Hip-hop icon and Def Jam CEO Jay-Z has tied Elvis Presley on the U.S. album charts after his claiming his 10th number one. American Gangster, Hov's newest release, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 countdown with opening week sales of 425,000. Jay-Z penned the album after he was inspired by Frank Lucas, onetime Harlem drug king, and the film of the same title starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
Only The Beatles have had more than Mr. Carter and Mr. Presley, with 19 number ones.
The thrilled rapper says, "I've got this Elvis thing going on right here, but what's great abo
ut that is that I've never had a number one single on any of my albums. People buy them for the body of work."
In other Roc news, Jay-Z may be one of the richest dudes in rap, but he says all the wealth and fame has not turned out the way he expected.
In a recent interview with Blender.com, the rapper -- whose estimated net worth is around a whopping $286 million -- says he expected a lot more from being as wealthy as he is.
"All I got is this big house, couple cars, I don't bring half them sh--s out... How many times can I go to Mr. Chow's?" he asked.
"In the context of the album, it was that 'Scarface' moment when Tony Montana sits in the restaurant and looks around and says, 'This is all it's about?'" Jay tells the magazine. "You get to that point where it's like, 'OK, I drove the Rolls Phantom around the corner and... nothing happened.' And you ask yourself, 'That's it? I thought blondes was gonna be jumping on my hood." [Blondes? SMH!]
Arguably "the greatest rapper alive", El Presidente Hov does admit that there are some perks to his money and renown.
"I had a $20,000 Petrus 1945 at a place called Graycliff in the Bahamas," explained Jay. "It was definitely full-bodied. Incredible. You could almost taste the barrel. It was one of those things where you say, 'Come on, how good could it be? What's the difference?' But you really could taste the difference. It was damn near like smoking weed. It was a high."
Like weed? Whoah...I've got to get me some really old wine or something.
To read the interview in its entirety, visit Blender.com.
There is a new addition to Roc-a-fella Records! After a lengthy tenure with Interscope Records, D-Block/The LOX's own Jadakiss has inked a deal with Jay-Z, and is now a ROCBOY like Kanye. AHA!
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The probe extends its condolences to Kanye West and the friends and family of Dr. Donda West, who died November 10 due to complications from cosmetic surgery. Sadly, it was reported that Kanye's mother was going under the knife to look her best for Kanye's wedding to model Alexis Pfeifer. Dr. Jan Adams, (of Discovery Channel and Oprah fame) who operated on West in his clinic, located inside a Los Angeles strip mall, claims no wrongdoing and recently walked off the Larry King Live show. <>
