ContactMusic — Jay-Z's early lyrics were a "cry for help". The 'Dirt Off Your Shoulder' hitmaker explained how his first raps were "defiant" in their message and designed to bring attention to his poor background and violent neighbourhood, the tough Marcy Projec... more info

The Hip Hop Chronicle — Jay-Z speaks on the evolution of his lyrics and style. This is one of the videos that come from purchasing the Decoded iPhone/iPad application   HHNM a2a_linkname="Jay-Z: Evolution Of My Style"; a2a_linkurl="http://www.thehiphopchronicle.com/2011/0... more info

MTV.co.uk News — Jay-Z has reportedly expressed his concerns over protégé Rihanna, fearing that the Barbadian beauty is working too hard. According to Look magazine, Jigga is worried that RiRi's... more info

Guardian Music — A former child star of America's Got Talent comes of age with the help of pop's most prolific producersAt 18, Alexis Jordan is a thoroughly modern pop star. In 2006 (when she was 14) she auditioned for America's Got Talent with a rousing rendition of... more info

NME — N-Dubz and RHCP hang, Cee Lo on the prowl again – your music gossip stop more info

Pop Crunch — She certainly wasn’t too tired and worn down to go to war with fellow songstress Ciara via Twitter over the weekend, but hip-hop mogul Jay-Z is reportedly concerned that his protege Rihanna is overexerting herself at the expense of health. The “H... more info

Gigwise — She speaks about rapper... more info

Guardian Music — (Columbia)Jordan's only 18 but has worked for almost half a decade to release this debut. After being kicked off the 2006 series of America's Got Talent, she and her family moved to Atlanta to be closer to the music industry. Several YouTube uploads ... more info

Guardian Music — (Roc Nation)"This opportunity will only come once in my life," coos 18-year-old Alexis Jordan on her breakthrough single (and first track on this album), Happiness. It's about a romantic liaison, but could equally mean she's aware that there are thou... more info

MTV.co.uk News — Legendary female rap star Lil Kim has spoken about how Jay-Z and his label, Roc Nation, have reached out to her in the past and attempted to sign her. Kim said that she and Jay are really good... more info