Lil Wayne, one of the world’s best-selling rappers, has known for the past week that he would have the #1 album in the country with his Tha Carter III finally making its way onto record store shelves — it was merely a matter of how high the numbers would ultimately be. After selling some 400,000 copies in its first day, everyone knew Tha Carter III had a great chance of selling more than 900,000 albums, with 1 million in first-week sales within a tattooed arm’s reach

Tha Carter III is Weezy’s first album to open at #1 on Billboard’s weekly albums sales chart. His previous best sales week came in 2005, when Tha Carter II bowed at #2, with 238,500 scans.

So, what does Wayne think about his monumental success? Well, he’s pretty humble.

“Thank you, that’s it,” he told MTV News when asked about the album’s first-week sales projections. “[I’m] just very grateful, that’s it. Blown away, of course. Surprised, of course. Elated. Every positive word there is.

“I wasn’t trippin’ about this,” he said about his numbers. “I didn’t have no expectations. That’s not only with music, [that’s] period. You shouldn’t expect anything. You never know what could happen.”

Wayne did have a special message for his fans, however: “What’s poppin’, MTV? It’s Weezy F. Baby, and I just want to thank everybody out there for making Tha Carter III the #1 album in the country. Thank you.”

The disc has earned the distinction of being the first studio offering since 50 Cent’s 2005 LP The Massacre to sell more than 1 million copies in a single week. The only other artist to come close to that total was Kanye West, whose 2007 set Graduation put up opening week sales of 957,000.

Wayne starts his Carter III tour on June 27. He also told MTV News that he and T-Pain are forming a supergroup.

Immortal Technique Hosts $3K Writing Contest

Direct from Immortal Technique:

    “THE 3RD WORLD” WRITING CONTEST

    I mentioned it earlier how sometimes during the solace of a Revolutionary life and the great responsibility of working with community organizations, gangs, prisoners, parolees, soldiers, and youth in general I write all that I see. I write constantly. That is how “The 3rd World” came around, in the middle of working on The Middle Passage and Revolutionary Vol.3 I couldn’t help but script the way I saw the world. The result is one of most anticipated underground albums/mixtapes Dj Green Lantern and myself. But before I go on tour or get into the promotion of this album I wanted to give back to those that dream, those that write their heart, those that speak to their joy, pain, hope, sorrow and perseverance through their writing.

  To all counselors, school teachers, teacher’s aids I ask that you please FWD this to all your students. Repost as much as you can!

  Win $1500 by Writing a 2 to 3 page Essay!

  In an effort to promote and sustain the writing and critical thinking skills of the younger generations, underground rapper and revolutionary, Immortal Technique, is inviting high school students to write essays about their perceptions and/or experiences in regards to the United States’ relations to the third world in general, or a third world country/countries in particular. The essays must be original work and must be limited to 500-750 words. Immortal Technique will read the essays and choose the top three.

  Too often students are bogged down with necessary after school jobs and do not have the free time needed to cultivate their writing and analytical thinking skills. Recognizing that these skills are crucial, Immortal Technique would like to award the writers of the top three essays with money meant to allow them more free time to reflect on the state of the world and to develop their writing skills. The essay contest is meant to demonstrate to the youth that their writing and critical thinking skills can generate an income for them and their families.

Prizes:

1st Prize- $1,500

2nd Prize- $1,000

3rd Prize- $500

Eligibility:

This contest is open to high school students nationwide enrolled in grades nine through twelve. Seniors graduating May-June of 2008 are still welcomed to submit an essay.

Requirements:

-Must be between 500-750 words. (2 -3 pages)

-Only one submission per student.

-Submissions will be admitted until July 8, 2008.

-Essay must be the original work of the student.

-Essay must be about U.S. relations to a third-world country or countries.

-Please make sure you include a cover letter with your submission.

-Your essay should be double-spaced whether type-written or neatly hand-written.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

To submit your essay by mail, please staple a cover page to the front of your essay. The cover page should include your name, address, phone number, the name of your school, and grade level. Then mail the essay to:

Viper Records

230 Mott St.

NY, NY 10012

(c/o The 3rd World Writing Contest)

To submit your essay by e-mail, please include two separate attachments: 1) the actual essay and 2) a cover page that includes your name, address, phone number, the name of your school, and your grade level. Send both attachments in the same e-mail to:

WritingContest@immortal-technique.com

http://www.the3rdworldcontest.com

* NOTE: Submitted essay entries will not be returned, so please make a copy of your entry if you would like to keep a copy of your work.

Jam Master Jay Doc Premiering In Hollywood

A new documentary on the life and death of legendary Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay will premiere at The 9th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) tomorrow (June 3).

Two Turntables and a Microphone was produced by Jay’s cousin Stephon “Phonz” Watford and was directed by Guy Logan.

The documentary chronicles Jam Master Jay’s life, as well as his unsolved murder, which took place in his Hollis, Queens recording studio, on October 30, 2002.

Although five different people witnessed the DJ’s murder, the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies have been unable to identify a suspect in the high profile murder.

Two Turntables and a Microphone features interviews and insights from fellow Run-DMC member Rev. Run, Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, 50 Cent, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Swizz Beatz, DJ Hurricane, LL Cool J, Ja Rule, Jay-Z and others with key information about Jam Master Jay’s murder.

A number of superstar rappers, including Rev. Run, Outkast, MC Lyte, Yo Yo, Onyx and others are confirmed to present during the film’s premiere, which takes place at The Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, starting at 6:00 PM.

“Jam Master Jay is a legend,” Onxy group member Sticky Fingaz told AllHipHop.com of his mentor and former artist on JMJ Records. “He should be remembered and reflected upon.  He started my music career as well as many others. People need to know about his life and what happened to him.  It shows you what justice is in America.  A legend is murdered in front of 4 or 5 witnesses and the case is still unsolved? It’s a wake up call.”

HBFF founder Tany Kersey revealed that she was a life long Run-DMC fan.

“I am particularly excited about showcasing this film. Not only am I a native New Yorker, but I’m a true fan who grew up listening to Jam Master Jay spin with Run-DMC,” said HBFF founder Tanya Kersey. “This movie highlights the life of an extraordinarily talented artist who will always be remembered as one of Hip-Hop’s true legendary innovators. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate Jam Master Jay then at the opening night of the Hollywood Black Film Festival.”

The 9th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival takes place June 3-8 in Beverly Hills.

Over 119 filmmakers from around the world will showcase 27 features, 58 shorts, 18 documentaries, 12 student films, two music videos and two animated films.

“This is an amazing time for us,” added Brett Dismuke, VP of Acquisitions for Image Entertainment/One Village Entertainment. “Two Turntables and a Microphone is an outstanding film that not only celebrates the life and career of one of Hip-Hop’s pioneers but it also gives us a history lesson as to how this worldwide phenomenon came about,” added Brett Dismuke, Vice President of Acquisitions for Image Entertainment & head of One Village Entertainment.