Kanye West begins recording new album (Yahoo! Music)

Courtesy of NME — Rapper looks to Gill Scott-Heron and Nina Simone for inspiration

Kanye West has revealed he is currently in the studio recording new material.

Speaking on his Kanyeuniversecity.com blog, West hinted that he'll be taking a further step away from rap on the album, and likened himself to a “true poet”.

“I'm so happy to be back in the studio making new music. I will bring you the best

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Kanye West Cleared Of Battery Charges

Kanye West Cleared Of Battery ChargesKanye West has had battery charges relating to a 2008 bust-up with photographers dropped after completing his court-ordered community service.

The Stronger hit-maker and his manager, Don Crowley, were charged with vandalism, battery and grand theft after smashing camera equipment belonging to two snappers at Los Angeles International Airport on September 11th, 2008.

In October, a Los Angeles judge agreed to have the case dismissed on the condition that West and Crowley (more…)

John Mayer: ‘Give Kanye A Break’

John Mayer: Give Kanye A BreakJohn Mayer has called on the media and public to move on past Kanye West’s MTV Video Music Awards stage invasion - because the rapper has been punished enough.

The rocker has teamed up with Taylor Swift, the victim of West’s onstage protest, on a new track, but he’s not about to join those publicly hating the rap star.

He says, “Here’s how we work in America: We raise them and then we drop them… It went like this: ‘That was messed up Kanye! You deserve a punishment.’ (more…)

Criminal charges dismissed against Kanye West

Criminal charges dismissed against Kanye West

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A court commissioner has dismissed criminal charges against Kanye West and his road manager stemming from their scuffle with photographers last year.

The case was filed after West and his manager were arrested on Sept. 11, 2008, after an altercation with two photographers at Los Angeles International Airport.

The photographers and the rapper have reached civil settlements over the

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Lady Gaga says she’ll tour without Kanye West

Lady Gaga says she'll tour without Kanye West

NEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga isn’t letting her ill-fated tour with Kanye West keep her from her fans.

A day after her joint tour with the rapper was canceled, the pop star said she’ll be hitting the road solo.

The West and Lady Gaga tour was supposed to kick off Nov. 10 in Phoenix.

Lady Gaga said the two “mutually decided to cancel the tour.” She says that West is “going to take some

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Lady Gaga Will Tour Without Kanye West

Lady Gaga Will Tour Without Kanye WestNEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga isn’t letting her ill-fated tour with Kanye West keep her from her fans.

A day after her joint tour with the rapper was canceled, the pop star said she’ll be hitting the road solo.

The West and Lady Gaga tour was supposed to kick off Nov. 10 in Phoenix.

Lady Gaga said the two “mutually decided to cancel the tour.” She says that West is “going to take some time off, but I’m not.”

Gaga says her tour will start in (more…)

Kanye West and Lady Gaga tour canceled

Kanye West and Lady Gaga tour canceled

NEW YORK (AP) — Kanye West and Lady Gaga’s tour is over before it began.

Just days after announcing dates for an ambitious joint that was to kick off next month, the tour was canceled.

Live Nation announced the news in a brief statement Thursday that did not offer any explanation. Refunds are available for those who brought tickets for the tour. It was to kick off Nov. 10 in Phoenix and was

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Lady Gaga says she’ll tour without Kanye West (AP)

NEW YORK – Lady Gaga isn’t letting her ill-fated tour with Kanye West keep her from her fans.

A day after her joint tour with the rapper was canceled, the pop star said she’ll be hitting the road solo.

“We mutually decided to cancel the tour. He’s going to take some time off, but I’m not,” the 23-year-old said in an interview before accepting the “Rising Star” honor at Billboard’s annual Women in Music event Friday.

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Taylor Swift Wants To Move On From The Kanye West Controversy

Taylor Swift Wants To Move On From The Kanye West ControversyTaylor Swift wants to put the whole Kanye West controversy at last weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards behind her once and for all - because it’s spiraled out of control.

The You Belong With Me singer was left crushed when the rapper stormed the stage as she was accepting the prize for Best Female Video - proclaiming Beyonce was the true winner.

She has since accepted West’s apology and admits reporters’ constant questions are starting to annoy her - because she just (more…)

Jay-Z: ‘Kanye West Didn’t Kill Anybody’

Jay-Z: Kanye West Didnt Kill AnybodyJay-Z has urged the media to back off his pal Kanye West following his notorious outburst at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, insisting the backlash isn’t justified because “he didn’t kill anybody”.

West has come under savage attack from stars and fans alike for storming the stage during Taylor Swift’s Best Female Video acceptance speech last Sunday to proclaim the prize belonged to Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce.

The Stronger hitmaker has since apologized both personally (more…)