In a sentence that didn’t start with “I’mma let you finish,” Kanye West once called Swizz Beats “the best rap producer of all time.” That alone should be enough to secure Swizz Beatz’ seat in the hip-hop canon.

To read more about Swizz Beatz’ career and and listen to a sample playlist of his best work, head over to Pop Hunter.

Swizz Beatz as CEO of Megaupload is one of the least ‘is he?‘ or ‘isn’t he?‘ sagas of the past year, butit looks like the debate might finally be over with the US Attorney’s office calling shenanigans on the popular producer’s supposed innocence.

The Fader says Megaupload is trying to have their case thrown out of court, telling officials that they’re a foreign company operating outside of the US with no offices in the country.

Unfortunately for them, the suits aren’t buying it.

They say Megaupload has two American CEOs. They say one of them is Swizz Beatz (the other is someone named David Robb), and that both of them represented the company at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which to us seems like surefire way to get caught when you’re running a company that peddles piracy.

Maybe Beatz was telling the truth when he said he was only in “negotiations” to take over the site when it was raided. Probably not, though. Either way, he’s going to want to lawyer up. This could get messy.

Yesterday, Alicia Keys revealed a new song from her still-untitled follow-up to 2009′s The Element Of Freedom, showing a decidedly upbeat side that we rarely see from the queen of sad piano ballads.

“New Day” is produced by her husband Swizz Beats, and it’s a reflection of Keys’ new-found positive outlook on life. In a video posted to her YouTube account, Alicia talks about how family and being a mother has had a profound impact on her new music, and she’s incredibly excited to share it with the world.

Swizz Beats’ signature crisp drum programming and Alicia’s empowering lyrics make for an exciting musical union on “New Day.” It turns out that Alicia Keys can do motivational upbeat pop just as well as she does beautiful, depressing piano ballads.

Check out the song, and Alicia’s video message below:

[via Rolling Stone]

Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me a River”

Everything in this video illustrates the irrationality felt right after the break-up. JT was pissed. He was brazen about using a Britney look-a-like and did a lot of illegal things in the span of five minutes. He vandalized Brit’s home by throwing that stone through the window to get it consequently, breaking into her home. Evidently, this represents the preliminary part of the breakup where you’re desperate to cling on to the relationship by doing ridiculous things to get your former lover’s reaction. This doesn’t work. Stop doing it.

Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”

Carrie takes the Timberlake approach to the next level when she destroys the shit out of her ex-boyfriend’s car. Not only that but she resorts to name-calling his new girl. It’s understandable that anyone that your ex dates will never be tolerable to you but the more you let people see that, the more they will think you are really taking too long to get over the relationship. Don’t vandalize your ex’s car (or anything else).

TLC – “Unpretty”

You have now reached the end of the super irrational phase of the breakup where you are now starting to wonder what it is that you did to ruin the relationship. Were you too fat? Were you too needy? You question everything that happened and replay the last few days or weeks in your mind dissecting your every move.

Adele – “Someone Like You”

There is a reason why Adele is number one this year and it’s because every single woman can relate to her lyrics. I’m going to get personal (and a little lame) but when 21 came out I was in the midst of a break (up?) and spent many nights with lit candles gazing out the window reflecting on what I did wrong and wondered what he was doing in that moment (I’m picturing you reading this in a dramatic voice). Adele looks really bummed out in this video: her long reflective stroll and the darkness in the video adds to the cry factor.

James Blunt – “Goodbye My Lover”

Err… as if James Blunt didn’t already make you want to kill yourself, you’ll certainly want to jump out the nearest window after listening to this song and watching the even more depressing video. I’m tempted to compare it to Rihanna’s We Found Love video in that this seems to be a turbulent relationship that ends in tragedy. However, Ri Ri has an upbeat, dance track behind her lyrics while Blunt chooses the slow, melancholic sound of the piano.

Alicia Keys – “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart”

This was really nice of Alicia Keys to write a break-up song for Swizz Beatz’ now ex-wife Mashonda to sulk to. If you remember, Beatz and Mashonda were married and it’s been rumoured that Keys is, in fact, the home wrecker in this triangle. Nonetheless, the title of this song in itself describes how most heartbroken ladies feel. Losing sleep is not worth it.

Taylor Swift – “Mean”

Tay Swift is well-known for her breakup tunes. If you get on her bad side, you can bet that she’ll be in the studio writing a new song all about you. Apparently Mean is aimed at Jake Gyllenhaal whom Swift dated for a short period of time. Although it appears that the video is showing some kid getting bullied by his teammates, we later see a scared Swift tied up on some train tracks. Does this represent the relationship as being one where she was kept tied up and unable to have he freedom? Whatever this is supposed to represent, we all have a relationship where we want to just scream how mean your partner was. Listen to this if you just want a sing-song way of being bummed out. Don’t let people be mean.

All Saints – “Never Ever”

In the opening few lines of this song there is a lot of reflection as to why the relationship dwindled; it prefaces the rest of the video. Woah, I just realized that intro monologue goes on for 1:14. I’ve got a pro break-up tip: if you’ve got many memories in the form of photos, clothes and videos, get rid of them!. There is no reason to look at photos of the two of you – it’s over. While you’re destroying them, go on Facebook and delete the albums with you two in it.

Natalie Imbruglia – “Torn”

Contrary to what the lyrics implicate (worse things than just a breakup), this video has sad breakup all over it. Natalie and her lover have some moments where they embrace and look like they’re happy however. The majority of the time, however, Imbruglia is standing around dishevelled while aspects of her life are rearranged.

Rihanna – “Take a Bow”

Despite Rihanna’s tolerance of Chris Brown lately, this video shows RiRi annoyed by her pleading ex and her attempt of ignoring him at all costs (like when she slowly drives down the street so he can follow at a glacial pace). She’s also got that determination in her eyes and finally realizes that this guy isn’t really sorry; he’s just trying to get himself out of the mess he made. It’s natural that although she’s over the relationship, she would do something menacing to the ex – like burn all of his clothes in her house. Don’t burn shit in your house.

Maroon 5 – “Wake Up Call”

It’s only natural that Adam Levine’s pretend ex girlfriend is a really provocative-looking cheater. Now, contrary to the Carrie Underwood video, Levine really explains that she should’ve told him the issues and they could’ve worked them out. Instead, she just cheated – and that is not acceptable. It’s also acceptable that Levine uses violence in the video because in reality, we all know that guy couldn’t and wouldn’t hurt a fly – he’s a judge on The Voice guys.

Hilary Duff – “So Yesterday”

Hil takes a different approach to the whole moving on thing in this video. She seemingly stalks her ex at the beach and when the time is right she snags all of his clothes and decides she will not give them back. In her defence, she claims that they look good on her and who’s to question good style? I’m happy that Hilary was able to find willing candidates to wear a random shirt and allow her to take their photo. Did anyone think to question what she was doing with the photos? Hil then drops off the t-shirt along with a photo of her wearing a shirt that reads: You’re So Yesterday; apparently this is the ultimate f-you.

FeFe Dobson – “Bye Bye Boyfriend”

FeFe is pissed; she lets us know this by singing a really hardcore song with a seemingly hardcore band – am I right? I want to say that she is over the relationship at this point and that she is moving on however, the scene in the taxi where she is getting slightly out of control makes me think otherwise. Wait! She’s suddenly out of the cab, likely kicked out – but it’s fine by her, she’ll walk. Oh no, she’s broken into the ex’s house. She’s smashed the photo of the two of them. She finds lipstick and vandalizes the mirror, then steals his jacket, gets back into the same cab that kicked her out and still makes it to her show on time. See, breakups aren’t so bad.

I hope this breakdown of music videos helps you understand the phases of a breakup and the dichotomy of these songs. While the lyrics are everything you want them to be and the videos project the things that you would like to do, in reality – you’d likely be in jail or in a psych ward. So please, on behalf of us here at PopHunter – do not try these at home.

Last night, MTV News confirmed that Swizz Beatz is not, in fact, the CEO of Megaupload, but that he is “seriously involved” with the company.

The title was put on Megaupload’s site prematurely, according to MTV’s unnamed source. Swizz Beatz was in negotiations to run Megaupload just days before the U.S. Justice Department shut it down.

Several company employees were arrested and charged with multiple racketeering and copyright infringement claims, but Swizz wasn’t named.

Since it’s impossible to address the total madness of the music industry in only five days, Pop Uncultured saves some of the week’s strangest stories for Friday afternoon. Enjoy?

RIP Megaupload [FULL STORY]

Despite the exciting news that Swizz Beatz was named the new CEO of Megaupload, “the man” has shut down the video site, putting an end to 72 minutes a lifetime of illegal happiness. Said every living soul in the world:

Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner have NOT split up

While reports this week claimed otherwise, People confirms that Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner are still together, thus foiling Lauren Conrad yet again:

Jay-Z has not retired the word “bitch” [FULL STORY]

Jay-Z has slammed rumours that he’s retiring the word “bitch” out of respect for his daughter, with his publicist confirming to TMZ that “he never said that.”

Katy Perry has signed a deal with The Sims creators

NME reports that Katy Perry is set to appear in several games within The Sims franchise, as well as in advertorial campaigns on TV, online and in stores. Said the singer of the collaboration, “I always like to think of myself as a cartoon and now I’m a Sim.” Well that’s all well and good, Katy, but can you cover THIS?

An eight-year-old recorded a hardcore song [FULL STORY]

And here’s your weekly reminder that the youth of today will eclipse us all.

Kanye West to collaborate with Angry Birds team

According to tabloid reports, Kanye West proposed a late-night meeting with the creators of Angry Birds, where they “brainstormed ideas and talked about ways they could work together.” However, rumour has it that the meeting turned sour once Kanye came to realize he was not meeting with actual birds, and that he was just holding his phone and Tweeting into it. [via NME]

LL Cool J will host the Grammys [FULL STORY

LL Cool J will mark the Grammys' first host in seven years, making this a "dream" for the ab-happy rapper. Whether or not he'll end up "Doin' It Well" is still up for debate, but we can only hope he'll "Control Himself" if stricken with stage fright. If not, we're sure he'll provide viewers with some sort of filler:

Za za za za za.

Lana Del Rey appeared on SNL

And speaking of "za" (what?), to every season, turn, turn, turn:

Get it?

Kate Bush's stalker flew to the UK, broke into her house and proposed marriage [FULL STORY]

A 32-year-old New Yorker has been turned over to the FBI after buying a $3000 engagement ring, boarding a flight to England and breaking into Kate Bush’s hilltop mansion to propose marriage to the reclusive singer. Evidently, the following song played as he descended upon her home:

Paris Hilton to team up with LMFAO for comeback single

Pals since childhood, Paris Hilton and LMFAO have begun collaborating on the socialite’s comeback single, which she describes as a “whole new genre.” The genre in question?

[via Billboard]

This revelation makes that strange celebrity-endorsement Megaupload video a little more sensible: producer Swizz Beatz is the CEO of the file sharing company, and is the responsible for getting the artists involved and, in some cases, troubles with their labels.

It’s not that this was hidden info, it’s just that no one noticed before today, when the New York Post pointed it out.

Beatz, aka Kasseem Dean, and Megaupload maintain that they own the rights to all the performances in the video.

Happy 4th of July friends, we’ve got good news and bad news. The bad? The Jay-Z/Kanye collaboration, Watch the Throne has not come out today as promised rumoured. The good? You can finally order a fancy-shmancy deluxe CD and MP3 package courtesy of the official website, watchthethrone.com

While the news is bittersweet for anyone who was jonesing for “H.A.M” (according to the leaked tracklist, it’s outta there), a collaboration with Beyonce and Bruno Mars opens up the 10-song LP produced by Swizz Beatz, NO ID, Lex Luger and Jay and Kanye themselves.

But the true gem? The metallic gold cover art, designed by Givenchy’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci. Oh, they fancy now. [via Stereogum]

Rumours of a Swizz Beatz + Bono collaboration have finally come to fruition after the rapper recently told Paper Magazine that he and the U2 frontman “got this song” for Swizz’ upcoming album, Haute Living, which was recorded “with Bono in this actual studio right here.”

Called “Skyscrapers,” the track also features the scarf-designing Kanye West, and is just another testimony to the collaborative clout of the upcoming sophomore release that features the likes of Lil Wayne, Travis Barker, and Gwyneth Paltrow’s BFF, Jay-Z. [via Vulture]

Record Of The Year

B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars – Nothin’ on You

Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuthin’ on crab legs. If this goofball wins a Grammy, I’ll swear off of crab legs for life. And I really don’t want to do that. Don’t let me down, Grammy voters.

Also Nominated:

• Eminem feat. Rihanna – Love The Way You Lie
• Cee Lo Green – Fuck You
• Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (my pick)
  
• Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Song Of The Year

Cee Lo Green – Fuck You (my pick)

Thanks for clearing that up, Cee Lo. Until now, I thought your album title (and Twitter username) were to be taken literally, and I was advising all my female friends and family to avoid weird looking stumpy Soul singers between the hours of 8 PM and 6 AM. Still, no love lost, Cee Lo. #iwillnevertrustyou

Also Nominated:

• Ray LaMontagne – Beg Steal Or Borrow
• Eminem feat. Rihanna – Love The Way You Lie
• Miranda Lambert – The House That Built Me
• Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

R. Kelly – When A Woman Loves (my pick)

The long awaited conclusion to Trapped In The Closet is coming out this year, and it’s tentatively titled Trapped Indoors ‘Cause My Pants Don’t Fit No More.

Also Nominated:

• John Legend & The Roots – Hang On In There
• Calvin Richardson – You’re So Amazing
• Ryan Shaw – In Between
• Betty Wright – Go [Live]

Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group

Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz – Fancy

D’awww. Save the cheese for your acceptance speech, Jimmy Brooks. Nah, I’m actually legit stoked to see Drake perform with Rihanna at the Grammys on Sunday. Cute couple.

Also Nominated:

• Big Boi, Cutty, Bosko, Mouche – Shutterbug (my pick)
• Jay-Z & Swizz Beats – On To The Next One
• Ludacris & Nicki Minaj – My Chick Bad
• Young Jeezy & Plies – Lose My Mind

Best Rap Solo Performance

Kanye West – Power (my pick)

When I found out that Kanye’s questionable vocoder work on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was actually just him singing into a kazoo, I was surprised too.

Also Nominated:

• Drake – Over
• Eminem – Not Afraid
• Ludacris – How Low
• T.I. - I’m Back
  

Watch the 53rd Grammy Awards this Sunday February 13th on Global. Follow @aaronzorgel for enraged live-tweets when Justin Bieber doesn’t win anything.