It’s that time of the year again. Virginia rap veteran Skillz returns with a five-minute recap of this past year in the “2014 Rap Up.” From Donald Sterling & Macklemore’s same-sex marriage ceremony at the GRAMMYs, to LeBron’s return to Cleveland & Kanye and Kim Kardashian’s wedding, Skillz breaks down the last 365 days over the soulful production of BINK!.

The “2014 Rap Up” serves as the closing song off Skillz and BINK!’s collaborative Made in Virginia album, dropping at midnight. You can pre-order a copy over at iTunes.

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On the eve of New Year’s Eve, G-Eazy has a parting gift for fans to close out 2014. The slick-haired Bay Area rapper drops three new records on Soundcloud, including the Hit-Boy produced “Why Thank You,” “Show You the World” with Too $hort, and “I Might” featuring HBK Gang’s own P-Lo and ATLien K Camp. Available for stream and free download, click below and check them out.

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You probably saw Nicki Minaj’s leaked Rolling Stone cover floating around the ‘Net, but now the HD version is here in all its glory. Looking busty, au naturel and gorgeous as ever, the girl from Queens’ stripped down pictorials where shot by Terry Richardson (You can make your own joke here).

RS contributing editor Jonah Weiner spent several days with Onika in New York City to get the details on her new game plan, sharing her most personal struggles and more.

Minaj reveals things on The Pinkprint that she’d never dared share with fans before.
“One of my goals was to give people a glimpse into my personal life, because it’s something I’ve kept very private,” she tells us. By now, fans are well aware that the rapper’s 11-year relationship with Safaree Samuels has come to an end, but Minaj admits she toned down the wild voices and costumes on the new LP to focus her songwriting on what was happening in her personal life, which was extremely painful. “I had to learn to do something as simple as sleep alone,” she says. “I struggled with ‘Do I express these feelings?’ And I decided there’s no reason for me to hide. I’m a vulnerable woman, and I’m proud of that.”

Check out the cover and video below…

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When Nipsey Hussle first announced plans to release Mailbox Money, he promised “the biggest rappers in the game are a part of it.” While Rick Ross and Dom Kennedy are no small fish, the album’s tracklisting (which he unveiled yesterday) does feel a little light weight, especially considering Nipsey teased a track with Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan on Instagram around the time of his announcement.

It’s unclear whether said song is being saved for Nipsey’s forthcoming Victory Lap LP, due in 2015, but today you can wrap your ears around the trio’s lung busting collaboration, dubbed “Choke,” courtesy of DJ Drama.

Stream below…

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Atlanta’s DJ Big X serves up some new product from Young Scooter. While we wait on his heavily delayed Juug House album to touch down, Black Migo’s kingpin cuts up that raw. Produced by C-Sick.

Listen to “Cocaina” below…

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Australian N.W.A. fans were treated to a recent preview of the upcoming biopic, Straight Outta Compton, during a recent Ice Cube concert. The characters of Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins) and Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson Jr., Cube’s actual son) all show up during the trailer which Cube played gleefully. Co-directer F. Gary Gray said he wanted to make sure the group’s cultural significance and influence on hip-hop were accurately portrayed in the film.

“It’s not unlike Social Network or American Graffiti where you take a place and time in America, especially as it relates to popular culture, and you see the shift, and they were right there and created part of the pivot that America took in entertainment,” he said.

If all goes well, the movie will be released in August 2015.

Watch the footage below…

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Yet another remix of Dej Loaf’s “Try Me” has popped up on our beloved Interwebs. This time, T.I. and Jeezy, appear on the track to deliver Dopeboy-friendly verses. The beat stays the same, though.

Listen to the new remix below…

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“Mr. Sterling, I don’t have a problem with this guy,” says Kurupt. “He’s a great guy.” These were the exact words muttered from the West Coast rapper during an interview with Vlad TV. Back when the former L.A. Clippers coached was disgraced for making racist remarks, Kurupt was spotted leaving V. Stiviano’s house shortly after the scandal broke. At the time, we had no idea why or how he even knew her — but we now know they are close friends.

“He’s a good man. They took a good man down. He ain’t done nothing to nobody. Who did he harm? What’s the crime?”

Honestly, I’m so confused.

Watch the bizarre interview below…

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Joey Bada$$’ B4.DA.$$ debut album is a little over three weeks away, arriving on January 20. After cooking up with Statik Selektah on “Curry Chicken,” the Brooklyn-native reflects on the long road traveled and successes reached to this point and beyond over the smooth piano-driven production of Freddie Joachim. Featuring U.K. artist Maverick Sabre and Pro Era’s own Dyemond Lewis, the song can be streamed below.

Available for pre-order on iTunes, B4.DA.$$ features appearances and production from Elle Varner, Action Bronson, Raury, DJ Premier, and Hit-Boy.

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Ameriie gets the new year started early with her new record “Mustang.” The R&B singer takes listeners on a ride, of one wild girl who isn’t easy to tame. Ameriie has a busy 2015 ahead of her, along with launching her Books Beauty Ameriie YouTube page, the singer will be touring the U.K. in March (see dates below). The 34-year-old is also working on two albums, BILI and Cymatika, Vol. 1.

Check out “Mustang” below.

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