Hip-Hop Island

Has RiRi finally dropped that dark cloud hanging over her head? Sounds like a maybe. This new one from Roc Nation's own Bad Girl kinda reminds us of old-school, fun and sexy Rihanna. Check out the unreleased Prince-sampled "Sexuality."

Rihanna's getting her troops ready for battle in her new video for "Hard." And still, the woman wears "protective" gear as fashion... don't mess with RiRi.

When it comes to gossip, Rihanna's no amateur. So it was fitting that Gossip Girl Blake Lively hosted Saturday Night Live while Rihanna performed "Russian Roulette" and "Hard" with Young Jeezy for the live show. Besides her on-point performances, RiRi digital short with Andy Samberg is a viral gem. Shoulda paid Kanye!

Another response from Chris Brown. "Being myself through other people..." At this point, Chris, let's get real and screw all the people influencing you.

With the touch of Jay-Z, you shall be golden. Miss Alicia Keys performed "Empire State Of Mind 2," which makes a sweet lullaby, "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "No One" for the X Factor audience. Rihanna took the stage as well performing "Russian Roulette."

Lady Rihanna still shedding the all-black everything performs "Wait Is Over" and "Russian Roulette" from her new album Rated R. Umbrella-ella-ella, Rihanna also rocked her fan favorite "Umbrella" for this early morning NYC crowd on Good Morning America. Wonder if it kinda sucks having to sing this song...

For some reason, the AMA staff was touting Rihanna's performance an as epic return to the stage this evening. The woman has had high profile interviews, a new album and large kickoff performances for the whole world to see, yet she is returning to something according to the AMAs. Performing "Wait Is Over" and "Hard," Rihanna rocked the stage with two of few hits from Rated R in all white.

This one didn't make the US album, but the kids overseas can have it. With the help from Rihanna's buddy Justin, "Hole In My Head" rocks more than most of the tracks on Rated R. A sequel to "Russian Roulette"... methinks? Press play.

Mostly for my own entertainment because I couldn't get the live stream to actually work. Here's the full video footage of Rihanna's performance in London.

Tit or Tat when it comes to video releases from the Rihanna camp. While Chris Brown sits around crying about his losses, Rihanna's battered, beaten and fighting off her demons. Well, Rihanna survives and the guy -- last bullet's for him.

The wait is over, the wait is o-v-a. the wait is OVER! "Swing if you're brave/There's so much power in my name." From the sound of it, Rihanna's ready to give Mr. Brown a red card for his foul play -- game's over and Rihanna's wins? We hope. Watch the new video from Eye-Patch RiRi!

Sean Kingston gets down to business and builds his dream girl. Spoiler alert: it's a cross between Beyoncé and Megan Fox's for looks and Lady GaGa for personality. Such a shame, Sean even passes on fellow island girl Rihanna. Ohh, Sean, keep dreaming....

And here's Chris Brown's reaction to the assault and what he's learned from the incident. Although he's already had a very long and telling interview with Larry King, Chris speaks again just in time for Rihanna's interview with Diane Sawyer. He's got an album coming out, too, people. Chris sits down with MTV's Sway to talk it out -- watch the full interview below.

What's taken you so long, girl? Waiting 'til the release of your new album is shady, but we'll take it. Thanks, marketing. Don't expect any closure from the interview, but Rihanna does have one profound thing to say, "F Love." Watch the full interview.

New music from Rihanna! The resident Good Girl Gone Bad is wrapped in barbed wire looking epically badass. Peep the new single "Russian Roulette."

Paris Fashion Week sure does bring out the badass within. Sure they're smiling, but Rihanna and her new love-scorn bestie Katy Perry look like two rockstars who could kill. RiRi's all-black everything is fierce, while Miss Katy may be hiding a small weapon...somewhere. Hotness all around.

I Pledge Allegiance to the Diamonds in the Sky of the Roc Nation, and to the Hip-Hop for which it shines, one Culture under His Hoviness, unconquerable, with rhymes and swagger for all! The King is HOME!

Jay-Z took over New York City tonight, celebrating life and the ones this country lost in the tragic events of 9/11. Eight years later, we still stand strong as a country trying to find its way and deal with the turmoil and politics that have divided a nation. Jigga not only represents everything original about Hip-Hop, but his don't-give-a-fuck attitude is the voice of rebellion. He kicked off the night with "Empire State Of Mind" for his first love, New York City. Alicia Keys was missing, but newly signed to Roc Nation Bridget Kelly held her own harmonizing along with Jay. The sold-out crowd at MSG roared along with every verse and every hook; cheering the champion on as Jay brought on a few of his best friends. Santi rocked it on "Brooklyn Goes Hard," Kid Cudi and his skinny jeans (apparently he figured out how to make his knots fit) took over center stage on "Already Home," and just as Hov had the Blueprint laid out for the night he took us back to '90s with "Jigga What, Jigga Who," "Big Pimpin'," and "Hard Knock Life."

Always the Rocker, John Mayer surprisingly stole the show with a few guitar solos for Jigga's most popular hits. Wowing the crowd, Mayer ripped chords while Jay single handedly pronounced the Death of Autotune gearing the waves of fans to start a "Fuck T-Pain" chant. Not everyone in Hovi's Kingdom is as forgiving as He. And guess what? With all black everything: tee, jeans and sunnies -- the Power Trio: Jay, Kanye and Rihanna absolutely "Run This Town." Kanye, as expected, stole his 15-minutes with the permission of His Highness on "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Good Life." But it was wifey's four-minute performance of "Diva" that left the crowd wanting more of Queen Beyonce.

The producers' convention of Pharrell, Swizzy, Ye and even Diddy had their moments -- mostly awkward ones as Pharrell serenaded Jay and Diddy brought his locker room banter to the stage as he slapped Jay's booty. Hova's probably got a few words for the boys after the show... only imagine what the punishment is for disobeying the King in front of his obedient servants. Awkward moments aside, it was Jay and Mary J. Blige who brought the crowd back to '96 and then MJB killed it with "The One" leaving everyone wanting an "Encore" or two.

Through the heavy reefer smoke and bouncing crowd, there was a nationalistic unity among the audience. USA chants synced and faded to silence throughout the night. Moments of silence and never ending screaming were shared. Jay's a sarcastic hero and no one messes with his city or his country, so his final words for those "hiding in caves" and terrorizing his people, "If you're having girl problems son, I feel bad for you. I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one!"

Hi, RiRi! Looks like girlfriend was let out of the Roc Boys Witness Protection Program for a little bit tonight so she could hype it up with Fashion's Night Out. Looking sleuth in all black and those killer shades from the "Run This Town" video. HOTT!

Explain to me how in the world Chris Brown is "surprised" by the pictures of Rihanna's bruises after the "incident"? He knows exactly what he did and how it was done, so why the shock? C.Breezy seems to be trying really hard to right his wrongs, but it's time to admit his career will never be the same again. "I still love her," he admits. No worries though Chris makes it clear he's only 20 and he can't imagine a complete lifetime with Rihanna, but it's a possibility. Something about having to keep 30 yards away from her and no contact at all seems a little relationship-ending. That's just me, though. Full interview is below.

The Blueprint 3 leaked. Shocked. I know. Now ya'll need to understand the golden years of Jay, his rhymes, beats and vociferous swagger are in the past. From now on, we will only receive "Jay-Z presents..." type of albums from the great rapper. Not to say The Blueprint 3 isn't full of amazing verses because it certainly is. But in this economic disaster, it's only right of Jay to bring along his friends for the ride and share some of the spotlight. Rappers gotta eat, too. Fueling the buzz, Jay cosigns Drake (who hasn't), brings lil' bro Kanye along, babygirl RiRi kills with looks and vocals and Kid Cudi gives the Hipsters some love as he gets creative. The only one missing from this compilation is TIP, sure he's in the clink, but really, Jay, you couldn't arrange for a jailhouse session.?! Back to the point, best track on The Blueprint 3 are "Real As It Gets" featuring Young Jeezy -- shit is pure fire. And let it be know, Swizzy may recycle himself to every rapper out there, but at least he twists it up enough to make it credible, especially on "On To The Next One" -- clearly superior or Timbo's "Ain't I" which is just boo-boo. "Run This Town," "D.O.A.," "Brooklyn Goes Hard," "My President Is Black," "Blow The Whistle" and "Jockin' Jay-Z" -- the tracks are what they are. It should be a general rule that if tracks leaks way before the album drops, said artist should add two new tracks to the album for each leaked. Let's hear some more NEW Jay...make it worth my while. PS - Jay, can you get over your Oasis hate, those bros have enough problems...