West Coast based producer Hit-Boy may not be the most recognizable name on the shelf but his music has already backed the vocals for a number of hip-hop’s elite.



Crafting Eminem and Lil Wayne’s first collaboration (“Drop The World”) and Mary J. Blige’s ’09 hit single (“Stronger”), the 23-year-old beatsmith also lent his hand to the making of Kanye West’s first Christmas-inspired record, a collaboration between Dipset and G.O.O.D. Music.

GRAND RAPIDS -- It was the day to interview B.o.B.



In the middle of the afternoon Aug. 3, my first question for this summer's hip-hop/pop king was simply "How does it feel?"



"Um, it feels ...," began Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., pausing for three seconds, "it feels so good."



A lengthy bout of elated laughter followed over the phone as the Atlanta-raised and -based artist was getting ready to sound check for a performance at Six Flags St. Louis.

A label rep says the Atlanta rapper will recover from Tuesday's shooting.

Up-and-coming Atlanta MC Waka Flocka Flame was shot Tuesday (January 19) in his hometown, according to Fulton County Police.

Flocka (real name: Juaquin Malphurs) suffered a gunshot wound to the arm as he was stopped at a carwash on National Highway. He was rushed to nearby Grady Hospital. A spokesperson for his record company said Flame will be fine.