Problem is making quite a name for himself in the rap game, having amassed collaborations with big names like Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown and more in recent months. Having nabbed not one but two spots on the #FunkFlexMixtape, Who You Mad At? Me Or Yourself?, (“Let The Blunt Go” with Chris Brown and “All I See,”) I wanted to sit down for a chat with the Germany-born, California raised MC while he was in town for his very first show in the Big Apple. Get to know Problem a little better below.

Marisa Mendez 

Slum Village has revealed the cover art for their upcoming album ‘The Evolution’ which is currently set to be released on June 25^th. The group has also launched a campaign through Pledge Music to help finish off the album and raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America.

The LP marks the groups 20^th anniversary and follows the crews ‘The Dirty Slums’ mixtape series.Slum Village has already announced some of the features for the project which will include Blu, Havoc, Raheem Devaughn, Jazzy Jeff, Rapper Big Pooh, Focus and more.

Fans can pledge $10 through Pledge Music which will get them an opportunity to download the album before it hits retail and the crew plans to donate a percentage of what they raise once they meet their goal.

Slum Village is also out on tour in support of the project and they’ve still have a number of European dates as well as several stops in Florida before the close out the concert series on July 26th.

Birdman is launching a new mobile app called Shorty Cuts that will speed up typing for users of iPhones, iPods and iPads. The app allows users to create customized shortcuts so they can post entire phrases to Facebook or Twitter at the touch of a single button.

Birdman explained that the app is designed to help users save time. “As the owner of multiple global businesses, my time is valuable. Over the years I have witnessed the growing demand for technology products and realized that an app that allows you to save time while typing was needed. Time is money and with Shorty Cuts by Birdman, you will be platinum!”

In addition to allowing users to program shortcuts and entirely construct their own keyboard, the app also allows messages to be sent to Facebook, Twitter or text message simultaneously through a free email system.

According to the app’s iTunes page, users can delete messages they’ve already sent from their own phone as well as the phone of the recipient, which is apparently a first for mobile applications.

Young Jeezy has expanded the roster of CTE World after recruiting Detroit, Michigan group Doughboyz Cashout. The crew includes HBK, Payroll, Doughboy Quis and Doughboy Dre who have proved their chops in Detroit’s mixtape scene with last summer’s ‘The Tester.’

Young Jeezy explained he’s reasons for inking the group in a clip announcing the deal. “I saw Detroit, I saw some kids that did all the work. They did all the work and I just wanted to show the world what they were working on. Detroit bred some great hustlers, some great talent from Eminem to Big Sean, but now it’s time for the ghetto superstars,” Jeezy explained in the clip.

Jeezy added that he’s looking to push out material from the group over the summer. “I want to congratulate them and welcome them to the CTE family. We about to take this over, we’re about to run the summer. They got a real major record label, a record deal. You gotta commend them for that,” said Jeezy.

Rumors circulated last year that Doughboyz Cashout could end up on T.I.’s Grand Hustle after the crew appeared in the official video of Tip’s ‘Hot Wheels’ which featured Travis Porter and Young Dro.

Dr. Dre says he’s finished off enough projects that he’s now ready to return to the studio and while he’s currently not concerned about recording anything specific, he is hoping to discover some new talent. Dre also explained that he recently sat down with Ice Cube and music video director F. Gary Gray to discuss the upcoming NWA documentary which has a green light.

Dre recently launched the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation and says he’s freed up some of his time.”I’m more inspired to go back into the studio now. Beats is rolling, this [USC] thing is happening, and it’s incredible. Now I’m ready to go back to my first love,” Dre told LA Weekly.

Dre explained that he’s looking to immediately return to the studio adding that he doesn’t plan to retire as a producer anytime soon. “I’m going back to the studio. Not for any specific reason, but just to record because I love to record music. I’m going back in and hopefully the next Kendrick Lamar or the next Eminem walks in the door and I can work with that artist. I’m going to record forever,” said Dre.

Dre also spoke about the upcoming NWA film which he says has been picked up by Universal. “We just got the green light from Universal. I was just with Cube and F. Gary Gray yesterday writing the script, so it looks like it’s really happening. Gary is directing the movie. It’s going to be a true story. It’s going to be based on all the true events that happened,” said Dre.

According to Machine Gun Kelly, Bad Boy Records head honcho Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs doesn’t know how to cut loose. MGK explained that although he’d like a chance to hang out with Diddy, he respects the hip hop mogul’s work ethic.

MGK explained that he couldn’t relate to Diddy’s lifestyle which he says rarely includes social activities. “I’d have Diddy in a mosh pit man. I’d have Diddy come kick it at our house. With none of his people. None of his people, just him. Just come kick it at the crib and make him feel like a normal person again. You know what I’m saying? That mothafucka is not normal. You kicking it around him is like—his whole life is like it’s crazy to look at it. Cause I make sure I keep my normality all the time,” MGK told Jenesis Magazine.

MGK added that Diddy is instead completely dedicated to keeping things strictly business at all times. “That mothafucka is like a walking corporation. It’s nuts. I know you can’t enjoy that,” said MGK.

MGK explained that while he can’t relate to Diddy’s lifestyle, he respect Combs’ dedication. “Real talk, he earned his stripes. That’s why he got where he’s at. I can’t even say that…That mothafucka put in a lot of work with Andre Harrell. All that shit before he had his label,” said MGK.

Questlove of the Roots has partnered with Stephen Starr to open a new restaurant in New York City’s Chelsea Market and recently held an opening for their first location. Hybrid serves up Philly-fried chicken alongside dumplings, cupcakes, biscuits and slushies.

The opening brought out a number of top foodies including Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn, the Food Network’s Adam Richman and Shmitten Kitten author Anna Goldfarb who shares management with Starr and Questlove.

If Hybrid proves successful Starr and Questlove could be looking to expand the restaurant to a chain and a Philly location is next in line. “This isn’t even open! Let’s see how it does. But if it works, Philly is definitely the next place,” Starr told Philly.com.

Hybrid will be open to the public on May 18^th and between Starr’s experience with more than 20 restaurants in his Starr Restaurant Organization and Questlove’s public profile it could be positioned to do well.

French Montana has been extremely consistent in his musical offerings these past few weeks, and today brings us yet another one in his music video for the single ‘State Of Mind.’

French Montana will finally get his chance to shine on the mainstream music scene next week with the release of his oft delayed studio debut album, ‘Excuse My French.’ The Bad Boy Records rapper has teamed up with a huge list of rappers for the album, and has been leaking tracks this past week to help promote the project.

Today Montana revisits his ‘Mac & Cheese 3′ mixtape, providing visuals to his ‘State Of Mind’ track. The music video is a collage from Montana, following the rapper through his daily grind as he preps the release of his studio debut.

Expect ‘Excuse My French’ to be in stores on May 21st. Watch the ‘State Of Mind’ music video below.

Maybach Music Group rapper Wale is set to drop his third album this summer, and now we get the official artwork for the upcoming ‘The Gifted’ album.

MMG is looking to have another huge summer season with both Rick Ross and Wale working on brand new commercial projects. Rozay is working on his ‘Mastermind’ album while Wale is looking to follow up his ‘Folarin’ mixtape with the release of his ‘The Gifted’ album.

The DMV representative debuted the official cover art today, which sees a Wale statue placed against an illustrated mural in the background.

This album will be the first released since Wale’s ‘Ambition,’ which sold an impressive 164,000 copies within its first week back in 2011. ‘The Gifted’ is set to release on June 25th.