Megastar producer/rapper Kanye West is currently on the verge of dropping his fifth album on November 22nd titled, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and the hype of the release is building exponentially. From the controversy of the banned album cover to starring in and directing his short film “Runaway”, It seems the 4th Quarter will be very promising for Mr. West.

Kanye West talks to HipHopClub journalist Marrio Gardner about the album, his experiences with working on the album and his latest short film that aired on BET. We even tried to get him to talk about his upcoming project with Jay-Z.

HipHopClub: Can you tell us about your upcoming album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and how long did it take for you to record it?

Kanye West: I think it’s a year and a half in the making. Just going away, traveling, going to different countries, Hawaii, going to the studio, flying in a bunch of legends. The RZA, Pete Rock, No I.D., Q-Tip, a bunch of emcees. Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj… a bunch of people just coming down and collaborating on this joint.

HipHopClub: What was it like working with them?

Kanye West: It’s just amazing to be in the studio with The RZA because of how much Wu Tang affected me as a child. I just took the album as an opportunity to get close to the legends of the game and be able to just [converse] with them and learn a little bit. RZA, he came down not to just put beats out there but just to drop some jewels and give some pieces of information because O.D.B. was his cousin. There was a lot of similarities to me and the level of truth that O.D.B. would always trying to bring. Just navigating through the politics of actually having to be a superstar and maintain that but also being very authentic and being a real emotional artist too. So it’s a hard thing to juggle.

HipHopClub: Who can we expect to be on the album?

Kanye West: Prynce Cy Hi is on the album, Big Sean is on “See Me Now” we did a new version of that. We got Rihanna, Elton John, Fergie… of course you know The RZA. I don’t want to give everything away. It’s a couple of surprises on there, believe it or not. Even with people trying their best to leak it and stuff. They still can’t stop what I went into the studio and did.

HipHopClub: What was your inspiration behind your latest mini-movie “Runaway”?

Kanye West: It was honestly inspired by the covers that I created for the album. I express some of the times as a creative person dealing with a culture that beats down creativity and beats down anything that’s different. Like even right now, the suicide rates in Chicago. It’s how it’s set up; If anyone has their own mind about anything, you’re going to get outcasted like the group, like Outkast. I just wanted to prove it and show that in the film and that was my inspiration.

HipHopClub: HipHopClub readers want to know about your 2011 project with Jay-Z called “Watch The Throne”. When can we expect that?

Kanye West: It’s coming soon. It’s going to be early next year.

HipHopClub: Thank you.

Pre-order Kanye’s new album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” on iTunes today by clicking here.

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The first thing you read when you visit the Hip Hop Sisters website, “Women promoting positivity and encouraging personal growth through Hip Hop”. An objective that has been set and accomplished by the organization the day they started. Founded by MC Lyte in 2006, Hip Hop Sisters was created as a multimedia outlet for women who are enmeshed in this culture to build and maintain a positive image in hip hop music as well as raising awareness in younger women to create a new tomorrow. AtLas and Mecca were both introduced to the world through Hip Hop Sisters in the beginning, managing the website and handling the business alongside Lyte.

Journalist Marrio Gardner had a brief Q and A with Hip Hop Sisters to learn all of the positive things they are doing not only for women in hip hop but for women around the world.

HipHopClub.biz: What influenced the Hip Hop Sisters movement?

Hip Hop Sisters: The lack of love for the sisters in the biz. These women work hard at their craft and deserve some attention. The lack of camaraderie amongst women in the biz who can learn so much from one another.

HipHopClub.biz: How long has HHS been in existence?

Hip Hop Sisters: Late 2006 the seed was planted and we’ve been growing ever since.

HipHopClub.biz: Did you expect for Hip Hop Sisters to flourish into what it has so already?

Hip Hop Sisters: Never really gave it much thought as to the speed of the growth. I just felt that HHS was definitely something that was missing from the scene.

HipHopClub.biz: How does a lady become a member of the Hip Hop Sisters movement?

Hip Hop Sisters: They send in a submission that basically explains not only what they are in search of as part of the group but also what can they give to the group that can be helpful.

HipHopClub.biz: What does it take for a female to become the featured Artist of the Month on Hip Hop Sisters?

Hip Hop Sisters: Great music, great attitude and pass the board.

HipHopClub.biz: Do you find it difficult to display the positive side of women in Hip Hop when the media mainly uncovers stories of female emcees going to prison and on trial?

Hip Hop Sisters: No. I feel there is plenty of good news to spread and that’s why HHS is happening. We can’t depend regular mainstream media to tell the stories.

HipHopClub.biz: Will the Hip Hop Sister movement be making plans to be a part of the annual B-Girl Be Summit in Minneapolis this summer?

Hip Hop Sisters: I hope so. We should discuss it.

HipHopClub.biz: MC Lyte, can you drop some jewels for the female emcees that are in need of inspiration?

MC Lyte: Stay true to your heart. Never compromise and deal with issues that are real to you.

HipHopClub.biz: Thank you so much. What is the site info for people to visit?

Hip Hop Sisters: WWW.HIPHOPSISTERS.COM

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After experiencing a tidal wave of success in the early 1990’s which included two Grammy Awards and platinum record featuring the hit single “Tennessee”, Arrested Development is looking to make a return to the mainstream music scene with their new album entitled Strong.

Lead choreographer and dancer Montsho Eshe sat dawn with HipHopClub to discuss the group’s return, the current state of hip hop, the group’s success overseas and the future of Arrested Development.

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The single “I Tried” from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony featuring Akon was the first single from their latest album “Strength & Loyalty” and debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has so far reached all the way into the top 10. Now, the single is about to be co-branded with a DVD movie of the same name and stars Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone and Wish Bone set to release on September 25, 2007. The film is a compelling “What If…” story of what their lives could’ve been like if they never caught that bus to L.A.? What if they never got out of Cleveland? What if they took the bus to L.A. but never got to meet Eazy-E?

HipHopClub.biz talks to Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone about their new film and they share with us their feelings about the new album. Bone Thugs also talks to us about working with a new label, laying down a legacy that is everlasting and collaborating with four classic rappers in history that can never be done again.

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