Big Daddy Kane x How To Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Rap legend Big Daddy Kane explains that a real freestyle is a rhyme that is written down but is “free of style”. Taken from the interviews for the book “How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC.” This is one of many audio clips that Kane is supplying in his viral marketing efforts for the book. Get all of Big Daddy Kane’s words of wisdom over at Amazon which is already going for less than $10.

We aren’t sure how much more there is to tell considering DMX’s multiple public arrests including the most recent one yesterday for violating his parole. Regardless, DMX’s wife, Tashera, has been with the mad dawg since 1999 so you can be sure she has been through some crazy-ass stuff with the Ruff Ryder and she’s set to reveal it all in her new book “Strength of a Woman.” Yes indeeed…one can only imagine the amount of drugs and dogs and dogs on drugs she had to be exposed to during her marriage.

“Mrs. Simmons will be talking about her experience with her family and trying to hold them together through the DMX journey,” a rep for Tashera stated. “Her story is a stellar, heart wrecking, powerful, firsthand account of survival and family strength in a chaotic life and the fame that came with that life.”

I think it’s safe to say that Tashera won’t be bailing DMX out of jail this time. No word yet on the release date of the book or the publisher. Should make for one entertaining read though.

This might be the first issue of “The Source” that I’ll read in over five years. The Wu-Massacre is here as Meth, Chef and Ghost grace the cover.

Lil Wayne x Terry Richardson. Lil Wayne did a photo shoot for GQ Magazine last year with famed photographer Terry Richardson. Here are a couple new photos from the famed shoot that Richardson has just released showing Lil Wayne doing what he does best. Let’s hope there are plenty of Styrofoam cups in jail for Wayne…that is if he ever makes it in. More pics after the jump…

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Lupe has been heavily promoting and performing tracks from his upcoming album Lasers even though his record label still is holding it back. In the meantime though, looks like Lupe is getting into the book business as a novel writer under his real name Wasalu Muhammad Jaco.

“I started off as a writer,” Lupe told 3News New Ze land, where his Steppin Lasers world tour kicked off. “You know, since I was a little kid, I’ve been telling stories and actually hip-hop has just been an extension of me telling stories. So putting it in a more traditional form as far as a book has always been a part of the plan.”

No other details about the book at the moment but its good to hear that it won’t just be another rapper autobiography that is clearly ghost written. According to BoomBox though, the plot of the novel is potentially based around the life of a window washer. Let’s hope it’s a window washer that has super powers, or can free style really well or something.

Malice x Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked. Malice, one half of the super duo Clipse, is starting to take on some new business ventures of his own. While he and Pusha T still maintain full control over their highly successful Play Cloths clothing line and continue to record together as the Clipse, Malice is set to tell his individual story both online and offline. In today’s days of educated “back pack” rappers who are more well known for their college educations vs. their street hustle, Clipse got their claim to fame by telling their gritty drug dealing stories all with a unique sound. Now Malice takes his storytelling to the next level first by launching a new video blog at MaliceOftheClipse.com where viewers can gain a deeper understanding of Malice’s every day life and struggles.

“Well, I’ve got a blog…It’s showing a lot of the intellect and food for thought behind the things we’ve seen dealing with this music game.  We like to show both sides of the game. We don’t just paint the glorious picture of the game with us making a lot of money saying, ‘Everything is just great.’ You should let your fans, the younger generation and anyone aspiring to be in this game, know the full spectrum.”

To back it up, he is also currently writing an autobiography that chronicles his life from drug dealer to hip-hop star and the trials and tribulations that come with it. The book, entitled “Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked” does not have an officially announced publisher yet but that’s not stopping Malice.

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Three 6 Mafia x Food Magazine. This is one collaboration we never though we would see. Three 6 Mafia showed off their cooking skills at Spago in Beverly Hills alongside owner/chef Wolfgang Puck for a “Food Magazine” photo shoot. If you remember back during their MTV reality show days DJ Paul and Juicy J can cook up some mean dishes especially their famous ribs. Rumors are a runnin’ that Three 6 Mafia is even working on a cook book featuring their own Southern flavors and dishes. Via: RR

Have no idea what i-D Magazine is? Don’t worry neither do we. Well we do know it’s a fashion print mag based out of the U.K. and that’s about it. Photographer to Rihanna: “OK now give me a “I just got punched in the eye by my boyfriend look.”

Lil Wayne x Rolling Stone. Simply titled “Lil Wayne goes to jail.” This brand new issue which hit stores today covers Wayne’s last days before heading to the big house. Is it just me or does this pic make him look like he’s got a gut? Either that or the tats are playing illusions on me.

Soulja Boy x Teenage Millionaire. Sounds like the title of an ABC After School Special. Deandre Cortez Way AKA Soulja Boy will write his first book which actually sounds pretty interesting. As much as we hate on him, his success story with “Crank Dat” and rise to fame using the internet is pretty compelling. No word yet on when the book will be released and what grade level reading it will be at.

Mr. Bronald Oil & Gas himself graces the latest cover of “Urban Ink” magazine. We all know he really wants to get on the cover of the Oil & Gas Journal though…except they don’t allow them video hoes on the cover. Just oil pumps.

Drake is the new cover boy for the latest issues of “Complex” magazine….one of the few urban print pubs that is still standing. Check after the jump for the Drake x Complex interview.

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Nelly x ESPN. St. Louis native Nelly will soon be trading in the concert microphone for the broadcast microphone as ESPN has hired him on as news reporter for their print ESPN Magazine. Nelly will be interviewing athletes at the 6th Annual ESPN Next event in Miami this February right before the Super Bowl.

The NEXT event highlights tomorrow’s top athletes from around the globe and Nelly will be right their mic in hand to get the dirt. According to AHH, Nelly will interview the celebrities from a 25,000 square foot “tricked out interview tent” that was customized by sponsor, Samsung.

Seriously. I’m not being a jerk. Yes it’s Beyonce but you can’t deny she’s looking hella Leona Lewis there….but hotter. See ya at Coachella B.

Jay-Z x Interview Magazine. The more artists that show up on covers of non-related hip-hop/music magazines, the better. From 50 Cent on “Muscle & Fitness” to Pharrell on the cover of “Modern Painters.” Now Jay-Z graces the February cover of “Interview” Magazine. Still waiting for Lil Wayne to cover “Home & Garden”…he knows how to deal with herbs and stuff better than anyone.