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'I don't feel bad, because Snoop can't find him either,' Cube laughs.

By Jayson Rodriguez

Ice Cube

Photo: MTV News

New York — Ice Cube might rep the West on his new album, appropriately titled I Am the West, but the legendary Left Coast rapper is missing one important link: Dr. Dre.

The former N.W.A groupmates weren't able to connect on Cube's project, slated for release independently September 21. Ice Cube said his and Dre's schedules weren't able to align.

"I didn't get a chance to work with Dre on this record," Cube told MTV News from Skyline Studios in Manhattan, where he previewed his album for press. "He's been M.I.A. for two to three months now. But I don't feel bad, because Snoop can't find him either," he laughed. "I think, really, it's because people expect so much from him," he continued. "People expect, when Dre does a record,...

To avoid L.A. video clichés, director Gabriel Hart takes it to the Wild West.

By Jayson Rodriguez

Ice Cube in his video for "I Rep That West"

Photo: Lench Mob

The classic Ice Cube scowl is still there, but for his new video, "I Rep That West," the veteran rapper ditched the familiar Compton imagery, taking it way back ... to the American Old West.

Director Gabriel Hart (Young Jeezy, Plies, B.o.B) said he wasn't sure what treatment to deliver to Cube. He thought the Mc would likely be more comfortable with his typical Cali backdrop. But in the clip, which premiered Monday (May 10) on Yahoo! Music, the onetime N.W.A lyricist barks his commanding lyrics from a desert-like set that evokes the Wild West, decked out in a sombrero and poncho.

"I started thinking about all the cliché sh-- that goes along with L.A. videos,...

In an effort to promote his new single "I Rep That West", Ice Cube has filmed the music video and dropped a behind-the-scene footage to give fans clue on what he has to offer in the upcoming clip. The video was filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Gabriel Hart.

"The concept of the video is just us being all over the West Coast," Cube said. One of the scenes was shot at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Hart also offered his commentary, saying they set up an 1864 small town "in the middle of nowhere" for the filming. Additionally, several ladies dressed in sexy outfit are seen brought into the set.

"I Rep That West" is confirmed as the first single from Cube's upcoming ninth studio album "I Am the West" which is due in July. The track was showcased live for the very first time at Murs' annual Paid Dues...

Young Dro has put forward a star-studded music video to promote his single "Take Off". He appears in the Gabriel Hart-directed video alongside labelmates, such as T.I., DJ Drama, J-Money and Big Kuntry King, in addition to his collaborator Yung L.A.

"Take Off" is plotted to be the lead single from Dro's forthcoming second studio effort titled "P.O.L.O", which stands for Players Only Live Once. The song has been dropped on iTunes since March 17, while the album is yet to have any release date.

In related news, Young Dro was nominated for Best Collaboration at 2009 Bet Awards. He grabbed the nod for his duet with Yung L.A. and T.I. in L.A.'s single "Ain't I". He will be able to find out whether he can walk home with the prize or not at the awards' ceremony which will be held at...

Rapper Fat Joe has debuted a music video to promote his new single called "Cupcakes". In the video directed by Gabriel Hart, he is seen singing the track with a number of beautiful women and a gang of friends, including his collaborator Benisour.

"Cupcakes" is a song produced by Shief. The track is possibly released as the second single from Fat Joe's forthcoming ninth studio album "Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2)" following Akon-featuring song "One".

"Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2)" is due for U.S. release on May 19. Beside having Benisour and Akon as guest stars, it also lines up singers, such as Lil' Kim, Fabolous, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Rico Love, Ron Browz and Raekwon, as featured guests.

Fat Joe's "Cupcakes" music video:...

Young Jeezy has debuted a music video for his single "Don't Do It" off third major studio album "The Recession". In the Gabriel Hart-directed video, several scenes taken from a detention center show how people live their life in the jail.

Jeezy has released "The Recession" across America since September 2, 2008. He made a collaboration with Trey Songz in song "Takin' It There", teamed up with Kanye West in track "Put On" and joined forces with Nas in fourth single "My President".

In related news, Young Jeezy has been booked as one of the performers at Birmingham's City Stages 2009 Music Festival to be held at Linn Park on June 19 - 21. He will be joined by the likes of Jane's Addiction, Neville Brothers, Jonny Lang, Indigo Girls and many others.

Young Jeezy's "Don't Do It" music video:...

In support of Young Jeezy's single "My President", which features Nas, a music video for the track has been released. Directed by Gabriel Hart, it features Barack Obama's supporters marching through the street holding placards with such big names as Juelz Santana, The Game, Akon, Jermaine Dupri and others put on it.

"My President" itself is the fifth single coming off Jeezy's third major studio record "The Recession". Produced by Tha Bizness, the song peaked at number 17 on Billboard Hot Rap Tracks since it was released on November 15, 2008 in the U.S.

Beside having Nas as a featured guest, "The Recession", which was outed in September 2008, also lists other stars, including Kanye West and Jay-z as Young Jeezy's collaborators. While West teams up with him in song "Put On", Jay-z collaborates with him in the remix version of the single.

Young Jeezy's "My President":...

A music video promoting Young Jeezy's brand new song "Who Dat" has made its way out. Produced by Gabriel Hart, the video is co-produced by RayGun from Southern Trees Film Group and has rapper Ice Cube making a cameo appearance.

"Who Dat" is a song produced by rapper/songwriter Shawty Redd, who also helped Snoop Dogg recording 2007 single "Sensual Seduction". The D. Rich-produced track appears on Young Jeezy's third studio album "The Recession".

"The Recession" itself has been released since September. It peaked at number 1 on both Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Lining up Kanye West, Nas, Jay-z, Trey Songz and Anthony Hamilton, the LP sold more than 260,000 copies in its first week in stores.

Young Jeezy's "Who Dat" music video:...