Good news, Cudi fans: Indicud finally has a release date. The Lonely Stoner took to Twitter early this morning to announce that his third solo album is scheduled to arrive April 23. The LP, which has already spawned two well-received singles in “Just What I Am” featuring King Chip and “King Wizard,” was last expected to drop in March, but it’s possible label issues (which Cudder didn’t hold his tongue about) could have caused the slight push back. “Immortal,” Indicud‘s official second single, is expected to release soon. Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Common and Ratatat are all expected to guest on the album.

INDICUD April 23rd….

— Scott Mescudi (@ducidni) February 12, 2013

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Beyoncé is the undisputed media darling of the moment. As if a raunchy GQ cover shoot, singing the National Anthem at President Obama’s Inauguration and a show-stopping (literally) solo performance and Destiny’s Child reunion at the Super Bowl halftime show weren’t enough, she now graces the cover of Vogue‘s March issue. In the cover story, Bey opens up about the joys of motherhood and her experiences during pregnancy, the recording process behind her upcoming fifth solo album, being the focus of the HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream (which airs Feb. 16) and much more.

Check out more quotes and pictures from the cover shoot after the jump…

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After Jay-Z made fun of his appearance at The Grammys, The-Dream caught up with Billboard to speak on his oft-delayed forth solo album. While backstage the singer/songwriter revealed his new project will now be called Fourplay, arriving on May 7. Previously, the LP was titled The Love IV and included the singles “Roc,” “Kill the Lights,” and “Dope Chick” with Pusha T. When asked about the delay, The-Dream explains his work on Beyonce’s new album held up the process.

Expect the new single “Slow It Down” to arrive on Thursday. The-Dream lso revealed he’ll be heading to Paris soon to work with Kanye West on his upcoming solo album.

Previously: The-Dream Previews Forthcoming ‘The Love IV’ Album Tracklisting

A celebration, fitting for The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. Mary J. Blige was honored at the VIBE’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Impact Awards on Friday night in Los Angeles. Held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, MJB drew plenty of star power support as Diddy, Swizz Beatz, Queen Latifah, Jermaine Dupri, Anita Baker, SWV, Nick Cannon, Big Sean, Babyface, Andre Harrell, and more attended the event. The afterparty featured a performance from Anita Baker, as Nick Cannon DJ’d the celebration.

Mary used her time on the red carpet to address recent reports regarding a lawsuit filed by the Bank of America. When touching on the subject said she ignores any negativity that comes her way, “There’s really nothing you can say about the negative things that are in the media about you. All you can do is keep pushing, keep your head up and just let people be people. Let haters hate and just do what you do, use all of that to fuel you to do something better.”

When speaking on being honored, she touches on the impact she’s made in her storied career. “It feels great to be honored with the Impact Award tonight. Because I believe I’ve made an impact on so many people’s lives. It feels good.”

Catch some photos, plus interviews on the red carpet below…..

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There’s been plenty of talk (including from the man himself) over the past year that a new Eminem album is in the works. The rapper’s long-time manager, Paul Rosenberg, offered the latest update on the forthcoming record today. Speaking to Billboard, Rosenberg revealed that Em is “far into the process” of recording his eighth studio album, and that it is due post-Memorial Day (which falls on May 27 this year).

We fully expect to be releasing a new Eminem album in 2013. He’s been working on it for some time. It’s safe to say that it will be post-Memorial Day at some point, but we’re not exactly sure when. We’ve got some dates locked in for him to perform live in Europe in August, so we’re trying to see what else lines up.

Rosenberg also discussed Shady Records’ other future releases. He reassured us that 50 Cent’s Street King Immortal will arrive in the first-half of 2013, and that new solo projects from Yelawolf, Royce Da 5’9″, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden are all in the works.

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Big Sean Says Eminem Invited Him to the Studio (Video)

Frank Ocean doesn’t often grant access for interviews, but with six nominations at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, which take place this Sunday (Feb. 10), we guess he’s feeling a little more generous. The channel ORANGE crooner allowed The New York Times Magazine to spend time with him in his adopted home of Los Angeles, where he opened up about his frustrations when he first signed to Def Jam—which lead to the free release of his 2011 mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra—the lengthy, meticulous and somewhat unusual recording process behind his hugely acclaimed debut LP, channel ORANGE, his experiences writing songs and melodies for major label artists early on in his career, and much more. Ocean also revealed his plans to move to Shanghai straight after the Grammys, where he will write “in remote locations for the next two years”—both on music and his first book.

Check out some of the quotes from the interview after the jump…

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Yeah, you read that right. The latest addition to the Roc Nation roster is… Kylie Minogue. The 44-year-old Australian singer has joined the house that Hov built under a management deal, according to Roc Nation’s website. Minogue has been quiet in recent years—her last album, Aphrodite, coming in 2010—which makes this deal even more of a surprise, but there’s no denying her catalog of pop hits: “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head,” “Spinning Around” and “I Should Be So Lucky” to name just a few. With the recent addition of Timbaland to its roster, it seems like Jay-Z and his label are looking to rejuvenate the careers of some of music’s O.G.s—hip-hop or not. Here’s what Roc Nation had to say about their new signing:

Roc Nation would like to welcome Aussie singer, recording artist, songwriter, actress and designer Kylie Minogue to the family. In a career now spanning 25 years, Kylie has released 11 studio albums, two live CDs, eight live concert DVDs, a greatest hits double album, and multiple video packages. She has released over 50 hit singles worldwide, including the Grammy-winning Come Into My World, and has sold more than 68 million albums worldwide. Needless to say, we’re excited to have Kylie join the Roc fam.

(Via Life + Times)

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Timbaland Signs to Roc Nation
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Chris Brown is sick and tired of the drama. The pop star took to his Instagram account to get some things off his chest regarding his name popping up in the media lately. Along with his recent altercation with Frank Ocean, the filed police report made its way online via TMZ on Tuesday. In the report, new details surfaced that reveals Ocean was called a gay slur by Brown or someone in his entourage, along with Chris Brown threatning to shoot the Grammy-nominated singer.

Hours following, more news came out reporting Brown could face parole violation relating to falsifying community service. The community labor was ordered following the 2009 assault of Rihanna. Chris is set to return to court Wednesday as a request by Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Murray to revoke his probation. In the rant on his now private account, Brown fires back at those who continue to bash his name. At one point, mentioning he’s “tired” and prays for a new outcome.

“Im just tired of this shit… I pray every day and night for a new outcome… and just when everything seems to be going good some new shit happens.. A day in my shoes is a day in hell, believe it of not! Y’all don’t wanna be in my predicament…”

Read Brown’s letter below…..

UPDATE: The NYPost x Gossip Cop are now reporting the rant was fake and posted under a fake account, which has been removed.

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The recent attempt on Rick Ross’ life got the attention of the whole hip-hop community. Since the incident, Ross has remained quit but as the hustler he is, continued to promote his MMG brand through Twitter. Fellow Miami-native Uncle Luke wrote a letter to Rozay via the Miami New Times to offer some words of advice, and hopefully open the Bawse’s eyes on how past and present beefs can hurt him physically and as an artist overall.

Dear Rick Ross:

As someone who survived several rap beefs, I’m going to give you some advice. You need to seriously address the threats and attempts on your life. You have worked hard to become a big name in hip-hop. You’ve paid your dues and you’ve grown lyrically since the release of your debut album, Port of Miami, in 2006. You’ve arrived, buddy.

But all this gangster bullshit is jeopardizing your career. No club or arena is going to risk people getting shot. You can forget about doing any tours or CD signings. And if you can’t make money, watch how fast Warner Bros. Records turns on you. I know from experience how venues and the music industry would like to black ball you.

Read the rest of Uncle Luke’s letter below…..

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Without sounding like an overly dramatic teenage girl in a clichéd movie, we’re not sure who to believe anymore. In recent weeks, Common, Hit-Boy and Pusha T have all dismissed notions that the long-speculated second G.O.O.D. Music album, Cruel Winter, will actually see the light of day. The Grammy Family’s youngest member, Travi$ Scott, argues otherwise, though. Backing up his subliminal tweets from a few days ago, the 20-year-old rapper/producer told Complex that the record is “happening for real.” Scott prefixed that by saying he’s been hanging out with Kanye West in Paris, so that’s the closest to confirmation from ‘Ye we’ve got so far.

I was just in Paris f**king with ‘Ye and playing him s**t [from 'Owl Pharaoh']. I don’t wanna talk too much, but Cruel Winter is happening for real. F**k what ni**as is talking about, that s**t is for real. That s**t is happening for sure.

In other, more concrete news, Travi$ Scott’s much talked-about debut project, Owl Pharaoh, is set to drop Feb. 22. He also revealed to Complex that he has features from Bon Iver and Toro Y Moi, and promised it will be “nuts.”

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New Music: Pusha T Feat. Popcaan & Travi$ Scott “Blocka”
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