Here’s the first track from Jay-Z’s upcoming album, American Gangster. It premiered last night on Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex show so this is the radio rip. [In other words, excuse all the talking.]

Jay-Z: Blue Magic produced by Pharrell

Kinda old school, a little touch of En Vogue. A little quote from Denzel from the movie.

Discuss.

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Mos Def was in Jena, Louisiana, today along with Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton, to take part in the swelling march in support of the “Jena 6,” a group of six black high school students who were charged with attempted murder in the beating of a white classmate in December 2006. One of the students remains in jail in Jena.

“I don’t think anybody’s coming down here with the expectations that all of the whites down here are racists,” Mos Def said in a live interview with CNN when told that a lot of the residents say they aren’t racist and don’t support what appears to be racially biased prosecution. “I understand how the residents feel, but they should put pressure on the people who represent them,” referring to local legislators.

Asked about reported sightings of locals prominently displaying confederate flags, Mos Def said, “It’s provocative to do that where black people are present. It’s not productive. It’s not good for any of the citizens, black or white. It’s played out. Racism is ridiculous.”

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So much for retirement. Our friends at XXL magazine are reporting that Jay-Z is planning another studio album called “American Gangster” set for release this fall. [All you Hov fans know he loves coming out in November]. Now, we reported on the movie of the same name awhile back–it’s about a notorious drug Kingpin named Frank Lucas played by Denzel Washington. T.I. and Common are also in the film. Anyhoo, this is not a soundtrack, it’s all new stuff and the first single, produced by Pharrell, will be leaked on www.XXLmag.com after it premieres on the Funkmaster Flex show.
The New York Times has an interview with Jay explaining the concept.

What’s ironic is that Dame Dash produced an independent documentary on Frank Lucas‘ rival, Harlem-based kingpin Leroy “Nicky” Barnes called Mr. Untouchable.

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Kanye West’s Graduation has outsold 50 Cent by nearly 300,00 units. Graduation took the top spot on the Billboard chart today selling nearly a million copies whereas 50 Cent’s Curtis came in 2nd selling just over 600,000.Hopefully this will signal the end of Kanye’s sore loser rants.

Or maybe he’ll just get worse. Regardless, the battle for #1 has been good for hip hop and I hope it encourages people to make better music.

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This was the joint they recorded after the T.I. concert at Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago. Word is, Kanye was on it too and then refused to clear it. Too bad. But it still sounds hot. Listen here.

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