Early yesterday morning (September 22), popular rapper-actor Common graced the studios of MSNBC political daytime show Morning Joe to discuss his latest venture as an author and managed to drop a mild bombshell on the program when he announced his favorite rapper of all time. Sitting with the hosts, the charismatic Chicago native offered some background on his first memoir One Day It’ll All Makes Sense, named after the rapper’s third studio released in 1997.

However, the meat of the interview began to pick up steam when Common was asked to recall all of the fervor surrounding his visit to the White House as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Music Series earlier this year which became the center of heated political debate between the major parties. Read more...

Tags Common, Michelle Obama, MSNBC, Nas, Sarah Palin, White House

By Xavier Rathlev

FROM ACT NOW: On September 22, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the act mandating a national service corps "to promote world peace and friendship." Fifty years later, more than 200,000 American Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 countries around the globe. I am one of those volunteers.

Having grown up in a post 9/11 world, I really do believe that if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. And so I've done my best to learn as much about the history, culture, language, and religion of North Africa and the Middle East as possible. I studied Islam and Arabic in college. I spent a semester in Cairo, Egypt. And I now live in Goulmima, Morocco, as a Peace Corps volunteer. Read more...

Tags 9/11, Eminem, Jay-Z, KanyeWest, Peace Corps, President John F. Kennedy, S7rawa Boys

In the high stakes battle for Hip Hop superiority, it appears that the two top money earners in the rap game – Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean "Diddy" Combs respectively – are in a quiet duel to become the first billionaires by way of their shared industry.

With various streams of revenue flowing for both savvy businessmen, some unrelated to music, the potential is vast for both men according to a recent analysis from Forbes magazine. However, another Hip Hop mogul believes he and his team will eclipse Jay-Z and Diddy in the money race all in due time. Read more...

Tags 50 Cent, birdman, Cash Money, Diddy, Dr. Dre, forbes, Jay-Z, YMCMB, Young Money

Ahead of releasing her as-yet-untitled sixth studio album, Barbadian pop songstress Rihanna has teamed up with Scottish singer-songwriter Calvin Harris for the LP's debut single “We Found Love." The hard charging and energetic track is easily geared for the clubs, employing Harris’ signature electronic dance-ready sound – as the bigness of the track meshes well with Rihanna’s confident vocals.

After hinting yesterday (September 21) via Twitter about the collaboration with Harris, the island beauty dropped the song this morning (September 22) and fans have chimed in with varying opinions of the track. Read more...

Tags Calvin Harris, Rihanna

The ink may still be drying on G-Unit rapper Genasis' new deal but the West Coast MC is waisting no time getting his movement started. The Atlanta born MC dropped his G-Unit debut video "Jackie Chan" last week and now RapFix is bringing you behind the scenes for an exclusive look. Girls, money and motorcycles in the land of Hollywood. A guaranteed can't miss. Hit the clip to check out the video. Read more...

Tags 50 Cent, G-Unit, Genasis, Jackie Chan, Kidd Kidd, shawty lo

Ladies, it looks like Ne-Yo is still on the market. Well, sort of. The Def Jam singer has come out to clarify reports that hes engaged to marry his longtime girlfriend and childrens mother Monyetta Shaw. The couple are expecting their second child together.

"Ok twit fam. To put all rumors to rest. Not engaged but am expecting second child" Ne-Yo tweetd. "Mo has no rep. The person claiming to be her rep lied. Thanx for the interest in my personal. Know that the day that I DO decide to take that step you will hear it from the horse's mouth. Much love." Read more...

Tags Beyonce, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Rihanna

LOS ANGELES — Setting foot on the set of Red Café's music video for "Fly Together" on Tuesday night, you might have thought you were in the middle of a Hollywood blockbuster. The Colin Tilley-directed clip was set in what looked like an industrial wasteland meets an apocalyptic auto graveyard.

Red Café was joined on set by his "Fly Together" collaborators, Rick Ross and Ryan Leslie. The trio towered above the set on steel cargo containers as smoke billowed in the background and a demolished car dangled in the air. Read more...

Tags Red Cafe, Rick Ross, ryan leslie

What would RapFix Live be without the traditional freestyle? At this close of yesterdays weekly show Philly Freezer aka Freeway displayed his rap skills showing the Philadelphia lyricist hasn't missed a beat. The State Property MC unleashed a fury of bars to remember with a shout out to RapFix Live host Sway and a special salute to Troy Davis. R.I.P., soldier.

Tags Freeway, RapFix Live, State Property, Sway

After years of appeals and a series of legal setbacks, Troy Davis was executed by the State of Georgia at 11:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday (September 21). The controversial case witnessed a number of twists and turns throughout the years and most recently on the day Davis was originally set to be executed at 7 PM by lethal injection. Attorneys for the Davis family filed two separate appeals, one to the U.S. Supreme Court that seemed to take affect, causing a temporary delay. However, shortly after 10:30 p.m. a decision handed down by the high court sought for the execution to move forward. Davis was formally executed shortly after.

Troy Davis spoke one final time before the execution, maintaining his innocence until the very end.

"I did not personally kill your son, father and brother" Davis said speaking to the family of the slain officer. "I am innocent." Read more...

Tags Georgia, Troy Davis

Demi Lovato is back to performing live. And in addition to singing tracks off of her just-released album Unbroken, she's also dazzling crowds with her stirring first-person rendition of Lil Wayne's "How to Love."

Video of her singing the track has become a viral smash, and when MTV News caught up with the "Skyscraper" singer on Wednesday afternoon (September 21), she seemed pumped to talk about the cover. "I just loved the way that Lil Wayne took a risk doing the song 'How to Love,' and when I really listened to it, it's such a great song." Read more...

Tags Demi Lovato, How To Love, lil wayne