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Oh geez… Not the way we wanted to start the summer.

Paris Hilton has signed a deal with Cash Money Records to do a house record that will be released in the next few months. “Showbiz 411 says that Hilton will join Drake and Nicki Minaj, so it’s likely she’s actually signing with Young Money Entertainment, a subsidiary of Cash Money,” reports The Huffington Post. So Paris Hilton is on the same label as Drake.

And the word is her rumored boyfriend, who is an actual producer named Afrojack, is helping her with the music.

Seems like Paris has been off the scene and out of our lives for a long while no? Could she have possibly changed her tune since she’s been gone? We can only hope. But few people are optimistic. Vibe has some of the reaction from Twitter, including, “Save us Lord! Save us!”

And in case you’ve forgotten what exactly Paris Hilton’s tune is, let’s revisit 2006 when she dropped this gem on us “Stars Are Blind.”

Source: WENN

It’s like 1998 all over again, because everywhere we turn there’s Lauryn Hill again. However, we’re not getting her back in the way we were hoping for, as she’s come out of her sabbatical to do some touring (to not so rave reviews) and to battle legal troubles. In the midst of all that, the singer took to her Tumblr yesterday to speak on the reports that while trying to stay out of jail, she had inked a new record deal with Sony, to also announce that new music will be on the way, and to of course speak on how she had been bamboozled by the industry:

It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.

I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye. This is an old conflict between art and commerce… free minds, and minds that are perhaps overly tethered to structure. This is about inequity, and the resulting disenfranchisement caused by it. I’ve been fighting for existential and economic freedom, which means the freedom to create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings.

It took years for me to get out of the ‘parasitic’ dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist, and (purportedly) gives me the control necessary to create a paradigm suitable for my needs. I have been working towards this for a long time, not just because of my current legal situation, but because I am an artist, I love to create, and I need the proper platform to do so.

The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me).

Only a completely complicated set of traps, manipulations, and inequitable business arrangements could put someone who has accomplished the things that I have, financially in need of anything. I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said.

MLH

Very interesting. This lack of creative control and behind-the-scenes manipulation going on in the industry in the quest for money is something Lauryn has been vocal about in the last few years, and we’re glad to hear that she has received a deal where she will be free to get back in the lab and create what she wants and say what she wants. But the question is, are you still down for some new music by Lauryn Hill?

T.I. and Tiny at the premiere of the movie “Gangster Squad.” Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

T.I.’s 10-year contract with Atlantic wrapped up a month ago. Now he’s ready for a new contract. A $75 million contract. Oh, I beg your pardon?

T.I. says he’s seeking a company willing to sign on the dotted line for a $75 million deal that will include (according to TMZ) three albums; between 10 and 20 percent of the rights for TV, film, and other projects; endorsement deals; and exclusive rights to sign his Grand Hustle artists.

TMZ says there are people who sound like they’re willing to agree to these terms. Of course, T.I. does have a lot going on, so it might be worth it. Besides the VH1 program T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, he’s out promoting his new album “Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head,” which is topping the charts. And he has an upcoming movie, Identity Thief. Building an empire!

Do you think he’s going to get that $75 million?

vh1.com

Don’t you just love when the underdog gets the last laugh? It seems that “Basketball Wives” star, Kenya Bell has every reason to laugh while she makes her way to the bank (again). It has been reported by VH1 that the former Miss Michigan has recently signed an exclusive distribution deal with Bungalo Records, which is under the guide of Universal Music Group.

When asked about her deal, the mom of two gushed:

“I am excited to work with Bungalo Records on this distribution deal and can’t wait for the world to hear my music. It has been a lifelong dream to record an album and share my passion of singing with the world.”

We’re sure the news has Kenya completely over the moon as her dream of being a singer was something that she frequently discussed during the last season of “Basketball Wives.” While a dream coming to fruition is probably a sweet victory in itself, this triumph is most likely sweeter due to the constant scrutiny she was forced to deal with from her fellow cast members last season. If you remember, the ladies were relentless when criticizing her methods of doing business, her vocal and dance abilities, and even went as far as to say that she was too old to be thinking about pursuing a career in entertainment.

It seems however, that this mean girl behavior is exactly what motivated Bell to secure the deal. She went on to discuss with VH1 her reaction to the deal and how she felt about the way her co-stars reacted to her music.

“I was floored [when Bungalo called me], I was like, ‘Really? Didn’t the ‘Basketball Wives’ tell me I had no chance?’ It felt so good to me, obviously they believe that I have something, I have talent, and for me that’s just amazing. I was doubting everything I did before, and I’m learning to not doubt myself no matter what is said. I learned to listen to criticism and change it for the better, but I’m still going to believe in myself and believe I can make this thing happen. It was shocking when I first showed [my co-stars] the video and they were like ‘Eh, what is that??’ like it was the worst thing ever.”

Bell says that behavior just pushed her even further.

“I’m still writing my own music and working with Jazzy Faye and Young Money and I’m doing even better stuff than before. My co-stars just made me better.”

Making the news even more sweet is the fact that Broadway World reports her deal as “unprecedented.” It seems that no other reality television star has successfully signed a deal this major. Can’t hate on that. Congrats Kenya!

Just days before Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded was released, noted music writer Jon Caramanica wrote an op-ed in The New York Times calling Nicki Minaj “the most influential female rapper of all time.” Sparking discussion, many took to social networks to voice their disagreement. Why? Because in making the all-encompassing statement, he discredited legends such as Salt-n-Pepa, Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, MC Lyte and the slew of other female MCs that not only paved the way, but are still influential today.

It’s no secret. Within the world of hip-hop, rappers gain power and influence by dissing or boasting their individual appeal. But let’s be honest… nothing under the sun is new, so while Minaj is extreme in popularity, sound, look and influence there are a number of new stars who could possibly outbox the hip-hop heavyweight. Madame Noire believes that championship belt is still up for grabs, so we’re showcasing the best lyrical pugilists in the game—tale of the tape style: