-Barack Obama upsets Kenyan official. Truth, as they say, is bitter.

-OutKast’s Idlewild enters Billboard on No. 2 behind Danity Kane. No thanks to the ambiguous marketing and promotion of what is actually their new album as a film soundtrack / album.

-50 Cent wants to collaborate with Elton John. What an original idea.
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-Eminem apologizes to Hef’s girlfriend.

-Lil’ Kim is working on a book and film based on her prison life. *Yawn*

-Ice Cube blasts hip-hop, which is like AJ blasting music videos.

-2Pac’s sister says she battles with suicide and depression daily.

-Shots Fired: 50 Cent vs Diddy (Audio Link) I guess Diddy is also excluded from 50’s VMA Afterparty guest list now. Apparently, this is over the Ma$e issue. Plus, what better way to promote Banks’ upcoming album.

Lupe Fiasco featuring Sway - We Love You (mp3)

I remember hearing Lupe say that he was cooking up a Sway collabo back whenever Food & Liquor hit the nets. He supposedly has a track with some Korean rapper as well. Anyhow, you gotta love the flavor Sway brings to this. My only gripe is that it’s too short.

Today’s Cuban Linx is a rap-up of August bloggage. (What an event-ful month.) Making sure you didn’t miss out on any of the gulliness. Enjoy.

Pix: Kelis, NaS, others at VH-1’s Summer of Soul Party
Shots Fired: Trina vs. Everybody
Video: Whatdafxup with Cassie
Jay-Z + Kofi Annan Fight Water Crisis
Pix: Janet Jackson’s Vibe Photoshoot
What’s Beef…Pt. 2
Pix: Rock the Bells Festival
Soundbites: Kelis ft. NaS - “Blindfold Me”
Free’s Back
Soundbites: Akon ft. Eminem - “Smack That”
Video: Beyoncé - “Ring the Alarm”
Cuban Linx 08-16-06: Caught Out There
Pix: Stephon Marbury and Steve Barry Present “Starbury”
Busta Rhymes Arrested for Assault
Video: The Game’s “One Blood”
Pix: Kelis’ Birthday Party
Sounbites: Beyonce ft. Jay-Z - “Upgrade U”
Pix: Janet Jackson’s FHM Photoshoot

VMAs Kickoff Concert featuring Chamillionaire and mini-Beyonce Rihanna

After-party with Missy and Ciara

Initially, I was going to do a recap of what went down a year ago when Katrina wreaked its havoc in the gulf coast, but what good is it? Why go back and relive a tragedy. I’m actually more interested in seeing progress…kinda like these.

Oh yeah, Top 5 Katrina-Related Rap Songs (Listen-N-Download)

While other 40-yr olds are busy trying to convince their daughters not to pose for FHM, Janet’s too busy baring it all for them. Hey, at least, she’s the first black person on the cover of FHM. (j/k)

Album art for Snoop Doogg’s The Blue Carpet Treatment out Nov. 21

-The ever-grindin’ Smoking Section has a brand new interview with 9th Wonder.

-Beyonce storms to No. 1

-Mixtape Monday: Nas says he has a ‘crazy joint’ with Game. Whatever, put out a single already. Also, Papoose, who recently signed a $1.5 million dollar deal with Vibe through Streetsweeper / Flipmode (wtf is that?), hopes to release Nacirema Dream before ‘07.

-First, David Hasselhoff[sp], now Elton John wants to record a hip-hop album.

-Foxy Brown allegedly stole 2 $400 belts from boutique.

“Vato” is definitely no “Drop it Like It’s Hot” but it works for me. I see us headed back to the Neptunes era, with Thelonius P and Hugo Boss producing more than half of what’s out there. I don’t blame Kelis for divorcing them.

Beyonce ft. Jay-Z - Upgrade U (mp3)

Exactly what I expected it to sound like. A song about…upgrading each other…yay!! Seriously, Beyonce’s album is shaping up to be a disaster. By that, I don’t mean that it won’t sell a million copies the first few months. The six songs I’ve heard so far divulge a lack of direction. Picture in-and-out studio sessions…

-According to well-respected DJ Semtex, Dr. Dre is on The Game’s album. I wonder if Curtis “Interscope” Jack will get pissed off and push back The Doctor’s Advocate indefinitely.

-DMX Slammed for Iraq no-show. For some reason, I’m not surprised that X pulled this crap on the troops, even though he found time to kick a free show for kids in Harlem. Not saying that the Iraq no-show was intentional, but it just seems like the sort of thing he’d do.

-Speaking of Iraq, this former U.S. Army ranger talks about the Iraqis he killed before turning his back on the war. I don’t know about you, but killing harmless children at close range, and bombing folks while they’re praying are no ways to liberate anyone. Is this guy a fraud?

-17-year old Lil’ Romeo starts his own label, hopes to follow in Master P’s footsteps.

-Xzibit set to pimp his album, Full Circle, on October 17.

-Matthew Knowles does not care about 2500 Beyonce fans.

-If finding out people’s true sexuality is your thing, then this is for you.

-Top 10 Rap Albums 09-02-06: Ross still “pushing it” to the top?

-Am I the only person not feeling this collaboration?

-“Idlewild” lacks substance, or so says the Washington Times.

-Who stole Mac Dre’s tombstone? And did I mentioin a big WTF!?