Dec. has been deemed
"B.I.G. Mobile Month" in support of the late rapper’s Notorious
B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter. Over 60 custom-made ringtones were released
to the public on Thursday, according to a press statement. The ringtones were
derived from the duets album as well as Biggie’s past hits like Ready to Die,
Life After Death and Born Again. The mobile set is offered to
several wireless platforms including ringback tones and video ringers. Bad Boy
Entertainment will release Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter
on Dec. 20. "Big was and still is a huge presence who has had a major influence
on modern music and culture," said Bad Boy Entertainment founder and CEO
Sean "Diddy" Combs. "It is only fitting that his music now takes
on a new life with ringtones, the newest use of music made popular by our kids.
Ringtones are all about making personal statements and personal connections, and
with this new ringtone catalog, Big’s millions of fans will be able to select
the moments that have meant the most to them."
Kanye West has announced a UK tour in 2006. The rapper/producer
will commence his rounds in Britain on Feb. 16 at the Manchester MEN and finish
at the Birmingham NEC on the Feb. 28. Tickets for the tour begin selling on
Dec. 3.
February 16 Manchester MEN
February 17 Glasgow SECC
February 19 London Hammersmith Apollo
February 22 Cardiff Arena
February 28 Birmingham NEC
Socio-political group X Clan is mounting a comeback. The act,
hugely popular in the 90’s, is slated to release a new album called Return
from Mecca in 2006. According to a press statement, the opus will express
the "tradition of displaying ancestral wisdom, culture, and signature lyrical
style." In addition to a new album, the Brother J-helmed group has been
included on the Damian Marley Jamrock Tour, which ends on Dec. 6 in Norfolk,
VA. X Clan broke up in the mid 90’s after releasing a pair of heralded albums,
To the East Blackwards and Xodus.
DMX was sentenced
to seven additional days in Rikers Island on Wednesday (Nov. 30), which will
run concurrent with his 70-day sentence at the correctional facility. The rapper,
whose real name is Earl Simmons, pleaded guilty to driving in the Bronx without
a license. His license was suspended earlier in the year due to several driving
violations. According to published reports, he was driving because he thought
his wife was in labor, as she was pregnant with their fourth baby. She gave
birth three days after the occurrence. The original 70-day term in Rikers stemmed
from a road rage incident at JFK Airport in June of 2004, a violation of a previously
arranged plea deal. DMX will get out of Rikers on Dec. 31. The judge labeled
DMX " a violation waiting to happen."
