A second free Drake concert in New York has been cancelled after security concerns were raised by the city’s police department, according to reports. 

After a pair of well-received documentary projects—”The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights” and “180° South”—Emmett Malloy’s next target is paying tribute to the late British folk-rocker Nick Drake.

Drake has postponed his entire European tour due to his mother’s illness, a representative for the Toronto rapper said.

Playboy Enterprises is reportedly suing Drake over the sampling of a track on “Best I Ever Had.”

Because they “have a similar flow,” chart-topper Drake and Jimmy Kimmel decided to collaborate on a rap as part of a hilarious, Twitter-inspired clip that aired during last night’s (Jun. 24) episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’

A year ago today, Michael Jackson passed away at age 50.

He left behind an incredible body of work, a legacy unsurpassed by any other entertainment, and legions of shocked fans throughout the world.

Among those fans, of course, were other musicians who grew up and were inspired, musically, by Michael Jackson. Artists like Drake, who was in Toronto when he heard the news that Michael Jackson had died. Kelly Rowland, who was in New York City. And The Game.

“It was somebody that you just don’t picture not being here,” Drake said, reflecting on Michael Jackson’s death. “… He’s a childhood icon. He seemed invincible. I’d love to do a quarter of what Michael Jackson did, which was change the world.”

J. Cole recalled that “the man literally gave his life to entertain… He gave his life for that. He couldn’t live a normal life because of that.”

Kelly Rowland recalls crying uncontrollably and reflected upon Michael Jackson’s transcendent qualities. “Michael is a magician. He made so many of us believe and dream. He is the most amazing entertainer, to me, of all time,” Kelly reflected. “He gave us so many great songs of all time, so we thank you and love you and miss you so much, Michael.”

Watch Drake, Kelly Rowland, J. Cole and The Game remember Michael Jackson in these exclusive MTV interviews. Plus, get the latest Michael Jackson news, and watch his unparalleled music videos.

+ Plus: Share your Michael Jackson memories in the comments.

A near riot erupted in New York City’s South Street Seaport area after police cancelled a planned free concert by rapper Drake and the pop group Hanson due to over-flowwing crowds.

The annual Hot 97 Summer Jam 2010 delivered the heat last night (June 6) as it ushered in the season with a all-star lineup that included Drake, Trey Songz and Usher.

This year’s VH1 Hip-Hop Honors paid tribute to Atlanta, Miami, Texas, New Orleans and other Southern cities and states, but the event brought performers from all over to rep the dirty south on Thursday night (June 3) at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

Shortly after his full album leaked, rapper Drake held a listening session in New York City yesterday (June 2) for his much-anticipated debut, “Thank Me Later.”

Leaks from Drake’s highly and hotly anticipated Thank Me Later keep dripping out, and none has made a bigger splash than the meeting of generational figureheads Drizzy and Jay-Z on “Light Up.”

I won’t call this a passing of a torch because Jay-Z probably wouldn’t like the idea of anybody taking his torch anytime soon (and we all know Jay-Z has Buzzworthy on his RSS). But there’s something close to that going on here.

Over a stumbling, somber beat, Drake offers a bunch of lessons he’s learned over the last two dizzying years of his ascendancy. And he sounds a little worn out! “I keep thinking how young can you die from old age.” Take a nap, Drizzy!

Jay-Z, on the other hand, seems totally happy at his station in life: “I don’t do too much blogging/I just run the town, I don’t do too much jogging.” (Yo Hov, leave the blogging to professionals. You don’t need to run this interweb as well.)

Drake’s Thank Me Later is out June 15. Check out the song, as well as vids fro Drizzy and Jay, all below.

+ Listen to Drake, featuring Jay-Z, “Light Up.” WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE!

In the last week, two new songs from the Toronto MC’s highly-anticipated debut, “Thank Me Later,” have leaked: the much buzzed about track with Jay-Z titled “Light Up” and “Fireworks,” featuring Alicia Keys.

The Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Album In Years Comes From A 23-Year-Old Singing, Acting, Half-Jewish Canadian Who Some Are Touting In The Same Breath As Biggie And Lil Wayne. Can Aubrey Drake Graham Withstand His Own Hype?

Billboard Bits serves up the best bite-sized nuggets of music news and gossip each day.

Like any candy or confection, mashups are to be ingested responsibly; pig out on ‘em and you’re liable to get pretty sick of the taste. But if you save them for a special occasion (it is Cinco de Mayo, after all), they can really brighten your day.

Which is a roundabout way of saying: Look, everyone! A mashup of Drake and John Mellencamp (spotted via Pigeons & Planes). Take the instrumental for Mellencamp’s classic “Jack & Diane,” (from back when he had the cool or dorky fake middle name “Cougar”) and the vocal from Drake’s recent club anthem “Over,” and you got yourself some juxtaposed joy.

The mashup comes courtesy of White Panda, who previously caught our ear with their mix of Owl City and Yung Joc (“Fireflies Going Down“).

+ Listen to White Panda’s “Drake & Diane (Drake vs. John Mellencamp)” (NSFW!)

Michael Bublé took home album, single and pop album of the year, while rising hip-hop star Drake took home best new artst over teen sensation Justin Bieber.

(Credit: Splash News)

+ Justin Bieber brought down the house at the Juno Awards this past weekend, performing “Baby” with fellow Canadian Drake. (Pop Eater)

+ The Coachella Music & Arts Festival took place this past weekend. Of the many musical highlights the performance by Mr. and Mrs. Carter (aka Jay-Z and Beyonce) is the one that got tongues wagging. B helped Jay out on his song, “Forever Young.” (MTV News)

+ Astronauts, American flags, laser choreography and theories about extra-terrestrial life; read all about Ke$ha’s “Saturday Night Live” appearance. (Idolator)

+ Taylor Swift went for the glamorous look at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas this weekend. She wore a Marchesa chiffon gown. (Just Jared)

+ Fans looking to catch the final “Eclipse” trailer need look no further than the April 23rd broadcast of the “Oprah Winfrey Show.” The trailer will debut during a special episode dedicated to the “Twilight” saga. (Lime Life)

Not much happens in Drake’s “Over” video, but the message is clear: Drake’s life is moving so fast, even he can’t keep up.

The last time Drake made a solo video it was for the controversial, extremely chesty, Kanye West-directed “Best I Ever Had.” This time around, with “Over” (the first single from his highly anticipated debut album Thank Me Later), and perhaps learning a lesson or two from the backlash toward “Best I Ever Had…” Drizzy comes a lot more subdued and sophisticated.

Directed by Anthony Mandler, “Over” finds Drake sitting in a bedroom, surrounded by back-projected images of the roads he’s traveled to get to the rarefied air he’s in. The focus here is on the Canadian MC, his lyrics and music and his undeniable charm as an artist.

The song covers Drake’s breakneck rise to the top as well as the sacrifices he’s made to get there. This is reflected in the barrage of images projected onto the Young Money cleanup hitter as he performs the jam.

Check out Drake’s “Over” video below. Thank Me Later is due out in June.

Photo: Polk/Getty

• Drake’s hotly anticipated debut Thank Me Later will be released on June 15th, the Canadian rapper confirms to MTV. For more on his Away From Home tour, check out Rolling Stone’s preview.
• Dave Matthews and Kenny Chesney’s “I’m Alive,” John Mellencamp and Karen Fairchild’s “Ride Back Home” and Brooks & Dunn with ZZ Top’s “Honky Tonk Stomp” have been nominated for Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards. Jason Aldean, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum lead the June 9th awards with four nods apiece.
• The National Transportation Safety Board will meet today to discuss the possible causes for the 2008 Learjet crash in South Carolina that seriously injured Travis Barker and DJ AM and killed four people, the AP reports.
• Jamaican dancehall star Bounty Killer has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Bounty Killer was previously booked on possession of firearms, marijuana and assault. He’ll be arraigned tomorrow, the AP reports.