HIP-HOP AGAINST GUN and GANG VIOLENCE WEEK REPORT (MAY 17-23, 2013)

CAN WE IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH THE POWER OF HIP-HOP? By Charles and Randy Fisher @HHSYC This year we are celebrating the 40th year anniversary of the birth of Hip-Hop; the 25th year anniversary of the Source Magazine; the 30th year anniversary of Video Music Box; and the 20th year anniversary of Hot 97 Radio’s ...

Breaking News: Chief Keef Wants To Fight Katy Perry

Katy Perry clearly pissed Chief Keef off. A few nights ago, Katy Perry sent out this tweet, which pretty much sent the internet in a frenzy. Just heard a new song on the radio called “I hate being sober” I now have serious doubt for the world. — Katy Perry (@katyperry) May 21, 2013 Needless ...

J. Cole Reveals TLC Feature on ‘Born Sinner’ & “I Disappointed Nas” Track

As the anticipation for June 18th continues to grow, J. Cole reveals some secrets… J. Cole traveled to the UK to pay a visit to Charlie Sloth of BBC 1Xtra to promote his new album Born Sinner. The Roc Nation artist revealed a few things to expect on his sophomore effort. The first announcement was that ...

And Now, The Third Single From Earl Sweatshirt’s Doris Album, The Mac Miller-Featured “Guild”

Earl’s third single is here, and its not like anything he’s dropped so far. Grammy Award-winning producer Om’Mas Keith, who worked heavily on Frank Ocean‘s critically acclaimed channel ORANGE album claims Earl’s debut, Doris, will probably compete for a Grammy next year, and something tells us he knows what he’s talking about. After an outstanding ...

Jhene Aiko – Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle) (Prod. by No I.D.)

  Jhene Aiko puts out a brand new freestyle..    Still with no concrete release date for her debut album Soul(ed) Out, Jhene Aiko drops a new freestyle to hold fans over for the time being. Stay tuned to The Source for the official release date of Jhene’s album. You can stream the song by ...

Old-School Tips for Better Finances

(The Root) -- I will never forget my father calling out to my sisters and me, "Turn off the lights," as we went from one room to another in our ranch-style Baltimore home, leaving on all the lights in our wake. His next line pretty consistently was, "Do you think I'm made of money?!" We would huff and puff and eventually retrace our steps and turn off the lights.

But I distinctly remember being frustrated and thinking that my very strict father was simply too strict. "What difference did it make?" my child's smart-alecky mind wanted to know. Now, I didn't dare defy my father, either by not following his directions or by challenging him. Nevertheless, I did so in my mind.

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My Man Wants Me to Drop My Male Bestie

(The Root) --

"My best friend is a guy I have known for almost seven years. We're former co-workers, and he now lives in a nearby state with his girlfriend. We're both busy with work and our relationships and don't speak very often, maybe once every other week. Mostly we text and send emails sporadically to keep in touch. Our friendship is strictly platonic, but my boyfriend of almost three years has suddenly become irrational and insecure, saying that he is 'uncomfortable' with me having a male best friend, and he has asked me to end that relationship. I cherish my relationship and my friendship and can't imagine giving up either. What do I do?" --T.E.

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Quote of the Day: Kimi Gray

Learn more about Kimi Gray here.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and the director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African-American Research at Harvard University. He is also the editor-in-chief of The Root. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

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Chicago Approves Largest School Shutdown in US History

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The Curious Case of Rihanna

(The Root) -- From her Instagram account, you can gather that Rihanna really loves strippers, smoking and making fun of people who come for her family. She also really likes nudity, both hers and other people's. On several occasions she has Instagrammed pictures containing nudity, though it is a violation of the site's terms of service. Maybe that's why she typically removes the images quickly after posting them -- to keep from having her account suspended.

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Style Files: Beyoncé Curates Rent The Runway Boutique

Since its launch, Rent the Runway has been a savior for cash-strapped fashion obsessives. The site have paired up with Beyoncé to curate a boutique of her favorite designer dresses — making Beyoncé your personal […]

‘Adoring’ Fan Likely Won’t Sue Miguel for Dropkick

We all watched last Sunday as Miguel leaped over a pit of fans at the Billboard Music Awards, and leg kicked a couple of girls in the audience.

Lil’ Wayne Signs Paris Hilton to Young Money! o_O

Hilton says it will feature a number of hip-hop acts, including Weezy, and production from EDM superstar, Afrojack.

Q&A: Eve On Her Comback Album ‘Lip Lock’ & Rap’s New Female Stars

The last time Grammy-winning rapper Eve released an album, neither Facebook or Twitter existed, Fergie had just joined the Black Eyed Peas and The Eminem Show was the best-selling album of the year. The year […]

Rihanna’s ‘Styled To Rock’ Inches Closer Toward U.S. Premiere

Rihanna is importing her U.K. reality TV show to the U.S., in conjunction with the Style Network. The show’s first cycle aired abroad but for the second season, Rihanna’s American fans can join in on […]

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Paco Panama - DreShyne

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Yung Steph latest song and video Directed By.ChasinSaksProduction

$AVAG3 | @PoloPiFFF | OFFICIAL VIDEO @DMVHEAT1 DMVHEAT.COM

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Jose Canseco -- Flirty Picture w/ Rape Accuser ... Hours Before Alleged Incident

Just hours before Jose Canseco allegedly committed rape ... the alleged victim posed for a very flirty pic with J.C. in a Vegas casino and joked that they had just gotten married, TMZ has learned. The pic was taken on the floor of the MGM Casino at…

Michael Clarke Duncan's Tomb -- VANDALIZED BY RACIST ... Family Says

Some racist jerk has desecrated Michael Clark Duncan's grave ... this according to a Duncan family rep, who tells TMZ a vandalism report has already been filed with the police. We're told ... a family friend stopped by Forest Lawn Cemetery in the…

Steve Nash's Ex-Wife -- He's Banning Me From L.A. to Avoid Child Support

Steve Nash is making a full-court press to block his ex-wife from moving from Phoenix to L.A. with their 3 kids so he can avoid paying child support ... this according to court docs filed by his ex.Nash and his ex Alejandra are locked in a legal…

David Hasselhoff Drops $2 Million on Brand New Hasselhome

"Baywatch: The Retirement Years" would be an awesome show ... because TMZ has learned, 60-year-old David Hasselhoff just bought himself a brand new mansion for $1.95 million.Sources close to the deal tell us, Hoff purchased the 5,767-sq.-ft.…

Name That Butt -- Blown Cover in Mystery Ass Investigation

It's thick, round, wrapped in stripes ... and a total mystery. But just as TMZ's investigative team attempted to put a name to that sweet rear -- someone cracked it wide open. The mystery ... that is.Check out TMZ on TV -- click here to see your…