Str8HipHip

As reported yesterday, Jay-Z earns his fourth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week with "Empire State of Mind," his collaboration with Alicia Keys. All of Jay-Z's four chart-toppers have been collaborations, but this is his first No. 1 as a lead or co-billed vocalist. The rap legend's prior chart-topping entries came as a featured vocalist on Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker" (1999), his now-wife Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" (2003) and Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007). "Empire State of Mind" is also Keys' fourth overall No. 1, as she previously scaled the list with her debut single "Fallin'" (2001), her duet with Usher, "My Boo," (2004) and "No One" (2007).

MTV Networks has acquired the exclusive U.S. television rights to the posthumous documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It." The concert movie did well at the box office and should prove of high interest to viewers of MTV, whose airing of Jackson's music videos helped boost the singer's career into the stratosphere during the 1980s. Sister networks such as VH1, BET and Palladia also will have rights to air the film. "This Is It" was shot from March to June and includes concert rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage as Jackson prepared for his planned comeback stand in London. SOUR

Still, the general consensus is that Jay-Z rules the big apple. But, to let 50 tell it, there’s only one king and he’s not from Marcy. During an upcoming episode of "Food for Thought: Conversations with 50 Cent,” the media assassin, Harry Allen simply asked, “Why is Jay-Z widely considered king of New York, and not you?” “There's not another artist in New York City that generates more interest than 50 Cent,” Fif told Allen. “If we go international, Jay-Z is Beyoncé's husband. He became more popular and relevant based on the work that Matthew [Knowles] made Beyoncé do.”

When Rivers Cuomo, of alternative rock band Weezer, penned the opening lyrics to the group's "Buddy Holly," he probably never imagined he'd be making a fan out of R&B/hip-hop producer/songwriter Jermaine Dupri. "When I heard Rivers saying, 'What's with the homies dissin' my girl/Why do they got to front,' I became a big fan," says the Atlanta-based music mogul, who has crafted tunes for major artists like Usher, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. "He was talking my type of language in a rock record, and it always stayed with me. They talk like I do, but to a different crowd -- we're basically speaking the same words."

Someone has apparently been trying to pass themselves off as Cortez Bryant, the manager of rappers Drake and Lil Wayne. According to a statement released by Bryant Management, "It has come to light that an individual has been impersonating Bryant Management CEO Cortez Bryant for financial gain through false bookings of his clients, specifically the much buzzed-about recording artist Drake." Bryant, who is also the president of Young Money Entertainment, claims that the impostor has created a false Twitter account and an official-sounding e-mail account in his name, "which he then utilizes to secure and pocket deposits for false bookings and club appearances." The individual is not named in the statement, and it was not revealed where the alleged incidents took place, but Bryant said he is working with authorities investigating the alleged activity and that he's confident the person will be arrested soon.

Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12 months in prison on Thursday (November 12) for probation violation and taken away to prison in handcuffs, according to a rep from his label. The sentence is a blow to Gucci's career. The ATL rapper has a album coming out — The State Vs. Radrick Davis — on December 8 and is arguably at the height of his career; in terms of his sentence, he may be out of prison in six months. Last September, Gucci went to jail and served until March; he was sentenced to a year in prison for failing to fulfill his court-ordered 600 hours of community service, which had been mandated in 2005.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today announced the introduction of Club Beats™, a new in-store destination created in partnership with Monster and Beats by Dr. Dre™, founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. As people continue to evolve their ways of consuming music, Club Beats provides a destination for consumers to learn how to create and individualize their listening experience. Launching in Best Buy stores nationwide, Club Beats provides customers with a backstage pass to the latest and greatest in entertainment technology, exclusive events, and access to today’s hottest music artists.

After much delay, Lil Wayne's highly-anticipated rock album, "Rebirth," is now slated for a Dec. 15 release date according to the Universal Music Group website. The set will be packaged as a dual-disc along with the Young Money collective, "We Are Young Money." Originally scheduled for April 7, the first single off the set titled "Prom Queen," produced by Infamous and Andrew "Drew" Correa, reached no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. Second single "Hot Revolver" debuted at No. 33 on the same tally. In addition to Infamous and Correa, producers Cool and Dre and Develop also have tracks on "Rebirth," while Fall Out Boy is featured. The latter comes after their first collaboration on Fall Out Boy's 2008 release, "Folie à Deux." Lenny Kravitz, Travis Barker and Young Money/Cash Money artist Drake also appear on the set.

Baton Rouge rapper Torrence Hatch, better known as Lil Boosie, was back in court Monday after violating his probation. District Court Judge Chip Moore revoked Hatch's probation, sending him straight to jail. Hatch was on house arrest with an ankle monitor. The monitor indicated that on more than one occasion, Hatch had violated the terms of his release. Judge Moore doubled Hatch's original sentence and ordered him to spend four years in prison. Hatch was convicted of drug and gun charges in September. SOURCE:BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB)

Comedian Katt Williams was arrested for burglary and criminal trespassing in Georgia on Sunday, after allegedly breaking into a home. According to The Associated Press, Williams is expected to go before a judge on Monday afternoon (November 9) to answer to charges. The "Wild 'N Out" alumnus, who has made appearances in movies alongside Ice Cube and Eddie Murphy, is in custody at a facility in Coweta County, Georgia. A representative with the prison would only confirm to MTV News that Williams was being held on felony and misdemeanor charges. The comedian has exhibited unusually erratic behavior in the past year, beginning with a string of puzzling public appearances, before Williams was admitted to a psych ward in South Carolina last November.