We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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With the groundbreaking (or, rather, glass ceiling breaking) Frank Ocean news everyone’s felt the need to comment, even Lil Scrappy. In an interview with a mostly confused Harvey Levin of TMZ, Lil Scrappy adds his two cents about Frank Ocean’s admission and homosexuality in rap. At first he supports Ocean and his openness, but then goes on to say some shockingly ignorant statements. Apparently a lot of rappers are gay and this worries Lil Scrappy because he doesn’t want to risk any “real” women getting AIDS. According to Scrappy, being gay is a scientific gateway to AIDS. Go back to school, Mr. Scrappy. The only way to really believe this conversation is to watch and listen for yourself. disRESPECT.

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What are we listening to this week? With the weekly barrage of new music coming tomorrow, let us guide you in the right direction.

Taking out the competition this week is Mayback Music Group with Self Made Vol. 2, the surefire banger. Pop the CD in your car and take a ride as you listen to the smooth sounds of Maybach O. Lil Scrappy is back on the scene with his new album The Grustle. He’s been away for a while, but is ready to make a new statement with his album out tomorrow. XV is also set to release The Awesome EP, his first EP off Warners Bros. He just released his free mixtape Popular Culture few weeks ago, but that definitely isn’t stopping his from keeping the music coming.

On the mixtape circuit, Driicky Graham and Fred the Godson are both slated for releases. Driicky takes us to Swag School for the DJ Ill Will hosted mistape Ya Gotta Start Somewhere. After inking his deal with eOne, Fred the Godson is giving us some new music with his new mixtape Gordo Frederico dropping tomorrow.

Which albums will you be coping?

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