Def Jam Downsizes Staff

Hip-hop label Def Jam downsized significantly last week, laying off more than 20 employees. According to reports, several executives were dismissed--only a month after CEO Barry Weiss dismissed reports that the label was in dire straits.

Island Def Jam and Universal Republic announced yesterday (August 17) that they were expanding "their creative teams" with the addition of Brandon Creed. Creed is responsible for managing the career of Bruno Mars and songwriting collective The Smeezingtons, and will serve as an A&R consultant for both record labels.

"As we continue to expand our creative investments, Brandon is a perfect fit," stated Mr. Weiss. "Besides being a great artists' manager, he is also a talented A&R and creative executive. We plan to get him very involved across our labels at Island Def Jam Motown and Universal Republic."

Eminem Rocks Lollapalooza

Eminem took the stage this weekend at the Lollapalooza festival, performing hits from his latest album Recovery and its lesser-celebrated predecessor Relapse. The rapper gave a show-stopping performance that was part-retrospective, part-remainder of how he can still put on a killer show.

Em surprised many in attendance by bringing out special guests Bruno Mars, Skylar Grey, and Royce Da 5'9.

The rapper also decided to go even farther into his past by performing a medley of his wackier hits; such as "My Name Is...", "Real Slim Shady" and "Without Me," as well as performing more serious tunes, such as "Cleanin' Out My Closet" and "Lose Yourself," in their entirety.

Bruno Mars Discusses Drug Charge

Singer/songwriter Bruno Mars opened up about his 2010 cocaine charge and the bad publicity that came with it. Mars says the incident cast a dark shadow over his career and he doesn't want it to be a defining moment for him.

"It’s something that I wish would go away," Mars said. "It’s a cloud that constantly follows me no matter how many achievements. I’d like to move on. To show that I’m here for my music. Not to be in a tabloid."

“When people fall is when they’re like, ‘OK. Now I’m here, what’s next? A clothing line?’ That’s not what I’m trying to do," he added. "It’s like, ‘Don’t be a slut. Remember your dream. Do your music and keep it special." "

Bruno Mars Laughs Off Tyler

Tyler, the Creator's confrontational "Yonkers" track has garnered a lot of attention for the brash 20-year old rapper. Among the artists dissed in the song is singer/songwriter Bruno Mars, who recently addressed Tyler's threat to 'stab Bruno Mars in his g*ddamn esophagus.'

"[Tyler] has to wait in line if he wants to stab me," Mars said in a recent interview with SPIN. "[Tyler's] definitely not the first guy that's said something like that to me and he's not going to be the last."

Tyler, the Creator's "Yonkers" also blasts alt-rapper B.o.B. and Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams.

Bruno Mars Laughs Off Tyler

Tyler, the Creator's confrontational "Yonkers" track has garnered a lot of attention for the brash 20-year old rapper. Among the artists dissed in the song is singer/songwriter Bruno Mars, who recently addressed Tyler's threat to 'stab Bruno Mars in his g*ddamn esophagus.'

"[Tyler] has to wait in line if he wants to stab me," Mars said in a recent interview with SPIN. "[Tyler's] definitely not the first guy that's said something like that to me and he's not going to be the last."

Tyler, the Creator's "Yonkers" also blasts alt-rapper B.o.B. and Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams.

NBA Allstar Photo's Jay-Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Drake, Rihanna, Justib Bieber, Lenny Kravitz, Spike Lee, Chris Tucker, Lil Wayne, Keri Hilson, Bruno Mars, Diddy, & Nick Cannon

Power Couple

Drizzy & RiRi

They Mad 

Ye Performing

lil justin, lenny, bruno, chris rock

All of the lights

Justin and Lenny

Ye and Don C

Beauty

Mr West

Nick and Puff

Keri Looks Good

Bieber and Rihanna

Mr Spike Lee

Young Money

Kid look scared/nervous