"No matter how high or low your self-esteem may go during your journey as an entrepreneur, there is no excuse for non-performance." - Dan Kennedy

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CRAZY! :)

Gnarls Barkley is preparing to release their long-awaited sophomore album this April.

Rolling Stone recently previewed two tracks from the project, which are reportedly competing for lead single honors.

The pair of cuts have been characterized as drastically different; with one cut leaning towards the funky side, thanks to the use of an organ and French horns. The second song is a darker ballad, marked by an acoustic guitar and Cee-Lo's foreboding echo, "Who's gonna save my soul?/I know I'm out of control." The latter is said to be more highly favored by Gnarls.

The duo's new album has been described by Rolling Stone as "super-catchy tunes that veer between retro-soul shakedowns, tricked-out psychedelic rock and trunk-rattling hip-hop."

Despite previous plans to release the new album by December 2007, the project, which is rumored to be titled Atlantis, is scheduled for release this April.

In related news, Gnarls vocalist Cee-Lo recently voiced the character Rev. Rolo Goodlove on the popular Cartoon Network Adult Swim show "The Boondocks."

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YOUNG BUCK GETS SMART:

After being out of the spotlight for a minute, Tennessee's favorite son Young Buck is back on his grind. SOHH caught up with Buck as he explained where he's been, his seemingly distant relationship with 50 Cent and his new power moves.

With a new label, Cashville Records, a new look - he's cut off his trademark braids - and a new album ready to drop, Buck says that he's been patiently waiting for his turn.

"I just basically been touring, promoting my last project and getting ready for the release of my new album, Product Of The South," Buck told SOHH. "Buck is in a good place. A lot of people want to see me succeed and that's why I created my own brand, Cashville Records. I'm just stepping up to the executive bracket. I'm still a part of G-Unit, 50 is still my boss when I'm doing G-Unit and I'm my boss over here. I'm trying to establish me and just getting to my money."

The new album, which is slated to hit stores on April 1, will feature guest appearances by Young Jeezy, Plies, Devin The Dude and Brotha Lynch Hung with production by Hi-Tek, Drumma Boy and Sha Money XL. The album will be released on the rapper's own label and, according to Buck, will be a totally different regime and sound than his previous work with G-Unit.

"It's a totally new feel to the music," he said. "I can definitely tell you it's gonna be all fresh sounds. I'm working with new producers. I wanted a separate sound and feel from G-Unit. I mean, how could it be a new label if I went with the same stuff as ya'll used to hearing from G-Unit?"

With the rapper noticeably missing from overseas tour dates with the Unit, people have speculated on his relationship with G-Unit boss 50 Cent. Buck says that while the relationship has changed, he wouldn't call it beef.

"I wouldn't say that the relationship has deteriorated, " he explained. "At the end of the day, I been over here getting money and establishing me. My relationship with 50, it is what it is. 50's becoming bigger by the day."

"We don't communicate as much as we used to, but that's cool because I'm not the type of artist that's gonna wait for the CEO to make a move for me," he continued. "I respect 50 to the utmost. Even though at times to the world it seems like 50 ain't down with me, I still stay loyal to the n*gga because he put me in this position. It's just he's more focused on 50 more than anybody. Everybody wonders, what's up with Buck and Fif? He's a business man. He gets the final word and makes the [business] decisions for G-Unit. Anything outside of that, you gotta ask 50 about."

Rumors of beef aside, Buck says that he's focusing on the music, with another G-Unit group album in the works but says that no release date has been set as of yet. His ties with the G-Unit camp are apparently still as in tact as ever, as Buck will also be making an appearance at Sha Money XL's One Stop Shop producer's conference on March 8-9 in Phoenix, AZ.

The conference is set to be an outlet for up and comers and a platform for hip-hop's next generation of beat makers to get advice from the big boys. In addition to that, he's laying the foundation for his Cashville Records to be a success and says that he's even willing to work with 50's former adversaries, even long time Fiddy rival The Game.

"My label is Cashville, not G-Unit," Buck said. "We'll see who chooses to holler and if it's a positive move that's going to benefit the label and my artists, then we'll work it out. It's a whole new year, there's new money to go get."

A lot of those situations [between 50 and other artists] were obviously not my situations," he added. "I'm open to those that are open to me. I ain't trippin' if [Game] ain't trippin'. I ain't trippin' if the world ain't trippin'. I'm in a lane where I got other people's lives to think about too now. This is a fresh Buck."

And though he says that he feels that Interscope could have done more to market and promote his last album Buck The World, he says that nothing will stop this newest disc from reaching the heights that it's supposed to.

"This record is ghetto gospel, reality rap that identifies with the people still in the struggle," he said. "I'm bringing that feeling back to the game. I'm still gonna make those club, party, feel good songs but look how high these gas prices are. People need to get back to talking about something on these records. As long as there's a mixtape scene or an internet, my presence will always be felt. Buck ain't going nowhere."

Product Of The South will hit stores on April 1 on Cashville/Sony.

www.sohh.com

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RAEKWON:



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SHABAZZ THE DISCIPLE!!!



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T-WEST, THIS IS THE BEST THING I'VE SEEN YOU DO:



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IT'S ABOUT GOD DAMN TIME:

LONDON (Reuters) - British soul singer Amy Winehouse, who this week appeared in video footage allegedly showing her smoking crack cocaine, has entered a rehab clinic, her record company said on Thursday.
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The troubled 24-year-old, who has been dogged by frequent suggestions of drug taking in recent months, also cancelled a scheduled performance at an awards ceremony in France this Saturday, record company Universal Music Group said.

"Amy Winehouse's planned appearance at the NRJ Awards in France on Saturday has been cancelled as the artist has entered a rehabilitation clinic," the company said in a statement.

"Amy decided to enter the facility today after talks with her record label, management, family and doctors.

"She has come to understand that she requires specialist treatment to continue her ongoing recovery from drug addiction and prepare for her planned appearance at the Grammy Awards."

Winehouse is one of Britain's top-selling singers, winning critical and commercial success with her album "Back to Black," which garnered six Grammy nominations in December.

The 2006 album has sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide, including 1.3 million in the United States.

The Grammy awards take place in the United States on February 10, but Winehouse's involvement has been in doubt because of her arrest for possession of marijuana in Norway last year.

Winehouse, summoned to appear in a Norwegian court on February 29, has denied having anything to do with the marijuana and said she unwittingly signed a document accepting a fine.

British police also plan to investigate the video of Winehouse allegedly smoking crack cocaine, which came to light in the Sun tabloid this week.

The footage was taken early on Friday morning. Hours later, a disheveled-looking Winehouse appeared in court to support husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who is fighting charges related to a pub brawl.

Universal called her "the most talented and important musical artist of her generation" who had already "made huge strides on her road to recovery."

One of her most famous songs is called "Rehab," which opens with the lyrics: "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said 'no, no, no'."

She attended rehab clinics at least twice in 2007, according to British media, but checked out on both occasions before her treatment was completed.

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RT!



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SOL GUY!


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Yesterday I shared a wonderful conversation with Gracie. Simply lovely and wonderful.
I worked with the kids in Parkdale and got a Cleopatra painting started... it's pretty good... will finish today.
I also wrote a bunch of raps, and had some good conversation with some strangers in Java House while I was waiting for Duane Sweets Watson... he didn't show up, but we can do it today.
I speak to Marvel today too, and I'm going to love getting weed out of my life.
Last night, Diane and I watched 'Freestyle' the movie, and it was AMAZING.
SPONTANEOUS THOUGHT. That's what time it is. Peace to Freestyle Fellowship, Supernatural, Juice, Craig G, Mos Def, the Project Blowed crew, Good Lifers, Lyricist Loungers, and everyone I knew up in that piece... I'm coming to help!
Mad love to Diane, forever and always...
yeah so that's enough. I gotta create now.

I love you,
Adhimu Shabazz