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Illustrator Bill Plympton and Kanye West have teamed up for the new book “Through The Wire” (The Words And Lyrics of Kanye West).

This is a rare partnership between two geniuses at the top of their crafts — Kanye West, who was named “the smartest man in hip-hop” by Time magazine, and Bill Plympton, an Academy Award-nominated animator, cartoonist, and illustrator.

Through the Wire is a graphic memoir that illustrates the lyrics of twelve Kanye West songs to tell his story, from his decision to drop out of college to pursue his dreams in music, through his days spent folding chinos at the Gap while struggling at night to make a name as a producer, through the pivotal car accident that eventually set him on the course to stardom and the epiphany of realizing exactly who he had become:

“…They say people in your life are like seasons
And anything that happens is for a reason…”

Plympton illustrates each of the songs in detail, his vision of Kanye’s world. The songs are annotated with explanations of the references in the songs, biographical components that illuminate the lyrics, and their meaning on a deeply personal level.

The result is a one-of-a-kind book that initially grabs you and stays with you forever.

The book goes on sale November 10, 2009 to pre-order go to Amazon.

Mase bum rushes Diddy during an interview at V103 Hip Hop Takeover in Atlanta to get release forms from Bad Boy Records, but Miss Info states that

that signature wasn’t on a contract release form…it was basically an appearance release form. Basically, Diddy is allowing Mase to appear on songs with other artists. He is not freeing Mase from his contractual obligations to Bad Boy.

Props: Shuddup

In this video Jermaine Dupri talks about his Pop Watch collection which due to legal issues with Swatch changed the name to the Nu Pop Movement. The watches will go on sale and be available at Kitson boutiques in L.A. starting November 12. Also visit Nu Pop Movement website for more information and online purchases.

Props: Upscale Swagger

The HP Envy 15 Beats limited-edition laptop is set to arrive October 22 and will feature the same technology applied to Beats by Dre headphones. The black notebook computer — retailing at $2,299 — will come bundled with mixing software and a pair of Beats by Dre headphones. Fellow producers Timbaland, Polow Da Don, Pharrell Williams and Will.I.Am also helped fine-tune the machine’s sound.

Source: MTV

Alicia Keys is launching AK Worldwide, a new company that will handle her ventures outside of music. Keys credits Oprah Winfrey and other business-minded people with turning on her entrepreneurial spirit.

“Why do I love Oprah? Because she’s able to bring you things that will really change your life,” Keys said. “They’re part of your life in a meaningful way, and those are the things I want to be a part of.”

Her first business endeavor will be The Barber’s Daughters, a handcrafted jewelry line engraved with messages of hope and wisdom. Alicia Keys fourth studio CD, “The Element of Freedom,” to be released Dec. 1. She is also launching a new website IAMASUPERWOMEN.COM, devoted to spotlighting inspirational women and causes that will fill a missing gap in the blogosphere.

Akon is getting into the mobile game market with a new partnership with Montreal base Pente Mobile. The first of many mobile application will be release with his fourth studio album early next year.

The first of many AKON branded mobile applications will be a unique take on Texas Hold ‘Em, involving an interactive application that will allow gamers of all skill levels to play their favorite game, with AKON at the helm. This unique mobile application will also incorporate an “AKON branded virtual currency”, which will allow players to redeem their winnings for real world items, rewards and incentives.

Check out a sample of one of  Akons games called So Paid, click on the icon below and it will take you to the site to play.

Diddy’s BlackBook iPhone app is in correlation of him covering the front of BlackBook magazine’s October issue. The app gives iPhone users the ultimate guide to Diddy’s top picks for the best places to dine, drink and shop to 50 cities around the globe.

Read parts of the interview below as he talks about Obama, Last Train to Paris, turning down a roll in The Devil Wears Prada, and his love life.

How does he feel about Obama’s performance, nine months into his tenure as president?

“Honestly,” he says, “I’ve seen him at least try to do more things in the first few months than I’ve seen Bush do with his entire eight years in office. The attack that’s going to come on him in the near future is so predictable. People are trying to set him up for failure. I’m going to give him the leeway to fix some of these problems that, even for me, feel damn-near insurmountable. I just think it’s going to take time.”

The definition of Last Train to Paris: Energetic, emotional, limitless, important, heartfelt, flamboyant soul!”

Few people know that Combs turned down the part of the fashion designer played by Daniel Sunjata in 2006’s The Devil Wears Prada.

Combs knew it would be foolish to piss off the queen of the contemporary fashion world. Besides, he says, “She hasn’t been the person to kill dreams. She’s been the person to make them happen. It wasn’t like they were portraying her in a bad way. It was just that I knew what was in the script and what she’s like in real life were different. She’s bricked one or two of my collections, but she’s also called 15 minutes later with some helpful advice about who I should get to fix it.”

Porter left for the last time when, pregnant with Combs’ twin daughters, she discovered he had fathered a child with Sarah Chapman, a photographer from Atlanta.

“Love is something I strongly connect with,” Combs says, “but it’s not something I’ve conquered. I really can’t sit here pretending to be the premier expert on love. I’m still searching for the type of love that will give me peace and take care of me.”

Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine, Lady Gaga, and Dr. Dre reveal their new Monster headphones Heartbeats by Lady Gaga at New York City’s GILT at the New York Palace Hotel to the U.S media on Wednesday (Sept. 30)

Dr. Dre in the press conference said he decided to create a female line for the headphones once women started to complain that the original Beats by Dre were messing up their hair. Check out the footage from the press conference below.

Nelly expends Apple Bottom appeal with a fragrance line. Apple Bottoms by Nelly partnered with Romane Fragrances to create the perfume along with other beauty products.

“This fragrance is designed to be the perferct complement to the lifestyle of the Apple Bottoms woman. It celebrates the diverse beauty and confidence found in the women who love my apparel line.” - Nelly

The scent features sandalwood, golden amber, velvet musk, and apple blossoms infused with pink peony and citrus.  Price of the bottles $48 to $58, Body Lotion $22 Body Wash $20 .

Props: Woooha

Wyclef Jean and Timberland Co. are teaming up to sell eco-friendly footwear in support of the reforestation efforts in Haiti. Timberland will also sell T-shirts designed by Haitian children and a new line of organic shirts and hats that will be sold at Wyclef concerts proceeds will go to Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation. For each pair bought $2 will go to the Yele.

The partnership is part of Timberland’s Earthkeepers program, which promotes environmental and social activism. In an interview with The Associated Press, Jean says he hopes the partnership will inspire children and put a new face on his homeland.

“We’re going to dig the holes, we’re going to plant the trees, because reforestation in Haiti is a social issue, it’s an environmental issue. These are the kinds of things I think can help re-brand the country and start to inspire kids” – Wyclef