Reuters - Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z wants to use his influence on young people to get them to conserve water at a time when poor nations cannot get enough safe drinking water.

Reuters - John Legend has collaborated with the likes of Kanye West, Snoop, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and even Fort Minor, but the man needs no help selling his old-soul vocal abilities.

AP - The words "low profile" and "Pharrell" rarely find themselves in the same sentence. The uber-cool songwriter and producer, one half-of the superduo production team The Neptunes, is arguably the most omnipresent hitmaker on the planet. His slightly off-key falsetto is heard on smashes for artists ranging from Jay-Z to Snoop Dogg to Justin Timberlake, while his sleek visage is prominently featured in their videos.

AP - A few weeks ago, Jay-Z announced he was boycotting Cristal at his clubs after the champagne company's president indicated that he wasn't thrilled about the brand's association with hip-hop culture — comments the rapper called "racist."

AP - R&B crooner Chris Brown won best new artist at the sixth annual BET Awards on Tuesday night. The Black Entertainment Network "made me who I am today," Brown told the Shrine Auditorium audience.

AP - As a white-tuxed Jay-Z stood on stage at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" and planning a world tour, it seemed as if a wide chasm separated the hungry rapper who made that dazzling debut and the mogul on the mic.

Rapper, Jay-Z, is making a change at the bar. The President of Def Jam Records says he will be boycotting the much-rapped-about spirit, Cristal.

AP - Rappers have long proclaimed their love for Cristal, frequently mentioning the high-end champagne in songs and popping the corks of the clear, gold-labeled bottles in music videos and at nightclubs.

Reuters - Semi-retired rapper Jay-Z will take the stage June 25 in New York to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his debut release, "Reasonable Doubt," an album considered to be a hip-hop classic.

Reuters - DJ Premier was surprised when he got the phone call last spring. It was RCA Records, saying that Christina Aguilera wanted the producer, best known for his gritty work with rap heavyweights Gang Starr, the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas and KRS-One, to work on the pop singer's forthcoming album.

Reuters - DJ Premier was surprised when he got the phone call last spring. It was RCA Records, saying that Christina Aguilera wanted the producer, best known for his gritty work with rap heavyweights Gang Starr, the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas and KRS-One, to work on the pop singer's forthcoming album.

AP - Ne-Yo isn't the only one celebrating his No. 1 debut on the album charts.