With Rockie Fresh’s highly anticipated project “Driving 88″ releasing this coming Monday January 23rd, it was only right that I asked him to be this week’s featured Flashback Friday pick. Good choice I must say! Read below on why he choose this Jay-Z classic from “In My Lifetime, Vol 1.”

The reason I chose this song is because it was my first real introduction into Jay Z, who would later turn out to be my favorite artist. My older brother put me on this song and based off of this record it made me want to become a huge fan of Jay-Z. It inspired me to make chill player ass records and to live life like a young boss.

In celebration of him and his beautiful wife Beyonce becoming first time parents this past weekend, Hov drops off a new track dedicated to his new born daughter Blue Ivy Carter over Pharell’s production. Congratulations to the both of them and props to Life + Times.

“Baby I paint the sky Blue/ My greatest creation was you.”

UPDATE: Now added a message from Beyonce & Jay.

Hello Hello Baby Blue.

We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012.

Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven. She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives.

We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.

Beyoncé & Jay-Z

DOWNLOAD Jay-Z – Glory ft. B.I.C

After the jump, peep the ABC News Report.
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I will never forget this concert. Seriously if you didn’t get the chance to attend, you missed out on history. In the latest episode, VOYR gives us a full recap of the tour madness..

Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3-5 | Ep. 6 | Ep. 7

In the latest episode of VOYR‘s backstage webisode, we follow Kanye’s manager Don C. as he honors Brian, the lucky winner of tickets to the show.

PREVIOUS: Ep. 6

And the backstage scenes continue! In episode 6, catch Big Sean speak on him and Yeezy’s relationship, a speech from Mannie Fresh, and more. I want to see this concert again, definitely one of the top 3 concerts I have ever been too.

PREVIOUS: Ep. 1 | Ep. 2 | Ep. 3-5

Continuing his interview with the homie Rob Markman of MTV, Hov says running a label is like having kids. The comment came after Rob asked him about the critics who felt that he didn’t publicly support J. Cole enough…

Hov has set a standard on how he intends to run his company. “I’m just really here to provide opportunity. I’m not here to do anything else,” he said. “I provide the opportunity, you figure out what you want to say to the world and how you gonna do it.

“It’s much more than just a [16-bar verse] and an endorsement deal; it’s an opportunity to let your voice be heard. It’s really about you, it’s not about me.”

PREVIOUS: Jay-Z On J.Cole’s Grammy Nomination (Video)

I’m loving these behind the scenes episodes! Episodes 3 through 5 profile some of Kanye’s crew, tattoo artist Scott Campbell, and more. Part 3 above, 4 and 5 after the jump…

PREVIOUS: Ep. 1 | Ep. 2

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Jay-Z sat down with MTVto talk about J. Cole’s best new artist Grammy nomination..

“I think it’s great for him, because I’m sure it’s a dream of his. We grew up seeing Michael Jackson, and I’m sure he grew up seeing whatever moment stuck in his mind, so I know it’s great for him to do that,” Hov told MTV News following a press conference announcing a pair of charitable shows at Carnegie Hall in New York. “I think he’s already won Best New Artist, to me. His journey is what I’m really excited about.”

I really hope he wins..

In the second episode, Kanye take’s Jay-Z to his neighborhood in his hometown of Chicago.

PREVIOUS: Ep. 1

hoodiii-whoooo!

“It depends on how this thing finishes up,” Jay said in reference to his and Kanye’s current Watch the Throne Tour. “We — I say ‘we’ because I’m in Throne mode — we’re in a great place creatively. You might see a Jay, then Kanye and a Throne album next year. You know, we’re really in a great place creatively. We really found our zone.”

via MTV

Below catch Hov speak on his upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall…
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