Word on the street is that Jay-Z and the RocNation crew has picked up Astro, the 15 year rap sensation from Brooklyn, who took the X-Factor USA by storm with his passion, creativity, and ability to deliver solid and thought provoking performances.  This comes as to no surprise to me, because Astro just seems like the type to have Jay and Kanye as mentors, because dude got some serious skills to only be 15, he raps better than most dudes out now.  The roster that Roc Nation is building has been an impressive cast to say the least, J. Cole, Willow Smith, Bridget Kelly is garnering major attention, and now Astro.  I think he will fit right in, and hopefully have the guidance and nurturing to become the next big thing!!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wait til’ my man Jeezy drops his “Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition” on December 30th.  I’ve been a Jeezy fan since his days back in Boyz In Da Hood.  The official tracklisting has been released with appearnces by Snoop, Jadakiss, and Jill Scott.  I’m sure fans are in for a delightful treat!

Standard Edition

1. “Waiting”
2. “What I Do (Just Like That)”
3. “OJ” feat. Fabolous & Jadakiss
4. “Nothing”
5. “Way Too Gone” feat. Future
6. “SupaFreak” feat. 2 Chainz
7. “All We Do”
8. “Leave You Alone” feat. Ne-Yo
9. “Everythang”
10. “Trapped” feat. Jill Scott
11. “F.A.M.E.” feat. T.I.
12. “I Do” feat. Jay-Z & André 3000
13. “Higher Learning” feat. Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude & Mitchelle’l
14. “This One’s for You” feat. Trick Daddy

Deluxe Edition

15. “.38″ feat. Freddie Gibbs
16. “Ballin’” feat. Lil Wayne
17. “Lose My Mind” feat. Plies
18. “Never Be the Same”

Hip-hop pioneer Heavy D died earlier today at the age of 44.

 TMZ reports that the ’90s rapper, born Dwight Arrington Myers, was rushed to an L.A. hospital around noon on Tuesday, where he was later pronounced dead.

When respondents arrived at his Beverly Hills home earlier in the day, he was reportedly conscious and speaking. There were no obvious signs of foul pay, but police are investigating the death.

Heavy D most recently performed at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and Michael Jackson tribute concert in October.

Monica: I am heart broken, God Bless Hev’s kids & family in this difficult time

Lil’ Kim: #RIPHeavyD U will be missed 😦 but NEVER forgotten!!!!!!! Our memories are special!!! 😦

Big Sean: #RIP to Heavy D… I just seen him like 3 weeks ago

Nicki Minaj: We’ll never forget you babe! #hiphopelite #RIPHeavyD

Keri Hilson: RIP Heavy D. Glad I had the pleasure of meeting you. In your words,”I got nuthin but love for ya.” Prayers to his family & friends.

Juelz Santana: A! Crazy how shit happens. I was late 2 da BET Awards & Heavy D’s Performance was 1 of da only 2 I got 2 see. Blessed 4 dat opportunity. RIP

Missy Elliott: U will be missed Heavy D so many laughs we’ve shared but your Music is Timeless and will Always be Around 4ever Love u Heav…

Swizz Beatz: Wow life is 2 short i am twisted about my brother The Great Heavy D 😦 R.I.P this is wack!!!

DJ Clue: R.I.P. To my dude Heavy D. He sat me down & gave me many inspirational talks when i started early in the game. Gon miss you brother. Luv

Nick Cannon: This is crazy. @heavyd such a beautiful person. He did and will continue to inspire me

Keyshia Cole: When I met Heavy D.. He said “believe U have a good soul, Sing with always having Something to say”. This was 1 year Be4 the 1st album RIP

John Legend: I’m so sad about Hev. He really was a wonderful person.

Big Boi: R.I.P Heavy D a true pioneer may god bless your soul

Diggy Simmons: Wooow can’t even believe that. RIP Heavy D and my condolences to his family. A true Hip Hop great

LL Cool J: May GOD embrace the soul of Heavy D and Bless his family. I respected you Heavy and I always will.

Eve: RIP HEAVY D… Sending my prayers and condolences to family and friends

Timbaland: i’m at a lost for words rip heavy d

Ciara: RIP HEAVY D! He was a really nice man! Sending my condolences to him and his family!

Ne-Yo: Man. I was just with Heavy D recently in London. Had I known it’d be the last time I’d see him, I woulda told him he was truly great. RIP…

Tyrese: Live your life to the fullest… Everyday!!! It’s arrogant to believe the next second belongs to you…. @HeavyD a true class act RIP..!!

Fat Joe: R.I.P 2 HEAVY D I LOVE U ALWAYS LOVED U MY IDOL!!!!!!!!

Brandy: I am shocked, overwhelmed, and all of the above at the death of @heavyd ! May you rest in peace!! I love you and I promise to live INSPIRED!

Usher: This is too heavy, I can’t believe it. HEAVY D was just here. Truly gone too soon. My heart and support goes out to his family. R.I.P HEAVY

Boyz II Men: UGH…heavy d..always cool as hell with us..just a sick feeling….praying for his little daughter and family.

Sean Garrett: God bless @heavyd and his family just saw him a week ago.This is tough!!! A true great.U will be missed dearly!!RIP

Common: Heavy D was…no…is one of Hip-Hops finest. Your art and contribution will live 4ever brother! #RIPHheavyD

?uestlove: Damn man. This is a wake up call like a mofo. Heavy D was a good friend & he’ll be missed. Night I met him is funniest story ever.

Game: Last tweet of the day: Rest In Paradise to a GOOD FRIEND & legendary hip hop icon Dwight Arrington “Heavy D” Myers. Damn life sometimes !!!

Nelly: MAN I CANT EVEN TYPE IM SOO IN SHOCK!!!!!! my blessings and heart go out to the family of my MAN HEAVY D! #RIPHEAVYD!!!WOW WAD A SAD DAY 4SHO

Rev Run: R.I.P to one of the best rappers who ever Did it @HeavyD You will be missed tremendously!

Nas: RIP TO A REAL HIP HOP LEGEND HEAVY D!

Lupe Fiasco: RIP Heavy D…God Bless!!!

Estelle: RIP. Heavy D. i can;t believe that. I can’t. Was just in London w him. WTF.

Sean Kingston: R.I.P Rap legend Heavy D One Of The Most Influential Rappers Of The ’90s Era… Smh Another Sad Day For Music You Will Def Be Missed Man

Teyana Taylor: Oh No! Heavy D really passed away? Really?? Wow I was just in the stu w/ him not to long ago smh 😦

A federal appeals court on Wednesday has reaffirmed its previous ruling declaring that the Federal Communications Commission improperly fined CBS for televising Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Per the New York Times, the 3rd U.S. Court of Appeals in Philadelphia made today’s declaration after the Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court in 2009, and its 2-to-1 decision wasn’t much changed since issuing its first opinion back in July 2008.

The panel still believes the FCC unfairly punished the network when it levied a $550,000 fine, because the regulatory agency failed to inform CBS about a change in its indecency enforcement rules. Specifically, the judges ruled that while the FCC can crack down on indecent images such as Jackson’s exposed breast—even if it was flashed onscreen for less than a second—the commission still acted arbitrarily by altering its policy after the fact and not informing the network.

The FCC released a statement expressing disappointment with the ruling.

“We are pleased that the court did not question the FCC’s statutory responsibility to regulate indecent broadcasting,” said the agency. “While we are disappointed by the Court of Appeals’ decision, we note that the court overturned the FCC’s 2006 forfeiture order on narrow procedural grounds. In the meantime, the FCC will continue to use all of the authority at its disposal to ensure that the nation’s broadcasters fulfill the public interest responsibilities that accompany their use of the public airwaves.”

No word whether regulators will appeal.

The FCC slapped CBS with the $550,000 penalty in September 2004 and the network’s first appeal was denied in February 2005. The commission subsequently rejected a second appeal in May 2006, arguing that CBS planned the chesty stunt deliberately. However, the 3rd Court of Appeals eventually threw out the fine.

Despite only being released yesterday, Wale’s sophomore album, Ambition, is projected to move 170-190k units in its first week (via Hits Daily Double). Wale’s debut album, Attention Deficit, sold a disappointing 28,000 copies in its first week two years ago. So if these projections hold true, this will be a huge step up for Wale.  Ambition is Wale’s first album since being signed to Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group.

Rick Ross might spend every day hustlin’, but the rapper says he’ll be taking it easier after suffering a pair of seizures last month.  Appearing on BET’s “106 & Park” on Tuesday night, the MC said, “I’m feeling wonderful.”

 Following two seizures aboard a jet bound for Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 14, he said he was asked by doctors about his sleeping habits. He revealed he hadn’t slept eight hours a night in five years, due to his musical commitments and label duties at Maybach Music.

“I would get two hours of sleep and keep moving… that has to stop,” he said.  Ross added that a “battery of tests” for cancer, diabetes and HIV had found no results.   “I came back totally healthy,” he said.

Wiz Khalifa has added a female component to his Taylor Gang label imprint with DC rap artist Lola Monroe.

“We got it in with Taylor Gang. We Taylored now,” the 25-year-old former model told DJGreg Street of Atlanta radio station V-103. “Wiz is like a positive free individual that’s about his business and that matches everything I’ve created on my side. When he reached out, he was like, ‘I feel as though our movements represent the same thing, so I want you to rep Taylor Gang.’ And I agreed, so it’s only right.”

Monroe has been on the scene as a rapper for years after abandoning her career as a model named Angel Lola Luv.  She was renown for having a huge backside.  Monroe expects to release a pair of new mixtapes.