the charts last week. New Orleans Funk/Jazz outfit Galactic's eighth album Ya Ka May debuted at #152. The Anti Records group has frequently worked with The Coup, and may have a full-length on the way with a Jurassic 5 member. HipHopDX will report more on that this month. Poet/singer and Rap pioneer Gil Scott-Heron's I'm New Here sold just under 4,000 debut week units. The XL Records album features Kanye West soundbeds, as well as some public support from Mos Def.



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
41
Young Money
We Are Young Money
20,000
311,000

43
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
19,000
1,615,000

48
Eminem
Relapse
16,000
1,840,000

142
Galactic
Ya-Ka-May
4,900
5,100

181
Gil Scott-Heron
I'm New Here
3,700
3,900

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10652/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-14-2010

Lil Wayne Records Four Videos In One Weekend

Lil Wayne Records Four Videos In One Weekend
February 11, 2010 09:02:00 AM CST | by Slava Kuperstein

Although Lil Wayne will spend a year in prison, fans will get to see plenty of the rapper, as he recorded four music videos this past weekend.

According to MTV News, Cash Money heads Ronald "Slim" Williams and Brian "Baby" Williams entlisted the servies of video director David Rousseau to shoot nine videos. Production reportedly began at 9:00 AM on Friday (Feb 5), and finished around 8:00 AM on Sunday (Feb 7). [Editor's Note: HipHopDX learned Thursday morning that Wayne in fact shot four weekend videos, to add to five already finished shoots.]

"We shot some shit from the [We Are Young Money compilation] album, we shot something from [Wayne's forthcoming] Tha Carter IV. Some stuff from [Wayne's recent LP] Rebirth," said the director. "We knew what our deadline was. We're trying to get maximum coverage for Wayne. Most of the time we only shot Wayne's verses — we'll finish the rest of the videos off in the next couple of weeks."

Rousseau elaborated, explaining the magnitude of the task at hand. "Cash Money said, 'This is our deadline. This is a hard deadline.' It was basically a Mission: Impossible [scenario]: This is your mission if you choose to accept it. Everybody is onboard because everybody knows what's at stake. Unlike T.I. and some of these other guys that's disappeared while they were in, the point is to keep Wayne [visible] on TV and everything for whatever time he's in. There was a plan in action. Slim and Baby really could foresee that. He's at the height of his career, you can't let that momentum slip."

Among the videos that were recorded were "Da Da Da," "Knockout" and "Get a Life" from Rebirth, and an unnamed "complete secret" track from Carter IV.

UPDATE: HipHopDX learned that Houston veteran and ABN (Asshole By Nature) alum Trae Tha Truth was involved in Wayne's shoots. While in Miami for the Wayne-related festivities, Trae shot three videos of his own. One of those videos was "Inkredible," which features Wayne and Rick Ross.

The song is said to be the single from Tha Truth, do on Universal/Fontana later this year. Other videos included Young Buck and Trae's brother Jay'Ton.

The former Rap-A-Lot artist also attended Wayne's going away party, alongside Drake, Nicki Minaj and Juelz Santana.

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10605/title.lil-wayne-records-four-videos-in-one-weekend

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/7/2010

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/7/2010
February 10, 2010 09:02:00 AM CST | by Allen Jacobs

Lil Wayne's Rebirth sold an impressive 175,000 debut week units. The Cash Money/Universal Motown project benefited from Wayne being in headlines for both his (now postponed) jail sentence, but also being one of the celebrity faces to the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl victory in Miami. Weezy F.'s Auto-Tune heavy Rock experiment with Cool & Dre could not budge Country/Pop act Lady Antebellum's Need You Now, who assumed #1 for a second straight week. Numerous radio stations yesterday were doing special Young Money dedications to honor Wayne's reporting to Riker's Island. Next week will show if that gave Rebirth any chance of a second run at #1.



With The 2010 Grammy Awards on Sunday, the charts reflected a who's who of nominees. For starters, Capitol Records' compilation of nominees, which included The Black Eyed Peas, bounced back to #5. Those same Peas are within a thousand units sold to take The E.N.D. to double-platinum. The release likely crossed that mark Monday or Tuesday, though Interscope Records has yet to confirm.

Michael Jackson's This Is It fell six spots on the charts. The Epic Records soundtrack companion to the summer film surged 11 spots. Alicia Keys' Element Of Freedom and Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce battled it out on the charts. The two were less than 600 units apart, as a rounded figure shows that Keys will see her latest platinum plaque as of next week's review. J Records has yet to confirm.

* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandeth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
2
Lil Wayne
Rebirth
176,000
176,000

5 Various Artists
2010 Grammy Nominees
71,000
165,000

6
Black Eyed Peas
The E.N.D.
70,000
1,999,000

11
Michael Jackson's
This Is It
35,000
1,439,000

13
Alicia Keys
Element of Freedom
34,000
1,000,000


Lil Wayne and teammates' We Are Young Money still are short of 300,000. As predicted, the charts boasted numerous Young Money/Cash Money acts, including Rebirth, We Are Young Money, Jay Sean's debut, Birdman's latest, Drake's EP, and even former Hot Boy Juvenile.

Although numbers were tallied prior to his Super Bowl pre-game performance Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 saw an excellent week in sales growth. The Atlantic Records-distributed break from Def Jam climbed 10 spaces. Eminem's Relapse climbed seven spots, as the release aims to go double platinum by mid-March.

Drake's So Far Gone EP was just barely out of Top 50. The fall debut release approaches 400,000, and remains Drake's starting point, with a gold plaque likely in sight. 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct gained 17 spots last week. This could be another album, that with radio support of a new single, could reach gold status by early spring.



Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
28
Young Money
We Are Young Money
21,000
291,000

30
Jay-Z Blueprint 3
19,000
1,597,000

34
Eminem
Relapse
18,000
1,824,000

53
Drake
So Far Gone
12,000
369,000

69
50 Cent
Before I Self Destruct
8,500
387,000

Despite hope from some, neither powerful east coast deejay, Statik Selektah, nor DJ Green Lantern cracked the charts with debut albums last week.

From HipHopDX.com

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10597/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-2-7-2010

Young Money's Jae Millz On Lil Wayne's Jail Time, "You Gonna Hear So Much 'Free Lil Wayne'"

News: Young Money's Jae Millz On Lil Wayne's Jail Time, "You Gonna Hear So Much 'Free Lil Wayne'"
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 5:00PM

Written by Biz Jones

Young Money's Jae Millz has spoken on what he plans to do after his label boss, Lil Wayne, reports to jail for an eight month sentence next month.

According to the New York-based emcee, he is going to begin a 'Free Lil Wayne' campaign.

"What the f*ck you think I'm gonna do for eight months," Milz asked in an interview. "You gonna here so much free tunes, 'Free Lil Wayne,' I'm gonna make y'all n*ggas hate hearing that sh*t. I'm gonna make y'all n*ggas be like, 'They need to let that n*gga Wayne out. We tired of hearing this n*gga Millz say 'Free Lil Wayne, he only got eight months, I know n*ggas that got f*cking 20 years, what's eight months?' It ain't nothing to a n*gga who used to making money." (This Is 50)
Nicki Minaj recently shared her reaction to Wayne doing a jail bid.

"He is going to be up there in February. I'll [visit him] as often as I can. I mean, he's gonna be in New York and I'm from New York, so, I would love to just come up there as often as I can. But he's gonna be, there's gonna be so many people there so you know, I'm sure it'll go by in like, days, to him. It'll probably be a very weird experience but I think at the end he'll come out stronger, like, he always does. Nothing ever fazes him really." (Jenny Boom Boom TV)
Cash Money's Jay Sean also said Wayne has seen the ups and downs of stardom.

When asked if Wayne seemed blase about serving his upcoming prison term for gun charges, Sean says that Wayne is blase about a lot of things: "He's just seen it all and done it all. He's seen so much in his life. He's got all the money, he's had all the girls. I think all that drives him is to stay on top. So he's looking at this like, 'Oh OK, let's get this out of the way and get back to work.'" (CNN International)
Young Money's singer/rapper Drake also discussed his reaction to Wayne's time last October.

"He's dealing with it well," Drizzy revealed in an interview. "Wayne's not usually gonna open up emotionally and tell you how he's really feeling about anything. He's kinda more concerned about getting as much music as he possibly can, so that when he's in there, people are still satisfied musically with Lil Wayne product, and that's just the mind of a true businessman. I'll just do what I can to keep the whole Young Money/Cash Money team going, and I just want to play my part as a team member and keep the brand strong until the boss gets home...He's like superhuman. I don't think anything could really break his concentration or his zone when he's in there. I definitely didn't think this would be the outcome of it, but I hope it will add to him selling a million records again. It's an unfortunate situation and I hope that he'll be able to position it where his release is a day where everyone's excited and they're just excited about his new album. I hope he manages to market it the right way." (Rap-Up)

From SOHH.com

http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/young_moneys_jae_millz_on_lil_waynes_jai.html