Rapper MC Breed dies at friend's home at age 37

It was in the gritty, blue-collar city of Flint that Eric Breed grew up amid the dimming opportunities of a declining auto industry.

That starkness was vivid in the lyrics of what would be the rapper's biggest hit, 1991's "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'."

Breed, known professionally as MC Breed, died Saturday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, about 30 miles southwest of Detroit, a Washtenaw County medical examiner's spokesman said Monday.

Toxicology reports were pending, but no foul play was suspected in the 37-year-old's death.

Breed had suffered from kidney failure, according to The Detroit News and The Flint Journal.

"More than just an artist, we mourn the loss of a beloved father, son, brother and friend," his family said in a statement. "We are thankful and blessed to have been in his presence and want him to be remembered for his creative, caring, talented and hardworking spirit."

Breed released 13 albums from 1991 to 2004, and collaborated with artists such as Tupac Shakur and Too Short.

He moved to Atlanta in the 1990s, but always identified with his tough Flint roots.

The lyrics from "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" included: "I'm from F-l-i-n-t'n. A city where pity runs low. If you ever shoot through my city, now you know. Cause we are strictly business and we also got our pride, and if you don't like it, I suggest you break wide."

The single was from his first album, "MC Breed & DFC," which sold between 2.5 million to 4 million copies.

Breed was a "musical legend of Flint," said Carter McWright, owner of local record store Music Planet.

"One thing about Breed is he had that flow, that rhythm," McWright said. "He knew how to flow with it."

Funeral arrangements were being completed Monday in Flint.

Breed is survived by three daughters and two sons; his parents; two brothers; and a sister.

Music Review: Ludacris disappoints on new CD

Ludacris "Theater of the Mind" (Island Def Jam)

For some odd reason, Ludacris feels the need to prove himself on his latest studio CD.

"Theater of the Mind," the rapper's sixth album, is full of trash talk as to why he is rap's "MVP." But talk is cheap.

Ludacris is not only a platinum rapper, he's also a major success in film, TV, on the Web and even in the food industry (the rapper opened a Thai restaurant in Atlanta). He's also known as one of the game's best lyricists.

But he disappoints on "Theater of the Mind" by trying constantly to prove it with boasts that are boring and empty, devoid of the cleverness we've come to expect from Luda.

Except for the radio-friendly "One More Drink" with T-Pain, the first nine tracks drag. The CD finally picks up speed as he begins to add the crucial element of storytelling to the equation.

The Scott Storch-produced, Jamie Foxx-featured "Contagious" is a smooth collaboration between the recording artists/actors. And what's left of the CD keeps up the little momentum it has.

"Last of a Dying Breed" is Ludacris at his best — and though he boasts on it as well, his lyrics are deeper and more confident than cocky; the ubiquitous Lil Wayne assists.

On the CD's top track, "I Do It for Hip-Hop," Ludacris trades bars with some of the best rappers alive: Nas and Jay-Z. Producer 9th Wonder, Spike Lee and Common help close the album with "Do the Right Thang" — a cool tale where Ludacris advises, "Use your brain homey, do the right thang!" If only "Theater of the Mind" had more jams like this one.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: On "I Do It for Hip-Hop," Ludacris shows he can hang with rap's elite.

MTV holds its first African music awards

ABUJA, Nigeria – Two Nigerian singers won top awards Saturday as MTV held its first-ever music award program for Africa, with acts from across the world's poorest continent being nominated for prizes.

Nigerian singer D'banj won the artist of the year award, while his compatriot, Naeto C, took the laurels for the best new African act, it was announced at the ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

Winners were selected by fans sending text messages, said Alison Reid, a spokeswoman for MTV Networks Africa.

Africa has long featured a vibrant music scene, but artists have had difficulties breaking into overseas markets. Famous African artists include Senegal's Youssou N'dour, Nigerian legend Fela Kuti and South African impresario Miriam Makeba, who died this month.

MTV hopes the awards can offer the artists more exposure and celebrate the continent's artistry.

Performers from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Gabon and others also were nominated. Songs by D'banj and Naeto C, both male, are all but ubiquitous on the radio in Nigeria, Africa's most-populous nation of 140 million people.

African music is highly varied, reflecting myriad tastes in the vast continent. Included across the many genres are call-and-response chanting and heavy drumming, drawing on pre-colonial modes of communication among villages.

Since independence movements swept the continent in the 1960s, African music also has increasingly been open to outside influence, incorporating salsa rhythms, rock beats and, increasingly, hip hop and R&B styles.

Many of the new Nigerian acts nominated Saturday feature heavy beats pioneered by American rappers and hip-hop artists. The lyrics often reflect the desire of many Nigerians to escape poverty and corrupt governance.

MTV's regional music channel MTV Base now reaches almost 50 million African viewers in 48 countries through a network of pay-per-view services and partnerships with domestic channels.

Kanye West's new album to debut on MySpace Music

NEW YORK – Add Kanye West to the list of artists previewing their new CDs on MySpace Music.

The 31-year-old rapper's "808s & Heartbreak" doesn't come out until Monday, but fans have been able to hear the entire CD starting Friday.

West is the latest act to debut a CD on MySpace before its official release. Guns 'N Roses, Paul McCartney and Beyonce have all done the same. The Killers will do so on Saturday with their CD, "Day & Age."

It has become a regular practice to offer some kind of live stream of new CDs in the days before their release on one Web site.

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On the Net:

http://www.myspacemusic.com

(This version CORRECTS Corrects to show West stream available starting today. corrects photo. APNewsNow. AP Video.)

Rapper Mos Def sought in Las Vegas photog scuffle

Authorities say rapper Mos Def is being sought on an arrest warrant in Las Vegas after allegedly scuffling with a photographer at a fashion trade show in August.

Police say the 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dante Terrell Smith, is wanted on a warrant charging him with felony robbery and misdemeanor malicious destruction of property.

Officer Ramon Denby says police want Smith to surrender himself.

Smith's publicist in New York didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Sixty-year-old photographer Volker Correl was taking photos at the Men's Apparel and Garment Industry Convention when he says Smith ripped the camera from around his neck.

50 Cent has business-centere

NEW YORK – 50 Cent has a new show on MTV, where business-savvy contestants compete for a shot at fame and a huge cash prize. But the rapper says he's not following the path of that other famous reality show hosted by Donald Trump.

"Immediately when you say a reality show that has a business spin to it, they think 'The Apprentice,' and the difference is these people don't actually want to work for me," the 32-year-old said in a recent interview. "They have their own business ideas that they created and they're competing for $100,000 in seed money."

"50 Cent: The Money and the Power" debuts Thursday. It features 14 contestants competing to show that they are the best entrepreneurs. 50 Cent will chop down the number of contestants until the winner is crowned.

The rapper and mogul said the show is like a visual companion to his upcoming book, "The 50th Law," with Robert Greene, who wrote "The 48 Laws of Power."

"Ahead of my actual music taking off, I would have wanted to be on the show," he said. "$100,000 would have been great, and the MTV exposure."

People will be seeing a lot of 50 Cent in the next few months. Besides the MTV project, he is releasing his latest album, "Before I Self Destruct," on Dec. 9. The CD includes an accompanying feature-length film with the same title.

"I'm excited, it's the first project I wrote, produced and starred in," says 50 of the flick, which comes free with the CD.

The deluxe version of the album features yet another film — this one a documentary on former mentor, Run-DMC's pioneering DJ, Jam Master Jay, who was slain in 2002.

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MTV is owned by Viacom Inc.

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On the Net:

http://www.mtv.com

http://www.50cent.com

Def Jam says exec who succeeded Jay-Z is dead

NEW YORK – New York City-based Def Jam Recordings says that the executive that succeeded Jay-Z as the head of the legendary hip hop music label has died.

The company said in a statement that executive vice president Shakir Stewart died on Saturday. The cause of death could not immediately be confirmed.

Stewart signed such artists as Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the label before being named in June to the post once filled by Jay-Z. In that role, Stewart oversaw the development of new talent, managed producers and guided the label's vision.

He traveled between Atlanta and New York for his job, and was a graduate of Morehouse College.

Def Jam was founded in the mid-1980s by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin.