1. Teyana Taylor Signs to G.O.O.D. Music
Teyana Taylor, the 21-year-old rapper and singer from Harlem, is the latest signee to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. The news was confirmed Monday [May 14] via press release. [MORE]

2. Bobby Brown Talks New Album
Between the sudden death of his ex-wife Whitney Houston, the reports of his estranged relationship with daughter, Bobbi Kristina, and a recent drug arrest Bobby Brown could use some therapeutic treatment.

The embattled R&B legend is planning to get his life back on track this year, starting with a revival of his music career. Brown plans to release Masterpiece this summer, his first album in 14 years, reports The Associated Press.

“It’s what I’ve been through throughout my life, and just trying to heal myself through music,” said Brown of the album. [MORE]

3. Jay-Z Opts for Quality Time With Blue Ivy Over Studio Time
Though he’s staying in the spotlight with an upcoming European tour, his own recently announced music festival in Philadelphia and a pending concert series to open up the new Barclays Center in his native Brooklyn, Jay-Z says he doesn’t have plans to release new music anytime soon. In an interview with Billboard yesterday, the rap mogul said he’s taking time off from recording to raise his infant daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

“I thought I would be more inspired to have all these new feelings to talk about, but I really just want to hang out with my daughter,” he said of taking a break from the studio. “I want to enjoy this time for what it is. I’m sure that bug to get back in the studio will come back at some point.” [MORE]

1. Jay-Z Supports President Obama on Gay Marriage
Since President Barack Obama publicly acknowledged that he did not have an issue with gay marriage in America last week, there has been a heated debate on the divisive issue. Enter Jay-Z. The Brooklyn-bred hip hop mogul is the latest person with star power to weigh in on the hot button topic.

Following a press conference in Philadelphia to announce an art-inspired music festival he plans to headline in September, the pop culture icon spoke to CNN about Obama’s decision.

“I’ve always thought of it as something that is holding the country back,” Jay-Z told CNN reporter Poppy Harlow. “What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That’s their business. It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple.” [MORE]

2. Ne-Yo Says He Didn’t Steal R.E.D. Album Title From Game
What’s in a name? That’s the question being asked this week by a TMZ camera man who caught up with Ne-Yo at LAX. The inquisitive videographer joined the ranks of those who have been wondering why the R&B singer jacked Game’s album title R.E.D. for his own upcoming project? [MORE]

3. Big Boi Talks New Album, Outkast Reunion and More
“Expect the unexpected.”

Big Boi is talking about his new album, but really it’s a phrase that could apply to his whole career. As one-half of trailblazing Atlanta duo OutKast, as a solo artist, as a producer and as head of his Purple Ribbon imprint, Big has consistently challenged the seemingly set-in-stone boundaries of hip hop, pop music and society as a whole. And don’t look for that to change anytime soon. With a new album on the way, and a freshly inked management deal with his old partner-in-crime Michael “Blue” Williams, Big Boi has a newfound bounce in his step. Big Boi sat down recently with BET.com to discuss his upcoming projects, the state of Outkast and more. [MORE]

1. Cissy Houston Releases New Music
Cissy Houston, mother to the late pop superstar Whitney Houston, released a new four-song EP to iTunes on Tuesday — her first collection in over a decade.

A gospel singer in her own right, Cissy won a Grammy for her 1996 album Face To Face and served as a back-up singer for Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin in her early career. [MORE]

2. Serena Williams Makes Rap Debut on New Song
Serena Williams, known for her fierce tennis game, has set her sights on a new competitive arena — the hip hop stage. The 30-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist is featured rapping on a new song that leaked to TMZ this morning.

The track, which has no known title, was reportedly recorded in a Florida studio owned by Baltimore Ravens player Bryant McKinnie last year. [MORE]

3. Big Boi Reunites With Manager Michael “Blue” Williams
After a six-year break, one half of Outkast is back with the man who helped the duo reach legendary, chart-topping heights. [MORE]

1. Eminem Puts Upcoming Film on Hold
Fans waiting on Eminem’s return to the silver screen will have to wait a little longer. The star has had to put his upcoming boxing film, Southpaw, on hold again after being denied for a grant from the state of Michigan and previously being dropped by Filmworks, reports Hip Hop DX. [MORE]

2. Rihanna to Perform at American Idol Finale
Before a winner is crowned at this year’s American Idol finale all eyes will be on Rihanna. The prolific pop star will grace the stage with a live performance of her new single “Where Have You Been” when the finale airs later this month. [MORE]

3. Bobby Brown Plans Summer Wedding in Hawaii
Two years after popping the question to fiancée Alicia Etheridge, bad boy Bobby Brown is ready to walk down the aisle. The New Edition singer plans to have a summer wedding in Hawaii, immediately following a concert in Honolulu, TMZ confirms. [MORE]

1. Beyoncé “Definitely” Wants More Children
This year has been an adventure in motherhood for Beyoncé, and the pop star is already thinking about signing up for the experience again. At the Met Gala in New York last night, Bey said she “definitely” wants to have more children.

“Of course. I definitely want to have more,” she said, when asked by Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet about giving Blue Ivy some siblings. “I don’t know how many. God knows; I don’t know yet.” [MORE]

2. Mike Will to Work With Kanye West and Lil Wayne
In this age of cheap technology and infinite social media, it seems like every other kid on Twitter is making beats on Garageband with dreams on being the next Kanye West. But Mike Will isn’t every other kid on your block. The up-and-coming producer, who uses his signature moniker “Mike Will Made It” at the start of songs to identify his production, has been one of hip hop’s most exciting new talents over the past year or so.

Will’s highlights include Meek Mill and Rick Ross’ “Tupac Back,” 2 Chainz’ “Got One” and several contributions to Future’s debut album, Pluto. At just 22, the young beatsmith has a bright future ahead of him. He recently sat down with BET.com to discuss just some of his agenda for 2012 and beyond. [MORE]

1. Andre 3000 Begins Shooting Jimi Hendrix Biopic
Get ready for Andre 3000′s return… to the big screen. The OutKast rapper has just landed a major new role starring as Jimi Hendrix in an upcoming music biopic about the legendary rock star currently titled All Is by My Side. [MORE]

2. Beyoncé Does Her Own Hair and Makeup
Beyoncé clearly has a team of professionals swirling around to keep People’s 2012 Most Beautiful Woman looking spectacular, but in the magazine’s interview, the singer revealed that she often does her own makeup for appearances and even trims her own hair.

“Lip gloss — I love L’Oréal’s Infallible 8 HR Le Gloss in Coral Sands – and a little bit of blush,” is what the new mother uses to look refreshed despite sleepless nights. She also likes to use old mascara on her lashes because it makes them thicker and longer. [MORE]

3. Kanye Rants About Fashion on Twitter
During a recent drive around New York City, Kanye West was so irked by the numerous fashion faux pas he saw in a five block stretch that he took it upon himself to educate the Twitterverse about proper attire, or at least the style missteps the rapper hates. So when there might be a chance that you’ll be running into him, be sure to take heed of the following. [MORE]

4. LL Cool J, Lyor Cohen and Others React to Death of MCA
The hip hop world continues to react to the untimely passing one of its true pioneers, Adam Yauch, also known as MCA of the Beastie Boys, last Friday.

MCA’s former Def Jam label mate LL Cool J, who frequently toured with MCA and his bandmates Ad-Rock and Mike D when he first emerged in the mid-’80s, was particularly emotional. [MORE]

1. MCA of the Beastie Boys Has Died
Adam Yauch, aka MCA of the legendary hip hop group Beastie Boys, has died. The 47-year-old lost his battle with cancer on Friday May 4, RollingStone.com confirms. He was diagnosed with cancer of his parotid gland and lymph nodes in 2009. Yauch is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their daughter Tenzin Losel Yauch. [MORE]

2. NY Post Columnist Aims Racist Remarks at Jay-Z and the Nets
Jay-Z has been a prominent force in bringing the New Jersey Nets to downtown Brooklyn, but not all New Yorkers are happy about the hip hop mogul’s involvement with the move.

Phil Mushnick, a sportswriter for the New York Post, drew a firestorm of criticism today for a column he wrote suggesting the team should change its name to “The New York N—–s,” with cheerleaders called “The Brooklyn B——s,” because of the rapper’s involvement. [MORE]

3. Chris Brown Launches Toy Line and Showcases Art Work
Chris Brown is trying to branch out beyond his status as a Grammy-winning singer. He just debuted his contemporary toy line and displayed his sculptures for the first time at the Toy Art Gallery in Los Angeles on last Wednesday.

Dum English is a line of “collectible toys and one-of-a kind art sculptures” that he created with pop artist Ron English. Proceeds from the line will benefit Brown’s Symphonic Love youth foundation. [MORE]

4. B.o.B: Advice From Chris Martin Helped My New Album
With all the accolades Coldplay has amassed in their career, sage advice from the British rock group’s frontman Chris Martin should be useful information. Well, Grand Hustle Records rapper B.o.B took some of that valuable counsel to heart during the making of his sophomore album, Strange Clouds. [MORE]

1. Aretha Franklin Hand-Picks Audra McDonald for Biopic Role
Aretha Franklin may have found the lead to round out her personal dream cast for her in-the-works biopic. The Queen of Soul disclosed, via a press release, that she is eyeing award-winning television and stage actress Audra McDonald to play her in the film. Franklin first took notice of McDonald, who has won two Grammy awards, when she saw her in Porgy and Bess on Broadway. [MORE]

2. Beyoncé Set to Win Writing Award from NYABJ
If it’s not enough being a superstar entertainer, super mom and wife, Beyoncé is developing into quite the scribe.

According to reports, the Grammy Award-winning songstress will win a writing award from the New York Association of Black Journalists for her revealing July 2011 cover story, “Eat, Play, Love,” in Essence magazine. Bey wrote about her nine-month hiatus from the music industry in 2010 before returning to release her platinum-selling fourth studio album 4. [MORE]

3. Pepsi Reunites With Michael Jackson in New Ads
They haven’t rolled out the hologram Michael Jackson as of yet, but Pepsi is gearing up for an international marketing push that will feature the late music icon in a major way.

On Thursday [May 3] the company announced a deal with the estate of Michael Jackson to use the singer’s likeness and music as part of the advertisement. Along with TV spots that will run globally, there will be special edition cans with Jackson’s image, and new remixed version of some of his hit songs. [MORE]

1. Swizz Beatz Talks Business Empire, Ruff Ryders Reunion
Swizz Beatz is without a doubt one of rap’s illest renaissance men. The beatmaker has exploited his multi-platinum success in the music biz to a massive web of business ventures that seems to expand daily. In a recent interview with New York radio station Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, Swizzie spoke about his ever-growing portfolio of projects, from Reebok to Lotus to the Ruff Ryders reunion. [MORE]

2. Rick Ross Expands Maybach Music Group Empire
Rick Ross was in New York May 2 spreading some serious news. The budding hip-hop mogul held a rare press conference inside Manhattan’s Eventi Hotel to announce some key business ventures and acquisitions to his Maybach Music Group brand. [MORE]

3. Rihanna to Create Her First Men’s Fragrance
Rihanna’s whipping up a new scent just for men following the success of her debut fragrance, Reb’l Fleur, and follow-up women’s perfume, Rebelle.

“I am making my own male fragrance,” she revealed to Access Hollywood this week. “I want dudes to smell like [when] you wake up, you know that smell…their cologne is a little bit old…you spray it on their jackets and take it with you just to keep them there. It smells cozy and it smells sexy.” [MORE]

1. Kelly Rowland Won’t Return as X Factor UK Judge
After a year on the judges’ table at The X Factor (UK), Kelly Rowland has announced she will not be returning to the popular singing competition series.

“Kelly has not been able to agree a deal that fits into her autumn/winter schedule, so sadly cannot accept a place on the 2012 panel,” a spokesperson for Rowland told the BBC. [MORE]

2. Nicki Minaj Announces North American Tour Dates
On the heels of the release of her “Starships” video, Young Money’s first lady, Nicki Minaj, announced the dates for the North American leg of her summer tour. The 14-date concert series kicks off in Chicago on July 16 and will end in Vancouver on August 12. [MORE]

3. Curren$y Calls Legal Issue With Dame Dash a Lesson
After suing his former label boss Dame Dash for $1.5 million in March, Curren$y is staying mum about the soured relationship but says he has no regrets.

In a recent interview with XXL, Curren$y was reluctant to talk about the lawsuit, which alleges that Dash illegally attempted to sell the NOLA rapper’s 2011 LP The Muscle Car Chronicles under his BluRoc label. [MORE]