We'll start off by saying that Jay Z is one of THE smartest rappers on the planet, if not THE smartest...he's a prime example of taking his street smarts to corporate, and then pimp the game based on the same philosophies as the streets...peep game...

Jay-Z has been talking to Oprah about his life in Marcy and more. We have a little extract from the interview that is due to drop in 'O' magazine for you here:
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"At 13 he was selling crack. By 30 he was a hip-hop legend—having gone, in his words, "from grams to Grammys." Now Jay-Z charts his escape from the hard-knock life, describes the reunion that healed the wounds of his childhood—and even reveals the standing Sunday date he has with what’s her name.
 
Oprah: So tell me how you got into the drug dealing.
 
Jay-Z: It was natural.…
 
Oprah: Because drug dealers were your role models. There wasn’t a teacher or a lawyer or a nurse or a doctor or an accountant in the neighborhood?
 
Jay-Z: Well, we were living in Marcy by then, so, no. And if anyone did become something like that, they moved out. They never came back to share the wisdom of how they made it. If anyone made it, you never knew it. That’s why I’ve always said that if I became successful, I’d come back here, grab somebody, and show him how it can be done.
 
Oprah: So by the time you were 13, this was a way of life. Did the lifestyle frighten you?
 
Jay-Z: No. It was normal. And at some point, you become addicted to the feeling. The uncertainty and adrenaline and danger of that lifestyle.
 
Oprah: This is where we differ. This is where we differ. Because I’d be very scared! Weren’t you shot at three times—within six feet—and you lived to talk about it?
 
Jay-Z: That was divine intervention. Divine intervention, and nobody knowing how to shoot.
 
Oprah: What happened in each situation?
 
Jay-Z: It was one situation, three shots.
 
Oprah: So he was a bad shot.
 
Jay-Z: Well, no one really practices shooting a TEC-9 machine gun, right? And when you’re a kid, with little bony arms—no wonder nobody could aim.
 
Oprah: Many of the little boys who grew up in the Marcy projects are either in jail or dead. Why do you think you got to grow up and buy your mom a house?
 
Jay-Z: There’s the gift, there’s the spirit, and there’s the work—all three have to come together. If one of those things is off, it can stop you from becoming who you were meant to be.
 
Oprah: When I met you a few years ago, we discussed our disagreement over the use of the N word and misogynist lyrics in rap music. Do you believe that using the N word is necessary?
 
Jay-Z: Nothing is necessary. It’s just become part of the way we communicate. My generation hasn’t had the same experience with that word that generations of people before us had. We weren’t so close to the pain. So in our way, we disarmed the word. We took the fire pin out of the grenade.
 
Oprah: Do you and Beyoncé have a pact that you just won’t talk about each other?
 
Jay-Z: Yeah. When you’re a public person, you have to keep some things to yourself, or else people will just—
 
Oprah: Eat it up. I know. But can I ask how in the world you kept your wedding a secret?
 
Jay-Z: Late planning!
 
Oprah: How many people knew?
 
Jay-Z: Very few. The sad part is that we offended some. But people who love you understand. Because at the end of the day, it’s your day.
 
Oprah: So here we are, talking on a Sunday afternoon. If you weren’t sitting here with me, what would you be doing?
 
Jay-Z: I’m gonna get killed for this, but I’ll tell you anyway. There’s a great pizza spot we go to every Sunday. It’s our tradition. It’s a small place in Brooklyn, you can bring your own wine, and there are candles there. It’s a nice date."

Chris Brown has named his upcoming album 'Grafitti' and, quite aptly, a judge has ordered the singer to go to work cleaning grafitti from walls - as well as picking up trash, washing cars and maintaining government-owned grounds in Richmond. Chief Bryan Norwood wrote to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg saying, "We are prepared to put Mr. Brown to work," adding, "His activities would be performed under the supervision of myself and those under my command." Brown requested to complete his community service in Richmond as it si near where he lives. The 180 days of community service comes as part of Brown's punishment for assaulting former girlfriend Rihanna. Chris, however is not mad at the judgment as he said, "Everything comes with consequences, so I feel like definitely it is [fair]," continuing, "I have no misjudgment on what the judge has given me, so I'm willing to do anything they ask."

Remy Ma recently released a statement from prison talking about her son, a love for Wendy Williams' show and that she is writing new music while inside saying, "I really miss everything but I especially can't wait to get back in the studio and onstage again, I've been writing like crazy." Remy went on, "First off I'd like to send love to C-Murder, his family and children...Some people are aware, but I realize that a lot of people don't know that I have a son. He just turned 9 years old and I was able to celebrate his birthday with him and Pap, they stayed with me for 5 days and 4 nights. We had so much fun. I cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday, I baked cookies, cakes, and banana pudding. We watched movies, played board games and took a lot of pictures...I just want to say that I so love the 'Wendy Williams Show.' I try to watch it everyday. I love watching the videos that are sent in of little kids saying 'How You Doin?' I couldn't pay my son to do that! I have to go on her show though when I get home." Sounds like Remy is holding her head up while locked up.
 

The rumor mill is grinding again as it has been reported that Queens rapper 50 Cent has proposed to R&B singer Ciara. The pair have been dating for nearly two years and word has it that Ciara called her mom and friends following the proposal. Looks like congratulations may be in order.
 

Autopsy reports are saying that DJ AM swallowed a fatal handful of the powerful painkiller OxyContin in an apparent suicide. 8 of the powerful pills were found in his stomach with one undigested in his mouth leading a law enforcement source to speculate, "He wanted to die," adding, "He was going unconscious when he took the last one. He didn't even swallow it." The 36 year-old, real name Adam Goldstein, was found dead lying on top of a bag of crack cocaine with a mirror propped against the front door of his $2 million apartment with another against the door of the bedroom where his body was found. The source said that DJ AM had, "smoked a lot of crack, barricaded the doors and killed himself." Police also may have revealed a reason for DJ AM's apparent suicide after they revealed a 2009 Valentine's Day card from ex-girlfirend and fashion model Haley Wood on DJ AM's living room coffee table. The card simply said, 'Thank God you're in my life. I love you.' However, to add a little confusion other law enforcement officials are asaying that DJ Am's death was not a suicide but instead an indicator that he had slipped back into addiction triggered by anti anxiety medication. It seems we will never truly know. Once again our thoughts go to all his friends and family.

Halle Berry is pregnant again following an in-vitro insemination. A friend revealed, "Halle is overjoyed. The first time, she struggled so much to get pregnant and eventually conceived through in-vitro fertilization. This time, the baby was conceived through artificial insemination. She’s just ecstatic to be pregnant again. She wasn’t sure if she’d have another baby, so she’s very happy!" Congratulations to Halle and new father to be Gabriel Aubry