The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) knows funny. In an effort to promote the NYILFF this week–July 27 to Aug. 1– a series of videos were released. The videos pay homage to those who have supported independent Latino film makers when resources were limited. The NYILFF strives to celebrate the independent Latino film community and will come to a close this weekend. Read more for details on two free panels being offered today in the city.

SATURDAY, JULY 31
HBO PRESENTS “ART OF THE SHORT”
12 – 2:00 PM @ Industry Lounge
Explore the key elements of creating a compelling narrative short – one that showcases a unique style, talent, and point of view – in an intimate workshop hosted by HBO development executives.

“RETHINKING FILM DISTRIBUTION: DOING IT YOURSELF”
2:30 – 4:30 PM @ Industry Lounge
This panel offers an in-depth examination of how to realign your marketing and distribution strategies to capitalize on the new independent distribution landscape, including digital marketing tools, synchronous online/theatrical releases, Video On Demand (V.O.D.) and limited ‘do it yourself’ theatrical runs.

Source: Kiss My Black Ads | NYILF

You know what’s better than a B.o.B. Adidas commercial? A B.o.B. Adidas commercial featuring Paul Iacono, the star of MTV’s The Hard Times of R. J. Berger. The commercial promotes the brand’s latest customizable collection, MEGA and features Bobby Ray’s “Magic.” Head over to the MEGA diner and cook up your own pair.

Photo: corprahlanfrey.wordpress.com

After the Cool Kids member, Chuck English, successfully tried his hand at solo production work it was only natural that the other half, Mikey Rocks, would attempt the lyrical equivalent.

The duo known for their flashy gear and bass heavy production style, found each other on Myspace in 2005. They made a huge splash in 2008, opening for M.I.A. on her World Tour, joining the Rock The Bells concert roster and headlining the “NBA 2K Bounce Tour” with rap veteran Q-Tip. The two are not credited as the most profound lyricists, but with  approval from hip-hop notables like Q-Tip, few find it problematic.

Photo: mwza.com/

Famed actor Laurence Fishburne’s daughter, Montana, wants to pursue a career in acting but to expedite the process, will try her hand in erotica. Vivid Entertainment–distributors of Kendra Wilkinson and Kim Khardashian’s sex tape– announced that Montana “Chippy D” Fishbourne will be the star of an upcoming porn film. Fishburne’s self-titled project will debut Aug. 18.

Fishburne, inspired by Kim Khardashian’s overnight success and rise to celebrity, says she hopes to garner similar results.

“I view making this movie as an important first step in my career,” said Fishburne in a Vivid press release.  “I’ve watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape by Vivid.  I’m hoping the same magic will work for me. I’m impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it.”

According to Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman of Vivid, Fishburne’s erotic debut was hardly spontaneous.

“Montana made up her mind to make this dvd before we met her,” said Hirsch. “She grew up in the entertainment business and was well aware of our company. In looking at the careers of many current leading female personalities, she saw a path to success and hopes to follow it.”

Even more, a video interview featuring Fishburne and her adult film co-star has surfaced, confirming the news of her forthcoming DVD.

“I know what I do and I do it well,” Fishburne says in the video.

“I have a lot of at-home experience so I feel very comfortable with the camera. The camera loves me and I love the camera.”

So much for sleeping your way to the top.

Photo: straightfromthea.com

All the ladies in the place with the real hair, where you at?! / Hit the dance floor girl, do your freaky freaky dance

Trey’s back at it and this time with Swizz Beatz. Unfortunately, the DJ is all over this one. Showtime.

Trey-Songz-Ft.-Swizz-Beatz-Scratchy.mp3

If you live in New York, you need to be there. #thatisall

And another one. Here’s the second Drake track off of Trill O.G.

Expect verses from Young Jeezy, Drake, Raekwon and Gucci Mane as well as posthumous bars from Pimp C and 2pac (we’re sure he wrote his a long time ago, perhaps in ’94) on the album. It drops on Tuesday, get excited.

Bun-B-Ft-Drake-Its-Been-A-Pleasure.mp3

Album Tracklist:

1. Church
2. Trillionaire
3. Just Like That f. Young Jeezy
4. Put It Down f. Drake
5. Right Now f. Pimp C, 2pac & Trey Songz
6. Countin’ Money All Day f. Gucci Mane & Yo Gotti
7. Ridin’ Slow f. Slim Thug
8. Speak Easy f. Twista & Cedric the Entertainer
9. Lights, Camera, Action
10. I Get Down For Mine
11. No Competition f. Raekwon (prod. DJ Khalil)
12. Let ‘Em Know (prod. DJ Premier)
13. All A Dream f. Latoya Luckett
14. It’s Been a Pleasure f. Drake

Check out the intriguing trailer for The Social Network, the film based on the youngest billionaire in history and creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. The trailer features Kanye West’s “Power.” Hit the theaters October 1.

No one man should have all that power. Fitting.

Somewhere between recording with everyone from Chester French and Wale to Reflection Eternal for outside projects, Mr. Freeman was able to garner a star-studded feature list for Trill O.G.

Expect verses from Young Jeezy, Drake, Raekwon and Gucci Mane as well as posthumous bars from Pimp C and 2pac (we’re sure he wrote his a long time ago, perhaps in ’94) on the album. It drops on Tuesday, get excited.

Bun_B-Right_Now_Feat_Pimp_C_2Pac__Trey_Songz-2dope.mp3

Album Tracklist:

1. Church
2. Trillionaire
3. Just Like That f. Young Jeezy
4. Put It Down f. Drake
5. Right Now f. Pimp C, 2pac & Trey Songz
6. Countin’ Money All Day f. Gucci Mane & Yo Gotti
7. Ridin’ Slow f. Slim Thug
8. Speak Easy f. Twista & Cedric the Entertainer
9. Lights, Camera, Action
10. I Get Down For Mine
11. No Competition f. Raekwon (prod. DJ Khalil)
12. Let ‘Em Know (prod. DJ Premier)
13. All A Dream f. Latoya Luckett
14. It’s Been a Pleasure f. Drake

Janelle Monae Speaks On Bilal from bilal oliver on Vimeo.

After watching Bilal perform Bad Boy affiliate, Janelle Monae had some choice words for the neo soul singer. Read more for her soundbite and a stream of the latest Bilal release, “Free.”

“His voice is like a Van Gogh painting,” says Monae. ”It has so many textures to it.”

“I cant even describe how I was feeling the time when I was watching him. But I just kept thinking, man I see that orange and red and green and black and grey and white. He is able to do that with his voice and I’m just honored to hear that while I’m alive and still breathing and he is alive and still breathing.”

Bilal - Free

Photo: pleasedontstare.com

An unfinished cut rumored to be off of highly anticipated LP, Cole World has hit the internet, and in the J. Cole fashion, it’s damn good (so far).

J.-Cole-Untitled-Prod.-by-Jim-Jonsin-No-Tags.mp3

Couldn’t make it to Phil Ade’s release party at Cmonwealth tonight? Get live updates from staffer Taylor Cheek-Mundy via our twitter account. And in case you missed it, download his mixtape, The Letterman.

01. The Letter
02. Unusual
03. My Story
04. One in a Million
05. Borderline
06. Rapper Eater
07. The Jacket (ft. Kyonte)
08. Like Dat (ft. Tabi Bonney)
09. Toast 2 Life (ft. Kevin Ross)
10. Paid in Full (ft. Tracie Josephine)
11. Worth Your Time
12. Pay 4 That
13. Out Your Clothes (ft. Raheem Devaughn)
14. Rollers
15. Tipsy Mood (ft. Kingpen Slim)
16. OMG (ft. Skillz)
17. Young Black Successful (ft. Stello & Raheem Devaughn)
18. Hollywood (Remix) (ft. Raekwon, Wale, Tabi Bonney, & Raheem Devaughn)
19. Yesterday
20. We Outta Here Baby

Phil Ade – The Letterman | Download Here

More new material from Usher, this time featuring Jay-Z. And in the Usher fashion, it’s a song about cheating. Enjoy.

HT – Usher feat. Jay-Z by user7183165

Oil Spill Charity “F-Bomb-A-Thon” from UnF–kTheGulf.com on Vimeo.

Oil Spill Charity “F-Bomb-A-Thon” from UnF–kTheGulf.com on Vimeo.

The gulf is f–ked. The animals, the wetlands, the water and the shore–all drenched in oil and all f–cked. Well at least, according to a new charity, UnF–k The Gulf. The made a hilarious video to promote their t-shirt, take a look, buy the shirt and help f–king America get out of a very f–ked up situation. Their words, not ours. #veryfunny

And for those who may have been living under a rock, read more for the 411 on the oil spill.

On April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil in rig exploded off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workings and injuring several others—the largest oil spill in American history. The drilling unit was leased to BP, British Petroleum, and they are being held accountable for the spill and resulting devastation by the U.S. government.

Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to plug the oil leak one mile below the surface, including a procedure referred to as “top kill.” Top kill used a mixture of mud and cement and “junk shots”—think golf balls and rubber tires.

Relief wells have been set up in an effort to contain spewing oil.  Though estimates have fluctuated as more information has become available, scientists estimate that oil is leaking from the blown well at up to 60,000 barrels a day. Government officials estimate that oil will continue to leak into the relief wells into August, according to The New York Times.

It appears that Kanye West no longer fancies the title to his upcoming album, Good Ass Job. He announced on twitter that he is back to the drawing board. West did however debut some new material a capella to the staff at Facebook. Check out the videos after the jump.

Somewhere between recording with everyone from Chester French and Wale to Reflection Eternal for outside projects, Mr. Freeman was able to garner a star-studded feature list for Trill O.G.

Expect verses from Young Jeezy, Raekwon and Gucci Mane as well as posthumous bars from Pimp C and 2pac (we’re sure he wrote his a long time ago, perhaps in ’94) on the album.

Bun_B-Put_It_Down_f_Drake-2dope.mp3

Tracklist:

1. Church
2. Trillionaire
3. Just Like That f. Young Jeezy
4. Put It Down f. Drake
5. Right Now f. Pimp C, 2pac & Trey Songz
6. Countin’ Money All Day f. Gucci Mane & Yo Gotti
7. Ridin’ Slow f. Slim Thug
8. Speak Easy f. Twista & Cedric the Entertainer
9. Lights, Camera, Action
10. I Get Down For Mine
11. No Competition f. Raekwon (prod. DJ Khalil)
12. Let ‘Em Know (prod. DJ Premier)
13. All A Dream f. Latoya Luckett
14. It’s Been a Pleasure f. Drake

Wale’s upcoming mixtape, More About Nothing, will drop Aug. 3 and well, we’re excited. The self-proclaimed, and rightfully so, face of the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia) has released a couple tracks from the project as well as this video teaser, take a listen after the jump.

H.O.P.E.- Bliss from itscalmatic on Vimeo.

“Bliss” will be on Compton emcee, H.O.P.E. upcoming Believe in Hope Wright and features Y-O of U-N-I.

Here’s the latest release off of Mike Posner’s upcoming album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff.

Mike Posner - Bow Chicka Wow Wow

At this year’s Comic Con, Marvel Studios announced the cast of highly anticipated comic adaptation film, The Avengers, featuring famed characters, the Hulk and Captain America.

The Avengers will assemble famed Marvel Comics characters into a super group for the film and is expected to debut in 2012.

Here’s a run-down of the all-star cast:

The Hulk — Mark Ruffalo

Nick Fury — Samuel L. Jackson

Agent Colston — Clark Gregg

Black Widow — Scarlet Johanssen

Thor — Chris Hemsworth

Captain America — Chris Evans

Iron Man — Robert Downey Jr.

Hawkeye — Jeremy Renner

Director: Joss Whedon

Robert Downey Jr. says the film will be more ambitious than hyped, Inception.

“Has everybody seen Inception?” Downey said. “I think that was probably just about the most ambitious movie I’ve ever seen.”

“Marvel Studios is going to take all of their top super heroes and they’re going to put them all together in The Avengers, that’s the most ambitious movie.”

Inspired by the 2008 election, John Legend and The Roots have teamed up to release Wake Up!, an LP filled with soul covers scheduled to drop Sept. 21.“The Fire” is one of 11 tracks on the album and the video was directed by Rik Cordero.

“‘The Fire’ is one of my favorite tracks off HIGO and really feels like something you’d hear in the theater. The line ‘you don’t say good luck, you say don’t give up’ inspired me to create a period piece narrative that stays true to the lyrics while adding another layer to the interpretation,” says Codero.

Former Fugees lyricist, Wyclef Jean, may consider running for president of Haiti, a nation slowly recovering from earthquake devastation.

“Wyclef’s commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward … If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately,” Jean’s family said in a statement to reporters.

In 2007, the current president, Rene Preval, appointed Wyclef Jean ambassador-at-large. Since the appointment, it had been rumored that Jean, 37, may run for president—Haitian presidents serve a five-year term and Preval is not eligible for re-election.

Jean was born in the greater Port-au-Prince area; his family immigrated to New York City when he was a child.

In order to participate in the presidential campaign season, a candidate must prove they have never been a citizen of a country other than Haiti, resided in the country for five consecutive years and own property in the country.

Candidates must declare their run by Aug. 7, if Jean were to enter a bid for the presidency he is expected to be one of several dozen candidates. The election is scheduled for Nov. 28.

In recent months, Wyclef Jean’s non-profit organization, Yele Haiti has been under fiscal scrutiny. Yele Haiti has since hired a new accounting firm.

Yele Haiti has received a lot of celebrity support and despite allegations the organization raised over $1 million. Recently, Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared on Larry King’s two-hour CNN special “Haiti: How Can You Help” and announced his support for Wyclef Jean and encouraged a bid from Jean for the presidency.

“I think Wyclef should run for president of Haiti after this,” Diddy said. “What he’s done, the way he’s put himself out there is truly commendable. I just pray for the people of Haiti.”

“Haiti for me is such an inspirational country. They were the first people to take back their freedom, the first people to say that we will not be slaves anymore. So growing up, the Haitian people to me were always that people I looked up to, because of their fight, the way they fought for their freedom.”

Presidential elections in Haiti have earned a tumultuous reputation. Opponents of Rene Preval have threatened the upcoming election. If Preval does not replace the electoral council, his opponents promise to block the winter election. To date, Preval has refused.

Source: AP | Photo: www.soulculture.co.uk

In response to American presidential elections, Wyclef Jean shares what he would change if he were elected president:

Twitter has played host to many rap beefs and quarrels—remember 9^th Wonder and Phonte of Little Brother?— and this time rapper, Lupe Fiasco has bumped heads with popular rap blog, Nah Right and former producer, Prolyfic.

In an effort to convince Atlantic record executives to support the immediate release of Lupe Fiasco’s album, LASERS, he started a petition— according to Fiasco it has garnered 10,000 signatures. The unorthodox tactic gained the disapproval of some members of the entertainment industry including the head of Nah Right, Eskay, and Fiasco’s former producer Prolyfic who both took to the internet to share their thoughts on Lupe’s career.

Read the rest of Prolyfic’s tweets here.

Among Lupe Fiasco’s responses was:

When posting Lupe Fiasco’s latest release, “B.M.F. (Building Minds Faster,” on Nah Right, Eskay included some choice words:

But it didn’t end there; Lupe Fiasco (@Lupefiasco), NahRight (@nahright) and Prolyfic (@prolyfthegift) took to twitter and continued to voice their opinions on their public profiles.

Here are a few highlights, check their timelines for the extensive back and forth.

Try to keep up.

Photo: theurbansoulchild2.com

A previously unreleased track has hit the internet from none other than, Lauryn Hill. Hill announced that she is gearing for a comeback but to date, “Repercussions” has not been confirmed as a new recording from the ex-Fugees songstress.

Lauryn Hill - Repercussions

Joe Budden music makes you want to jump off a bridge, or at least according to his friends. In the latest, and perhaps long overdue, edition of Joe Budden TV, the crew discusses whether Joe Budden’s music qualifies as “emo.” Take a listen to Joe Budden’s latest, “Short Summer” Ft. Emanny and see for yourself.

Joe Budden Ft. Emanny - Short Summer

Check out the video to Nicki Minaj’s latest solo effort, “Your Love,” featuring Michael Jai White of Why Did I Get Married Too fame.

Photo courtesy of socialitebehavior.com

If you weren’t already getting your fix from the BET 10-part docu-drama, “Trey Songz: My Moment”— Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST— two Trey racks have been leaked onto the internet, “I Want You” and an unfinished “Mojo.”

“I Want You” – Trey Songz

“Mojo” – Trey Songz

Trey Songz will be on tour with Monica starting Aug. 6, dates and locations below.

» 8/6 – Shreveport, LA @ Municipal Auditorium
» 8/7 – Dallas, TX @ Nokia Theatre
» 8/8 – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
» 8/12 – Savannah, GA @ Johnny Mercer Theatre
» 8/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
» 8/14 – Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Concert Hall
» 8/15 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theater
» 8/19 – Louisville, KY @ Palace Theatre
» 8/20 – St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theater
» 8/21 – Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Theater
» 8/22 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theater
» 8/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theater
» 8/26 – Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre
» 8/27 – Baltimore, MD @ Pier 6
» 8/28 – Norfolk, VA @ nTelos Wireless Pavilion
» 8/29 – Richmond, VA @ Landmark Theater
» 9/2 – Cincinnati, OH @ Aronoff P&G
» 9/3 – Greensboro, NC @ War Memorial
» 9/4 – Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
» 9/5 – Mashantucket, CT @ MGM Grand @ Foxwoods
» 9/9 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield
» 9/10 – Las Vegas, NV @ the Pearl
» 9/11, 9/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
» 9/16, 9/ 17 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre

Inspired by the 2008 election, John Legend and The Roots have teamed up to release Wake Up!, an LP filled with soul covers scheduled to drop Sept. 21.

“If you can kind of transport your mind to what everyone was feeling at that time, there was a lot of energy in the country, a lot of feelings that we could all do something to make the country better and the world better,” John Legend said to People.

“So we went back to music from the 60s and 70s where again, there was this feeling that young people were empowered and could do a lot in the world.”

“Wake Up Everybody” is one of 11 tracks on the album and the only single with guest features—Melanie Fiona and Common. The song is a cover of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ single by the same name.

Wake Up! Tracklist:

01. Compared to What
02. Hard Times
03. Little Ghetto Boy
04. Wake Up Everybody (feat. Common and Melanie Fiona)
05. Our Generation
06. Love the Way It Should Be
07. Hang On in There
08. I Can’t Write Left Handed
09. Wholy Holy
10. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
11. Shine

Who better to make an appearance on the indie emo-tinged “Erase Me” than Kanye West? The two are together again for Kid Cudi’s upcoming sophomore release Man on the Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager.

Kid Cudi - Erase Me

British songstress is back at it again with the release of her (almost) mixtape, I Almost Made A Mixtape. In New York? Well the good folks in the Estelle camp are giving away free tickets so a special show tomorrow in the city.

Estelle – I Almost Made A Mixtape | Download Here

via estellemusic.com

Estelle will be taping a daytime showcase for Grey Goose Rising Icons tomorrow (6/30) in NYC at Hiro Ballroom! We would like you to come out this music industry VIP event – for free! If you meet the below requirements, email us your FULL NAME and you will be allowed in for free!

Email greygoose@estellemusic.com if you qualify!