TRACKLIST::
01. Love ‘Em All
02. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Ft. Pitbull)
03. Hot Toddy (Ft. Jay-Z & Ester Dean)
04. Lay You Down
05. Lingerie
06. There Goes My Baby
07. Get In My Car (Ft. Bun B)
08. Somebody To Love (Remix) (Ft. Justin Bieber)
09. Stranger

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Why make this kind of an album now?

“We were kinda inspired by what was going on with the election and all the increased levels of activism and optimism, and we wanted to make an album that captured that sentiment. It came together as something that’s really soulful, really timely and really reflective of the moment that we’re still in right now, I think, because it reflects a lot of the frustrations as well as the optimism of this moment.”

“Look at the song ‘Wake Up Everybody,’ which is the first single from the album. The main subjects it addresses are the education, the environment and health care, and as we all know those subjects are still quite relevant and contested territory.”

How do you feel about how the political climate has changed since you started back in 2008?

“Well it’s interesting because it kinda got even more contentious, with the whole tea party thing, with the birther thing, with the racial scab that seemed to get pulled off every three or four months with some kind of incident.”

“I think part of [the frustration] is due to the lack of understanding about the political process. I think a lot of people voted because they were inspired by this charismatic man who represented a clear break from the previous administration and whose policies they wanted to see go into effect, and, you know, a year and a half later, he’s gotten health care passed, he’s almost passed a very significant financial reform, he passed a huge stimulus which is a more than just about any president has got done in their first year and a half. But that being said, I think a lot of people expected even more. They’re like ‘Man, I thought this was gonna be the president that could wave his magic wand and make everything happen,’ and though he’s gotten a lot done, there’s been a lot of compromise on the way and there’s been a lot of difficulty getting the agenda adjusted. We still haven’t solved the recession yet; we still have a lot of frustration.”

“Shine” is the only original song on the album?

“So ‘Shine’ is a song I wrote for [Davis Guggenheim's upcoming documentary] Waiting for Superman. The song was really inspired by the plight of the young people in the film who are all just trying to get a better life and trying to get a better education. In the film, their fate is literally decided by the luck of winning a lottery and getting into a better school. The song is really saying this is a tragedy that our kids’ lives are determined by something so arbitrary and we need to do better by them. And in, hopefully, a way that is really inspiring and captivating, I tried to write a song that we really captured that sentiment.”

How’d this collaboration with The Roots come about?

“Well, you know, when my manager and I came up with the idea of doing something like this, the first band we thought of to collaborate with, or the first producer we thought of to collaborate with, was [The Roots drummer/musical director] ‘?uestlove.’ We thought it’d be just perfect if we did it together because we wanted the album to be soulful, we wanted it to have a live feel and we felt like The Roots are masters of making that work. The other great thing about working with ‘?uestlove’ is that he has such a great knowledge of music history that he was a great partner in picking songs for the repertoire. I have even more respect for the man now having been able to work with him and I think it was a really great collaboration. I’m happy we were able to do it.”

Is that how your collaborations usually come about?

“Well usually I’m a fan of their work on some level and I think we could make something great together, and it’s usually just a phone call away and a little bit of scheduling and we usually make it happen. As long as everyone comes into it with the right attitude, you know, a little bit of humility and a bit of that collaborative spirit, then you usually make something good out of it.”

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve collaborated with so far?

“I think Kanye is one of the most interesting talents and I’m a big fan of working with will.i.am.”

Is there anyone you’re specifically looking forward to collaborating with?

“I have a few people that I’d love to write for or write with, like Amy Winehouse would be fun, Feist would be fun, Beyoncé would be cool too, just to name a few.”

What do you think about your role as an artist versus your role as an activist?

“Well sometimes it really comes together, and I think either way we all live here together, we’re all citizens in this country, and we’re all citizens of the world, and you want the world to be a better place, as much as you have any control over that. You want to try to make it better, and I think part of the way we do that is by creating art. But also since we see so much and we have access to so much and we have the ears of so many people, I think we’d be remiss if we didn’t try to make the world better in other ways.”

So you think there’s a responsibility as an artist?

“I think everyone has their own take on that. I feel like it’s my responsibility as someone who knows what’s going on, who reads a lot, who pays attention and travels a lot and has a lot of resources and a lot of, you know, people that listen to what I have to say. I feel like I don’t want to waste that by just trying to make money for myself. I want to use that opportunity to help somebody else because I see a lot of people that struggle.”

What’s on your DVR?

“The Office, Seinfeld, Family Guy, Meet The Press, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Boondocks.”

Nikki Minaj or Lil Kim?

“Well right now Nikki Minaj but you know there’s a time and place for everybody. I feel like this is Nikki’s time right now but Kim had a nice run.”

Which of your songs would you sing to serenade someone?

“Well I have a girlfriend, so I only serenade her. Maybe ‘Goodmorning.’”

Whats your favorite New York restaurant?

“Le Bernadin.”

Where in New York do you live?

“In the East Village, we go to lot of small places around here that we love too.”

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Ice cream.”

What happened with your hairline on twitter?

“Yeah, I got kind of pissed off that morning because I got the [BET] Humanitarian Award and for some reason a trending topic was that my hairline is crooked while I’m giving this heartfelt speech about the Humanitarian Award, so I got a little annoyed and kinda had a rant that morning, but I was a little out of line, you know, I had a moment and that’s the interesting thing about Twitter, if you impulsively type something it kinda takes off.”

Why are you such an optimist?

“I don’t know I think I’ve always been like that, even growing up as a kid, when my parents got divorced, that was always my outlook, to be optimisitc, I don’t know it’s really not something I think about trying to do, it’s just how I am.”

1. Panty Droppa
2. Neighbors Know My Name
3. I Invented Sex / Let’s Get It On
4. I Need A Girl
5. Use Somebody
6. Black Roses
7. Say Aah
8. A Change Is Gonna Come

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01. I’m Not A Star
02. Free Mason
03. Tears Of Joy
04. Maybach Music Pt. 3
05. Live Fast, Die Young
06. Super High
07. No. 1
08. MC Hammer
09. B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)
10. Aston Martin Music
11. All The Money In The World

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In a statement to US magazine:

“Terius ‘The-Dream’ Nash is saddened to announce that his marriage to Christina Milian was unsuccessful. The couple reached this decision in late 2009, but decided to keep the news private in efforts to protect their baby daughter Violet. They ask for consideration and respect for their family moving forward.”

[New York, NY - July 13, 2010]  J Records recording artist MONICA will premiere her video for “Love All Over Me” on BET’s 106 & Park and BET.com this Thursday, July 15.  After the televised premiere, the video will be featured on the VEVO Network, which includes VEVO.com on YouTube. Directed by Chris Robinson, the cinematic cliffhanger video finds Monica caught between two loves and confronted to make a decision that will change her life forever.  Will she marry her old love, played by rapper Maino; or new love, portrayed by LA Lakers Shannon Brown?   Viewers will get the opportunity to select which love interest Monica should choose and the final ending of the video by voting for Monica’s OLD LOVE vs. NEW LOVE at www.monica.com or www.BET.com.  On Friday, July 23, Monica will announce and premiere the viewers’ choice video on BET’S 106 & Park, BET.com and the Vevo Network.”Love All Over Me” is yet another classic Monica love ballad from her current RIAA Gold – certified album Still Standing.  According to Billboard’s mid-year charts, Monica’s Still Standing ranks as one of 2010′s Top 10 best selling R&B/Hip-Hop albums thus far.  Released March 23 on J Records, Still Standing debuted at #1 Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Album chart and #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 and Digital Albums charts with over 184,000 units sold in its first week of release, according to Nielsen Soundscan.  Beginning August 6 at Mobile, Alabama’s Civic Center Theatre, Monica will join Trey Songz as his special guest on his “Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour.”  The 23-city nationwide tour, which ends on September 12th at New York City’s Beacon Theatre, will be “an experience that is fulfilling to the heart and soul” states Monica. For complete tour dates and more information, please visit www.Monica.com.

VIBE: Over the years, you and the Black Eyed Peas have taken hits for not being “real” hip-hop. What is your response?

Will.i.am: I am hip-hop! If there’s anyone that’s the personification of hip-hop, I’m probably the most hip-hop nigga out of all these hip-hop niggas. But hip-hop editorial and blogs and even some of the hip-hop fans don’t see it that way, which is cool. I’m going to win. I’m going to win and win bigger than all these niggas are winning. And they probably don’t see that. I’m winning regardless of what hip-hop thinks of what I am. I won’t shrivel up in a little ball and not continue to rock, rock planet rock, don’t stop just because a few people think the [Black Eyed Peas] is just a pop act.

I [always] knew I was going to move more into dance and club. That’s the reason I produced Nas’ “Hip Hop Is Dead.” People forgot that hip-hop was a bunch of things back in the days. Hip-hop was the Jungle Brothers’ “I’ll House You.” When someone is denying what they are, then that’s when things start to spiral down. Hip-hop is limiting itself and that also goes for editorially. Magazines and websites are the gatekeepers of what people think hip-hop is, but they actually end up limiting what hip-hop can be.

I can do a Talib Kweli track [“Hot Thing”] and Estelle’s “American Boy,” and co-write “Ordinary People” with John Legend and I’m still hip-hop. If Nas calls me for another track, I can do that. But at the same time, if Usher calls me I can do [an “OMG”] as well. Songs like “OMG” are international hits, not just hits on American urban radio. I’m talking about the fucking world! And those kind of accomplishments don’t get you the cover of VIBE. I don’t need anyone to validate me. I am hip-hop. —As told to Keith Murphy

Read on for exclusive quotes from the VIBE interview and pics of Mashonda out with her new man after the jump.

Finally telling  her side of the story, we have some highlights from part one of the exclusive VIBE Interview  for our fab readers:

VIBE: How much of a burden is it to be referred to as Swizz Beatz ex-wife, rather than Mashonda?
Mashonda: I can’t wait until that goes down. I hate that when [Swizz and Alicia Keys are] doing something I always come up. I can’t wait for the day when we’re both in our own worlds. I’m a separate person and just want my own identity.

How far have you gone to regain your own identity? Have you still kept his last name, Dean?
I do. I kept my last name for my son’s sake, until I remarry. There’s no need to rush to change it… that just complicates things for my son. That would be so petty of me. The only thing that could change [my last name] is a really good man.

Speaking of which. You’ve been spotted with producer, Michael Honablue. Going well?
Yeah. It’s only been two months, [but] Michael and I have a really good thing. I’ve been really private with my personal life, but I will say that Michael and myself share a lot of characteristics. He’s just a good guy.

“The first time I went on a date with somebody, I cried. It was like ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t even know how to talk to another man.”

You were with Swizz for ten years, married for four, is it weird being with a man that isn’t your ex-husband?
It is definitely weird. The first time I went on a date with somebody, I cried. It was like ‘Oh my God.’ I didn’t even know how to talk to another man. It was just weird being there, but I knew it was something I had to do, a part of moving on. Thank God I’ve been blessed to deal with only good, educated, sensitive men. God will send the right person for me. [Right now] my son is my number one man.

How old is little Kaseem now?
Three-and-a-half. He’ll be four in December.

I know it was very important for you to sit down with Alicia if she was going to be around your son. Safe to assume that happened?

When I wrote her that Twitter letter everybody wanted to say things like ‘Oh, what do you need to meet her for? It’s not her problem, it’s Swizz’s.” I’m like, ‘You have a kid, go through what I went through and then talk to me.’ I’m not having my son around anybody I don’t know. I don’t give a shit who you are and how much money you have and what management he’s going to be under when he visits you. I need to see you and I need you to see how serious I am about him. And that’s what happened. We had to sit down, and I told her how I felt. I didn’t mention anything else, it was all about my son and it was fine after that. I’m not going sit and talk to [them] about what happened between the three of us. This is about my son.

How did you introduce Kaseem to Alicia?
‘This is daddy’s friend Alicia… Daddy’s girlfriend.’ I don’t want him to ever go over there feeling uncomfortable.

When did this meeting finally take place?
It took a good year and a half. I think that only happened in March.

How was Alicia’s demeanor?
She just listened.

This all sounds like a really awkward gathering…
It wasn’t awkward; I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t ready. I said what I had to say as a mom. It was a whole sit down dinner. So you know how intimate that is. There are certain things we have to do as women in order to move forward.

“Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else’s soul.”

Surprising?
No, because I honestly feel like they think they didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t care about their apology. As long as he’s a great dad to my son and she’s a good step-mom, they don’t have to worry about apologizing because they will never understand or care about the pain I went through. That was a big thing at first, I felt like nobody was respecting me. He’s not respecting me, she’s not respecting me. [But] then I had to say, ‘Fuck my ego, because this can’t be an ego thing. If it is I’m going to fall down and die.’ People feel that they are so happy and they are so in love, but what really happens is that real love does not come from a foundation when you hurt somebody else. Love does not happen like this. Love doesn’t involve hurt, lies, or destructing anybody else’s soul.

If real love isn’t born from infidelity, are you saying it wouldn’t shock you if their soon-to-be marriage ended in divorce?
I don’t think about it, it’s not my concern. I don’t think about them anymore. If there was no little boy involved in this, I would’ve probably moved to another country by now. I’ve thought about going to live in Europe, but I can’t because his dad is here. I don’t like confusion, I don’t like drama, I don’t like none of that stuff. I would have left before the divorce was even final.

How did you even find out that they were engaged and she was pregnant? Please don’t tell me the blogs.
I knew these things for a couple of months… I never talked to him about it though. It’s his life, but people talk. Nobody is nobody’s friend when it comes to stuff like this. There are people in their circles that talk and it gets back to me and I’m like ‘Wow, okay.’ I still feel like we should tell each other…No, I don’t care. I don’t give him the vibe that I care, so he wouldn’t feel obligated to tell me.

If you were generously invited, would you attend their wedding?
No. Not out of malice, but because weddings are sacred. It’s just not my place. The only reason I went to his birthday party was because he invited me and I did that for myself. I needed to see them together for it to transfer. And I was like ‘Wow, this is real.’ We were still totally married…We had a divorce that was nowhere near final, but I just needed to see them in action for it to be real to me, and it was definitely real. You have all these different types of steps that you have to set up for yourself until you get to that place where you are free. And I will tell you, after I got divorced maybe three weeks later I woke up and felt a weight removed. It was the first time I’d ever felt mentally free. And I sent him an email wishing him all the best in the world.

Did he reply back?
He did. He said, “Wow, thanks. Thank you.”

When was the last you cried?
I haven’t cried in about a year. I don’t cry anymore. I thank the good Lord for that, because it takes a lot for me to cry now. It’s been a journey. The whole first year I cried my fucking brains out. And when “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” came out, I was like… “Wow, this song is for me.” [Laughs] I would cry in my sleep, I would wake up crying.

“I got to be honest with you… I was not in love.”

And now?
I don’t make it an effort to listen. I don’t make it an effort not to listen. I still like her songs. She’s head over heels in love and I get it. Every woman deserves to feel that, not at the expense of another woman though. But I understand why some of the decisions were made on her part, because her heart was so in it. I can’t fight that [and] I can’t fight her because she’s a household name. People are always going to love her for her music, as they should. She makes great music, but no one is really ever going to understand what happened in this house. Bottom line, the rule is, if you’re messing with somebody, you don’t know they’re married, and you found out they’re married if you come into any contact with that wife, leave it alone… respect the woman, respect the wife. Like I said before, it was an ego thing for me. I’m being fucking disrespected, nobody respects me, this is my husband, this is my family, this girl thinks she can just do anything she thinks she wants to. And that’s what I dealt with for a while, until I gave up.

Ego can be a dangerous thing. Were you still in love with him while you were fighting for your marriage?
I got to be honest with you… I was not in love. Love is unconditional; “in love” is very conditional. [Being] in love is a state of insanity, infatuation, when you can’t live without that person. But when one thing goes wrong you feel crazy, it’s insane. So when you’re able to tell the difference you’re better off. Because [being] in love doesn’t last, [it’s] for the moments. Love is forever. I still love him, he’s the father to my son. We have history, there’s no reason not for me to love him. What he did was done for me to learn something. I don’t blame him anymore. Now he has to learn because I’ve already learned.

Is Alicia the reason your state of being in love faded?
There were lies, infidelity. I would die for him, but I was more focused on family.

Are your parents still together?
They had a messy divorce as well, so I saw what it was like, how it effects kids. I didn’t want my son to live through that.

Did they like Swizz?
They loved him.

“Even now with Alicia’s pregnancy, I believe she deserves privacy. I hate hearing people wish bad stuff on her and the baby. This is a child, an actual life.”

Wow.
That kills me the most. He was saying these things because these are probably the things he told her. Obviously something is wrong with his morals, but I don’t play with kids. Even now with Alicia’s pregnancy, I believe she deserves privacy. I hate hearing people wish bad stuff on her and the baby. I’m like ‘People shut up!’ This is a child, an actual life… someone who has nothing to do with what’s going on right now. I wish her the most successful, healthy pregnancy in the world, that child is going to be my son’s brother or sister and that’s the only way to look at it.

Chris Brown has released the trailer (yes the trailer) from his self-released song 12 Strands (Matrix).  It looks like it is going to be a very theatrical video.

And in other Chris Brown news, it looks like he and Rihanna might possibly patch things up and be friends at least.

According to South Africa’s Heat Magazine, Rihanna and Chris have been in contact since he broke down and cried at the BET Awards.

An unnamed source told the magazine:

It’s been almost a year since they last spoke, but Rihanna felt like she could try to be friends with Chris again.  Seeing how emotional he was on set [at the BET Awards] really touched her.  She’d never seen him like that before.

The source also added:

Chris told her that he felt like he’s grown up in the past year.  He’s said he’s so happy to be back in touch with her.  They were each other’s first love and he’s missed her so much.  Rihanna knows that if he wanted him back, he’d be there in a second.

Source

The two have reportedly text messaged each other since the phone call and a friend of Rihanna’s suggested that there is a chance of a face-to-face meeting.

However, Chris has to stay at least 100 yards away from Rih Rih for five years under the terms of his August 2009 probation.  So….that doesnt seem too likely.